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Just In Time For Hard Knocks, Chad Ochocinco Has Signed With The Dolphins

According to the Ochocinco News Network, the Miami Dolphins are taking a chance on six-time Pro Bowler Chad Ochocinco, who caught just 15 passes last year for the New England Patriots. There are many reasons why Ochocinco and Miami agreed to join forces, and the HBO show Hard Knocks is not the least of them.

Ochocinco, who was released by the Patriots after a disappointing 2011-12 season, worked out with the Dolphins a few days ago and quickly established a Dolphins fan club, most notably running back Reggie Bush, who said “If we are able to get him on our team, I feel like he can bring a lot of wisdom and knowledge from a veteran standpoint. So, if we can get him, we’d love to have him.”

Well Reggie, consider yourself ready to receive wisdom and knowledge, because the OCNN put out this report, later confirmed by Adam Schefter:

We just got confirmation from Chad Ochocinco that he has just signed with the Miami Dolphins. The 6 time Pro Bowler will now get a chance to finish his career in his home state.

For the Dolphins, it’s a low-risk move that could pay serious dividends. A one-year deal, perhaps laden with incentives, puts them on the books for a short period of time while allowing Ochocinco to show if he’s got anything left. And without Ochocinco, the Miami receiving corps were headlined by Brian Hartline, Davone Bess and Legedu Naanee, otherwise known as Who?, Oh Yeah I Think I Know That Guy, and I’ve Never Heard Of Him. A veteran presence was crucial here.

As far as Ochocinco is concerned, he’s probably glad somebody gave him a shot. His buddy and one-time Bengals running mate, Terrell Owens, is a perfect example of somebody who proved way too annoying to be given a last chance. Additionally, he gets to play in his hometown, and he’ll possibly, depending on how well he plays, get to stick it to his former team twice a year when the Dolphins fight for relevance against the Pats.

And finally, he’ll get a chance to once again prove his marketability as an entertainer when HBO documents Dolphins’ training camp in Hard Knocks. Ochocinco, even after his New England stint, is a drama queen — and we say this with all due respect, because it makes him a fantastic Twitter follow and an all-around funny guy. But by getting to invade our homes each week, helmet off, for some raw and uncensored Ochocinco-y antics, Chad will re-establish the persona he buried so well in Massachusetts. That’ll bode well for both his final season(s) and his post-NFL career as well — provided he can go gracefully into that good night once his time is up.

So here’s to the Dolphins and Chad Ochocinco. May they be as productive as they are entertaining, and as fun to watch this year as both parties were shitty last year.

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