Ochocinco takes on a new role
Posted by Mike Florio on August 20, 2009 9:14 PM ET
During Thursday night's preseason game between the Patriots and the Bengals, receiver Chad Ochocinco added a new skill to his repertoire.
He kicked an extra point.
Child. Please.
And, according to Tom Curran, who's at the game, Ochocinco kicked off to start the second half of the game. (Per NFL.com's play-by-play, the
kick traveled 61 yards.)
In quotes distributed by the team at halftime (and posted by Mike Reiss of the
Boston Globe), the player formerly known as Chad Johnson had this to say: "
Esteban Ochocinco is back. The most interesting footballer in the world. Everyone has to remember, I've always said that soccer is my No. 1 sport. I think Ronaldinho would be proud of me right now."
Ochocinco has played soccer in the past, and since the preseason games don't count we like the fact that Bengals coach Marvin Lewis let him do it.
And Lewis realizes that handling Ochocinco involves indulging stuff like this.
Hey, he could be doing a lot worse than asking to kick.
Will he kick more? You can follow the action
right here, at NBCSports.com.
Ochocinco keeps kicking after Bengals win
Posted by Tom Curran on August 21, 2009 12:01 AM ET
After providing the winning point in the Bengals' 7-6 win over New England Thursday night, Chad Ochocino was giddier than a Gramatica.
In a lengthy locker room diatribe/monologue (almost all of which I missed I was talking to Chris Henry and Carson Palmer), Ocho promised a massive 2009.
"You haven't ****ing seen anything yet," he promised. "Know how serious I am? I just cursed. I'm taking all the hate that I received from the media and balling it all up. Just like in the movie theater when you're watching all the previews, this is what I'm using the preseason for."
Ochocinco had three catches for 69 yards in limited time. He did indeed look pretty good.
As for the PAT, necessitated by a groin injury to kicker Shayne Graham, Ocho said, "I've been kicking since high school. It was easy, just like riding a bike. You haven't done it in a while but it's still the same thing. I don't think they need to bring anybody in. I can do the kicking for the preseason."
He also promised that, when the NFL Films cameras stop rolling for the Bengals turn on
Hard Knocks, the entertainment won't end.
"This year I'm gonna be myself," he proclaimed. "But I'm gonna be very productive at the same time. It's gonna be hilarious."