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Thanks to the wonderful folks at TheOBR.com, I recently spent some time in Georgetown, KY watching from the sidelines as the Cincinnati Bengals opened their 2009 training camp. To say I was an outsider in Bengals country is an understatement of epic proportions. From the event staff playfully mocking my vintage Kardiac Kids era license plate to the Cincinnati based beat writers inexplicably showing sympathy towards me based on my Cleveland connections, I was certainly a stranger in a strange land.

However, the crowning moment of my displacement had to be this exchange with one of the most classy and professional coaches in the league, Marvin Lewis.

Me:
“Hey, coach. I’m from Cleveland and I was hoping to….

Lewis:
“I’m sorry to hear that.”

Well played, coach.

Despite feeling like a soldier behind enemy lines, the combination of an incredibly media-friendly environment and the noticable void of reporters present gave me the opportunity to talk with several Bengals players. My goal was to try to exploit the already natural connection the Bengals and Browns share on so many levels, so naturally when I had the opportunity to talk (and not tweet) with Chad Ochocinco, I wanted to first capture his thoughts regarding our great fans. Although Ochocinco has put together an incredibly productive, highlight-filled career and has a long history of playing Cleveland, the most striking reference I have of the uber showman was the moment he jumped into the enemy stands during the once in a lifetime 2007 game at the stadium.

The directive was simple; I asked Chad if he had a message for the most hardened and passionate of Browns fans, the Dawg Pound.

“Tell them…I love the Dawg Pound. I love Cleveland. Cleveland’s been great to me.”

Just these few words affirms what I’ve always realized by watching and listening to Chad Johnson Ochocinco from afar. Sure, he’s been labeled as a media sensation, a distraction, and often times, is not exactly the greatest team player. Obviously, the national media has a hand in creating the cult of personality that is Chad, and it would be a gross oversight to not realize that he plays a huge role in this process. But the wonderful personal qualities that Chad brings, such as excitement, exuberance and simply a committment to having fun, are what endears him to many in the Cincinnati organization and legions of Bengal fans.

And ever the showman, Chad added the following declaration.

“And tell them that I will be jumping again.”

Call it brash or even baseless, especially based on his dismal 2008 production, but in a sense, Chad is the rarest of modern day NFL athletes in that he still shows a child-like wonder for the game. After stating earlier in the day that the Bengals’ depth at wide receiver is the best in the entire league, he asked me what was going on with the Browns receivers in Berea.

Naturally, the first question regarded the drama-soaked status of Braylon Edwards. However, in a departure from the tone of myself, Cleveland media and Browns fans everywhere, Ochocinco asked how long Braylon would be out, rather than try to figure out details regarding what happened, which is the most closely guarded secret in Camp Mangini at the moment.

What followed was another clear example of Ochocinco revealing himself to be a genuine fan of the game. Although I was savoring the opportunity to talk with a legitimate NFL superstar, he turned the questions back on me.

Ochocinco was particulary curious about rookie Brian Robiskie. After I mentioned that I was impressed with Robiskie’s hands and route-running, Chad again flashed the wide eyes of a starstruck fan. Much like the rest of us, he’s intrigued by the possibilities of a talented young receiver.

Regarding the debut of Mohammed Massaquoi, Chad was astonished that the Browns had even drafted a second wideout. I could almost feel the wonder in his reaction, as he both discovered something new about a division rival, but also had just gained another competitor at his position. He then asked me about the other receivers and of course, I had to mention my personal favorite, the ageless David Patten. Chad quickly stated that Patten is “really good.”

I mentioned some of the other competitors at the position who are getting more reps thanks to Braylon’s absence. I talked about Josh Cribbs, which solicited a nod of approval, and then in a gesture dear to my cynical heritage of Browns fandom and my own blackened heart, I mentioned that Paul Hubbard may be getting a look. In true lovable Chad style, he asked the following:

“Who?”

By Cleveland Reboot
Blogger/SJ Contributing Author

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