Keyshawn Johnson has opted to retire instead of accepting a two-year deal from the Tennessee Titans according to the Nashville Tennessean. Johnson will immediately join ESPN, presumably with Chris “I’m a shell of my former self” Berman and the rest of the “Countdown” crew.
So the debate begins. Considering he was the top selection in the 1996 NFL Draft, was Johnson a bust? Here are some stats:
– Three time Pro Bowler (’98, ’99, ’01)
– Caught at least 70 passes nine times in his career
– Finished 15th on the all-time career reception list with 814
– 10, 571 yards, 64 touchdowns
– This isn’t a stat, but he was also renowned for his blocking
As far as being worth the #1 pick in the ’96 draft, well, that’s debatable looking at the rest of the top 10 that year (there’s no sense looking at the entire draft considering no team realistically would have taken a guy in the second round first overall). Jonathan Ogden was selected fourth by the Ravens and Willie Anderson went 10th to the Bengals, two offensive tackles easily worthy of the top pick. Simeon Rice has been an elite pass rusher most years and he was taken 3rd overall by Arizona. Looking at the entire ’96 receiver group, Johnson had stout company. Terry Glenn (7), Eddie Kennison (18th), Marvin Harrison (19th), Eric Moulds (24th), Amani Toomer (24th), Muhsin Muhammad (43), Bobby Engram (52), Terrell Owens (89) and Joe Horn (135) were all taken after Johnson.
When you factor in how much Johnson pissed off teammates Wayne “The Mascot” Chrebet (Jets), Ronde “Uncle Tom” Barber (Bucs), Drew “You led me too much and that’s why I fumbled on that play” Bledsoe (Cowboys) and the entire Tampa Bay Buccaneers front office, I think it’s safe to say any of the above wide outs – except Owens – would have been less of a headache even though Keyshawn had better overall numbers save for obviously Harrison and T.O. Although it’s also worth noting that Bill Parcells loved Johnson and would have gone to the depths of the earth to have him on his team(s).
