Chad sets the record straight

Things had been kind of quiet on the Chad Johnson front for the past few weeks. Hadn't heard a peep out of the guy in a while.

All that changed today when the Cincinnati receiver, responding to a claim by quarterback Carson Palmer that he'd show up for mandatory camps, said he is done with the Bengals. And about that trade? It had better happen soon, he says.

In an interview with ESPN.com, Johnson said, "I want to make this very clear. I don't know where (Palmer) got that. I made no assertion to Carson that I would do that. Nothing has changed from what I've been saying for three months that I don't want to play for the Bengals. . . I want to be traded before the draft, and if that doesn't happen, I want to be traded as soon as possible. I don't intend on reporting to anything."

The Bengals have maintained they have no intention of trading Johnson, so perhaps it's premature to debate whether the Bucs have any chance of pulling off a deal, if they're interested. But, considering the direction this situation is going, seems it will get worse before it gets better. And maybe that will be enough to convince Cincinnati to entertain offers, despite the $8-million cap hit that would result from a trade.

As if to reinforce what he previously said, Johnson later told NFL.com, "I will not be at any mandatory camp. I will not be at training camp. I will not be anywhere in Cincinnati. I'm not sure where Carson got his information from, but I know I didn't assure him of anything. I wish he'd stay out of this. He's taking how I'm feeling as a joke because I think everyone else in the organization is doing the same."

I've gotten lots of emails and heard plenty of comments from those of you who want nothing more than to see the Bucs make a pitch for Johnson. I still see it as unlikely. But who knows? Maybe Tampa Bay will get its chance after all.

Would that be okay with you?

Comments

[Kevin]

Remind me again how things worked out with Keyshawn? Seems like the Bucs would be putting themselves right back in the same scenario...

[eric]

a waaaaaaaste of time... and we'd have to give up draft picks? Hell no.
e

[JS]

Keyshawn Johnson take 2. Give a bunch of draft picks to win right now and throw away the future... how many picks did we lose from 2000-2003(keyshawn trade, gruden "trade")? No way we're going that same way... We have FIVE picks this year and SIX the next year... philly I think has 11 this year.. no more stupid trades for players we don't need (griese!!, sims, benneth).

[cory]

Keyshawn has nothing to do with the discussion. He couldn't hold chad's jockstrap.

[shane]

if the price is right the bucs should go after Chad, who knows we might be able to pull off the same kind of deal that patriots did last year with moss(i doubt that the effects would be the same though). We could have a player that could have an immediate impact and it would finally give Jeff someone other than Joey and Ike(Chad is a combination of the two, good hands and very quick) to throw to. Really the bucs are one of the few teams that could actually absorb Chad's salary in a trade and still have enough to sign draft picks and other free agents

[Bill]

first round and clayton
do it

[JR]

if deangelo hall was trade for a 2nd rounder and a fifth rounder, i think we could get away with getting chad johnson for a 2nd rounder and maybe a player(maybe one of our receivers) or a pick from next year. I would give up a 2nd round pick from this year that we might end up using on a receiver because we would have solved that problem without any of the bust factor.

[chris]

pleeeease do it Bucs! Galloway is all we have and hes only getting older.

[wally]

For a reasonable price, we need to get Chad. We paid WAY too much for Keyshawn.

[aaron]

a 2nd rounder and Maurice Stovall. if chad is gone from cincy they will need somone to play opposite TJ. look this guy is nothing like keyshawn. Chad is about having fun not about himself. he has never said get me the damn ball. he just does silly dances when he gets in the endzone. and that is someone we need, somebody that gets in the endzone!

[Tony M. (Bucs need to draft CB in 1st)]

I'm for Chad Johnson, and quite frankly I think that Chad Johnson would be on board with the Bucs organization with the quickness. He would have an immediately positive impact on our offense. The Bucs could talk about contending with the top tier of the NFL with the addition of a gamebreaker of his quality.

But I don't think we can get him based on what we can afford to give up for him. Ocho-Cinco is good, but he is also 30. But by all means Allen/Gruden, make an offer!

