Did ocho earn more snaps going forward today?

[Fencer]

Ocho looks awkward to the eye test.

But he sure held his own today as the team's #2 non-Welker WR, promoted to #1 due to the injury to the guy ahead of him.

 

[jays52]

The Ocho story is the same story for the entire team this year. They are so damn close to getting it. I would continue giving Ocho reps as there is nothing like game reps to get the player going. This team as it currently stands is not a superbowl team. The entire team is on a razor thin edge of getting it, and when they do it will be a superbowl team. It's going to be a fun playoff watch because if/when they all get it they are going to be the best team in the league.

 

[BradyFTW!]

not sure what game you were watching, but after that he was in and got a nice block that got a big gain for Welker.

he was also in alot in the 2nd half. more than Underwood or Edelman.

Dont quite get the hate for Ocho even WHEN he puts together a good game..having another target for brady can only be a good thing for this offense. especially when Branch pulls his disappearing act

Agreed- Ocho is clearly far more talented and gets far more separation than Branch/Underwood/Edelman. IMO he's going to have to continue to produce for the offense to be as good as it will need to be to win a Super Bowl.

 

[RIpats88]

Agreed- Ocho is clearly far more talented and gets far more separation than Branch/Underwood/Edelman. IMO he's going to have to continue to produce for the offense to be as good as it will need to be to win a Super Bowl.

exactly, theres going to be a team that has the ability to jam our receivers at the line and make us go to the outside. its not just the TD catch, but the little things like blocking allowing others to have big gains that imo make me think he had a solid game

All Ocho needs to do is give us a play like that once a game and it just makes the passing offense that much deadlier...because it makes the defense have to pay attention to 4-5 targets who can make a play. Welker/Gronk/Hernandez are the top targets, but having the ability to spread the ball to numerous playmakers is what makes this offense so deadly

 

[fnordcircle]

On his TD the safety bit up and took the under route - because they didn't think they needed to respect Ochocinco.

The team is going to see that in film this week and they'll exploit it at some point. Ochocinco flying under the radar could very well turn around to benefit us at some point in the future - especially in the playoffs.

Next week the Dolphins are going to need to focus on stopping both Gronk and Hernandez - thanks to Hernandez lighting up the Broncos. This is going to possibly open up Welker who seems to enjoy playing against his ex-team like everyone in the league does but more than that I think it will give Branch, Ochocinco and Underwood more opportunities to get into the receiving game and that's something that will really benefit this team in the long run when teams in the playoffs realize they can't get away with just jamming Welker at the line and doubling Gronk - they'll have to gameplan for what to do about the other receivers.

 

[Deus Irae]

I didn't see anything that would make me think the Patriots will be putting him ahead of Branch, so I don't know where the extra snaps would come from.

 

[Ring 6]

Agreed- Ocho is clearly far more talented and gets far more separation than Branch/Underwood/Edelman. IMO he's going to have to continue to produce for the offense to be as good as it will need to be to win a Super Bowl.

I've seen about 3 plays all year where Ocho showed talent and separation.
Honestly, he makes more moves that make him look uncoordinated out there than fluid and athletic. I think we are seeing that he had skills that got him a lot of production when plays were designed to open up what he does well, and he struggles mightily to run a full variety of routes.
I'm OK with him needing to be out there some times, but oddly, while he may still have enough left to be a decent receiver if he is the guy the play is designed around and he is running the route that the rest of the patterns are designed to get open, but he really lacks the overall skills to do it without that help.

 

[Sciz]

On his TD the safety bit up and took the under route - because they didn't think they needed to respect Ochocinco.

And because (I believe) that safety was Rahim Moore, who has been absolutely dreadful for the Broncos, to the point of being benched. Had to play because of injury, though.

 

[NinjaZX6R]

Hopefully he continues to improve. Love to see him as a starter during the next 2 weeks.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I've seen about 3 plays all year where Ocho showed talent and separation.
Honestly, he makes more moves that make him look uncoordinated out there than fluid and athletic. I think we are seeing that he had skills that got him a lot of production when plays were designed to open up what he does well, and he struggles mightily to run a full variety of routes.
I'm OK with him needing to be out there some times, but oddly, while he may still have enough left to be a decent receiver if he is the guy the play is designed around and he is running the route that the rest of the patterns are designed to get open, but he really lacks the overall skills to do it without that help.

