NO BULL: Falcons could reunite Bratkowski, Ochocinco
Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco attempts to ride a bull named Deja Blu during an intermission at the Professional Bull Riders' Lucas Oil Invitation bull riding event in Duluth, Ga., Saturday, May 14, 2011. (By John Bazemore, Associated Press)
The Falcons could have the inside track to land six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Chad Ochocinco if he becomes a free agent.
He’s currently under contract to the Cincinnati Bengals, but they could release him when the lockout is lifted.
The Falcons hired Bob Bratkowski, the Bengals former offensive coordinator, to be their new quarterbacks coach in February.
According to Ochocinco, Bratkowski has been a longtime supporter.
Former Cincinnati offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski is the Falcons new quarterbacks coach. (Associated Press)
“Coach Bratkowski is the reason why I’m with the Bengals,” Ochocinco said after riding a bull at the Gwinnett Arena on Saturday. “He was my coach at the Senior Bowl when I was coming out. He went to bat for me. They weren’t going to take me. But from what he saw at the Senior Bowl before the draft is the reason why he stood on the table for me and that’s why they drafted me.”
Ochocinco would not say if he wants to become a Falcon if, as has been widely speculated, his days in Cincinnati are indeed numbered.
“It’s a lockout, man,” Ochocinco said. “I’m riding bulls. I don’t want to talk about football.”
Ochocinco nearly had his legs stomped on by a 1,500-pound bull named Deja Blu. However, he didn’t consider riding the bull as a risky proposition.
“Every down is a risk to my career,” Ochocinco said. “Every time that I wake up in the morning, it’s a risk to life in general. I don’t live life like that. One of the things about me is that I’m extremely interesting. I’m unpredictable and I am willing to do anything. If God said it was OK to ride, which he did, he said ‘I got you.’ I went out there and rode.”
If Ochocinco stayed on the bull for eight seconds he was going to rename he bull “Marvin Lewis.” That probably would not have gone over well with Falcons coach Mike Smith, who is friends with Lewis.
“I’m sure my coaches were probably pissed,” Ochocinco said. “I would be too. I’m sure the NFL was pissed, but I don’t follow their rules anyway.”
His bull riding days are over.
“Yeah, that’s it,” Ochocinco said. “One and done.”
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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187 comments Add your comment
Jay Dubu
May 17th, 2011
10:31 am
Dear Mr. Blank,
Please do not go anywhere near Chad 85. The Falcons do not need a side show to accompany their football team.
Signed,
Falcon Fan
Roger
May 17th, 2011
10:33 am
Hey, I say if the price is right, hes a good teacher for JJ and the entire WR corp…He does work hard, doesnt make problems in the locker room….He can also help on offense…..sure he is a showboat and a problem for PR but I dont think he causes problems for coaches, to other players…Hes NOT a TO…more of a Primetime…with its on problems
Roger
May 17th, 2011
10:33 am
That being said, SURE DE is the priority…get Ocho if hes cheap….but he is not what we need or should worry about at all
jw
May 17th, 2011
10:37 am
If the Falcons want to die a horrible death, then sign this cancerous clown. He is NOT what the Falcons need. No projects on this team please – this goof ball is all about himself – DO NOT SIGN THIS CANCEROUS LESION TO OUR TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kashi
May 17th, 2011
10:37 am
I say go get OCHO if we want to see EXPLOSIVE plays. Bird rule the air, when air gets polluated with double coverage on Ocho and White, we rule the ground. Opponents defensive coordinators will go nutzzz.
Ackshun
May 17th, 2011
10:41 am
So what are you suggesting they take him and convert him to a defensive back? Don’t get me wrong he’s a good player (he’s bat sh*t crazy, but he’s good). But with one of the weakest pass rushes and defensive backfields in the NFL (see the Green Bay playoff game AKA the 2nd “Burning of Atlanta”), why would the Falcons look for another wide out? Last I checked 6 man sets aren’t allowed. Give me something interesting to read. What’s the word on Asomugha? he’s a need player. Are there any killer LBs available? A DL to match Abraham’s intensity and who will be his or Gonzales successor when their bodies have had enough? Will perennial fan favorite and hard-luck case DJ Shockley (who never got a fair shot at QB with this team) be invited to camp this year? With so many compelling questions about this team, why go the bull-riding Mexican hat-dance route? BTW-Knowing the Falcons have passed on both Randy Moss and Terrell Owens, the new QB coach probably had a no “ocho” clause in his contract so this is a none story. Come on DOL, your my BOY!!, it’s a lockout and I am thirsty for some real football news!!
monty
May 17th, 2011
10:43 am
How dumb can you be? You may get released and you’re out risking injury? Don’t think we need someone with that mentality on the Falcons
TheAntiMe
May 17th, 2011
10:44 am
NO BULL: Falcons could reunite Bratkowski, Ochocinco
Also, in further related news:
NO BULL: Donald Trump could go clubbing this coming weekend with Barack Obama
I think that somebody we know should be writing this stuff for TMZ instead of the AJC.
