Chad Ochocinco had nothing but good things to say about the place he once called "Heaven". But Heaven and Ochocinco didn't mix, so he took whatever was left of his talents to a much warmer climate.
No, not that warm. He went to South Beach.
Ochocinco met with Miami media for the first time since joining the Dolphins, and while there was no group hug this time around, there was plenty of talk about finding his game -- and his old self -- once again.
"Enjoying the opportunity to come here and play at home," Ochocinco said. "Play with a great organization. Lot of changes being made here. Coaching staff, I'm enjoying it. Developing Brokeback Mountain-type chemistry with the players. It's about me getting back to the basics, going back to the root of how it all started. Not as far as playing at home in Miami but as far as my game goes. Getting back to what we're all used to seeing: the basic fundamentals of how I became what I am. I think I kind of lost that, and I'm looking to go back to the Chad Johnson."
But Ochocinco is a guy who loves to talk. He said all the right things in Foxboro last season, and got plenty of breaks early on as he tried to grasp the playbook. Unfortunately, it never clicked, and all the talk remained just that -- that.
So how are things starting out in Miami? Quarterback Matt Moore seems impressed with what he's seen so far, especially noting the speed in which Ochocinco (somewhat surprisingly) still possesses.
Its been good, Moore said of working with Ochocinco, according to Pro Football Talk. Hes come in, hes done his work, hes trying to learn and its been business as usual. Hes fast, thats for sure. Hes quick and hes just got that attacking mentality you love in a wide receiver. Hes got a lot of good things and hopefully we can use those things in the future.
New England Patriots
Key words in that last quote by Moore: trying to learn. Ochocinco tried in New England too, but maybe a new playbook will do him some good.