Terrell Owens becoming a Cincinnati Bengal, how does that fit and sound? The controversial receiver would pair up with another controversial receiver in Chad Ochocinco. Could these receivers team up together to make the Bengal passing attack that much better?
Would Terrell Owens fit in as a Bengal?
It seems that on the surface that Ochocinco and head coach Marvin Lewis are on board for the acquisition of Owens. This is like I said on the surface as we know that Owens wore out his welcome as both a Cowboy and Eagle. These two dynamic receivers would have to show the maturity to get along with each other and not disrupt team chemistry which T. O. has done in recent history.
Owens is coming off a lackluster season in Buffalo but you cannot blame it all on Owens. The Bills had a non existed running game all season long and that meant more defenses concentrating on the pass. Owens still caught 55 passes for 829 yards and five touchdowns. That is fair production from Owens playing on a team with no running game and a mediocre quarterback at best.
If he became a Bengal, he would be on a lot better offensive team for sure. He would not only team up with Ochocinco but woul have Carson Palmer to get the ball to him. The double threat at the receiving core in addition to the rushing game of Cedric Benson-1251 yards rushing -would make Owens a much more effective threat as a receiver. I think that Owens could have a bit of rebirth. Being a Bengal would not only bring out the best in him, but it would do the same for Ochocinco. They would feed off each other ,and I think that is what they both need. Chad knows that and I think T.O. knows that too.
To answer this question, I think T.O. would fit in great as a Bengal. It would make him a more motivated and happier receiver. I think he will leave his ego at the door and use his experiences, maturity and age to put team first.
The NFL playoffs kickoff today with three repeat matchups from last week, beginning with the most interesting matchup of the weekend between the New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals. The Jets won last week’s matchup in a 37-0 blowout as the Bengals rested their starters and choose to not give the Jets a glimpse into their playoff gameplan.
Can Revis Shutdown Ochocinco
The Jets enter the game with momentum on their side. Left for dead after losing six of seven games during the middle of the season, the Jets closed the season strong, winning five of their last six games to earn their spot in the playoffs.
In contrast, the Bengals are limping into the playoffs after a fast start to the season. Opening the season with a 7-2 start, the Bengals have been pestered with the injury bug and closed the season with three losses in its final four games.
Last week’s result is meaningless, but should not be completely dismissed. The Bengals had sewn up their playoff spot and used the game as an exhibition outing to scout the Jets. Carson Palmer’s 1-11 stink bomb was more than just a rollover showing. Today’s game will defined by who wins the key matchups, makes the proper adjustments from last week and enforces their gameplan successfully on the other team.
For the Bengals, the keys to victory will be establishing a running game on offense and stuffing the Jets running attack. On the offensive side of the ball, the matchup between Chad Ochocinco and Darrelle Revis is all but determined. Revis has shut down every top receiver with relative ease and made his mark as the best cornerback in the NFL. Cincinnati’s depth at receiver is light, so the Bengals success will ride on the legs of Cedric Benson.
On the defensive side, the Bengals needs to control the line of scrimmage and keep the Jets top-ranked running attack grounded. With rookie QB Mark Sanchez leading the charge, it is imperative for the Bengals to make Sanchez beat them with his arm. With a penchant for poor decision making and interceptions in bunches, the Bengals defense can feed off Sanchez if they can keep the Jets consistently in third-and-long situations.
The key to the Jets success is the exact opposite. They need to get the running game motoring with Thomas Jones and limit Sanchez’s potential errors. On defense, they need to keep Benson in check. With LB David Harris ailing from a cheap shot chop block last week by Cincinati’s Brian Leonard, this will be a significant challenge for the Jets defense with him not 100 percent. The Jets need to make Revis the game decider as they have done numerous times this season, and if they can impose their defensive scheme, they will likely come out on top given Palmer’s lack of receiving options outside of Ochocinco.
The Jets pose a difficult matchup for the Bengals, matching stride for stride where they are strong. Expect a close game with Revis making the difference in shutting down and hopefully shutting up Ochocinco.
Cincinnati Bengals’ troubled wide receiver Chris Henry died of injuries resulting from a motor vehicle accident. Henry was thrown from the truck bed of a pickup trip on Wednesday and passed away hours later while in intensive care. Reports of the incident are being pieced together as 911 tapes and police reports have been released.
The lowdown of the situation is that Henry and his fiance, mother of his three kids, got into a verbal altercation outside their home. Henry was seen jumping on the truck bed by a neighbor and 911 reports suggest that Henry was attempting to enter the pickup truck’s cab while it was in motion. Henry was thrown from the vehicle and was found unconscious roadside.
Bengals execs and teammates have voiced out their support and kind words for the trouble receiver. Henry built a reputation as one of the NFL baddest of the bad boys, unleashing a one-man crime spree wherever he walked over a two and half year period. Henry was arrested for marijuana possession, concealment of a weapon, purchasing alcohol for minors, sexual assault (accused) and physical assault & battery charges. But you wouldn’t believe Henry did any of this if you listen to his teammates.
Let’s get serious. Chris Henry was a bad guy and his untimely death really doesn’t come as much of a surprise. If you were placing bets on what NFL player would get killed, Chris Henry was at the top of your list. But did he have to be?
The NFL is very much at fault here. Commissioner Roger Goodell believes a rookie seminar prepares these young college kids for the lifestyle change when they make it to the NFL. It just doesn’t work that way. Personally having the opportunity to live in the same neighborhood of another fallen NFL player, Marquis Cooper, I’ve seen first hand how a player struggles to handle their stardom. Fast times and little concern.
Then, to add fuel to the fire, the NFL believes that the best way to deal with these troubled individuals is to suspend them and ban them from practice. This just worsens the problem in that they guys go out and get in more trouble due to the idle time. The activities on the field is what keeps them out of trouble. Send them away just unleashes then on the general public. Suspensions and fines just don’t work.
What the NFL needs to do is start providing for its players are life coaches. The game should not be all about Xs, Os, and victories. By placing life coaches in the locker rooms, the NFL would not only reap the benefit of fewer bad press relations situations but also lengthen and improve the careers of talented athletes such as Chris Henry.
Proof positive example of how a life coach can help get a person grounded again can be seen in Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton. Considered one of the best high school prospects ever, Hamilton fizzled in the minor leagues as he dealt with substance abuse and depression. The Cincinnati Reds gave him a second chance, with his mentor life coach in tow named Johnny Narron. His life coach goes everywhere with Hamilton, keeping him focused on appreciating his athletic talents and advising him on proper life course. Hamilton credits Narron with all the success he has achieved since his revival.
Could things have been different if the NFL invested a little more care in people like Chris Henry. Could a life coach changed his destructive path which the NFL profited off. We’ll never know. May he rest in peace.
