Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson and His Quest to be the Best

In the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft the Cincinnati Bengals selected a Wide Receiver by the name of Chad Johnson out of Oregon State. Just a few short years later Chad put the Bengals back on the map and helped lead a team to the playoffs in 2005 after a 15-year drought. He took the NFL by storm became the face of Cincinnati. Whether it was wearing a Hall of Fame jacket or proposing to a cheerleader his style was new and refreshing to a city that needed something to be proud of. Fans loved his guarantees and trash-talking antics. He played a major role in bringing back the chant “Who Dey!!” He went to six Pro Bowls as a Bengal and led the AFC in receiving yards for four straight seasons. Johnson represented the “C” as best he could and he did it the only way he could: very loudly. Cincinnati had its golden child and “Who Dey” mania took control of the city.


Then, the team faltered, Chad Johnson was ripped and morphed into Ochocinco. The face of the 2005 team was on his way out. In fact, he demanded to be traded after the 2007 season because he was tired of the losing. Bengals Owner Mike Brown didn’t trade him. He didn’t show up to play in 2008, underperformed, and was criticized by local and national media. Ochocinco went from being the fan favorite to the punching bag of the city. Chad followed 2008 with a solid 2009 season, but the team’s offense sputtered and lost in the first round of the playoffs. The 2010 season was supposed to be the year of the tiger, but the Bengals were one of the leagues worst teams and Chad failed to have 1,000 yards receiving for the second time in the past three years. In the off-season Ochocinco was traded and he joined forces with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. It sounded like the perfect plan, a hall of fame quarterback who lacked a downfield threat with a six time Pro Bowl Wide Receiver. But, they never got on the right page and Chad didn't get the playing time he was accustomed to getting during his ten-year career. Ochocinco has always said he just wanted to win. This season proves that because Chad was once the best wide receiver in the NFL and even though he barely reached the field this season, he called this season "fun" when talking to the media. His logic? Well, the Patriots are in the Super Bowl and that is all Chad needs on his resume to cap off what has been a great career. Everyone I have spoke to in Cincinnati has mentioned Ocho, and they have said that he “doesn’t deserve a ring” and they tend to blame him for the losing that had taken place during Chad’s tenure in Cincinnati. The majority of the people in Cincinnati are rooting against Ochocinco and the Patriots. I am rooting for him and them. He is the greatest wide receiver in Cincinnati Bengal history. He woke up the city and inspired its’ revival. Without him, the Bengals wouldn’t have made the playoffs when they did or had the lofty expectations that were bestowed upon them. Seeing a hall of fame caliber wide receiver win a ring late in his career is just what the doctor ordered. It doesn’t matter if you call him “Esteban,” “Ocho” or Mr. Johnson, it is time Cincinnati roots for Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson to win a ring on the tail end of an amazing career spent help rebuilding a franchise and overcoming over a decade of losing. Whether or not the Patriots won the Super Bowl or not, Chad Ochocinco isn't someone who should be hated in Cincinnati because he helped change the culture of a football team and more importantly, the culture of our city.

Super Bowl Prediction

            Well, after a year full of surprises (Bengals), disappointments (Chargers), and phenomenon’s (Tim Tebow) the 2012 NFL season is coming to a close. But, before it does there is one last game to determine footballs best. Even though I refer to it as a game, it is much more than that. It’s the Super Bowl! That, in and of itself is enough to make the hairs on the back of any football fans neck stand up. With that said there is still a game to be played between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. I think this is going to be a very entertaining game. I think most of the individual matchups favor the Giants. They have a better defensive line, better secondary, better running backs and wide receivers. The Patriots do have one edge with Tom Brady, who is one of the best ever. The have a hall of fame coach in Bill Belichick, but they just don’t have the talent to matchup with the Giants. The Patriots played WR Julian Edelman at Cornerback in the AFC Title game against the Ravens. They are a good team, but they have matchup issues with the Giants. I am going to keep this short and sweet and pick the Giants to win Super Bowl XLVI. NY quarterback Eli Manning becomes a first ballot hall of famer and Brady and Belichick realize their window is closing.




Final Score: New York Giants: 31 New England Patriots: 20

The Giants will have plenty of reason to celebrate as the confetti
rains down on Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday night.

NFL Championship Week

          It feels like the NFL season just started and now there is only three games left. After what was an amazing weekend of football last week, we have two games that should be very entertaining themselves. With that said I think it’s time for me to make two predictions that may surprise you.

New England Patriots vs Baltimore Ravens

          The New England Patriots have the best quarterback left in the playoffs and probably the best quarterback in the NFL. He has carried them all season with a magical elf named Wes and a giant they call Gronk. The Patriots are 7-point favorites playing at home in Foxboro. Many are picking the Patriots to win this game. However, I just don't think they are going to. I'm not sure what it is, but I have a feeling the Raven defense is going to take away Gronkowski and pressure Brady all game. I think the New England defense is going to struggle like they have for most of the season. This game is going to come down to the Baltimore defense versus Tom Brady. I think Ed Reed intercepts Brady or at the very least makes a few game changing plays with the game on the line. I believe Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs harrass Brady for most of the game and impose their will on that Patriot offense. The team that wins the battle of the trenches wins the game. The Ravens win this battle and they win a very Raven-like (ugly) game.