That really about sums it up. He still has some ability. He tries really hard. But he doesn't fit this offense and it shows.

In Cincy the mentality was all for one and here it's one for all. Same thing happened with Whoseyourmama, and it went to his head and when he left Cincy he got exposed, too. It was so easy for so long Chad had too much time on his hands and took up hobbies like tweeting and developing a sideline as an entertainer. Here even though he's put all that on hold he just can't catch up no matter how hard he tries. It's like the old defensive analogy of opponents playing chess vs. Bill playing checkers. Chad was a hell of a checkers player, but he can't play chess. And Bill's offense under Brady is a chess match.

 

[RayClay]

Pretty limited looks available to Ocho and Underwood, so I'm glad if either steps up. Ocho's obviously been struggling with the system, but he can get open. Seems like they should be able to get a play here or there out of someone but the TEs, Welker and Branch, but i don't know how that works.

Nice running from the trio. Looks like Woodhead is finally snapping back to life. Might be the swan song for Faulk, I don't know. Ridley looked great and BJ looks more comfortable as a receiver, which could be huge. He gets overlooked by the defense. I'm much more of a BJ fan, he seems more fluid, and we have more outside runners to pair with him so he can do what he does best, run forward with a purpose.

Great two way offense today, well oiled machine.

 

[Joker]

you should have seen the game thread ...the first ten or twenty pages...it was ridiculous....so called Patriots fans blasting every facet of the team, calling for Bill's head, slinging all kinds of rotten insults at the players, screaming out for heads to roll...I went to my brother's house to watch the game where there are NO laptops or desktop PC's...still, my nephew had this site on his I Pad and kept parroting the insanity going on here....make no mistake...this was a HUGE media event...the BIGGEST event this season so far as far as media frenzy, hype and coverage...the post game story lines were already cranked up in anticipation of another Tebow miracle...here's what happened...the Pats and BB rammed it right up all the haters and the frenzied little chicken fairies bloated posteriors...now, you can tell...everyone is looking for some other angle to denigrate, complain, slam and besmirch this team...it's like today's win didn't even happen...it's all about "we don't want to play the Jets three times in a season...REAL BAD NEWS!!!!!!!"...like the Rats getting punked on this same field by this same Bronco team means the Pats should now worry about THEM??????? I swear, these clowns have to be Jet fans or else they are all suffering from Stockholm Syndrome...I've never, in my life, over decades of Patriot fandom, seen anything like these "fans".

 

[NinjaZX6R]

you should have seen the game thread ...the first ten or twenty pages...it was ridiculous....so called Patriots fans blasting every facet of the team, calling for Bill's head, slinging all kinds of rotten insults at the players, screaming out for heads to roll...I went to my brother's house to watch the game where there are NO laptops or desktop PC's...still, my nephew had this site on his I Pad and kept parroting the insanity going on here....make no mistake...this was a HUGE media event...the BIGGEST event this season so far as far as media frenzy, hype and coverage...the post game story lines were already cranked up in anticipation of another Tebow miracle...here's what happened...the Pats and BB rammed it right up all the haters and the frenzied little chicken fairies bloated posteriors...now, you can tell...everyone is looking for some other angle to denigrate, complain, slam and besmirch this team...it's like today's win didn't even happen...it's all about "we don't want to play the Jets three times in a season...REAL BAD NEWS!!!!!!!"...like the Rats getting punked on this same field by this same Bronco team means the Pats should now worry about THEM??????? I swear, these clowns have to be Jet fans or else they are all suffering from Stockholm Syndrome...I've never, in my life, over decades of Patriot fandom, seen anything like these "fans".

