Patriots don't leave Chad Ochocinco hanging
Chad Ochocinco may be a master of Twitter but he never mastered the New England Patriots' playbook.
On Thursday afternoon, after playing a mere one season in New England, the Patriots released the wide receiver after reported failed attempts to trade him. Ochocinco never developed chemistry with Tom Brady and as the season wore on, the wide receiver barely made it onto the field. He never figured out the Pats' offensive system and finished the season with career-low totals of 15 receptions, 276 yards and one touchdown.
The roster move did not come as a surprise. With a crowded depth chart and a sub-par 2011 season, Ochocinco appeared to be headed towards the chopping block. It's better for both parties that the move was made sooner than later. The Patriots have already parted ways with offseason free agent signee Anthony Gonzalez, only two months after signing him, and Tiquan Underwood, who made more headlines with his haircut than his play. Underwood has since reunited with his former college coach, Greg Schiano, in Tampa Bay, while Gonzalez remains unsigned.
New England still has plenty of depth at the wide receiver position. Wes Welker signed his franchise tender last month. Deion Branch also returned to the Patriots. Brandon Lloyd, Donte' Stallworth and Jabar Gaffney all have experience in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels' system. Lloyd is familiar with McDaniels from the time they spent together in Denver and St. Louis. McDaniels ran the Patriot offense during Stallworth's first season with the Pats in 2007.
Gaffney, who played in New England from 2006-08 before following McDaniels to Denver, rejoined the Patriots after being released by Washington. Gaffney was a favorite target of Brady's during his first stint with the Pats. Julian Edelman and special teams captain Matthew Slater should also stick through camp. Undrafted free agent Matt Roark, Britt Davis, who spent time on the Pats' practice squad in January, and seventh round draft pick Jeremy Ebert round out the receiving corps.
It's still unclear whether New England will make any more moves at the wide receiver position or head into training camp with the ones currently on the roster. The good thing about the remaining receivers expected to make an impact is that all have experience with either the Pats or McDaniels so the learning curve shouldn't be too steep.
It's also a good thing for Ochocinco that he was let go now rather than during training camp. He has more time to find a fit with a team that will give him a better opportunity of extending his career.
And if he's unable to find a home in the NFL, at least he has reality television as a backup plan. "Eve and Ocho" is expected to premiere on VH1 this September.
