Experiments always have a chance of failure when they are first conceived. If it fails, look back at your process, reevaluate your techniques, and set it for success. The New England Patriots and Bill Belichick took on 2 extensive experiments this offseason in defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth and wide receiver Chad Ochocinco. So far one is looking on the upside and the other is about to explode in the organizations face. I'm talking about you Chad. Since you love all the criticism and attention here's my two cents.
If you haven't heard or aren't one of Ochocinco's 2.7 million followers on Twitter, Chad likes to fill in those 140 characters more than the Steelers like to turn the football over. He has somehow managed to turn it into a self-branding and promotion; probably one of the first athletes to start an account as well. The biggest debate over Ochocinco has been if the account is distracting to his game. Ever since he has been on the Bengals it gets brought up once a season at least. Well... Teddy Bruschi has had enough of the Twitterverse nonsense and had to put his foot down on Ocho. After Monday night's performance against the Dolphins, Chad sent out a tweet regarding Tom Brady's stellar performance and the fluidity of the Patriot's offense:
@ochocinco: Just waking up after a late arrival, I've never seen a machine operate like that n person, to see video game numbers put up n person was WOW.
Seems pretty harmless. He hasn't been a part of this offense before during a regular season game. Brad and the offense did look pretty good. This is the full transcript of Bruschi's beatdown on Chad's actions the next day:
"Drop the awe factor, OK, Ocho, Chad, drop the awe factor. You're not a fan, all right? You're not someone who's on another team or watching TV. You're not an analyst. You're a part of it. They want you to be a part of it. So get with the program because obviously you're not getting it and you're tweeting because you're saying, it's amazing to see? It's amazing to see because you don't understand it! You still don't understand it and it's amazing to you because you can't get it. Stop tweeting and get in your playbook. … Close your mouth. Put your hand under your chin and close your jaw. Then open your eyes and watch some film. That's what you need to do. If you're still in awe that means you don't get it because you don't understand it."
Sweet baby Jesus. Talk about going apeshit. Sad part is, Teddy knows probably the most about that organization outside Belichick and the front office. 13-year vet, 4 Super Bowl appearances, 3 Super Bowl wins; that's his resume with this one team. Probably bleeds Patriot colors.
Ocho certainly didn't have a very good game (1 catch, 15 yards, 18 plays on the field). Considering the lockout and when he arrived in the New England organization I would have to give him a bit more leeway than Teddy wants to. But this is what Ocho gets with his type of flaunting personality, lots of attention and lots of criticism. So until he can prove he is worthy of a Patriot uniform, no one will question Bruschi's comments.
I want to tie in one more Patriots story here that happened this week with the beautiful UGG wearing of a quarterback named Tom Brady. He didn't have the hotest media week either. Within the past day or two he had this to say about the fans at their home opener this coming Sunday. When asked if he had a message for the fans this coming Sunday, he responded with this:
"Yeah, start drinking early," Brady said with a snicker. "Get nice and rowdy. It's a 4:15 game, a lot of time to get lubed up. Come out here, and cheer for the home team."
And contrary to popular belief, he isn't talking about water and being properly hydrated. You have officially heard it all people. The prettiest face in the NFL encourages getting hammered. I am all for it. Here's where it ties back to Sir Ocho. Brady says go get drunk and yell a bunch, but because he is Brady it's no big deal. Being one of the most popular players in the NFL kind of earns you that right it seems. Of course he's receiving a bit of criticism for it. But he is right. Gillette Stadium is one of the quieter places within the league. But Chad, being one of the more hated players by analysts and players, can't burp in public without getting chewed out by someone somewhere.
I am going to end with this. Bill Belichick is the man. Master of media control. Expert in player remodeling. This is the message he will be sharing with Ochocinco. As you exit here, read closely the sign hanging by the door. "IGNORE THE NOISE". Who cares what people are saying outside this team and off that field. If you find your way to perform and you start playing football, it'll all go away.
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