NFL cincinnati Bengals

I get that first-rounders, particularly those taken in the top 15 picks, would threaten to hold out if it meant more leverage during contract negotiations. In recent years, however, both players and organizations have made efforts to get deals done before training camp because holdouts, in the long run, don't benefit anybody.

Rookies, already playing catch-up in a new system with new players, can least afford to miss practice. And the teams, who invest a lot of coin in developing players, often don't see a return in the first year. JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn might be farther along if not for protracted training camp holdouts. On the other hand, the 2008 first-overall pick, Jake Long, was signed prior to the draft, started every game and had a productive rookie season.

After saying that he and Carson Palmer "were like Brokeback Mountain," it only made sense that Chad Ochocinco would move in with the Bengals quarterback this summer. That was the plan (according to Mr. Ochocinco), anyway.

Palmer's wife -- and I'd assume Palmer, too -- had other ideas. The family just had twins, and even if they hadn't, I'm not sure they would be interested in introducing crazy into their home. Via the Dayton Daily News' Chick Ludwig:

Update: Mr. Ochocinco has indeed tweeted that the tats are fake because his grandma would have killed him otherwise. So, yeah, everything's back to normal in Cincinnati. Next stop: AFC North title. Obviously.

The term "jumping the shark" jumped the shark a few years ago, but dated references aside, it perfectly describes Chad Javon Ochocinco. When Chad first began acting out -- silly touchdown celebrations sandwiched between sillier sound bites uttered through gold fronts -- we all thought it was funny.

Like when a puppy nips at your hand in between tail-chasing sessions -- it's harmless and cute. Except that it becomes less so when, four months later, the dog is chewing through everything in the house and you end up putting him on doggy Prozac.

That's Mr. Ochocinco.

For some time now, there has been speculation about the relationship between Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer and wide receiver Chad Ochocinco.

While Palmer has been working his tail off during offseason workouts, Ochocinco has been nowhere in sight. The receiver says he will attend minicamp, and he's now trying to assuade notions that there is trouble between him and Palmer.

Here's a revelation that ought to help Chad Ochocinco shed the label of being a "Me First" kind of player.

During an interview on the NFL Network, Ochocinco was asked to explain his miserable 2008 season -- the worst, statistically, of his career aside from his 2001 rookie campaign. His answer not only explained Ochocinco's struggles, but also went a long way to providing some reasoning for his sudden and lingering injury issues last year.

With NFL teams going though OTAs and minicamps this offseason, we look at 10 young players who can make an impact in 2009. These players have five years or less than NFL experience.

As the Cincinnati Bengals try to rebound from a disastrous 4-11-1 season, the key players are all working their tails off in offseason workouts.

The team expects a healthy Carson Palmer to be the triggerman for a much-improved offensive attack. However, a lot of the team's plans depend on the attitude and physical health of mercurial star receiver Chad Ochocinco, who has not been participating in workouts in Cincinnati.

For a long time, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry has only been known because of his off-field behavior. He became a poster boy of sorts for the Bengals' problems, actually getting cut at one point last year, then signed again a few months later.

As Henry prepares for his fifth NFL season, it appears that the light is starting to flicker for the former West Virginia star. Teammates and coaches are praising Henry, saying he's having the best offseason of his career.

Levi Jones' reputation is as one of the better left tackles in the league, the knock is that he struggles to stay healthy -- he missed the final five+ games last season with a leg injury, and he's also missed most of three games in 2007 and 10 more games in 2006. He's battled leg, foot and knee injuries throughout his career.

But to get an idea on whether Jones would be an impressive upgrade for a team in need of a left tackle, I went back and watched Jones play three games from the 2008 season. What I found is that unless he's significantly more healthy in 2009, Jones looks to be a bargain-basement version of his former self -- a left tackle who now struggles with leverage and speed rushers, two things that used to be some of his strengths.

The Dallas Cowboys are shopping outside linebacker Greg Ellis, multiple sources told FanHouse on Thursday. Ellis is one of the most trusted defenders the team has, but it would like to push 2007 first-round pick Anthony Spencer into a starting role.

Ellis is in the last year of his contract and if released, is owed $1.5 million by the Cowboys as part of a contractually agreed upon settlement.

Dallas is serious about a potential move because on Thursday, the final day of this week's organized team activities, the team sent Ellis home, not allowing him to practice. The Cowboys did this last year during some OTAs, and coach Wade Phillips said then it was to not wear Ellis down. He turns 34 in August.