Posted by Andy Benoit

It’s been an embarrassingly awful season in Cincinnati. Here’s the outlook for 2011: Terrell Owens won’t be back (for usual reasons). Carson Palmer probably shouldn’t be back but will be (for usual reasons….i.e. money). Marvin Lewis is an enormous question mark (his contract expires after this season). We’ve spent the better part of the past two months discussing the future of these three.

But one Bengal future we haven’t discussed much is Chad Ochocinco’s. Not to worry…he got that ball rolling this week. On the T.Ocho Show this week, Ochocinco said “I’d love to see Terrell come back next year. As far as myself, I don’t even know if I’ll be back next year. … Changes will be made and they’ll be significant.”

Ochocinco has a $6 million option in 2011 that many Bengals observers believe is unlikely to be picked up. Football-wise, the 32-year-old is still worth $6 million; Ochocinco’s numbers may be down (67 catches, 831 yards, four touchdowns), but he has drawn frequent double coverage throughout the season. The problem is, this is a 32-year-old who far too often behaves like a five-year-old. Team chemistry has been a leading cause of the failure in Cincy, and insiders will tell you that, lovable as he is, no player is as disruptive to that chemistry as Ochocinco.

We got a hint of this Wednesday when the receiver and Marvin Lewis traded barbs about 85's alleged mopeyness.

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Posted by Will Brinson

Things have devolved quickly for the Cincinnati Bengals and it seems as if many key members of the organization are reading the writing on the proverbial wall. (Which, in this case, appears to read, "Get the fudge out!")

So, not everyone's playing nice. Like head coach Marvin Lewis, who called Chad Ochocinco "mopey" on Wednesday.

"Well, he's being his mopey self," Lewis said. "Hopefully, he can pull himself out of it and move forward ... When things don't go Chad's way, that's kinda how it happens."

Ochocinco was thrilled to hear this, naturally.

"Since when the f--- am I ever mopey?" Ochocinco tweeted. "I'm injured for the 1st time in 9 years and it's called being mopey, unless I'm dead then I get respect."

In other words, yeah, he's not real happy about it and he's not handling things the way Jeff Fisher would want. But that's not shocking -- there's a clear amount of discord amongst the Bengals right now and the only thing that's going to "fix" it is widespread change and a facelift.

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Posted by Josh Katzowitz

Sure, many of the updates on Twitter by NFL players and officials are insufferable. Telling us where they’re going to eat, telling us where they’re shopping, telling us to follow the Twitter account of their wife/brother/buddy/flavor of the month. Basically, you have to wade through piles of manure to find the single, solitary rose that makes it all worthwhile.

But those sweet-smelling flowers ARE out there. And they’re funny and interesting and thought-provoking and question-answering. Much of Twitter – similar to life, I suppose – is just not good and, frankly, a waste of time. But there are special souls out there who seem made for Twitter. And we were made to follow them.

Here is the Top Ten List with a Twist of the best NFL-related Twitter accounts.

10. Vikings P Chris Kluwe (@chriswarcraft): A late entry onto the list but surely shooting up the charts. Kluwe was the player who ripped the TCF Bank Stadium field the day before Minnesota played the Bears last Monday night. It was honest and refreshing. Until somebody asked him to stop. Best recent example: “I find it interesting that the NFL can claim an emphasis on player safety, and then tell us the field is fine. It's beyond hypocritical.”

9. Salarycap101 (@salarycap101): It’s a little Redskins-centric, probably because J.I. Halsell is a former salary cap analyst for Washington, and it’s mainly retweets. But from time to time, he comes up with some interesting salary figures, particularly when it relates to Albert Haynesworth. Best recent example: “As I mentioned back in November when McNabb's "extension" was done; the "commitment" shown by deal, truly was not a commitment at all.”

8. Pro Football Focus (@profootbalfocus): If you want strong analysis and sharp people who know how to watch film and interpret what it means, go to Pro Football Focus (only one ‘L’ in its Twitter handle). Impress your friends. Discourage your enemies. The guys at PFF will help you do both. Best recent example (on Ndamukong Suh): “It’s not nitpicking. They are major flaws in his play that are being ignored by most people. There's no reason to do so … There's nothing wrong with saying he's a massive talent, and potentially a dominant force for years, but flawed right now.”

