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Chad Ochocinco: Days in New England Numbered After Albert Haynesworth’s Release?

November 9th, 2011 at 12:00 PM
By Chris Tripodi

After just six games played and three tackles in the 2011 season, the New England Patriots parted ways with one of the biggest busts of the 2011 season (based on weight and performance). Albert Haynesworth's release after an ineffective half-season with New England begs the question: Is Chad Ochocinco next?

New England Patriots wide reciever Chad Ochocinco warms up with his team before a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts on August 11, 2011. UPI/Matthew Healey

Ochocinco was brought in to stretch the field for a Patriots team lacking a deep threat but has been as disappointing as Haynesworth if not more so. Most football people at least believed Ochocinco could contribute more than nine catches for 136 yards through eight games, where few believed Haynesworth's true issues were rooted in Washington's 3-4 defense.

Ochocinco has failed to record a catch in his past three games and has season highs of two catches (four times)and 45 yards. It's not for a lack of effort, as Tom Brady threw his way five times in Week 9 against the Giants. Ochocinco has far more tweets in 2011 than receptions, including this gem around 6 p.m. last night:

You ever work hard at something but it never pans out the way you want or expect to? Curious how many of you gave up? Be honest?
 
The question now doesn't seem to be if or when Ochocinco will "give up," but when the Patriots finally do thanks to his lack of production (he's just sixth on the team in receptions). The funniest part is that this tweet came just four weeks after this attempt at humor through Facebook. Since that post, Ochocinco doesn't have a reception. Not one.
 
I've always been a fan of Ochocinco's on- and off-field antics; they have generally been harmless. He was always performing at a high level, so nobody complained. Now that's not the case and ever since a key drop late in the Pats' Week 3 loss in Buffalo that cost New England three minutes and the chance to get the ball back for a final drive, the lack of trust and cohesion between he and Brady has only grown.
 
The Patriots are desperate for weapons on the outside, as Deion Branch is small and injury-prone while Wes Welker is their slot machine. New England's star tight ends allow them to work the middle of the field effectively but when you can't stretch the field to the flanks, opposing teams can pack defenders into the middle and clog the passing lanes.
 
That's exactly what's happening to the New England offense this season, as Brady has had multiple passes intercepted after being tipped at the line or by linebackers. If Ochocinco can't get his act together soon and at least be an effective decoy down the field, New England will have no choice but to cut him.
 
He's been more effective than Haynesworth this season, which isn't saying much, and that will likely lead to the Patriots keeping him around for at least a few more weeks. With 2010 third-round speedster Taylor Price waiting in the wings, New England may not be willing to wait too much longer on Ochocinco.
Tags: Albert Haynesworth, Chad Ochocinco, Deion Branch, Football, New England Patriots, New York, New York Jets, NFL, Tom Brady, Wes Welker

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