Patriots release WR Chad Ochocinco

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots have released wide receiver Chad Ochocinco.

The former Chad Johnson spent one unproductive season with the team, even though the Patriots went to the Super Bowl. He had 15 receptions for an 18.4-yard average and one touchdown, but rarely was a key part of the offense.

Ochocinco, who played 10 seasons for Cincinnati before joining the Patriots. In seven seasons, he had seven 1,000-yard receiving years and a high of 97 catches.

Ochocinco tweets Thursday: "Thoroughly enjoyed the oppurtunity to play for the "Patriot" organization... fans were ... wicked awesome, I wish all of you the best..."

His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, says he is "in the process of gauging interest from potential teams."

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Ochocinco tweeted, “Thoroughly enjoyed oppurtunity to play for ‘Patriot’ organization... fans were [expletive] wicked awesome, I wish you the best.”