7. Bills WR Stevie Johnson (@steviejohnson13): I think we all know why Johnson is on this list. Best recent example (after dropping a game-winning TD in Week 12): “I PRAISE YOU 24/7!!!!!! AND THIS HOW YOU DO ME!!!!! YOU EXPECT ME TO LEARN FROM THIS??? HOW???!!! ILL NEVER FORGET THIS!! EVER!!! THX THO...”

6. Cardinals Darnell Dockett (@ddockett): Put it this way: the guy doesn’t mind creating controversy through the 140-character written word. Best recent example: “And don't come to my funeral empty handed, bring some crabs, krispy kreme, jeezy new CD. LO LO's chicken, oysters, and crayons!!”

5. George Atallah (@georgeatallah): He’s the NFLPA assistant executive director of external affairs, and he’s been very active lately, detailing the players’ side in the labor dispute. And he’s pretty witty as well. A couple days ago, he conducted a Twitter chat, which was pretty cool. Best recent example: “#NFLPA & #NFL proposed a resolution on rookie $. If that were a key to negotiations, we'd have a deal by now. Our proposal was rejected.”

  4. Colts owner Jim Irsay (@jimirsay): This account comes off, well, a bit weird, because in many – if not most – of his posts, he’s quoting the lyrics to some rock song. But it’s entertaining, because it’s so psychedelic. Best recent example(s): “Ladykiller,Regulation tattoo,silver spurs on his heels."What can I tell ya,as I'm stand'in next 2 U,she threw herself under my wheels!!!"..” and “I understand my own Tweets 80 per cent of the time...the other 30 per cent...I'm just as confused as you!!!!”

3. Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco (@o chocinco): Fans love him because he was one of the first NFLers to really embrace Twitter and because he’s prone to inviting his fans to Friday night movies and then paying the admission for everybody who shows up. Best recent example: “OchoHarmony.com First dating site where you don't have to deal with the full headache, you can return them back before they become a problem.”

2. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello (gregaiello): The fact the NFL PR department has made it a priority to talk directly to the people, well, that’s outstanding. More than 13,000 followers agree. He’s also prone to poetry. Best recent example: “Monday Night Haiku: ‘In the stands with fans/Raw, cold, real community/Nothing like football.’”

1. Giants LT Shawn Andrews (@imshawnandrews): I first noticed Andrews’ tweets when he was in the hospital with back problems, and he updated his followers constantly about how hungry he was (if I remember correctly, there was talk about eating the pigeons that mocked him from outside his window). Quite frankly, this dude is hilarious. I don’t know what he’s like in real life, but he’s quite funny in print (which is not easy, mind you). By far, he’s my favorite NFL-related twitterer. Best recent example(s): “If u ever sprayed cologne up in the air & danced in it & then hoppd out real quik out for fear of putting too much on. #YouJustLikeMe” and “If u want a kick-butt Quesadilla try Moe's.... So bad when I have to sneak bites of my son's... #ImSoFat” and “All I want for Christmas/Birthday is for 5 Guys (Burgers & Fries) to announce me as the New 6th Guy...... I'll come off the bench #ImSoFat” and “If you've ever had to take a shower w/ a handtowel cause u aint have any clean washcloths. #YoureJust like me That sucka get heavy don't it?”

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Posted by Will Brinson

The Bengals placed wide receiver Terrell Owens on injured reserve Tuesday, officially ending his season and, most likely, his career with the Bengals.

The Bengals announced the move via Twitter (of course), but they failed to mention whether or not Owens would be in the 'Nati next year. That's probably because he won't be -- Adam Schefter of ESPN cites a source indicating Owens' time is done there, and it's a logical conclusion to reach for a number of reasons.

First of all, the Bengals are cheap and Owens won't be signing as cheaply in his second run with them (especially considering he outproduced Chad Ochocinco this year). Secondly, Marvin Lewis is likely gone when his contract runs up. There's a chance Carson Palmer is gone too. Heck, Ocho could be shown the door. It's pretty obvious Owens is going with them (them = whoever goes).

Finally, it was pretty obvious that once the team really sunk into the depths of a losing season that Owens wasn't playing the happy camper role like he did with the Bills last season. Even if the Bengals' ability to manage personnel is terrible (and it is), they'll at least realize the stink he'd make if he returned for a second losing season in Cincy.

