Bengals’ Chad Ochocinco unveils new skill, kicks extra point while Graham sits with injury

Ochocinco boots extra point as Graham sits

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Chad Ochocinco added another wrinkle to his colorful career by kicking an extra point Thursday night.

Cincinnati’s all-time leader in catches and yards receiving connected after the Bengals first-half touchdown as coach Marvin Lewis held out Shayne Graham as a precaution because of a groin injury. Ochocinco also kicked off to start the second half.

” ‘Esteban’ Ochocinco is back, the most interesting footballer in the world,” Ochocinco said. “Everyone has to remember, I’ve always said that soccer is my No. 1 sport. I think Ronaldinho would be proud of me right now.”

Graham, fourth in NFL history in field goal accuracy, signed a one-year contract for this season after being named the Bengals franchise player.

“Shayne has been nursing a tender groin,” Lewis said, “and it was determined in pregame warmups that it just wasn’t good enough to have him go in a preseason game.”

Graham was in uniform Thursday night. Last Friday night, he kicked an extra point and missed his only field goal attempt in a 17-7 loss to the New Orleans Saints.

Ochocinco had never attempted a kick in exhibition or regular-season games during his eight NFL seasons, the first seven under the name Chad Johnson. But he has kicked in practices.

The extra point followed J.T. O’Sullivan’s 24-yard touchdown pass to Chris Henry and gave the Bengals a 7-3 lead with 1:55 left in the half. They led 7-6 at intermission.