He has to, because if they suffer another losing season then that name change he went through will all be for nothing.

After suffering his worst season since his rookie year as Chad Johnson, the Bengals’ enigmatic wide receiver is looking forward to the coming 2009 NFL football season to redeem himself, this time as Chad Ochocinco.

You read it, he actually went through the name change as the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver now has the last name to go with the no.85 at the back of his jersey. However, name changes should be the least of this guy’s worries.

In case you haven’t noticed, it’s been a while since Cincinnati Bengals fans had something to cheer for. Especially last year when they played most of that season virtually without a passing game with Carson Palmer out for most of the year and Ochocinco struggling.

To make matters worse, the running game never got going either, and the result was a team that ranked dead last in the NFL in points scored and yards gained, finishing 29th in rushing and 30th in passing. The team also continued to struggle with the controversies on and off the field headed by the legally challenged Chris Henry and of course, Chad Ochocinco.

The good thing for Cincinnati is, it can’t get any worse than this.

Yes, the Bengals don’t have anywhere to go but up. However, the journey won’t be an easy one. Coach Marvin Lewis still has a seemingly tenuous grip on his coaching position, and arguably the best active player from the team last season, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, is no longer on the club.

The 31-year-old Houshmandzadeh was considered the prize of free agency in the offseason as he signed with the Seattle Seahawks worth more than $40 million for five years, with more than $15 million guaranteed. He caught a combined 204 passes for 2,043 yards and 16 touchdowns over the past two seasons in Cincinnati and now he brings all his skills to a Seahawks team desperate to get back to prominence since losing to Pittsburgh four years ago in the Super Bowl.

With T.J. gone, this season will be THE season Ochocinco has to prove that he’s more than just hype. Besides, Carson Palmer won’t have any other targets downfield but no.85. Let’s just hope Ochocinco will make the most out of this golden opportunity.

At his age, these opportunities won’t come by often.

Which team will win Super Bowl XLIV? SPORTSBETTING.COM has the odds.

Pittsburgh Steelers 10-1

Arizona Cardinals 25-1

New England Patriots 4-1

Dallas Cowboys 12-1

Want more odds? Visit SPORTSBETTING.COM for more NFL betting odds. Want to watch the NFL live? Get NFL tickets online now.

Chad Ochocinco Cincinnati Bengals