Their catches can be added up, although it takes some time.
Imagine the statistical accomplishments of Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco if words were put into numbers.
“Oh yeah, they talk,” Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey said. “But T.O., in a game, is more focused. Chad, he’ll talk. T.O. doesn’t say much when he’s out there.”
For once, and probably for the only time this season, Broncos cornerbacks Bailey and Andre Goodman can feel like kids again Sunday night when they match up against Ochocinco and Owens, the Bengals’ loquacious and once-sensational receivers, in Denver’s preseason opener.
Bailey and Goodman are each 32 — youngsters next to Ochocinco, who is an older 32, and Owens, who will turn 37 in December.
There are good reasons, though, why Ochocinco and Owens are playing at an advanced age. Together, they have 1,690 catches for 24,903 yards receiving and 206 touchdowns. Slightly bigger numbers, even, than one Jerry Rice (1,549 catches, 22,895 receiving yards, 197 TDs).
Bailey and Goodman know this is one game they will get tested from the jump.
“Why not?” Bailey said. “Two of the best ever.”
Owens may not say much between huddle and play’s end, but he can taunt with the best of them if he’s on the receiving end of a big gain or touchdown. Then again, many NFL receivers are loose with the tongue. Goodman said the key is to not let their words get in his head.
“I don’t mind, it’s kind of colorful, to be honest with you,” Goodman said. “But I don’t have to get into back- and-forth conversations. I try to just stick to my game plan.”
In the Bengals’ first preseason game last week, a 16-7 loss to Dallas, the newly signed Owens had two catches and a couple more Carson Palmer passes thrown his way. For now, Ochocinco, in his 10th season with the team, is content to help break in the new guy.
“I’ll tell you what, they’re explosive now,” Bailey said. “Having that added firepower with T.O. makes them a different team.”
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com