[DR]

I was all for a CJ trade but the more he speaks, the more I say no. Right now, I hope Cincy keeps him on the team and makes him hold out. Why trade a baby and lose $8M in the process? I say keep the baby, he plays or not, at least you won't have $8M playing for another team. CJ is a great talent, but a big reason the Bengals couldn't pass up the Steelers is because CJ got shutdown by the Steelers on a consistent basis.
I'd take Marvin Lewis' word in this, the Bengals won't be trading CJ this season.

[Bucs2002]

Am I the only one that remembers that when the Bucs traded for Keyshawn, they won a Super Bowl?

[Bucsfan79]

Funny how nobody was complaining about the (draft picks we gave up) while we were winning the Super Bowl. I'm not a fan of Keyshawn either, but he was an important part of the Super Bowl year as was others....."Go Bucs"

[mm]

I read on PFT that it actuall y would not be an $8 mill cap hit for Cincy. If they were to wait until after June1, they could spread out the total cap hit over two years. Also, the $8 mill is including bonuses such as participating in camp which he said he will not do. The actual hit for this year could be a mere $3 mill which they certainly could absorb.

[Denver Bucs Fan]

Keyshawn Johnson. Keenan McCardell. Chad Johnson. All talented wide receivers, but team cancers with their selfish attitudes. Here's hoping we don't let history repeat itself by pursuing Ocho Sink-O. Give home-grown, classy, and healthy Parris Warren and Maurice Stovall opportunities to excel in a Bucs system that they've had experience in.

[Jay]

You know, three years ago, Chad Johnson was never seen as a selfish player, but was being lauded as just one of the most talented people on the field whose love of the game just spilled out into his antics. Yet now, all of the sudden, he's seen as a me first kind of guy?

Hardly.

Chad has been suffering from Corey Dillon disorder - where your throw out back trying to carry a team for so long it becomes impossible to tolerate the dysfunction and losing attitude any longer. Statistically speaking, he had a stellar season last year, but one major thing happened.

The team threw him under the bus.

And like anyone who has given their heart and soul to an organization, a job, or even a company, he feels betrayed and unappreciated. I don't blame him for wanting out. In fact, I think that the change of scenery will do him well in the same way that it did for Randy Moss - and I believe that Tampa Bay is the team that could help him do just that.

I would humbly suggest a 2nd rounder in this year's draft, and a 4th and 7th in next years. We have the cap space, and we can afford to set him up with a 6 year 72 million dollar contract (as an estimation), with 10 million up front. I know that sounds like a lot of cheese for a 30 year old receiver, but the truth is, he's a dynamic playmaker who can change the way the game is played, and that's something the Bucs have desperately needed for a long time.

Considering this year's schedule, I think it would be a wise investment. Bring Ocho Cinqo to Tampa Bay!

[Matt]

We could trade a first round pick and Jake the Snake to Cincinnati and they can use the $7m Jake owes us to off set the $8m damage from trading Chad.

[DR]

Stephen, any word on when Jared Allen will be visiting Buc One Place? I hear the word is the Chiefs are shopping him and he will be visiting the Vikes and bucs. This is a good opportunity for the Bucs to get a talented player.

[ShangoWango]

Clayton and a 4th round pick. Or we can go typical Buc style and pick him up in six years.

[Kinn Corn Karn]

Bring in Ocho. He's as explosive on the field as any and that's exactly what the Bucs DON'T have....explosive players.

I know this is a totally different topic, but.....I just heard that Steve McNair has announced he's going to retire. I think the bucs should trade Simms to the Ravens so we can pick up an additional pick/player. Lord knows they won't want to start another season under Boller!

But they would want to start a season with Simms!? LMAO! They may be able to trade Simms for a couple dozen donuts.

[Kalind]

I want Chad, thats easy. But forget giving draft picks. We have too many linebackers, D-ends and an extra safety, throw that terrible dfense some of our scrubs and a late pick next year, and get a guy who can change the whole outlook of this town's organization..for the better.

[Scoreonu01]

1st round draft pick and Hillard OR Clayton.. Please get chad with him and galloway that would mean Superbowl!