It's hard to come up with examples of times when you'd actually want to see an opposing player score a touchdown against the Jets. Perhaps a player making a return from serious injury or a former Jet unfairly cast aside in an unpopular personnel move would elicit a friendly response, but the idea behind seeing Chad Ochocinco score a touchdown isn't because anyone needs something to cheer about on Sunday.
It's the football equivalent of rubbernecking. Ochocinco told New York reporters on a Wednesday conference call that he's got a custom-made fireman's helmet in Bengals colors that he plans to whip out should he score on Sunday night. He needs the hat for a little skit he's worked up imitating Fireman Ed's post-score celebrations.
"It’s a fun thing and it’s a great challenge for their defense to not let me in. If I do get in, I’m pulling out the fireman helmet and I’m on top of my lineman’s shoulders. They have to say the O-C-H-O, Ocho, Ocho, Ocho. That’s fun."
Frankly, we're dying to see how the crowd reacts to such a show, although it would be foolish to expect the reaction that the receiver is looking forward to getting.
The problem for Ochocinco will be finding a way into the end zone. Darrelle Revis doesn't make a habit of allowing touchdowns, something Ochocinco has acknowledged both via conference call and via Twitter this week. He's also done a little bit of trash-talking, though, saying that Revis couldn't cover him in a phone booth and that the Jets corner will be wearing "42" by the end of the game because he'll be so turned around trying to keep up with Ochocinco.
Revis has played along during the run-up to what Ochocinco's calling a matchup on par with Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. That's nice to see. Ochocinco is having fun and selling the game, something people can take these things far too seriously.
It's easy to say that now, of course, because we all know that nothing is going to make fans chuckle if the Jets don't win on Sunday.
Sports
Josh Alper is a writer living in New York City and is a contributor to FanHouse.com and ProFootballTalk.com in addition to his duties for NBCNewYork.com.
