While the New York Jets may be the most boisterous team this off-season and are the subject of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” series this summer, the most fascinating locker room in 2010 may be the Cincinnati Bengals. 

The outspoken roster led by wide receiver/reality TV dancerChad Ochocinco has been augmented this season by controversial defensive back Adam “Pacman” Jones and equally-loquacious wide receiver Terrell Owens.  This motley crew debuted for the first time last night and kicked off the NFL preseason losing 16-7 to T.O.’s former team, the Dallas Cowboys.

The pairing of Ochocinco and Owens might be the most fascinating and unpredictable one this season.  Ochocinco has already come up with a name for the “dynamic duo” announcing on Twitter that T.O. will be Batman, while he will play Robin.  (This photo-shop pic is worth a look.)

What can we expect from these self-titled “superheroes” in 2010? 

For starters there should be plenty of creative end zone acts.  After all, this is the same tandum that has given us some of the league’s most notorious end zone celebrations – from Ochocinco’s “bribing” of a referee and donning a sombrero to Owens’ autographing a football with a Sharpie and stomping on the Cowboy’s logo at midfield during a game. 

Don’t be surprised if the Dynamic Duo pay more in fines to Commissioner Roger Goodell this season than some Wall Street firms paid to the SEC.

This pairing is worth watching but not because of their thespian talents, because they are likely to go up in flames.  Ochocinco has long griped about not getting the ball enough (as he did last year), and that may only get worse with T.O. on the other side of the line of scrimmage. Likewise, Owens has been known to voice similar gripes, as he did with former teammates Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb and Tony Romo.  Add to the mix another free agent, former Bucs wideout Antonio Bryant, and you have to expect at least one disgruntled receiver in Cincy.

The real winner in all this could be Bengals QB Carson Palmer.  While he will have an improved crew of wideouts, at the very least he should be entertained all year.  Here’s hoping that T.O. tearfully defends his “teammate/quarterback” – and doesn’t instead question his sexuality.

While last night’s sneak preview of Batman & Robin was tame with Owens snagging two passes for 18 yards and Ocho-5 being held off the stats sheet, it’s still only the trailer for this train wreck.  Will the final NFL adaption of the show be worse than the big-screen version?

Used with permission of the author.

Chris Lardieri covers the Los Angeles Dodgers for Examiner.com and has written about Major League Baseball for Inside Edge, a scouting company that provides content to ESPN Insider and Yahoo Sports. He previously wrote for 1766, the Rutgers Alumni Magazine, and popular blog, ‘The Outer Loop’.  Be sure to follow Chris on Twitter for more MLB and sports observations.

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax, LLC

CINCINNATI, OH. – The New York Jets and Mark Sanchez are making believers out of the football world. Their 24-14 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Saturday’s AFC Wild Card game was their first playoff win since 2004 and extended their season at least for one more weekend.

The rookie Sanchez connected on 12-of-15 passes for 182 yards and no interceptions, becoming only the fourth rookie quarterback since 1950 to start and win a playoff game. Others in that group include Ben Roethlisberger who went on to win the Super Bowl, Shaun King and Joe Flacco.

You have to wonder what USC Coach Pete Carroll is thinking after blindsiding Sanchez with negative comments at the press conference when Sanchez decided to enter last year’s NFL Draft. Carroll insisted in front of the media that Sanchez was not ready or prepared to handle the NFL.

After leading the AFC in interceptions with 20, Sanchez knew the importance of not turning the ball over on the road against the Bengals and managed the game well. His passer rating was an astounding 139.4.

“He just kept getting better as the season went along,” Jet coach Rex Ryan said. “I told him this was his second season now. His first season is over. This is the playoffs.” The win was also the first playoff victory for Ryan who is in his first season as an NFL head coach.

The Bengals (10-7) got a team playoff-record 169 rushing yards from running back Cedric Benson but never got a flow going with their offense, being disrupted by constant blitzes and a variety of schemes by Ryan and the Jets defense.

In last week’s game between these same two teams, the Bengals managed a mere 72 total yards on offense. In that game Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer was 1-of-11 for 0 yards and Chad Ochocinco was shut out of the stat sheet literally with zero catches.

Saturday looked better on paper but that tandem was never able to get a flow going for their offense. Ochocinco finished with just two catches for 28 yards and Palmer was 18-of-36 for 146 yards, one touchdown and one INT.

Cincinnati added to their 19 year stretch without a playoff win.

Related Articles:

N.Y. Jets and Cincinnati Bengals Game Center – NFL.com

Cowboys Dominate Eagles for First Playoff Win Since 1996 – Sports Climax

USC Coach Carroll Shows Bitterness at Press Conference Towards Sanchez – Sports Climax

Copyright © 2010 – Sports Climax

This weekends’ AFC wildcard playoff round has two great match-ups.

The New York Jets travel to Cincinnati for a rematch to face the Bengals who suffered a beat down of epic proportions at the hands of the Jets in Week 17. The Bengals, playing without running back Cedric Benson who was granted a day off for rest, were dominated on both sides of the ball that game and virtually smothered by the Jets’ defense.

Carson Palmer statistically had the worst day of his pro career, going 1-of-11, 0 yards, 1 INT. Chad Ochocinco played like his hands were tied behind his back as he was contained by the Jets shutdown corner Darrelle Revis and held without a single catch. The dismal Bengals offense were held to just 72 total yards.

On the other sideline, the Jets produced 257 yards of offense with their potent rushing attack led by Thomas Jones and Mark Sanchez did a great job managing the game without turning the ball over.

The Jets showed why they are one of the most feared defenses in the NFL. They lead the league in several main categories in defense and confused and dominated the Bengals. This weeks’ matchup of former USC quarterbacks may make believers out of Mark Sanchez doubters, including his ex-coach at USC, Pete Carroll.

After a solid 3-0 start, Sanchez came down to earth and started playing like a rookie until the end of the season when he finished with good performances down the stretch to help get the Jets into the playoffs.

Do not expect a repeat of that blowout last week. Cincinnati will be playing in front of a raucous home crowd with Benson back in the pads, which may prove to be difficult for even the Jets and their defense.

In the other AFC game, the Baltimore Ravens travel to New England to take on the Patriots.

Quarterback Tom Brady and his Pats will be without Wes Welker who suffered a left knee injury last week and has been put on the IR.

Look for Julian Edelman to step up in Welker’s absence. Edelman was drafted this year out of Kent State in the 7th round after being a three-year starter at quarterback.

As a senior he led the team in rushing with 1,551 yards on 215 carries and 7.5 yards per carry average, finding the end zone 13 times as a rusher and passing for another 13 touchdowns. These numbers set a record, surpassing Joshua Cribbs single season record for yards from scrimmage.

With Randy Moss drawing double coverage, this could leave Edelman the speedy receiver open downfield for a few big plays. If he is able to get open, Tom Brady should have no problem finding him and making the tough Ravens defense pay.

Expect this one to come down to whoever wins the turnover battle. A week after winning the comeback player of the year award, don’t expect Brady to have too many problems adjusting to life without Welker.

Copyright © 2010 – Sports Climax