Posted on Wednesday 16 April 2008
After a few months of insinuations, Chad Johnson has officially asked to be traded.
Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson left no room for doubt Wednesday: He wants out of Cincinnati as fast as possible and he doesn’t plan on reporting for any future Bengal function — mandatory or voluntary.
“Nothing has changed from what I’ve been saying for three months that I don’t want to play for the Bengals.'’
Johnson made one of his strongest statements in saying he is not planning on reporting to any team functions because he wants to be traded.
“I want to be traded before the draft, and if that doesn’t happen, I want to be traded as soon as possible,'’ Johnson said. “I don’t intend on reporting to anything.'’
As this was happening, I always got the feeling that he and the Bengals would repair the relationship and he’d be in Cincy this season. But it’s hard to go back from statements like these. (Though Kobe did it, so who knows.)
Possible suitors? The Raiders jump to mind, though they may not have the cap space after all their signings this summer. Wherever he lands, he’s the type of player that can shift the NFL landscape.
Ocho Cinco would look pretty good in the red, white, and blue of the Superbowl Champion New York Giants opposite Plax, but sending him to the Raiders accomplishes two things for the Bengals: it guarantees them a high #1 pick and it punishes Johnson for being a pain in the ass by sending him to a crappy franchise.
The Falcons couldn’t get the Raiders #1 pick for DeAngelo Hall, so I doubt the Bengals could get it for Johnson. I realize Hall is a pain in the ass himself, but he’s still incredibly young (24) and plays at a more coveted position than Johnson does.
Oakland also signed Javon Walker to that ridiculous deal this offseason, so I doubt they would bite, although it’s an interesting thought. (You always have to throw conventional wisdom out the window when dealing with Al Davis, I know.)
If they weren’t in the same division, I would say watch out for the Ravens getting involved because Hue Jackson (Johnson old position coach in Cincy) is now Baltimore’s QB’s coach. But, you won’t see the Bengals trading within the North.
I mentioned the Raiders because that’s where every troubled player seems to end up. I’d actually like the Packers to take a hard look. Maybe CJ would thrive without all the distractions of the big city. Donald Driver is getting older and I like the idea of a CJ/Jennings combo. Who knows, maybe #4 would come out of retirement to throw to that crew.
Doesn’t this smell like another Drew Rosenhaus special?
High-profile and talented but discontented player coming off good year comes up with some fuzzy beef with the team and demands trade . . . this all sounds very Javon Walker-ish to me.
That’s not to say I wouldn’t enjoy seeing Johnson torch cornerbacks in green and gold; I have doubts that he’d fit under Coach Mike very well, but who am I to say? If they have a shot (and they have the cash to do it) I say go for it.
Well, what the heck, I’ll chip in. Send him to Miami - why not ? lets see if the Tuna can Tame him.
Keyshawn