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
schmeckdawg
May 17th, 2011
1:04 pm
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.
I’m sure like Pac Man he’d be making it rain!
Section 108
May 17th, 2011
1:07 pm
Go after him if: 1.) The price is right, 2.) a clear understanding of what his role would be (2nd or 3rd WR and co-mentor to Jones) is communicated, and 3.) a clear understanding that if there is even a hint of WR Diva that comes out, he is out the door.
You guys don’t get it – we have several, older, key players on our offense that will be calling it quits after the upcoming season (if there is a season-long lock-out, then it will be this season). Our quest over these last few years to win the SB has got to happen THIS YEAR! After that, we are essentially starting over. Any move to accelerate this quest and keep the other teams guessing, even risky ones, in my eyes is a positive. With MattyIce as QB, Turner the Burner at RB, Gonzo at TE, Roddy at WR1, and #85 at WR2, we would be UNSTOPPABLE! Opposing defenses can pick the poison – defend run or pass. Either we can smoke them all.
The real question is, who/what is going to be brought in to sure up our DL/DE? Is our D-Coordinator/Smitty going to grow a set and start to put some dang pressure packages on the QB? Can our LB corp stop the short to medium pass over the middle?
I still have nightmares about Rodgers passing on us while our DL and LB’s stood there breathing hard, with their hands on their hips, looking around all dazed and confused. Man that was a bad game, the low point of my Falcon Fan Career. Yeah, this WR talk is cool I guess cuz it gets us through the off season, but the concern for all of us should be the defense.
ASHCAN.
May 17th, 2011
1:19 pm
I hear all the negative talk about why ocho shouldn’t be a falcon and thats why this organization never win(Never pick up key veterans).People can talk all the talk about what the falcons accomplished(winning Three str8 season)which is nothing considering being established since 1966.And all you hear year in and year out,new coaching staff in and new coaching staff out,new players in and new players out is,”WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR”.Not just speaking of ocho but free agents in general who we know can come in and make a difference.Its been this way so long,most of the fans think like the organization saying nooooooo not this guy and nooooo not that guy.I would rather pick up a guy and release him if it/he don’t work out than not to try to make the team better at all.If it don’t work then whats the harm in releasing him or getting a draft pick for him.We have to remember other teams are getting better too.I have to give my honest opinion and say that dallas,GB,NO,and maybe philly is in a better position to go to a superbowl right now than the falcons.The falcons have too many ifs,if turner can have a big year,if they can get another corner,if they can have a pass rush,if ryan can win a playoff game,if if if.
ugaclassof2004
May 17th, 2011
1:33 pm
@ Matt
No we’re not idiots because we don’t want Chad. He’s not that much of an upgrade over what we already have. When you got Roddy, Julio, Tony, Jenkins, and Harry Douglas. You can win RIGHT NOW with this group. You just have to open the offense up. At this point in his career, Chad is not that much of an improvement over Michael Jenkins, so why get him?
@ASHCAN
And what has Chad Johnson accomplished? The Falcons have had three winning seasons, their first in franchise history; and are a legit Super Bowl contender. And they did it without Chad Johnson who has been on two playoff teams his entire career, neither of which made it past the first round.
The guy is a good player, but ya’ll act like he’s Jerry Rice or Randy Moss or something. And if you think he’s going to mentor a rookie, you’re sadly mistaken.
ugaclassof2004
May 17th, 2011
1:38 pm
@ASHCAN
Also, Dallas more Super Bowl ready than the Falcons??? Is that a joke!! Their O-Line is ancient and their defense ranked 31st in points allowed and 26th vs. the pass. At least our defense is able to tighten up in the redzone and generate turnovers. You want to talk about a bad secondary, look at the Cowboys! They go 9-7 at best next year.
yo mama
May 17th, 2011
1:51 pm
ocho is destined to be a raider. i would take TO first, but that aint happening…
D. Orlando Ledbetter
May 17th, 2011
1:52 pm
I see you all are having some fun with this. Just got back from he seven-on-seven drills. Matt Ryan had 31 players show up for a spirited workout. It’s also Ryan’s birthday. He turned 26.
Nikki
May 17th, 2011
2:27 pm
The falcons choose players based on their attitudes, work ethic, and maturity…chad fits none of our expectations. Our coaches are smart. There is no way that they would pick up jones and then chad. We know better than to get tangled up in that Wr drama…what an entertaining article..hahaha
kerry norwood
May 17th, 2011
2:43 pm
IF U GOING POST SOME POST THIS ARE THE FALCONS GOING TO PICK UP REGGIE BUSH WE NEED HIM POST THAT
ASHCAN.