MI falcon fan
May 17th, 2011
10:49 am
You guys are crazy we’re talking about a guy that has bought thousands of tickets for fans just so their games didn’t get blacked out. Sure he’s extravagant but he has never broken up the locker room I personally love ocho cinco and the humor this guy brings to the game it’s what football needs instead of 15 yard excessive celebration penalties that to me is garbage.
No
May 17th, 2011
11:14 am
Too much drama!
DC Dirty Bird
May 17th, 2011
11:15 am
I don’t think it will happen. TD may think it too much of a risk to bring in a personality like Ocho into the locker room with us so close to being perennial contenders. I don’t think he’s a locker room cancer, I just think his personality doesn’t fit our “we’re a collective football machine” approach to winning. On the field, you want Ocho. He sacrifices his body for any ball. He works his butt off in practice and the off season. What people don’t realize is, you don’t talk as much smack as he’s done if you’re not prepared to back it up. I’ll say this, if he’s willing to forgo the novelty celebrations and sanitize his twitter page, I’d take him on our team any day.
Delbert D.
May 17th, 2011
11:16 am
Bull!
Jimmy Crack
May 17th, 2011
11:17 am
Yea, right, and we will sign Randy Moss to be a gunner for special teams. Slow story day.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 17th, 2011
11:17 am
That is a LOT of money to tie up in your wide receivers if the Falcons decide to add 85 to Roddy, Julio, and Michael Jenkins.
StatesBurr
May 17th, 2011
11:18 am
I have said many times….. We get BS from the Falcons beat writer. Why can’t we get a real sports journalist who actually enjoys covering the Falcons…. Too obsessed with other stars…
DC Dirty Bird
May 17th, 2011
11:19 am
Can anyone who is against signing Ochocinco provide a football reason why he’d be a bad addition to our team.
DC Dirty Bird
May 17th, 2011
11:20 am
NDP, great point!
GT GRAD
May 17th, 2011
11:23 am
No
Delbert D.
May 17th, 2011
11:26 am
Would he join the Falcons if the only name available is Uno Niente?
Susan
May 17th, 2011
11:28 am
I will cease to be a Falcon fan if that arrogant, overpaid, smart mouth thug comes to Atlanta!!
HJones
May 17th, 2011
11:29 am
My post was not accepted because I questioned the relevance of this article.
eM
May 17th, 2011
11:30 am
Bring him home TD!!!! Would be fun to watch Roddy, Jones, Johnson, Gonzo on the field at the same time. And throw in Quiz in the back field. Exciting!!
Tony Smith
May 17th, 2011
11:30 am
NO, NO, NO, NO. A THOUSAND TIMES NO. The Falcons don’t need the disruption.
eM
May 17th, 2011
11:33 am
Naaa…….never mind. Leave him home TD.
John
May 17th, 2011
11:37 am
Chad is a good guy, probably one of the better ones in the league. He just has some personality and never gets in trouble. I don’t think his teammates dislike him either.
TheAntiMe
May 17th, 2011
11:38 am
Can anyone who is against signing Ochocinco provide a football reason why he’d be a bad addition to our team.
Well, DC, it’s just a pointless topic of conversation as you have to figure that there is more of a chance that Osama bin Laden is going to rise up out of the sea and be the next president of the US than there is that Chad Ochocinco will be out on the field at the Georgia Dome lining up as WR for the Falcons.
AceDawg
May 17th, 2011
11:52 am
Ochocinco is a bit narcissistic but still somehow a team player. He does put effort out on the field and show up to play. I’m of the opinion he is far superior to a T.O. personality and not necessarily a detriment to a team. If he heads to Atlanta, I trust the coaches have made the right deliberation.
