Categories: 1.2 Analysis 1.3 Opinion 3.1 Free Agency Speculation
| On 12 years ago

Everyone Is Entitled To Their Opinion, BUT…

By Adam Warwas

Okay, so, here is the deal.

  1. The Vikings could use an upgrade at wide receiver.
  2. Chad Ochocinco was been released by the Patriots.

So, naturally, Twitter and Facebook are instantly flooded with Vikings fans stumping for Ocho to join the team.

Sound ridiculous?

Well, it isn’t so ridiculous if a guy like Mike Florio of PFT, who actually gets paid lots of money to think about these things, makes a comment like this:

“Look at the depth chart,” writes Florio.  “He’d instantly be the second-best receiver on the roster, behind Percy Harvin.”

So, if Florio wrote this, it must have some merit to it, right?

Wrong.

Now, I like Florio more than many of you do, but I just can’t see how anyone who is paying attention to anything about this year’s Minnesota Vikings can think that there is a place for the 34 year old receiver on this roster.

Last year, playing in one of the league’s best offenses with one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks ever, Ochocinco rarely made any sort of impact.  He played in 15 games, starting three, but managed only 15 catches.  He turned those grabs into 276 yards and a touchdown.

The Vikings receivers had a combination of Donovan McNabb, rookie Christian Ponder, and Joe Webb throwing to them.  Still, many of them managed to out-perform Ocho in 2011.

In 11 games, Michael Jenkins managed 38 receptions for 466 yards and three scores.  Devin Aromashodu had 26 receptions for 468 yards and a touchdown.  With the Bengals, Jerome Simpson had 50 catches for 725 yards and four touchdowns.

I fail to see how the stats, or common sense, could lead someone to believe Ochocinco would “instantly” become the Vikings second best receiver.

The only thing he would instantly become is the Vikings oldest receiver.

Adam Warwas

Adam Warwas (Founder) has been writing about the Vikings for a total of eight years. Five of those years have been here at Vikings Territory where he continues to surround himself with enough talented individuals that people keep coming back. As proud as he is of what Vikings Territory has become, his real treasures are in his home... a beautiful wife and three amazing children (and a dog named Percy).

Tags: chad ochocinco jerome simpson michael jenkins

View Comments

  • Chad Ochocinco = Terrell Owens = Randy Moss. The mid-thirties retread didn't work out too well last time, and it wouldn't work this time either. Thanks for taking the position you did, Adam. You had me worried there for a minute.

  • Florio can be such a tool. Ocho would be about the 9th best receiver if he signed. Florio is either joking or drunk, Ocho is washed up period.

    • I concur with everything you said Johnny. Florio is such a D-bag. He will say anything just to the pot no matter how ridiculous it is. He has very little football knowledge. As far as Ocho Stinko goes, He can go back to wrestling snakes and alligators full time now. His best days are well behind him now.

  • Adam's right he would be the oldest! As of right now, I can't imagine anyone picking him up...

    • Unless I am missing something he would be out oldest reciever AND our oldest offensive player. And, again unless I am missing something, I think he would be our second oldest player period... second to Antoine by only five months.

      • Ocho=done. Florio is paid well to write anything that people will read.

        Don't be dissin Antoine...;)

        • C.C.!
          Looking forward to Mr. Antoine, Think he is going to has a good year...