Will this guy ever learn? Based on his past transgressions, the answer to that question is a resounding, NO! You would think after receiving very little interest by teams at the start of the season due to his me-first reputation, he would just keep his mouth shut, right? Wrong! The guy just can’t help himself. He still views himself as a marque player that has license to do and say whatever he feels. Problem with that is teams don’t feel the same.  For example, he was the Bengals second choice behind Antonio Bryant. So how marque is he really? Personally, I think we have seen the last of  T.O aka “Batman”. If you’re an older player in the NFL your last stops are teams like the Bills, Bengals,Lions etc…because they are willing to try anything and will put up with talented  character-questionable players to turn the corner. But when you screw it up with those teams nobody else will touch you.

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.

Summer camp to offer lessons in football, life

Chip Minemyercminemyer@tribdem.com

— Two local football stars will host a camp this month that teaches lessons beyond blocking and tackling.

When former NFL player Artrell Hawkins and current Arizona Cardinals running back LaRod Stephens-Howling gather with area high school players June 17-19, sessions in leadership and community service will accompany drills in football skills.

“They want to give kids the opportunity to feel a sense of pride in their community,” said Jeanna Rizzo, a Windber native who is now Hawkins’ communications manager. “Artrell feels that if it wasn’t for Johnstown and the people in the community, he wouldn’t be where he is today.”

After starring at Bishop McCort High School, Hawkins played collegiate football at the University of Cincinnati before an NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals (1998-2003), Carolina Panthers (2004) and New England Patriots (2005). Hawkins now works in broadcasting.

Stephens-Howling played at Greater Johnstown High School and Pitt before joining the NFL’s Cardinals in 2009.

“They wanted to give back to the community,” Rizzo said, “especially to the kids.”

The Summer Youth Football Camp will be based at Greater Johnstown and include players in grades 9-12 from nine high schools – Bishop McCort, Conemaugh Township, Conemaugh Valley, Ferndale, Forest Hills, Greater Johnstown, Richland, Westmont Hilltop and Windber. The 100 participants were selected by their schools.

In addition to Hawkins and Stephens-Howling, other current or former players will take part in the camp, which is funded by Hawkins and NFL Charities, Rizzo said.

On the third day of camp, the players will spend the morning working at two local community projects:

• Sandyvale Cemetery: A memorial wall will be built for the displaced headstones of local military veterans and Johnstown Flood victims.

• Richard Mayer Riverswalk Trail: The trail, which now runs from Riverside along the Stonycreek River to Moxham, will be extended through Moxham and then along the river behind Greater Johnstown High School.

Players will help with the clearing of brush in preparation for completion of the trail extension this summer, said Mike Kane, executive director of the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies.

“Having the kids involved with this project is a great way to connect them with the legacy of the community,” Kane said.

The trail extension effort is being organized in part by the Lift Johnstown project. Agencies involved in the two community projects include Conemaugh Valley Conservancy, Moxham Renaissance Group, AmeriCorps and Young Professionals of the Alleghenies.

The football camp has received sponsorships from Giant Eagle, which will provide breakfast each day for the participants, and Subway and Pizza Deli Six Pack, each contributing one day’s lunch.

The final evening of camp will include a meet-and-greet for players’ parents and a silent auction of NFL memorabilia to support the camp going forward. Hawkins also plans to establish a local scholarship fund, Rizzo said.

Johnstown natives Artrell Hawkins (10-year NFL veteran) and LaRod Stephens-Howling (Arizona Cardinals) present the “2010 Summer Youth Football Camp” at Johnstown Area High School, June 17th – 19th, 2010. 100 high school football players from 9 area high schools have been selected to participate in this free 3-day camp aimed at improving the campers’ football skills, community involvement, and leadership qualities. In addition to Hawkins and Stephens-Howling, the camp will be coached by other volunteer NFL players, as well as local collegiate athletes and coaches. Financial support for this year’s camp comes from NFL Charities and Artrell Hawkins.

The community involvement component of the camp will include participation by the players on June 18 in preparation of the Jim Mayer Riverswalk extension in areas adjacent to Johnstown High as well as assistance with the creation of a memorial for veterans in the Sandyvale Memorial Gardens section of the trail. Work on this section of the trail includes arranging displaced headstones along the trail in a Memorial Wall. The Youth Football Camp is partnering with veterans, the Conemaugh Valley Conservancy, the Moxham Renaissance Group, Americorps, and the Young Professional of the Alleghenies as part of this a the Lift Johnstown effort to improve our community.

“I was very blessed to have a long and successful career in the NFL, and a large part of that was due to the foundation, values, work ethic, and support I received from growing up in Johnstown. I’ve wanted to give back to the community that gave so much to me, and now that I’m retired I have made it a priority,” said Hawkins. “We are excited about our first camp here, and looking forward to bringing the community together and giving these kids new opportunities to not only learn football from the best, but show them at the end of the day success is about faith, hard work and giving back to others–regardless of what career you choose.”

In addition, Hawkins and Stephens-Howling will host “A Night under the Stars with the Stars” on Friday, June 18th, from 7-10 pm, at the Heritage Discovery Center in Johnstown. Admission is $10 at the door and includes hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction, in which proceeds will benefit the “Summer Youth Football Camp Fund” and the “Dave Seidel Scholarship Fund” at the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies. For more information, call the Community Foundation at (814) 536-7741, email info@artrellhawkins.com or visit www.artrellhawkins.com. Additional donations can be made online at www.cfalleghenies.org.

This year Bishop McCort High School out of Johnstown, Pennsylvania will be playing for the state football championship at Hershey Park on Friday. During Artrell’s high school career at Bishop McCourt he set two records,one for the most rushing yards in a single game and the most the most touchdowns scored in a single season. However, during this season these two records were broke by senior running back, Josh Seidel. Josh not only received local attention, but was also recognized by Sports Illustrated’s Faces in The Crowd and was ESPN RISE’s East Region Player of the Week. Artrell will be at the game on Friday to cheer on Seidel and the Crushers.

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