Raiders Coach Chimes In On Ochocinco's Struggles
FOXBORO (CBS) - Oakland Raiders head coach Hue Jackson had some insight as to why Patriots receiver Chad Ochocinco has struggled so far this season.
Jackson, in his first year at the helm in Oakland, coached Ochocinco when he was in Cincinnati when he was his position coach. He said something interesting in Wednesday's conference call with the Boston media, mentioning that he calls Chad his son because he helped him grow as a receiver from the beginning.
"I helped raise that young man in Cincinnati," said Jackson. "He played for me, did wonders for me. He is a tremendous competitor and a doggone good football player. On Sunday I'll look across and look at him, but he knows that this is about winning and he understands that."
"I think a lot of players [get down on themselves when they struggle]," said Jackson. "When you are used to having success and things have gone the way they've gone for his career up to this point, it's hard when you don't see the light at the end of the tunnel. But one thing I know about him, he's going to continue to work, he'll do everything that's asked of him. He's a tremendous pro. I'm sure he's working at it and eventually it'll come off right for him."
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Jackson also said he allowed "Chad to be Chad" because he thought that was the only way he was going to be effective as a wide receiver. He actually encouraged Chad to be colorful, and that helped his game.
"When I came to Cincinnati, he was real early in career, maybe second or third year, but he was right on the cusp of becoming a great player," said Jackson. "What I tried to do was push him, take him to where he truly wanted to go. He wanted to be one of best in the league and, in my mind, there's no question that he was. He really worked at it. The way he studied video tape, the way he prepared."
"I let him have his own personality, because that's Chad. You have to allow him to be him to get the most out of him. And that's what we were able to do. We forged a bond that's been the same since our time in Cincinnati. I always check on him -- I just haven't checked on him much this year because we've been so busy, but i do have a lot of respect for the player."
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Jackson also stated that he expects Ochocinco to get out of this funk, he just hopes it doesn't happen this week.
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