Pictured above: THE “TOCHO” (T.O. + OCHO) meaning “mountain American lion”, according to mybaby.net
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HATE IT OR LOVE IT, THE T.O. SHOW IS COMING TO CINCINNATI.
The Bengals and the oft-controversial WR came to terms on a one-year deal less than 24-hours before the team is scheduled to arrive at training camp in Georgetown, KY. The move comes as a suprise to many given Owens’ reputation as a locker room cancer and habitual disturber of the peace. But is it really that shocking? Back in March, when the Bengals courted both Owens and Antonio Bryant as unrestricted free agents the answer to that question would be yes for multiple reasons: age, character, long-term productivity just to name a few. Fast forward to present day, and the deal to acquire Owens was a no brainer.
When news of T.O. possibly landing in Cincy started to dominate the headlines a few days ago, I began inquiring about it with friends close to the situation in an effort to see what was real and what was not. What I learned swayed me in favor of the T.O. deal.
First and foremost, Antonio Bryant’s health is an issue. My source, who will remain nameless, told me that during OTA’s (organized team activities) Bryant’s knee bothered him so much that he was unable to stop and plant on a basic comeback route. They also talked about the lack of muscle on his lower quad, which is necessary for strength and stabilazation. Having had similar knee issues, I know how difficult it is to project a full return to action. That’s a cause for concern.
Also, consider the fact that for weeks now, Carson Palmer has been lobbying to get T.O.–something I can’t see him doing if Bryant were healthy. With that said, if I’m Marvin Lewis–reigning NFL Coach of The Year–heading into the last year of my deal, with one of the hardest schedules in the league… T.O is on speed dial. Think Brad Childress and Brett Farve. Like Childress last year, Marv’s contract situation is still yet to be determined. It’s important for him to A) start fast and B) win playoffs games. So, do you try your luck with Tavaris Jackson or go get Brett Farve? Favre right? Similarly, Marv isn’t going to settle for second best if there’s a Brett Favre-like guy out there that can come in and have an immediate impact. Assuming Bryant’s out for opening day and you don’t sign T.O., then you’re stuck with Andre Caldwell at the #2 WR spot in Foxboro. That’s not a knock against Caldwell–he’s still young and has some developing to do. But, the Ocho-T.O. tandum presents problems no defensive cordinator wants.
The second reason the T.O signing was not a surprise to me is simple….the Bengals are “In It To Win It”! In Marv’s seven seasons at the helm, the Bengals have made two playoff appeareances and have lost both, at home. It’s time to win when it counts! When you think about it, home field advantage is what every player and every team bust their tail for all season long. It’s supposed to give you the advantage. It hasn’t. The real advantage comes when you play solid defense and put points up! Sounds easy, but it’s not.
Last season, the Bengals were superb defensively, finishing 4th overall. Returning all 11 starters intact and adding good young talent via the draft, 2010 should be no different. The second part to that equation: putting up points was a struggle a year ago, especially in the playoff loss. In that game, the Bengals scored a measly 14 points. That’s just not enough to win in this league. Don’t believe me? Take a gander at last year’s NFL playoffs one-and-done teams- Bengals, Patriots, Eagles, Chargers, and Packers. What do four out of these five teams have in common? All scored 14 points in their playoff games, and all were watching the playoffs from the comfort of their own homes the following week. In contrast, the eventual Super Bowl winning Saints scored a staggering 107 points in three games, for a 35.7 per game average. Need more evidence? Consider the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens. Like the Bengals, the NYJ and the Ravens went to the playoffs and both were very strong defensively in ’09 finishing #1 and #2 respectively. The Jets, in three playoff games, averaged 19.3 per/game and the Ravens averaged 18.0 per/game. Better than Bengals true, but still not good enough to earn a trip to Miami. That’s exactly why this past off-season offense was the primary focus for both clubs. Points!Points! Points! Understanding this, coupled with the fact that merely reaching the playoffs is no longer considered a moral victory for Marv and his squad, the acquisition of T.O makes even more sense.
Finally, can T.O, Ocho and company all live a peacful existance? Who knows? I believe they can, but so many different variables will factor in. While I don’t have the time or patience (to be honest LOL) to blog about them all, one is worth mentioning. Is the team winning football games? This question above all others will ultimately dictate how all parties involved view this merger come football seasons–not who has more catches. If the team is successful and puts together a campaign that produces its first back-to-back divisional championship since 1982, and win some playoff games, then you’ll see the ”Kumbaya Cats” week in and week out, hugging one another and singing each others praises. A “winning cures all” type of deal. On the flip side, if the Bengals are dropping more L’s than W’s on Sunday, that’s when the finger pointing and discontent will surface. Whether it goes public or not, it will happen. That’s just how it goes. No matter what, if the latter of the two happens, T.O can’t be the guy leading the “I’m pissed off and all I want to do is win no matter what, or how, or how many people I gotta hurt so long as I make it to the top ” (Zoolander voice)charge. Which, for the record, I can’t see him doing.
If T.O has learned anything this off season, it’s that his value–like the economy–is down. Humbling experience i’m sure. To recoup some T.O value for future ventures, be it football or must see reality tv show, he must get back to being the elite, NFL pass catching phenom he once was. Behaving and producting is the only way that any of that is possible for him now.
First of all let me think you for connecting with the fans. I love hearing from the x players. It really makes me feel closer to the team and the game. You and John Thorton are great.
Next an oppinion. Kinda obvious, but I think that winning or losing will determine if these guys can “play nice”. If they start losing it could get ugly really fast. Either way though, this season may be the most entertaining ever. I cant wait.
My question is, what has TO done lately? and how do we know that he won’t pull the same crap within the team that he did with the Eagles and the Cowboys? He did stay out of trouble this year, but will that last? When he went to the Cowboys he had appeared to get his shit together too, heck even crying about his quarterback, but as we all know that did not last long.
His stock has dropped significantly since last year when he signed a $6.5 million dollar one year contract (an was not resigned) with the Bills. This time around he signed a $2 million dollar deal with the Bengals. If he is such a hot commodity why did his stock drop so drastically?
Many people automatically assume he will do great and is the answer to the Bengals prayers. (I would like to see him do well) However until the team can come together and agree on a common goal as well as how to get there and have some respect for each other, adding a player with Terrel’s team history in to the mix seems volatile.
PS Tocho is also a Spanish word
Just checked out your website, GOOD JOB!