NFL Trade Speculation: Could Bill Belichick Make a Play for Chad Ochocinco?

There's no debate that the New England Patriots have some holes to fill this offseason: The offensive line, defensive line and outside linebackers are positions that come to mind.

However, one of the minor areas of concern is wide receiver. 

In the team's devastating loss to the New York Jets, the wide receiver position was open to scrutiny. Wide receivers Deion Branch and Wes Welker are said to be just too small and aren't strong enough to muscle their way open against press coverage.

Many fans and some analysts speculated that the Patriots missed a deep threat and could have used a player like Randy Moss—they couldn't be any more wrong. 

What the Patriots need is a physical wide receiver, unlike Moss, that can force his way open physically against press coverage. 

Following the playoff loss to the Jets, there were rumors circulating that Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco was interested in joining Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots following one of his tweets.

In the middle of the rumors, there was news of Ochocinco, via an ESPN interview, wanting/debating legally changing his name back to Johnson rather than Ochocinco (due to his number, 85). Many speculated that this was Ochocinco "maturing" and preparing himself for a stint in New England. Also, Deadspin threw in the idea of changing his last name due to Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez already occupying the number.

Belichick has admitted to having a close relationship with Ochocinco and has always said nice things about the six-time Pro Bowl receiver. 

"I don’t know if you can say Chad and I are a lot alike,” said Belichick following a 2009 preseason game with the Bengals. “Maybe in some ways we are. But yeah, I respect that about Chad. His enthusiasm for the game and the competitive level that he brings. Though, I don’t like playing against him because he’s a good player, he’s hard to defend."

In recent news, Sports Illustrated''s Peter King released a tweet on his Twitter account, which was answering a question posed by Ochocinco about where he'd be playing next season.

When all is said and done, I have to disagree with King—Ochocinco will not be a member of the New England Patriots in 2011.

Ochocinco has one year remaining on his contract with the Bengals, and with quarterback Carson Palmer reportedly asking for a trade, along with Ochocinco, both players could very well be on the move—but not to New England.

The Patriots already experimented with a "diva" wide receiver in Randy Moss, and how'd that work out? A Super Bowl loss in 2007 and failure to make it past the Wild Card round of the playoffs in consecutive years.

I believe that Belichick understands that he won three Super Bowls in four years with quality, hardworking wide receivers. Playings like Branch, Troy Brown, David Patten and David Givens were all average wide receivers at best, but flourished in New England's offense.

What New England has right now is a nice receiving group in Branch, Welker and young tight ends in Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. So what's the missing piece? Not Ochocinco.

The Patriots need a player like Givens, someone who's physical and can beat press coverage.

As I stated before, I do not see New England making any play for Ochocinco or any "diva" wide receiver, for that matter, in the 2011 offseason.

This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @    TonySantorsa.