May 17th, 2011
2:45 pm
@UGACLASSOF2004,if you read my response you will notice i mention free agents in general and ocho is just a current example of the falcons not bringing in free agents to help out.The teams i chose to be superbowl ready is just my opinion just like everybody else comment is just that there opinion.This is not a your right im wrong debate,this is just to comment what a person see.Im sure if you read the other comments,you will also disagree with other posters too.Only time will tell who’s right about there opinion and if its you then kudos to you.Your offensive line response could be right about dallas,but if you look at every position from a players stand point,dallas hands down have better personel.Stats don’t always defind a team and if it did the falcons 13-3 would have went to the superbowl instead of greenbay 10-6 or 9-7 whatever there record was.So we don’t see things eye to eye don’t mean your right its just your opinion as well as mine.
eM
May 17th, 2011
2:51 pm
Seeing that Turner is getting older, we should go after Reggie Bush and Jake Delhomme just in case Matt goes down.
tim
May 17th, 2011
3:01 pm
There ia A REASON teams release players……and it isn’t always about money.
York
May 17th, 2011
3:36 pm
What a piece of sensationalist garbage. A former coach of Chad Johnson being in Atlanta is the reason they would bring him here? After we just drafted Julio Jones and already have Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez to fill in any gaps why in the hell would we need a hack like Ochocinco? His stats have been way down and his personality is BEYOND not being a fit for what Atlanta is trying to build.
He would be playing 3rd if not 4th fiddle and we all know that would not happen anyway.
Would you like to include any form of fact to back this up?
goodness gracious
May 17th, 2011
3:40 pm
You just cant make up whatever you want to and expect everyone to believe it. Hey did anyone see the monkey and the dog flying the space shuttle to the moon last week! Where do you get this stuff?
Eskoballa
May 17th, 2011
4:25 pm
not if he was the last WR in the league
hiramsaint
May 17th, 2011
4:27 pm
@ 108-matty melt makes you very stoppable. you just don’t get it do you. with a real qb and a real coach ,you might have been celebrating championships instead of winning seasons in a row. turner is old gonzo is old and the only poison you had wore off in the playoffs last year.
opie
May 17th, 2011
4:28 pm
Put aside you personalm dislike for Ocho Bloggers. The league is about winning championships. Chad is 10 times better than Mike Jenkins and Harry no production in three years Douglass.
Put Chad in the slot with Julio and Roddy on the outside. It would open up everything for Tony Gonzalez and Mike Turner and eliminate double teams on Roddy. Julio Jones is a first year unproven commodity, first year receivers rarely contribute!!
If Atlanta provides Matt Mediocre no playoff wins Ryan with these weapons and he does not win the excluses about receiver talent will be over with once and for all!!
D. Bell
May 17th, 2011
4:31 pm
Negative.
opie
May 17th, 2011
4:32 pm
eM, what are you smoking? Why would Atlanta bring in another worthless weak arm quarterback who is comparable to Matt Ryan name Jake Delhommme? They already have Jake on the roster his name is John Parker weak arm Wilson!!
Ochocinco..............NOT!!! =-)
May 17th, 2011
5:24 pm
DON’T take this article seriously, the closest he’ll ever get to generating revenue in the ATL is in the Gwinnett Arena, and that was a week ago. Like him, funny guy, down to earth, but not seeing good chemistry if 85 was in the red and black.
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[...] so, his landing spot could be in Atlanta. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Falcons may be the leading candidate for Ochocinco’s services, thanks to the hiring of [...]
Mr. Dawg
May 17th, 2011
6:52 pm
Roddy’s gameplay and attitude have picked up greatly in the past 3 years. He is one of the most feared and respected wideouts in the league. Chad Eight Five would drag him down.
Keep him the hell away from ATL.
drmondo
May 17th, 2011
7:37 pm
So this is what the lockout does to the news cycle now. D-Led, I applaud that you’re one of the few sports writers who puts out articles regularly. However, you should have read this one and then deleted it.
There’s NO WAY the Falcons go after CJ. I don’t care if his father is on the coaching staff.
1. He’s a locker room cancer.
2. Any $$ spent on him is money not spent on improving our pass rush or signing our own FA
3. We just made a huge trade to get Julio Jones
4. Last time CJ was on the market, he and his agent talked about all the teams that were courting him…except there was only a couple and no bidding war ensued. There’s very little interest out there anymore for him. If he’d been hurt on his 1.5 second bullride (another publicity stunt) I’d say with 100% certainty his career was done. Now I’m only 80% sure, if only because owners like Al Davis and Snyder are still around.