Roddy for MVP
May 17th, 2011
11:54 am
The Falcons don’t need that kind of cancer on their football team. We are loaded at receiver anyway. We need to be focusing on defense particularly in the secondary.
Cajun Crap Talker
May 17th, 2011
11:54 am
Oh please let this be true
retired
May 17th, 2011
11:55 am
to all who blasted D’Led for this article pull the covers up and go back to sleep. Great fun on a slow news day on the football front. And if the bull rider came cheap and could take a low profile he could be a good teacher for Jones. Trade Jenkins for draft picks and resign linemen. Sign a DE and Chad could add a little fun to the equation.
Johnson & Johnson
May 17th, 2011
12:02 pm
I thought he changed his name back to the original.
Van Brocklin
May 17th, 2011
12:09 pm
Chad has been selected to the Pro Bowl six times
and named an All-Pro three times.
Emerald Coast Fan
May 17th, 2011
12:09 pm
You must really be desperate for a rise form the readers. You cover these guys full time and you think this owner, GM, coach combo would actually consider bringing this sideshow to town??? wow
Jimmy Crack
May 17th, 2011
12:13 pm
Joe Horn was a 4x Pro Bowler before we got his husk.
schmeckdawg
May 17th, 2011
12:26 pm
Please God NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Don’t bring that gold toothed jack leg in here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
vafalconfan
May 17th, 2011
12:28 pm
He’s a joke..next question.
matt
May 17th, 2011
12:28 pm
MOss went to the Pats and did just fine. CJ has never had off the field issues and can still be productive. He would be better than alot of 2nd corner backs and definitely better than any 3 corner back. One more weapon and I bet they could get him relatively cheap.
EKII
May 17th, 2011
12:28 pm
A disaster waiting to happen. Say it aint so.
really
May 17th, 2011
12:29 pm
I can’t believe the stuff I’m seeing here. Why are you guys even bringing up law enforcement? He has never had problems with the law, why even go there? Is it because he’s black? The man is clearly intelligent yet you call him illiterate. He speaks his mind so what all of you come here to do that. The only difference is people listen to him
LT
May 17th, 2011
12:30 pm
Would you want to face him twice a year if the other South teams explore, and obtain his services..
get a Life.. this man will help immediately, Jones in still a project…
mattie Ice
May 17th, 2011
12:30 pm
that what wrong with the fALCONS NOW WANT to bring in the good ole player instead of some real football players
alrak
May 17th, 2011
12:35 pm
Ocho – NO NO NO NO NO NO H3LL NO! Falcons don’t do it.
GOFALCONS
May 17th, 2011
12:36 pm
you’re ….dumb
SpeculationJason
May 17th, 2011
12:40 pm
I’m sure he’d LOVE to be in the ATL, the Strip-Club capitol of the U.S.
ugaclassof2004
May 17th, 2011
12:42 pm
Is Chad Johnson really better than what we already have? He’s not better than Roddy( yes, I’ll say that again. HE’S NOT BETTER THAN RODDY), and we’ve already filled voids with Julio Jones. Chad was a decent player 5 years ago, but RIGHT now?? I really don’t think he’d be much better than Michael Jenkins. So I say no on this one.
Matt
May 17th, 2011
12:42 pm
Why is everyone blasting this..Ochocinco would be sick in Atlanta, Roddy, Chad and Julio is an awesome combo. If you disagree with this you are an idiot, and should probably never be allowed to watch a football game again..ever.
Falconboy
May 17th, 2011
12:44 pm
thats the problem with this franchise, we trying too hard to hold on to this squeeky clean image instead of going after playmakers. As for him teaching Roddy the ropes, I think Roddy is beyond that. His stats have been better than ocho in the past 2-3 seasons and is a proven veteran. Ocho would however be a good addition to this offense and would bring some fun to this locker room. He may be flambouyant, but his work ethic and attitude has never been questioned.
BAMA CHIK
May 17th, 2011
12:45 pm
Why would we pay to get him here when he didn’t do s#it last season, and we just spent 5 draft picks to get Julio?? were going to pay some serious money for some free agents, but thats NOT going to include Ochocinco….
gcs
May 17th, 2011
12:58 pm
NO! NO!! NO!!!
The Falcons do not need this jerk screwing with team chemistry.
NO!!!!
.
Jamel
May 17th, 2011
1:03 pm
NO!!! Dont bring in a sideshow to Atlanta, we were just getting respected…