Baltimore Ravens: 20         New England Patriots: 17

Will Ray Lewis (right) be able to put enough pressure on Brady (left)
to disrupt the high powered Patriot offense?

New York Giants vs San Francisco 49ers


          This game should be the better of the two games this weekend. On paper, this game is a toss up. San Francisco has a very good defense and they are at home. They are a 2.5-point favorite and are coming off of a huge win against the Saints last week. Can they beat the Giants and punch a ticket to the Super Bowl? My answer is no, they can’t and they won’t. New York has an elite quarterback in Eli Manning. Does San Francisco? No, they have a solid quarterback in Alex Smith, but he is certainly not elite. Eli Manning has a pro bowl level wide receiving core. Victor Cruz has come out of nowhere and had a tremendous year. Hakeem Nicks has had four touchdown catches in just two playoff games and Mario Manningham is about as good of a #3 wideout as you can find in the NFL today.  The most important part to the Giants success is their physical defensive line. They are big, athletic, quick and they get to the quarterback. I think that Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck, and Osi Umenyiora are going to keep Alex Smith uncomfortable all game, which will shut down the 49er offense. The G-Men have won five games in a row dating back to the regular season and are the hotest team in the NFL. But, as I mentioned earlier San Francisco is at home, they have a great defense and will not go down without a fight. With that said, I’ll take the Giants in a tight one.

New York Giants: 24 San Francisco 49ers: 16




Eli Manning (left) and Alex Smith (right) face off, with the winner
punching his ticket to the Super Bowl.



Apartment Building Destroyed

               Apartment Building Destroyed

                                    Citizens’ left wondering where to go from here.

                                                                  By James Rapien

At 10 a.m. Wednesday morning Firefighters’ responded to a call at the Sycamore Apartments on 122 South Congress Street. By the time crews arrived, the fire had already engulfed the building. 30 Cincinnati firefighters’ fought the blaze that would continue for about three more hours.

            There are around 50 people that live in the Sycamore Apartments and now they are left with nothing but the clothes on their back. Thankfully, everyone made it out of the building without life threatening injuries. Four residents were taken to University Hospital. The victim’s names and condition have not been released at this time.

77-year-old Mason Monroe escaped safely from his 6^th floor apartment. Monroe was grateful for the firefighters’ help even though he had all of his possessions destroyed saying: “the smoke was intense on the floors above us, and I’m sure some people there would not have made it out had it not been for the firefighters.”

             The damage to the apartment building is estimated at $250,000. The cause of the fire is not known at this time, but it is under investigation. Building manager Steve Wilson said that residents of the lower six floors escaped safely and did not need any medical treatment.

           

            This blaze was not routine for the fire department by any means. Cincinnati Fire Captain Marvin Jones told reporters: “It was one of the worst fires I’ve seen in the past couple years. Several people had been trapped by the smoke and flames, and we were fortunate that were able to get them out alive.”

           

Funny Name?

Here Are the Things That Nobody Says

Their Time Will Come

          The Cincinnati Bengals came into the 2011 season with very low expectations. Their franchise quarterback retired and they went in to opening weekend starting three rookies at key positions on offense. The expectations began to change as the young and competitive Bengals started the season 6-2, which included a five game winning streak. Since their hot start, the Bengals have lost four of five and are on the outside looking in when it comes to a playoff berth. Their latest loss came at home to the Houston Texans. The Texans were starting their third string quarterback T.J. Yates, who led them downfield for the go ahead score with two seconds remaining in the game. The Bengals had the lead the whole game up until that point. Since the heartbreaking loss all I am hearing from fans in the area is that it is “the same old Bengals” or that “Marvin needs to go.”

          Well, I think that Bengal fans need to calm down and realize that the Bengals probably aren’t a playoff team. That may be hard to grasp considering their hot start, but it’s the truth. In fact, this team still has a decent shot to make the playoffs if they win their final three games, which is very possible. What if they don’t win out and they do not make the postseason for the third time since 1990? Are Bengals fans going to say the same lines I mentioned above? If so, I have two questions for them: How? And why? How is this 2011 team like all of the others? When have the Bengals had two rookies bust on the scene and show that they are budding NFL superstars? Why does Marvin need to go? Wasn’t this team supposed to go winless? Rick Reilly predicted that the Bengals would go 0-16. Now, Bengal fans want to moan and grown when the Bengals fall to 7-6? I was disappointed after the loss and I will never accept losing, but I am not going to let it spoil this season. I am not going to say Marvin needs to go or that these Bengals are just like the Bengal teams of past years. I am going to have perspective. Why? Because these young Cats can play. A.J. Green is already one of the best wide receivers in the game and he is just a rookie. Andy Dalton has been compared to Tom Brady this season. The potential for this team is sky high, but they just need time to grow and address a few weak spots.

          The Bengals are probably going to finish 8-8 or 9-7 this season. Any fan that wants to complain should ask an Indianapolis fan how they feel about their season. There is no way that I am going to complain about what the Bengals have done this year. This team feels like it is close to breaking out and that break out could be in the next three games to lead to a playoff run or it could be next season. Either way, relax Bengals fans and be patient because a winning team is forming in Cincinnati.

Andy Dalton (left) and A.J. Green (right) are young players who have
 the talent to lead this team to great things for years to come.
(Photo Courtesy of Cincinnati.com)