Ochocinco Para Uno

The NFL preseason is terrible. You have four games that amount to absolutely nothing, and, usually, the regulars don’t even play more than a quarter in three of them. Not to mention, the monotony and lack of excitement involved with these games is obvious to anyone who’s ever been to one or attempted to watch one on TV. Well, thanks to a kicker, that monotony was broken, if only temporarily, Thursday night. A run-of-the-mill extra point turned into something newsworthy.

Why? The kicker was none other than Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco.

As you may remember, I wrote a column about Denzel Washington scolding Ochocinco for his lackluster performance and sullen attitude last year. Denzel told him to get his act together and start having fun again. Apparently, Ochocinco took this advice to heart because, when Cincinnati’s kicker, Shayne Graham, was unable to kick because of a sore groin, Ochocinco stepped up to take the extra point attempt.

And made it. Easily.

It’s things like this that make me enjoy watching Chad Ochocinco and allow me to defend him so fervently. Yes, it was only a preseason game and whether or not he made the kick was meaningless (the Bengals won by one point, but still). Anyone who’s watched the Bengals on HBO’s excellent series “Hard Knocks” this season knows that the old 85 appears to be back in action. For Bengals fans and players alike, this is great news. His extra point attempt on Thursday night only reinforces this notion.

Ochocinco has maintained for a while that soccer is his favorite sport, and was reputedly a good soccer player in high school in addition to his exploits on the gridiron. Whatever the case, his kick sent a message to his teammates that, by taking such an unorthodox approach to making an impact on the game, his commitment to them this season is real. No more whining and complaining and demanding to be traded. He is fully focused on this season and will do whatever it takes, even kicking, to make the year a success. Nothing should make a Bengals fan happier

Unless, of course, Ochocinco’s other hidden talent is the ability to persuade team president Mike Brown to hire a general manager. One can dream, right?

~~ Lank