Time to get real, Chad Ochocinco. You were worthy of being defended from the former Patriot detractors. But the grace period when you dropped that touchdown which could had won the game against Buffalo. Save your opposable thumbs for latching on to the pigskin instead of tweeting 140 characters.
Is the fan base over-reacting? Probably. But we haven’t seen such a costly drop since a pass bounced off of a wide open Reche Caldwell in the 2006 AFC Championship versus Indianapolis. The white of Caldwell’s eyes still haunt me like the smile of the Chesire Cat, keeping me up at night.
Not that Ochocinco is being compared to Caldwell, but better returns were expected out of the former six-time Pro Bowler after three weeks.
Expectations might be part of the problem so far. Some envisioned a Randy Moss-like impact from Ochocino. But they are very different players acquired during very different situations. Moss was the centerpiece of a receiver corps overhaul that included Donte Stallworth and Wes Welker. With a full training camp to prepare, Moss and friends ran up the score week after week in 2007.
New England’s offense is loaded this year with Welker, Deion Branch, and tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. All Ochocinco has to do is fit in as a contributor and step up when asked.
Ochocinco has done the first part, with four of his five receptions moving the chains. But with Hernandez out of the game, Ochocinco’s golden opportunity bounced off his hands like Brady’s fourth quarter pass.
Ochocinco won’t hide behind the playbook, as he said he understood what he was doing on Sunday. But his nonchalant “It just got away from me” reaction to the drop can rub the wrong way.
Holding oneself responsible is preferred according to the Patriot Way (or banal “the team/we have to do better” statements). It’s not only Ochocinco’s fault that the Patriots lost the game. But if he makes that catch with 8:12 left in the fourth quarter, New England would have plenty of time to respond if Buffalo scored.
No one doubts Ochocinco’s desire to succeed in New England. He called his arrival like “landing in heaven.” It’s not heaven until Ochocinco is playing well. Time for Ochocinco to step it up.
Question? Comments? Send to talktome@randolphc.com.
