Chad Ochocinco Signs With Miami Dolphins

Chad Ochocinco Gets Jersey No. 85

Just in case anyone was concerned about whether or not Chad Ochocinco would be forced to either change his name to Chad Johnson or something infinitely more insane than his current name, there's not going to be an issue. According to Miami Dolphins blogger and podcaster Jesse Agler, Ochocinco will wear 85 in Miami; Rishard Matthews gave up his number on Tuesday.

Rishard Matthews now #86 after Ocho's arrival and Moye being waived. New FB Mahaffey will wear #6.

— Jesse Agler (@finsjesse) June 12, 2012

The Dolphins signed Ochocinco, a Miami native, to a one-year contract on Monday. The 34-year-old wide receiver caught just 15 passes for 276 yards in a limited role for the New England Patriots in 2011, and he was subsequently released. Ochocinco is a six-time Pro Bowler who was last named to a Pro Bowl team in 2009.

For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Dolphins, check out The Phinsider. For all your offseason NFL news, visit SB Nation's NFL hub.

Chad Ochocinco Signs 1-Year Deal With Dolphins

Chad Ochocinco is taking his talents to South Beach, signing a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins. Born and raised in Miami, Ochocinco has a chance to revive his career in his hometown.

The news was initially announced by -- who else? -- the OchoCinco News Network. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports was the first to report the length of the contract.

Ochocinco was released by the New England Patriots last Friday after catching just 15 passes for 276 yards and a touchdown in 15 games in 2011. He wasted no time arranging a workout with the Dolphins, who apparently saw enough in the six-time Pro Bowler to give him a shot. He's just two years removed from catching 67 passes for 831 yards and four touchdowns during his final season with the Cincinnati Bengals.

For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Dolphins, check out The Phinsider. For all your offseason NFL news, visit SB Nation's NFL hub.

Chad Ochocinco Already Worked Out For Miami Dolphins

The New England Patriots released Chad Ochocinco last week and already he's had a workout with an NFL team. Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin confirmed on Monday that the team had a "recent" workout with Ochocinco, presumably sometime after the Patriots released him on Thursday.

Miami is Ochocinco's hometown. The Dolphins could also use some help at receiver after they traded away Brandon Marshall to the Chicago Bears. The Dolphins training camp will be chronicled on HBO's 'Hard Knocks' which would put Ochocinco in the NFL spotlight once again. Miami makes a lot of sense.

Ochocinco, 34, is coming off the worst season of his career where he caught 15 balls for 276 yards. The odds are against him of making a big impact in Miami, or wherever he ends up, considering his age and recent play on the field.

For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Dolphins, check out The Phinsider. For all your offseason NFL news, visit SB Nation's NFL hub.

Chad Ochocinco Wants To Sign With Dolphins, According To Report

Less than 48 hours after being released by the New England Patriots, Chad Ochocinco has made it known he'd like to stay in the AFC East and sign with his hometown Miami Dolphins, according to reports. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported Saturday that Ochocinco will likely have a deal signed by next week, and he's hoping it's with the Dolphins:

By sometime next week, Chad Ochocinco is likely to know where he will be attending training camp. And, if his prayers were to be answered, that next destination would be the Miami Dolphins, according to sources who have been in contact with him.

While the on-field impact of signing Ochocinco is negligible at this point, he would add some star power to an organization and owner that have been looking to add big names but have been rebuffed consistently in the past year. Ochocinco would get to return home and finish his career in his native Miami while also being immediately thrust back into the spotlight, as the Dolphins are set to be the focus of HBO's Hard Knocks this summer.

For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Dolphins, check out The Phinsider. For all your offseason NFL news, visit SB Nation's NFL hub.

Patriots Confirm Chad Ochocinco Has Been Released

The New England Patriots confirmed the release of veteran wide receiver Chad Ochocinco on Thursday, issuing a brief statement through the team's website. There was some confusion as to whether or not Ochocino had been cut as the day wore on, as he was at the Patriots' facilities for offseason training activities, but then left the complex before the start of practice. Ochocinco then removed a reference to being a member of the Patriots on his Twitter account before putting it back up later in the afternoon.

New England acquired Ochocinco less than a year ago in a trade with the Bengals, but after one unremarkable season, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick decided it was time to part ways. The Pats reportedly tried to trade the wideout but could not find a suitable deal and decided to release him. The outspoken Ochocinco took the news relatively well, thanking the fans on his Twitter account.

For more on Chad Ochocinco and the New England Patriots, visit SB Nation's Pats Pulpit and SB Nation Boston.

Chad Ochocinco Thanks 'Wicked Awesome' Patriots Fans

The New England Patriots have yet to officially confirm the news that Chad Ochocinco has been released, but Ochocinco sent out a tweet Thursday afternoon thanking the fans in his own way.

Thoroughly enjoyed the oppurtunity to play for the "Patriot" organization... fans were fucking wicked awesome, I wish all of you the best...

— Chad Ochocinco (@ochocinco) June 7, 2012

While Ochocinco's time in New England was memorable at times, it wasn't because of his play on the field. He had just 15 catches for 276 yards last season with the Patriots, the lowest numbers of his career. He's a step slower, but his decline last season was still pretty dramatic.

Ochocinco is in shape so he could probably find a job with another team, assuming he keeps playing. But at 34 years old, his best days are clearly behind him.

For more on Chad Ochocinco and the New England Patriots, visit SB Nation's Pats Pulpit and SB Nation Boston.

Patriots Cut Chad Ochocinco After They Can't Trade Him, According To Report

The New England Patriots have decided to release wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, according to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter, who also said the Patriots tried to trade Ochocinco on Thursday before releasing him.

Ochocinco made headlines on Thursday morning when he arrived to the Patriots complex for offseason training activities only to leave the complex shortly after that. Adding to the speculation was that he edited his affiliation with the Patriots out of his Twitter bio, but later put it back.

Ochocinco was basically a non-factor for the Patriots last year and he got paid a lot of money. The Pats brought him back earlier this offseason, but on a restructured (read: smaller) contract where he was reportedly due just $1 million.

The Boston Globe reported earlier on Thursday that Ochocinco still has it physically, but he's had trouble learning the Patriots' playbook.

That the Patriots were unable to trade him for anything isn't a surprise considering he's 34 years old and is coming off a season in which he had just 15 catches.

For more on Chad Ochocinco and the New England Patriots, visit SB Nation's Pats Pulpit and SB Nation Boston.

Chad Ochocinco Leaves Patriots Complex Before OTAs Begin

Chad Ochocinco arrived at the Patriots complex on Thursday but left before the start of OTAs lending to speculation that his status with the team has changed.