And, hey, maybe Owens doesn't want to be there. Although at this stage, it's hard to imagine him turning down any sort of contract that guarantees him playing time and money, especially considering he's likely to end up as a one-year rental once again in 2011.

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Posted by Josh Katzowitz

In the first quarter of the Bengals-Browns game today, volatile Cincinnati WR Terrell Owens pulled up lame after pivoting in the middle of running a route. He limped off the field and was lost for the game.

And now, apparently, the season as well.

According to the Bengals official Twitter feed, Owens said he has a torn meniscus and is done for the season.

Which is unfortunate, because though he’s made so much noise this year with his obnoxious comments off the field, he had a surprisingly good season for the Bengals. He overshadowed Chad Ochocinco as the team’s No. 1 receiver, recording 72 catches for 983 yards and nine touchdowns.

He also said he’d return for 2011, but it’s unclear where he’ll play.

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Will Brinson

Chad Ochocinco likes to clown around pretty much everywhere. (Except in the final of "Ultimate Catch," when one of the girls clowned too much for even HIM, which was kind of amazing.)

Naturally, when he was at home, chopping up oranges on Saturday night and actually stuck his finger with a knife, he had to let the world know about it on Twitter...

Damn i just got cut, how does this happen the day before a game? WTf!!!

Now, people freaked. After all, it's not unreasonable that the Bengals would do something stupid and/or drastic with a high-priced star, like getting rid of him and trying to clean house, right? Well, not exactly, but everyone thought that he'd been cut by the team. (I actually Google'd "Chad Ochocinco" to see if any news items come up. I mean, you never know.) Then he dropped this:

People not cut from the team, i cut my hand slicing some oranges and i got a game tomorrow, not cool!

Ocho later wondered how many people he "got," meaning just how many folks got pumpfaked by the tweet. Well, probably a lot.

Good thing for him, he now has a pretty solid built-in excuse if he has a terrible game tomorrow against the Browns.

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Posted by Josh Katzowitz

All week long, I didn’t understand the controversy generated by Cowboys RB Tashard Choice when he asked Eagles QB Michael Vick for his autograph on the field after their game last Sunday was complete.

As a reporter, you NEVER ask a player for an autograph – for charity or otherwise. But players ask each other all the time. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in an NFL locker room – or a baseball clubhouse – where one player goes around to each stall and gets his teammates to sign a football or a helmet.

Usually, it’s for some sort of charity, and I’ve never given it a second thought.

Maybe Choice shouldn’t have asked on the field right after the Cowboys suffered a loss, but even then, it’s hard to work up a sweat about this so-called controversy.

Later, Choice felt compelled to defend himself, saying the Vick-signed glove was for his 3-year-old nephew.
And to put the act into more perspective, the Philadelphia Daily News remembered the demand for Michael Jordan’s autograph from his NBA colleagues.

And though I rarely say this, I agree with something that Chad Ochocinco wrote on his Twitter pag e about the issue. Wrote Ochocinco: “They making a big deal about another player asking for Vick autograph, I want his autograph and the skills he has to shh and a jersey.”

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Posted by Josh Katzowitz

Like Andy, I’m averse to mentioning anything that has to do with the T. Ocho Show on Versus, but the advance word that’s leaked out about tonight’s show actually has a bit of news value.

Though his season numbers look fairly pedestrian* – 42 catches for 972 yards and six TDs – Eagles WR DeSean Jackson is coming off a game where he caught four passes for 210 yards and a TD, and he wants to get paid. This, of course, is not new news, because Jackson has been wanting a new deal since before the season began. But Jackson, in this video, seems pretty confident that he’s going to be extravagantly rewarded for his production.

*By this, I mean pedestrian for a top-flight WR.

Said Jackson as he was being interviewed by Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco (H/T to the Philadelphia Inquirer: "This is like my third year. I officially have one year left. We've talked so far with my agent, Drew [Rosenhaus], and the Eagles. We're just seeing how it can go now. The 30-percent rule, the (collective bargaining agreement) and all that, and the new year coming up next year and us being locked out, there's a lot of ins and outs that go into it.”

Later, in the clip below, Jackson says, “They're going to have to do something, because the way I'm out there putting it in something's got to happen, man."



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