Menu
ESPN
- scores
You have reached ESPN's Australian edition. Stay on current site or go to US version.
T.O. says Bengals' bad season is coaches' fault
14y
Boomers takeaways: Time for next-gen transition? Best coaching candidates
4hOlgun Uluc, ESPN basketball insider
Mission impossible: How do Boomers replace FIBA Patty after Olympic heartbreak?
5hKane Pitman
As it happened: How day 11 unfolded in Paris
20hESPN Staff
Tszyu gets shot at world title against Russian
2mAAP
AFL releases much-anticipated Round 24 fixture
2hAAP
Wallabies lose Tupou for sold-out Boks opener
1hSam Bruce
Israeli team says it's gotten threats during Games
1h
Boomers beaten by Nikola Jokic's Serbia in overtime
12hAAP
Embiid laughs off jeers, leads U.S. rout into semis
5hBrian Windhorst
Boxer Khelif dominant again, into gold medal bout
5h
Skateboarder Trew, 14, wins historic gold
15hAAP
Trew beauty! 14-year-old Arisa creates Australian Olympic history
8hJake Michaels
'Remarkable' Peter Bol's quest for glory continues after drug-test nightmare
1dStephanie Brantz
How the Lions roared back into premiership contention after rocky start
3hRohan Connolly
LeBron, Edwards inch closer to gold: Takeaways from Team USA's quarterfinal win
2hBrian Windhorst
Josh Smillie: The 194cm No.1 contender who has questions to answer
4hJasper Chellappah
'If Jess doesn't get ya, Noemie will'; Fox torches field for fairytale Olympic gold
1dJake Michaels
Premier League kit ranking: Who has 2024-25's best jerseys?
18hChris Wright
Can the Hawks handle the occasion? Can Port win at the 'G?
1dESPN staff
Whale makes gold medal appearance during Olympic surfing shortboard semifinal
9hKalan Hooks
Why are there robot cars at the Olympic track and field stadium?
8hKalan Hooks
NRL's Rnd 23 sure thing, coin toss and roughie games
20hESPN Staff
NRL teams: Broncos lose Mam, Haas
20hESPN Staff
How the family connection is fuelling Whitcomb's Opals campaign
22hMegan Hustwaite
MMA divisional rankings: Another Nurmagomedov is on the move toward top
14hESPN
What's next for Nurmagomedov, Sandhagen after UFC Abu Dhabi?
2dBrett Okamoto
The duality of Tony: Assessing the Matildas' Gustavsson era
2dMarissa Lordanic
How Aussie Nina Kennedy learned the art of pole vault -- and why she's a big medal hope
2dMarissa Lordanic
Transfer Talk: PSG open talks with Man United for Sancho
2hNick Judd
2024 fantasy football injury outlook: The latest on Rodgers, Cousins and other returning players
15hStephania Bell
Associated Press
Dec 15, 2010, 02:52 PM
CINCINNATI -- Receiver Terrell Owens says the Cincinnati Bengals' lousy season is the result of underachieving "from the top down," and he particularly points a finger at the coaches.
Teammate Chad Ochocinco asked Owens during "The T.Ocho Show" on Versus cable network Tuesday night why he thinks the team is 2-11.
"I think there's underachieving from the top down," Owens said. "You start with the owner, you start with the coaches. And obviously we as players, we are a product of what the coaches are coaching us throughout the course of the week.
"Of course, we have to go out there and play the game. But in order for us to do what we're allowed to do at the best of our abilities, the coaches have to put the players in the best position."
Owens has been diplomatic for most of the season, which quickly spiraled out of control. He had only one catch for 22 yards during a 23-7 defeat in Pittsburgh on Sunday that was Cincinnati's 10th straight, matching the franchise record for consecutive losses in a season.
In the past couple of weeks, Owens has implied that the Bengals are getting out-coached and not making very good adjustments to opposing defenses. His comments on Tuesday were his most pointed yet.
Wearing a T-shirt that said "I [heart] Keeping It Real," Owens noted that he signed a one-year deal with Cincinnati to improve its passing game and help the defending AFC North champions go deeper into the playoffs. Owens has been productive -- he ranks among the league's top six receivers in catches and yards -- but the offense overall is in the bottom third.
"Yeah, my frustration pretty much is at an all-time high," Owens said. "I pretty much have been quiet all year, but the fact that I was brought in here to kind of help this team get to the playoffs, and to be where we are right now is very disappointing."
The Bengals have only two winning records in the past 20 years, one of the worst stretches of futility in league history. Owens turned 37 last week and is a free agent after the season. The Bengals have an option to keep Ochocinco for one more year. Coach Marvin Lewis' contract is up after the season.
Owens asked Ochocinco why he thinks the Bengals are 2-11. Only Carolina is worse at 1-12.
"I'm not sure why we're 2-11 this year," Ochocinco said. "But the thing with me is I've become numb to the situation of losing, being that I've lost for such a long time that I have not been able to point the finger on what it really is."