2012 NFL Odds: Chad Ochocinco was Released by the Patriots

Friday, June 08, 2012

by Bovada Sportsbook

Noted Twitter aficionado and sometimes NFL receiver Chad Ochocinco apparently will have much more time to tweet nowadays as the New England Patriots have released him after finding no takers in a trade.

Check out Bovada's Sports Welcome Bonus:
Sign up and deposit for your 20% Free Bet Bonus up to $100

This really isn’t much of a surprise. The Pats added receiver Brandon Lloyd this offseason via free agency and Ochocinco was a non-factor last year, catching just 15 passes for 276 yards and one TD (all career lows). He didn’t even play a down in the Patriots’ first two playoff games and had one catch for 21 yards in the Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants.

Reportedly the Patriots pushed trade conversations with other teams up to near the end of the day's transaction deadline at 4 p.m. but couldn’t find a taker. Ochocinco confirmed the news himself by tweeting: "Thoroughly enjoyed the oppurtunity to play for the Patriot organization... fans were (expletive) wicked awesome, I wish all of you the best..."

Reports are that Ochocinco either was not present for the team’s OTA session on Thursday or that he did show up at Gillette Stadium this morning and left 15 minutes later. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Ochocinco missed the OTA session to attend an eye doctor's appointment. The Patriots were removed from his Twitter bio, restored and removed again.

After a mostly stellar 10-year career with the Bengals, Ochocinco was traded to New England after the lockout ended last summer. The Pats sent a fifth-round pick in 2012 and sixth-round pick next year to Cincinnati to acquire Ochocinco, and though he restructured his contract he was still paid $5.75 million in salary and bonuses last year.

It’s certainly possible that Ochocinco’s career is over much like another former diva receiver, Terrell Owens. Although there is hope for Ochocinco and Owens as the San Francisco 49ers signed Randy Moss this offseason after he sat out the 2011 season "retired." Ochocinco is now an unrestricted free agent, as is Owens.

If he can’t land anywhere, Ochocinco, a six-time Pro Bowler, finishes his career with 766 catches for 11,059 yards and 67 touchdowns. Those are Hall of Fame-caliber numbers, although Ochocinco’s antics may prevent him from ever being voted into the Hall.

Bet on NFL futures now at Bovada Sportsbook!

Related Articles

• NFL Football Odds: Who Will Sign Randy Moss for 2012 NFL Season
• Super Bowl Pick: New England To Seek Revenge Against New York
• Monday Night Football Odds: New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins
• NFL Preseason Football Betting Odds: Giants vs Patriots
• 2012 Super Bowl Betting Odds: Early Favorites Leave Pack Behind

Category

• Football Articles

Tags

brandon lloyd - chad ochocinco - new england patriots - new york giants - randy moss - terrell owens