Is Ochocinco a Smart Move for the Dolphins?
Looks like Chad Ochocinco will be playing in 2012 after all.
The Miami Dolphins signed the 34-year-old wide receiver to a one-year deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter via his Twitter account. Specific details of the contract were not immediately released.
Ochocinco was released four days ago by the New England Patriots following a one-year stint with the team, before signing with division-rival Miami. With the Patriots, Ochocinco recorded career-lows in receptions, yards and touchdowns.
The Dolphins, who traded veteran wideout Brandon Marshall to the Chicago Bears in March, likely expect Ochocinco to fill his void as a veteran presence and locker room leader. Despite playing poorly with the Patriots in 2011, Ochocinco was regarded as both a hard worker and good teammate. It will be interesting to see if Ochocinco retains these traits, as well as how he acts, as a member of the Dolphins in training camp during HBO’s filming of “Hard Knocks.”
It’s a surprising signing by the Dolphins, especially after Ochocinco’s dismal year last season. The “Hard Knocks” cameras could also be a distraction for the team, given Ochocinco’s past attention-seeking behavior. Unless the Dolphins signed him to the veteran minimum, it doesn’t seem this signing will be worth the money. It will be shocking to see if Ochocinco becomes a relavent receiver again during his time in Miami.
Originally drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2001, Ochocinco was then known by his birth name, Chad Johnson, before changing it to Chad Ochocinco in 2008. He would play with the Bengals from 2001-2010, setting franchise records in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. He was a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All Pro during his time in Cincinnati.
Fantasy Analysis
Everyone expected Ochocinco to make a bigger impact with the Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady last season, but he ended up being one of the most disappointing players of 2011.
Unless he extremely flourishes with the Dolphins in training camp and the preseason, I’d say hold off on drafting Ochocinco. Now, if he impresses early on in the season and appears to have some promise for 2012, he could be someone to pickup as a backup in free agency.
