We never expected players carrying each other’s pads back to the locker room after training camp practices to become one of the most talked-about stories during the summer of 2010, but here we are: New Bengals receiver Terrell Owens is carrying the pads for teammate Chad Ochocinco.
Owens isn’t a rookie, but he is the new guy in Cincinnati, and he says he’s fine with carrying Ochocinco’s pads for as long as he’s no longer considered the new guy.
“I guess until he tells me I’m good to go,” Owens said. “I don’t have a problem with it. Whatever Chad says, Chad gets.”
That attitude puts Owens in the same company as Rams rookie Mardy Gilyard, but in contrast to Cowboys rookie Dez Bryant, who first refused to carry Roy Williams’ pads, then said he didn’t know he was breaking with NFL tradition, and now has much more important things to worry about.
Overall, Owens says he’s happy in Cincinnati and just doing his best to fit into the offense.
“It’s getting better, and that’s the thing with this offense,” Owens said. “It’s not easy, but I feel like I’m a rookie all over again, but it will come around.”