January 31, 2012

Ochocinco Doesn't Rate a Podium at Super Bowl Media Day: For Super Bowl media day today, 18 members of the New England Patriots were given podiums. Wide receiver Chad Ochocinco wasn't one of them, but he was grateful and humble when interviewed by Deion Sanders in the crowd. "I don't need a podium," he said. Ochocinco's 15 catches, 276 yards and one touchdown are career lows. "He hasn't even been targeted once in the playoffs," said Rich Eisen on the NFL Network. Asked earlier what he learned this season, Ochocinco said, "That I can finally shut the [expletive] up."

posted by rcade to football at 10:52 AM - 19 comments

(As an aside, Deion Sanders is the most me-first questioner in the entire media. After telling Ochocinco he was a little brother to him several times, Sanders just asked Bill Belichick, "If I played for your team, how would you use me?" Ugh.)

posted by rcade at 10:57 AM on January 31, 2012

I might watch the NFL Network if they got rid of Deion ... Michael Irvin is cringe-worthy too, but from what I have seen, Deion spends most of his time telling how close he is to certain players and then using the phrase "pay the man." Gag.

As for Ocho, I like him more and more as he reaches the end of his careers. He's finally growing up it seems. Playing with T.O. may have accelerated the process.

posted by scully at 01:51 PM on January 31, 2012

Asked earlier what he learned this season, Ochocinco said, "That I can finally shut the [expletive] up."

If Chad had of shut the [expletive] up along time ago his football career may have been taken a little more serious. Howbeit, as far as I can remember he has never been in trouble with the law, just the league for his antics. It is good to see him finally get humbled. As for Deion, I am a Cowboy's fan, and did not care much for him when he was there.

posted by preacher81 at 03:21 PM on January 31, 2012

I might watch the NFL Network if they got rid of Deion ... Michael Irvin is cringe-worthy too

I think the NFL Network's game day team is the best of the bunch. I'm not a huge fan of what Deion brings to it, but I gave Irvin a second chance after the story about his brother and I've come around on him. He's still capable of saying totally ridiculous things, but I like him.

As for Deion, I am a Cowboy's fan, and did not care much for him when he was there.

Except for 60 minutes a week on Sunday, I assume.

posted by yerfatma at 04:02 PM on January 31, 2012

As for Deion, I am a Cowboy's fan, and did not care much for him when he was there.

Except for 60 minutes a week on Sunday, I assume.

I never thought Deion was that great, sure he made a enough flashy plays to stay in the spotlight, but he whiffed on a lot of plays......of course even that would beat Dallas' new pass defense scheme: pass interference or give up touchdown.

posted by preacher81 at 04:27 PM on January 31, 2012

If Chad had of shut the [expletive] up along time ago his football career may have been taken a little more serious.

Over 11,000 receiving yards and 67 touchdowns in an 11 year career, six-time pro bowler, and three time all-pro. Most people who have followed football take his career somewhat seriously.

It is good to see him finally get humbled.

Why? The guy is gregarious and has a lot of fun playing football, but what about him provokes such a visceral reaction in so many people? Like you said, he's never been in trouble with the law. Would you rather he was a quiet accused rapist? Or an under the radar drunk driver, wife beater, or carrier of concealed weapons?

The guy is by all accounts from teammates, opposing players, coaches, and fans who contact him a hell of a nice guy who does more than his part for the communities he is a part of.

posted by tahoemoj at 04:28 PM on January 31, 2012

but he whiffed on a lot of plays

Great at taking away routes, good ball hawk but had no interest in tackling or any other physical aspects of the game. Biggest contribution was paving the way for guys like TO, Chad, Keyshawn Johnson and the rest of the underperforming media whore types.

posted by cixelsyd at 05:50 PM on January 31, 2012

the rest of the underperforming media whore types.

See my previous post. Also see Terrell Owens statistics. If that's an underperformer, I can only hope to be an underperformer some day. No dispute on media whore, but the two are mutually exclusive concepts.

posted by tahoemoj at 05:55 PM on January 31, 2012

Why?

My question too. Ochocinco's publicity seeking has brought some fun to the NFL. He's never been a bad attitude guy or had legal trouble. And before this year he's been a terrific wideout.

It's a shame he hasn't fit in at New England. I hope he catches at least one pass this weekend.

posted by rcade at 06:52 PM on January 31, 2012

I never thought Deion was that great ...

He was the best cover corner in the league and a well-deserved Hall of Fame inductee last year. He was one of the biggest reasons the '94 49ers and '95 Cowboys won the Super Bowl. He's a terrible self-obsessed interviewer, but in his prime he was one of the best to ever play his position.

posted by rcade at 07:00 PM on January 31, 2012

As long as you didn't expect him to tackle someone ;)

Oh, and welcome to SportsFilter, preacher81! We have an open thread in the Locker Room welcoming new members.

posted by scully at 07:14 PM on January 31, 2012

in his prime

I see what you did there.

Also Ocho Cinco's crime was having fun, which is expressly not allowed.

posted by Mr Bismarck at 07:27 PM on January 31, 2012

It's a shame he hasn't fit in at New England. I hope he catches at least one pass this weekend.

Let's see if the Pats don't deviate from tendencies and suddenly dial up a bigger role for Branch and Ocho this Sunday. While the D is chasing Welker and the tight ends around. (Hopefully two tight ends, not one.)

posted by beaverboard at 07:31 PM on January 31, 2012

Biggest contribution was paving the way for guys like TO, Chad, Keyshawn Johnson and the rest of the underperforming media whore types.

All of those guys were great players and Sanders was a first-ballot Hall of Famer who was #34 on the list of best players of all time. Get some perspective.

posted by yerfatma at 07:52 PM on January 31, 2012

Ochocinco is why I'm hoping for a Patriots win. He has fun playing and has fun in his daily life. He is one of the more interesting athletes on Twitter.

posted by geekyguy at 10:14 PM on January 31, 2012

I never understood why people insist on grouping Ochocinco with TO and other renowned locker room killers. I've never heard a player or coach ever say anything bad about Ocho. Marv Lewis told a story about how Ocho would call him on a Saturday night with play ideas. He was a homebody and a dedicated player. Harshing on him just seems completely unwarranted.

Deion as a player was fantastic. I don't mind his schtick as a broadcaster/interviewer either. I find him amusing and charming for the most part. I just think they can only have one guy who talks too much shit. When you add in another (maybe Irvin), then it is too much.

posted by bperk at 09:21 AM on February 01, 2012

Yeah, my opinion of Ochocinco was cemented a long time ago, maybe his second year in the league, when Real Sports did a piece on him-- it was mainly about his dedication and showed him sleeping in the stadium so he could watch more film. The fact he isn't a Stepford Wife like the NFL wants only makes me like him more.

posted by yerfatma at 10:09 AM on February 01, 2012

Let's see if the Pats don't deviate from tendencies and suddenly dial up a bigger role for Branch and Ocho this Sunday

That would be awesome. I would love to see him, not necessarily get some big spectacular gazillions-of-yards play (although that would be ok too), but to gash 'em for about a dozen in the 10-to-15-yard range. That would shut up a lot of people who need shuttin' up.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 11:27 AM on February 01, 2012

I like the guy. Like others have said, he has never taken himself too seriously, has a lot of fun, and I can't recall him being in trouble or making a problem for his teammates. Not crazy about the gold teeth but to each his own. I hope he has a great Super Bowl and I would not be surprised if Bellichick finds a way to use him as the Giant defense probably has to be watching Hernandez, Gronkowski, Welker, Woodhead and Branch a lot more.

posted by Atheist at 06:08 PM on February 01, 2012

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