Despite having a total of three receptions for 59 yards over the first two weeks of the NFL season, Patriots wide receiver Chad Ochocinco has at least one New England icon who will stick up for him. Lucky for him, that player happens to be the most important one currently on the Patriots -- and arguably in the franchise's history.
During an interview on The Dennis & Callahan Morning Show on WEEI on Monday, quarterback Tom Brady defended Ochocinco against some of his ex-teammates who criticized the star receiver after New England's record-breaking performance against the Dolphins in Week 1.
Former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi lambasted Ochocinco last Tuesday after he tweeted about how amazed he was watching his new team dominate Miami. Bruschi claimed that Ochocinco's lack of impact in that dominant offensive performance indicated that he "obviously" doesn't understand the Patriots' system. Bruschi angrily insisted that Ochocinco stop tweeting and start studying. Rodney Harrison, another ex-Patriot, chimed in the next day and let anyone who cared know that he agreed with Bruschi.
Brady, however, defended his new teammate and said "none of those guys have any clue what they’re talking about."
"They’re outside the locker room," Brady continued, via the Boston Herald. "They don’t know what we’re trying to accomplish, with all due respect to Tedy. But everybody can think what they want."
Ochocinco played a larger role (but not by much) in New England's 35-21 victory over the Chargers on Sunday, catching two passes for 45 yards. After the Patriots sealed the deal on Sunday, Brady appeared to be teaching his new receiver, who had been scrutinized since the preseason for struggling in the Patriots' offense.
Overall, it looks like adapting to the offense might be taking No. 85 a little longer than anyone expected. But at least Ochocinco has Brady sticking up for him.
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