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

PITTSBURGH – Ben Roethlisberger’s meat remains in the news.

Ty Ballou, the owner of PLB Sports, told the New York Times he is severing ties with Roethlisberger and will no longer distribute Big Ben’s Beef Jerky. Lately it appears Ben needs little help in doling out any goods related to meat.

Ballou is said to be an avid Steelers fan and also told the newspaper he is disgusted by the allegations made against Roethlisberger in a Georgia sexual assault case.

Although the Georgia D.A. refused to press charges on the Steelers quarterback and the player did read an apology in front of the cameras, Ballou decided to terminate the contract:

“I can’t imagine anyone touching Ben Roethlisberger. Enough is enough. I hope there is a suspension,” said Ballou. “At some point in time, Ben has got to put himself in the right position and understand what it means to be a celebrity, a quarterback, a Steelers player.”

Ballou’s website lists many other athletes as endorsers for his products like Joe Greene, Kurt Warner, Nolan Ryan and Terrell Owens but the details surrounding Big Ben’s personal meat at the Capital City Bar in Georgia was the last straw and too much for him to handle.

“We’ve made a lot of money together. I’m leaving a lot on the table by terminating this contract. Even thought there were no criminal charges, there are just enough issues here that it’s the best interests of PLB Sports to break ties.”

Just curious, was the jerky sold in mini bites or jumbo size?

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax™

NEW YORK – Has there ever been a free agency period in the NFL that has included so many All-Pro, marquee names? The latest to join the group is New York Jets running back, Thomas Jones.

After having a career year and leading the Jets AFC-best rushing attack, Jones will be released on Friday when NFL 2010 free agency begins.

Jones who is coming off his best year as a pro, would have been due $5.8 million for this upcoming year, a salary that included a $3 million bonus.

The Jets attempted to restructure his contract but Jones declined to take a pay cut. It’s hard to blame him since last year while playing for only $900,000, he maintained a great attitude and produced strong numbers for the team while patiently waiting for this higher-structured year to arrive.

Jones, 31-years-old, set career highs of 1,402 yards on the ground and 14 touchdowns leading his team to the AFC championship game against Indianapolis.

Also a leader in the locker room, he was voted the team’s most inspirational player by his teammates on two separate occasions.

Jones joins several other marquee names in his position that are joining the free agent market. San Diego cut LaDainian Tomlinson, the Philadelphia Eagles released Brian Westbrook, the Cleveland Browns sent Jamal Lewis packing and Minnesota Vikings Chester Taylor is out in the open market.

Another potential free agent expecting to create a buzz may be Terrell Owens who is leaving the Buffalo Bills after just one season.

T.O. was productive in the cold while playing for a struggling franchise known for a weak passing game (25th in the NFL last season). He caught 55 passes for 829 yards, taking 5 to the house.

On the defensive side of the ball names like Julius Peppers, Aaron Kampman and the Chicago Bears Adewale Ogunleye are expected to be available for bid starting March 5th.

Copyright © 2010 – Sports Climax^TM