So this blog was just red meat filler to take up space and generate hits. Why not do your next blog on Mularkey, what necessary changes need to be made to the offense and his future with ATL if he’s successful or unsuccessful? At least it’s relevant.
drmondo
May 17th, 2011
7:39 pm
So SeenB4’s new handle is opie? BTW, eM’s post was sarcastic, you goober.
A-Ville Ranger
May 17th, 2011
7:41 pm
I hope we stay clear of that annoying piece of work
D man
May 17th, 2011
7:54 pm
This is the stupidest thing I have heard in a long time on these blogs. Who are you kidding? We need defensive players and we are not looking at any other offense stars.
Colorado Bird
May 17th, 2011
10:39 pm
Not a good fit.. This organization is on the way up and does not need a “me” individual. I hope they bring in one or two defensive ends via the free agent market and resign Tyson Clabo and Brent Grimes for sure and hopefully all of the free agents that can still contribute.
I hope Atlanta bring in a lot of undrafted college players to give them a shot.
opie
May 18th, 2011
12:32 am
drdumbo, who is SeenB4, I am a 40 year falcon fan who is sick and tired of the Ryan Express overhype. Talk to me when he wins a playoff game. 0-2, 2 touchdowns and six interceptions. Everytime ATL fails its the defense, it’s Mike mularkey, it’s the receivers,It’s Matt Ryan!!
He is average at best. Flacco and Sanchez have outperformed him with lesser offensive talent in the postseason where it counts moron!! No one gives a damn about regular season records!!
Steve Bartkowski, Chris Miller, Chris Chandler and basket case Jeff George make Ryan look like a JV player with his inability to throw the ball down field. Ryan is the main reason defenses crowd the line of scrimmage and roll double coverages on Roddy because no DB in the league fear Matt Ryan’s ability to throw over the top. ATL tied with Carolina for last in the league with passes over 20 yards thanks to Matty Melt aka Jake Delhomme!!
NFL News and Notes – May 17, 2011 | Game Ball
May 18th, 2011
5:33 am
[...] recovery from kneesurgery is going well. If he’s released by the Bengals, the AtlantaFalcons may be a landing spot for wide receiver Chad Ochocinco,writes D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta [...]
Chad Ochocinco heading to NFC South? | Ben Maller
May 18th, 2011
10:00 am
[...] star Chad Ochocinco could be taking his talents to the NFC South. The ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION reports the Falcons are the favorites to land the six-time Pro Bowl receiver if he becomes a free [...]
drmondo
May 18th, 2011
8:24 pm
dopie, it’s Mularkey’s playcalling that drew defenses up to the line. When Ryan’s gone to the no huddle, he’s done well. Nearly every coach, player and expert thinks Ryan is a good player but apparently you think your opinion holds more weight. Right.
While pointing out his only shortcoming (0-2 playoff record), you gloss over the fact that he’s made the playoffs twice in his first 3 years. We’re about the same age and I’m ashamed of anyone calling themselves a Falcons fan who tears down the best, most consistant team we’ve ever had after suffering through the teams that took the field in the 80’s. Bartkowski and Case will always be two of my favorite players of all time and I’m sure if you asked them if they wish their teams had the talent and coaching of the current one, they’d say HELL YES!!!
kenneth
May 19th, 2011
1:44 pm
I do not want him on the falcons he is nothing but drama he maybe good but we don’t need the drama PLEASE PLEASE DON’T DO IT.
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[...] line and playing for the Atlanta Falcons next season, I don’t believe it for a moment. AJC.com speculates that the Falcons quarterback coach, Bob Bratkowski could lure the veteran receiver to Atlanta, but [...]
j-lo
May 19th, 2011
4:33 pm
Atlanta would be a good fit for this talented receiver but he will more than likely never take his talents to the east bay.
kenneth
May 20th, 2011
12:34 am
Me Banket PLease DON”T chad os a problem we had enough of the DRAMA you got MV out please keep this DRAMA QUEEN out to. Please
Big Dawg
May 20th, 2011
8:49 am
Prima Donna. Don’t care how talented he is. You can tell by this article alone that he is all about Chad. He’s talented and works hard, but he brings far too much baggage. TD is too smart to contaminate Coach Smith’s clubhouse with this piece of garbage.
pharaoh1973
May 20th, 2011
11:31 am
Chad still has some game in him, but ATL does not need him really they need to work on there oline , improve there defense , so they can hold off the saint’s , tampa. I can see him in Newyork! Once he is out of loser ville cinn he will be a great #2 WR ,He is not a problem child he just like to enjoy his self and be a clown but he works his ass off.