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.

The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, PA

Mike Mastovich

JOHNSTOWN — Like most young athletes, Artrell Hawkins Jr. spent plenty of time during his early years imagining what it would be like to compete at the highest level in his sport.

Breaking a long touchdown run.

Making the key interception or tackle.

Winning the big game.

In Hawkins’ case, he eventually lived out such scenarios at the major Division I college level and ultimately during a nine-year National Football League career as a defensive back.

“I can remember sitting in my bedroom in Prospect and daydreaming about what it would be like playing in the NFL and going out to compete against the best,” said Hawkins, a former second-round draft choice of the Cincinnati Bengals.

“That’s what I’m most appreciative about. I’ve played against the all-time greats, Jerry Rice, John Elway, Barry Sanders. I played for (former Bengals assistant coach and current Steelers defensive coordinator) Dick Lebeau. I played for (New England Patriots coach) Bill Belichick. That’s what I’m in awe of. I’m two years removed from the NFL, but sometimes I feel like, ‘How the heck did I do that for so long?’ ”

He did it long enough to earn induction into the Cambria County Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2010.

Hawkins appeared in 122 NFL games, most of those during his six seasons with the Bengals.

He also played a season with the Carolina Panthers and two years with Belichick’s Patriots, one of the top contending teams in the AFC.

The 5-foot-10, 195 cornerback-safety made 510 tackles, four sacks and 11 interceptions, including a memorable 102-yard interception return for a touchdown against Houston quarterback David Carr in 2002.

“When you’re finished, you can look back on it. I have a deep appreciation for what I’ve accomplished,” said Hawkins, now a sports broadcaster who hosts his own radio show, 2 Deep Zone.

Hawkins stood out a Bishop McCort High School, where he rushed for what was a record 1,487 yards and 26 touchdowns. He also played defensive back well enough to catch the attention of the University of Cincinnati.

With the Bearcats, Hawkins made 139 tackles and four interceptions. More importantly, in 1997 he was part of a senior class that led Cincinnati to its first bowl game since 1950. The NFL’s Bengals had seen plenty of Hawkins, who played on Saturdays in the same city. The Bengals selected him in the second round with the 43rd pick of the 1998 NFL Draft.

Hawkins credited his family, faith and his hometown for providing him with a solid foundation to compete at the highest level in college and the pro game.

He joined a long line of former Johnstown area and Cambria County athletes to stand out in the NFL. Some of those included Jack Ham, Pete Duranko, Carlton Haselrig and most recently, LaRod Stephens-Howling.

“Johnstown guys work hard. They are blue-collar types of guys,” Hawkins said. “We put out quality guys. The guys that go pro, you can always count on. I’m very blessed. I feel my hometown has always been supportive of me. In turn I’ve always tried to conduct myself accordingly to try to make everyone in Johnstown proud.”

Hawkins’ latest job has him involved in football again. This time, he’s a radio broadcaster and reporter. Hawkins has interviewed some of the game’s top stars and reported on pertinent issues for 2 Deep Zone.

“Broadcasting is definitely a challenge,” Hawkins said. “The transition has been pretty smooth to this point. I take the same type of work ethic into broadcasting. It keeps me close to football and what I know best. It gives me the opportunity to extend my involvement in the game I’ve loved.”

His induction into the Cambria County Sports Hall of Fame holds special significance to Hawkins.

“It’s a super important,” he said. “I feel more honored and blessed every day to be inducted into a hall of fame with so many greats like Jack Ham and Pete Duranko. The class I’m going in with includes Jerry Davitch, who I respect so much. It’s quite an honor.”

Read full article on Hot Stove New York >

“I spent a lot of time talking with Artrell Hawkins yesterday,” Mangini said of the 10th-year safety the Jets signed in February. “He just felt it was time for him to move on with the next phase of his life.”

Mangini recalled his initial thoughts of Hawkins when he arrived as a free agent with the Patriots in November of 2005.

Read full article by Randy Lange on NewYorkJets.com >