Chad Ochocinco in Denver? 5 Reasons the Denver Broncos Must Pass

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The New England Patriots recently released the 34-year old wide receiver, Chad Ochocinco, after a relatively disappointing season in which the veteran wideout had just 15 receptions for 276 yards a single touchdown. He was also paid almost $6 million last season, a hefty price for such a minor contributor.

The writing was on the wall during the offseason when New England added big-name wide receivers in free agency, picking up former Broncos Brandon Lloyd and Jabbar Gaffney, as well as Donte' Stallworth.

A few people in Denver have floated the idea of Denver picking up the six-time Pro Bowl receiver, most notably newly signed cornerback Drayton Florence, who tweeted:

 

I got my asthma pump... RT @DraytonFlorence: @ochocinco #MileHigh if you want that hardware

— Chad Ochocinco (@ochocinco) June 7, 2012

 

However, let me offer you five good reasons why adding Ochocinco in Denver would be a big mistake.

He's Too Old

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Denver needs new life. They need some receivers who still have pep left in their step. They need some fresh blood.

Denver has some emerging top receiving targets for Peyton Manning in Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker, who are starting to reach some of the best years of their careers.

Adding Chad Ochocinco for the Broncos would be a mistake because he is 34 years old and doesn't have that much to offer. He isn't as fast as he used to be, and the older a player gets in the NFL, the more likely he is to go down with an injury.

Just ask T.O.

Ochocinco isn't a great fit here.

He's a Drama Queen

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Chad Ochocinco attracts a crowd and he thrives off of drama. During a season that is already going to be marked with change and transition, Denver cannot use the extra drama.

He cleaned up his "act" in New England last year with the Patriots, but who knows if he could remain on best behavior for two straight seasons.

The Broncos need some high character guys who keep a low profile and get their business done. Ochocinco does not fit in that category.

He Attracts a Crowd

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Media types are drawn to Chad Ochocinco. He attracts a media crowd that the team has been trying to play down ever since they jettisoned Tim Tebow to the New York Jets for draft picks this offseason.

Peyton Manning attracts a lot of attention on his own, and he does best when there isn't much controversy around him.

Ochocinco might do better on a struggling team who needs a big-name player to get the attention of fans, that's not the case in Denver, where they are trying to compete for a Super Bowl title in 2012.

He's Too Expensive

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For the Broncos to lure Chad Ochocinco to Denver, he would come at a hefty price tag. Denver has already spent some good change bringing in receivers Andre Caldwell and Brandon Stokley to compete in training camp, and they also made a couple of improvements at tight end with the additions of Jacob Tamme and Joel Dreessen.

Ochocinco made $6 million last year and probably wouldn't be willing to play for anything less than $3 million or so, even though he restructured his contract with New England. However, he had a rapport in New England with management, ownership and fans, something that would not exist in Denver.

The steep price on Ochocinco—without a guarantee that he would even be the best receiver next season—is another reason Denver will need to pass.

He Isn't the Best Free-Agent Receiver Available

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Other receivers that keep a low profile that are arguably better than Ochocinco at this junction in his career include T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Plaxico Burress (who has had some problems with the law serving a two-year jail sentence) and Braylon Edwards, who has also had some baggage of his own in recent years.

Each of these receivers have their own amount of baggage and are risk vs. reward players, some of which are less risky than the older Ochocinco.

To me, none of these players look to be a great fit in Denver, and I am content rolling the dice with the receiving corps the Broncos currently have rather than taking a chance on Ochocinco.