Chad Ochocinco Remains Good Sport, Takes Hits as Terrell Owens Flourishes

Since the arrival of wide receiver Terrell Owens to the Cincinnati Bengals last month, one of the questions has been -- could there be enough balls for him and star wide receiver Chad Ochocinco? Thus far during this preseason, Owens has been the main the target of interest for quarterback Carson Palmer so Owens can get familiar with the system while Ochocinco, being the good sport that he is, just runs his routes like the ball is coming to him.

"I'm pretty sure it's the right move," said former Bengals' wide receiver and now NBC NFL commentator Cris Collinsworth, according to USA Today's Tom Pedulla. "There is the sense of a go-for-it moment in signing T.O. because the Bengals have been known as a conservative bunch...If they can piece the passing game together, you get the feeling they could be on to something special."

Ochocinco was Owens' biggest supporter and campaigned for him to be signed by the Bengals before training camp, and the vision of having two outstanding wide outs together supplies many options for the Cincinnati offense. "I see it as a dynamic combination," said former NFL wide receiver and now ESPN analyst, Keyshawn Johnson. "What team has two receivers as good as these guys."

In the center of Ochocinco's world of being one of the best pass catchers in the league, however, is Palmer. While Palmer worked to get the ball to Owens, Ochocinco hasn't displayed much on the field because he hasn't received the ball much. And when Ochocinco was targeted, Palmer forced the ball with a bad pass, the two were not on the same page, or they created a turnover with Ochocinco's body on the line.

For example: In the Bengals' win over the Philadelphia Eagles, 22-9, on Friday night, Palmer's two interceptions were from passes intended to Ochocinco. Miscommunication was the reason for the first pick and the second interception was a forced pass into traffic where Ochocinco sustained a devastating hit. Ochocinco walked away, but for that moment, Ochocinco wasn't happy.

Meanwhile, Owens is tied for the league lead in receptions this preseason with nine.

"I've never seen a guy who can pick up an offense that fast," said Bengals' offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth. "It's been kind of shocking."

It appears that Owens has learned the Bengals' offense and is ready to go. Don't be surprised if Palmer and the coaching staff focus on getting Ochocinco better looks during the rest of the preseason. The Bengals can't treat Ochocinco as if he's the 'oh yeah, it's his turn guy' and flip a switch to start throwing him the ball. NFL defenses would key in on that and Ochocinco; licking their chops to lay him out like the Eagles did.

If Palmer and the coaching staff don't get settled in 'running the offense' instead of focusing on individuals at a time, the good sport may spoil the support.