Patriots Release Chad Ochocinco

[MACH1]

After unsuccessfully trying to trade WR Chad Ochocinco throughout the day Thursday, the Patriots are releasing him, per league source.

http://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/stat...20710808031232

For vet minimum.

[tanda10506]

Might as well with all the WR's they picked up already. Ocho has had some good seasons but as it stands now he's probably the least capable of producing out of the group they have. Someone will pick him up cheap.

[TRH]

the media is acting all 'surprised'. If you have half a brain, you HAD to see that coming....

[Hawaii 5-0]

Patriots release WR Chad Ochocinco

Updated: June 7, 2012
By Adam Schefter | ESPN

After spending Thursday trying to trade wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, the New England Patriots decided to release him.

Ochocinco took to Twitter on Thursday to thank Patriots fans.

"Thoroughly enjoyed the oppurtunity to play for the "Patriot" organization... fans were f------ wicked awesome, I wish all of you the best...," Ochocinco tweeted.

The Patriots pushed trade conversations with other teams up to near the end of the day's transaction deadline at 4 p.m. But despite conversations with other teams, there was not enough interest to make a deal.

Ochocinco's biggest issue in New England was not his ability; it had more to do with his ability to pick up the Patriots playbook, which the veteran wide receiver struggled to do.

Earlier Thursday, there had been speculation that this was Ochocinco's last day with the Patriots because the wide receiver left the training facility before the team's OTA.

However, Ochocinco said later in the day he had not been released and simply was attending an eye doctor's appointment.

The 34-year-old caught just 15 passes for 276 yards and a touchdown in his only season with the Patriots after being acquired from the Cincinnati Bengals last July.

Ochocinco, who was paid almost $6 million last season, earlier this year agreed to restructure his contract for 2012. He lowered his base salary to $925,000 from the $3 million he had been scheduled to earn, thus ensuring himself a roster spot -- for the short term.

The Patriots added many new faces at the receiver position this offseason, agreeing to deals with Brandon Lloyd, Jabar Gaffney, Donte' Stallworth and Anthony Gonzalez (who has since been released). Deion Branch also agreed to a one-year deal to return and Wes Welker received the team's franchise tag.

Those additions pushed Ochocinco far enough down the depth chart that his release Thursday does not come as a surprise to most observers.

http://espn.go.com/boston/nfl/story/...chad-ochocinco

[Lady Steel]

Originally Posted by Ochostinko

fans were f------ wicked awesome, I wish all of you the best...," Ochocinco tweeted.

Geesh, he even talks like those Patriot fan twits now. They still use that "wicked awesome" phrase even though it's so passe.

[Vis]

Ochocinco lacked football IQ of compatriots



08:04 AM ET 06.08 | Chad Ochocinco is out, while Jabar Gaffney, Donte Stallworth, Deion Branch remain as potential Tom Brady targets. [Gaffney, Stallworth and Branch are all] 30-something, but they all have Brady's trust, get to the places they're supposed to be, and don't have to be told where to go, which was still happening during this season's OTA workouts for Ochocinco. On at least one occasion, Branch still had to point him to the right spot. Even newcomer Brandon Lloyd seems to be in more sync with Brady than Ochocinco ever was. ... He didn't have the kind of football intelligence you need to adjust to all that goes on with the Patriots offense, then read the defense, and be where Brady expects you to be. He just never got it.

Boston Herald


Makes him perfect for an NFL Network analyst.

[stb_steeler]

What???. You dont just let a Hall of Famer like that go!........Ok so Stinko thinks hes a HOFer in his mind...

[lloydwoodson]

Originally Posted by stb_steeler

What???. You dont just let a Hall of Famer like that go!........Ok so Stinko thinks hes a HOFer in his mind...

Really? I remember Jerry Rice putting up 100 catch seasons in the Silver & Black.

[Fire Arians]

ochosucko lol

[Galax Steeler]

He is like a pimple on my ass he just seems like he won't go away.