I read them. I even saw the Fire BB comment...REally??? Spoiled fanbase we have. SMH

 

[RIpats88]

The hate of ocho has to go beyond his production when he has a solid game and they still complain. Its a beyer game than branch has had in weeks

 

[MoLewisrocks]

The hate of ocho has to go beyond his production when he has a solid game and they still complain. Its a beyer game than branch has had in weeks

The problem is some of you want so badly to love Ocho irrespective of production that you resort to calling those of us who see him realistically as haters. Ocho isn't remotely earning his contract. Branch has. Based on the contract Bill obviously expected Ocho to challenge Branch for snaps. He hasn't. He's struggling to challenge for the 4th WR slot because we have a TE who can handle that when healthy (and Ocho could not sub for him when he wasn't) and we've even added a street FA to the mix to push or replace Chad as Branch's backup. He had one catch luckily for a TD in 54 snaps in week 14... He is what he is... And contrary to the ADHD assessment, Branch's least productive games are still more solid than Chad's - you just can't or won't see it unless it's your binky doing the little things (and the coaching staff and QB have consistently underscored all season that even when he isn't a target Branch is doing all the little things that help his team win).

 

[PatsFan2]

This might seem strange but a couple of Ocho's better plays this year have come on Broken coverages...one in the Second Jets game to other on that TD yesterday. He still doesn't understand our Offense Ocho when it comes on to route adjustments. That Cinci Offense but be real simplistic...just run in a straight line down the field. It's real simple when your 23 and not 33. Hurry up an get well Deion Branch...a heatlthy Branch is ten times better that Ocho Stinko. Tiquan Underdud have even vaulted over him...Ocho = Dumb as bricks.

 

[RIpats88]

The problem is some of you want so badly to love Ocho irrespective of production that you resort to calling those of us who see him realistically as haters. Ocho isn't remotely earning his contract. Branch has. Based on the contract Bill obviously expected Ocho to challenge Branch for snaps. He hasn't. He's struggling to challenge for the 4th WR slot because we have a TE who can handle that when healthy (and Ocho could not sub for him when he wasn't) and we've even added a street FA to the mix to push or replace Chad as Branch's backup. He had one catch luckily for a TD in 54 snaps in week 14... He is what he is... And contrary to the ADHD assessment, Branch's least productive games are still more solid than Chad's - you just can't or won't see it unless it's your binky doing the little things (and the coaching staff and QB have consistently underscored all season that even when he isn't a target Branch is doing all the little things that help his team win).

And so did ocho this game. He did all the little things like blocking. Ther#s a reason he was in there and not underwood. Im not saying he ois better than bramch just that he had a good game..anyone who tries to spin that he didnt is in denial.

Like I said we shuld be glad if ocho starts to produce..because theres nothing wrong with another target for brady

 

[Bella*chick]

I love the blocking he did. And he caught a TD. I remember he ran a wrong route, but I think the good outweighed the bad in this one.

 

[fnordcircle]

The problem is some of you want so badly to love Ocho irrespective of production that you resort to calling those of us who see him realistically as haters. Ocho isn't remotely earning his contract. Branch has. Based on the contract Bill obviously expected Ocho to challenge Branch for snaps. He hasn't. He's struggling to challenge for the 4th WR slot because we have a TE who can handle that when healthy (and Ocho could not sub for him when he wasn't) and we've even added a street FA to the mix to push or replace Chad as Branch's backup. He had one catch luckily for a TD in 54 snaps in week 14... He is what he is... And contrary to the ADHD assessment, Branch's least productive games are still more solid than Chad's - you just can't or won't see it unless it's your binky doing the little things (and the coaching staff and QB have consistently underscored all season that even when he isn't a target Branch is doing all the little things that help his team win).

On the other hand.

"Without Deion playing, other guys have to step in and fill that role that Deion's had for us. Chad was in there; he really got us started. That was a huge touchdown catch," he said.

"Every week he gets more and more comfortable. I wish I found ways to get him the ball more. He's really embraced his role. He's a great teammate. He's fun to be around and every week he gains more confidence. Hopefully we continue to build on it. This week is better than it was last week."

The only reality check needed here is we all have a limited insight into this team and how Ochocinco is performing relative to the chances he's had. He's clearly a positive impact on this team in every way he can be despite his lack of production. He's coming into his own and as teams begin to focus more and more on Gronk, Welker and Hernandez Ochocinco is going to have a lot of opportunity to do as much as he did on the field yesterday and moreso.