Ochocinco's Roster Spot Safe for Now

Despite limited playing time, the coaches seem happy with 85.

Chad Ochocinco, who's been a member of the Patriots for less than three months, won't be getting his walking papers anytime soon. This isn't great news but it's something better than the "we're going to have to let you go" conversation which, at this point, wouldn't be totally unexpected.

But Monday, Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien and New England director of player personnel Nick Caserio were asked about Ochocinco's immediate future with the organization and both only had laudatory things to say.

“Ocho is progressing every week,” O’Brien said. “He’s done a really good job in practice and when he’s been in certain parts of games, he’s produced -- two-minute drives at the end of halves and things. We’re happy where Ocho is with things right now.

“Again, we got a lot of guys that contribute. This is a unique place. We’ve got a lot of guys that contribute and some guys in certain games are contributing more than others. At some point in time, we’re going to need everybody to contribute, so that’s kind of where it is right now. Ocho is probably in that category and working really hard to keep producing and eventually help us in different ways.”

Huh. Nice sentiments, but they don't exactly match up with what we've seen on the field from Ochocinco, or from quarterback Tom Brady, who was seen giving Ochocinco an earful after he ran the wrong route against the Cowboys last Sunday.

When asked if Ochocinco had worked out the way they had hoped, Caserio offered this:

“We’re happy with what Chad’s done for us,” he said. “He’s probably one of our best practice players. He goes out there, he works hard, practices hard, he’s out there on the field, he competes, he has made plays when he has had the opportunity. We’re six games in with a long season and we’re happy that Chad’s on the team.”

It's worth pointing out that the Pats are on the hook for $6 million this season for Ochocinco, and that may factor into the decision to keep him around, at least for now.

Following the win over Dallas (where Ochocinco saw the field for just seven snaps), the Boston Globe's Shalise Manza Young noted that the upcoming bye week will be an opportunity for "every member of the team, from coaching staff to players, [to] be evaluated. There will be discussions about Ochocinco, who has nine catches for 136 yards through six games."

For now, his roster spot appears safe, although things may have turned out differently if the Patriots, as was rumored, made a deal for former Broncos wideout Brandon Lloyd who was shipped to the Rams Monday.

And while it would be nice to have Ochocinco play like the Pro Bowler he once was, as long as Deion Branch, Wes Welker and tight ends Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski are on the field, the Pats' passing offense will remain one of the league's best.

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