Ochocinco has designs on playing until he's 40

Chad Ochocinco says he wants to play untii he's 40 years old.

The eccentric wide receiver told the South Florida-Sun Sentinel that he plans to play until he's 40 years old.

"I'm going to play 'til I'm 40 years old, and this year I'm going to show the world I can," the 34-year-old Ochocinco told the newspaper.

"There is physically nothing wrong with me. I want to race Clyde (Gates) right now. I've asked him," Ochocinco said, referring to Gates, whose 4.31 40-yard dash time made him the fastest receiver in the 2011 NFL draft. I've still got it. I'm a lot smarter and I'm still fast."

Ochocinco's declaration comes less than a month after he signed with the Miami Dolphins after being released by the New England Patriots.

Ochocinco, a Miami native, made the Pro Bowl six times, most recently in 2009. He had only a minor role in his lone season with the Patriots, catching 15 passes for 276 yards.

"I ate every bit of that humble pie," Ochocinco told the newspaper about his season with the Patriots. "I believe it made me a better man, a better player.

"The Dolphins are the right team, the right offense. I'm at the good place in my life. Everything fits perfectly for me."

In his career, Ochocinco has caught 766 passes for 11,059 yards and 67 touchdowns. All of the Dolphins' returning receivers have less than a dozen career TDs.