New England Patriots: Should They Go After Chad Ochocinco?

Bill Belichick cracked a smile, something seen as unusual for the shrewd New England Patriots head coach, as he waved on Chad Ochocinco. The two met on the field prior to a preseason game and shared a laugh as Belichick told Ochocinco that he would be double-covered all day.

"One double 85, that's our call."

The relationship between the two dates back to the 2006 Pro Bowl, and since then, the two have grown fond of one another. Ochocinco would like to take that relationship a step further by becoming a member of the Patriots.

On Sunday, Chad Ochocinco tweeted, "PePe and Bill #EPIC" in sort of an eye-batting move toward the Patriots to trade for him.

In an interview with Comcast SportsNet New England's Tom E. Curran, he was asked about how his relationship has bonded with Bill Belichick.

He responded, "I think over the years just playing the game. Him admiring my game, me admiring him as a head coach and all he's done in the NFL—especially with the Patriots. He's just been a fan of mine and I've been a fan of his."

First Deion Branch, then Randy Moss, now Chad Johnson. While the media continues to vilify Belichick, players across the board are publicly singing his praises.

Can you blame Johnson for wanting to go from a 4-12 team with uncertainty at both quarterback and head coach, to a 14-2 team run by one of the best head coaches of our generation with one of the best quarterback of our generation?

Absolutely not. But don't think that will earn him a spot on the Patriots roster.

The argument has been made, as it usually is when cancerous locker room personalities become available, that the Patriots made it work with Randy Moss. The difference then was that the Patriots had a veteran locker room of team-first personalities and leaders.

The Patriots have a group of those personalities, but they still have a very young team of second- through fourth-year guys who are just starting to make a name for themselves in the league.

PatsPropaganda.com's Mike Dussault puts it best, saying, "So why does The Chad make sense? Because (Bill Belichick) likes him as a person? So what. I like a lot of people as people, that doesn’t mean I want them in my house everyday and hanging out with me and my friends. And it definitely doesn’t mean that BB is ready to bring that element in to his young, impressionable team."

Brandon Tate and Taylor Price, two of the team's young receivers, haven't had much of a chance to prove themselves yet. Both were respected selections coming out of the draft.

Tate has had surgery on both of his knees, but is now a full year removed from his last one. We know how much of a rebound Tom Brady made from his first year back after surgery to his second, and Tate could also make strides.

After what was essentially a red-shirt year for Taylor Price, he made his first appearance in the final game of the season against the Miami Dolphins. He played well, and catching three passes from backup Brian Hoyer to the tune of 41 yards.

In losing to the Jets, the Patriots were exposed for their lack of a big, physical outside threat. Ochocinco would certainly bring that to any offense. But remember, for eight weeks before the playoffs, the Patriots offense was all but unstoppable without that type of threat on the outside.

But how, exactly, has Ochocinco fared against Darrelle Revis, Rex Ryan and the Jets defense? Six receptions for 69 yards and no touchdowns in three games. Not exactly the type of performance that would suggest he fixes any issues that the Patriots faced against the Jets.

It's important to note, too, that from an age perspective, the Patriots will need to address their receiving corps sooner than later. Branch will be 32 by the beginning of the 2011 season, and Welker will be 30.

Tate, Price and Edelman are all 24 or younger, so if any of them figures to be a long-term answer at receiver, now is the time to get them their reps.

Ochocinco's numbers are fading, even if they're not abysmal. Still, with young talent waiting in the wings, trading for him and having his personality in the locker room seem like more trouble and risk than it's worth.