Chad Ochocinco: 10 Reasons His Tenure in Cincinnati Is Over
Chad Ochocinco tweeted today, not that there's anything unusual about that, but he asked his fans if they were the Bengals' owner, would they pick up his $6 million option?
If there's anything you can almost guarantee from that tweet, it's that Ochocinco probably has played his last game in Cincinnati.
Ochocinco didn't play last Sunday with a foot injury, and it now seems pretty likely he'll sit out the last two games as well, unless something changes.
Ochocinco has had a long run in Cincinnati, but now it appears to be over, here are 10 reasons why.
10. The Bengals Want To Move On
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Ochocinco no longer is a young man, not that he's really old, but if the Bengals are going to reboot the whole system, do you really want to keep a receiver over the age of 30 who is known to be tempermental?
9. Ochocinco's Moodiness Won't Be Tolerated Anymore
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The more the season has gone down the drain, the more Ochocinco has pouted. While he hasn't been as outspoken as Terrell Owens the last few weeks, he's had a visibly bad attitude on the sidelines, and that has to translate to the locker room.
The Bengals most likely figure it's time to eject that attitude.
8. He Didn't Have A Great Year
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Ochocinco has had 67 catches for 831 yards and four touchdowns.
For a primary receiver who has built the kinds of numbers Ochocinco has, this is a bad year. At the age of 32, the Bengals may decide it's safer to cut him and move on with a younger receiver than risk this season being indicative of a trend.
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7. The Team Needs To Change Its Identity
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The Bengals have had an identity as a team that's undisciplined, and Ochocinco's antics were one of the reasons for that identity.
If there's going to be a change in Cincinnati, ejecting Ochocinco from the team is one of the better ways to do it.
6. If There's A Change At Coach, There Will Be No Loyalty To Ochocinco
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Marvin Lewis is in the last year of his contract, and with the way the season has gone, it's unlikely he's going to get an extension.
A new coach and a new coaching staff will have no loyalty to any of the old players, and it's doubtful Ochocinco will be high on the priority list of players to keep.
5. What Has Chad Done For Them Lately?
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As stated earlier, Chad's numbers are down. In the NFL, with few exceptions, you're only as good as your last game.
Factor in the 3-11 record, and the front office has to ask just how valuable to the offense Ochocinco really is.
4. What Is Chad Worth On The Market?
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Even though Ochocinco has had a down year, that doesn't mean he can't rebound, and the Bengals may try and trade him.
The market for Ochocinco isn't known at this point because no one really thought he was going anywhere until the last few days.
I throw Denver out just as an example of a team with a young quarterback who could use another proven, veteran receiver.
3. The Cable Show
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Ochocinco it seems has spent more time this past year developing his off-field brand than his on-field brand.
It's perceptions like that, coupled with dropping numbers, that get players kicked off of teams.
2. Loyalty Is King With Owner Mike Brown
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Owner Mike Brown values loyalty above just about anything else. With the bickering and the taking to twitter to air his grievances, Ochocinco could be perceived as a malcontent who needs to go.
1. Money
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Ochocinco is due $6 million in base salary next year, and combined with everything else, there's no way Ochocinco sees a penny of that unless it's from another team that thinks waiting for Chad to be cut is too big a risk.
Between his financial cost, his attitude and his lower numbers this season, the Bengals will move on without No. 85
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