Chad Johnson headed for a meltdown?

[neidhost]

First of all I, like most of the sporting world, love Chad Johnson. He is an exciting player to watch on and off the field both for his undeniable skill as a player and his larger-than-life personality. That being said, I'm worried about him. As the Bengals have struggled these past 5 weeks, Chad seems to be getting more and more frustrated. It's okay to be frustrated and upset, correct even, but publicly airing your grievances is unprofessional and hurtful to the team. I have watched over the weeks as Chad in his postgame interviews has edged closer and closer to calling out the team and the coaching staff, culminating this week when he did just that. Albeit, he didn't get too specific, but you have to admit that Chad is starting to sound more and more like the selfish whiners that some leage wide recievers have become. Last week he couldn't catch the balls because they were poorly thrown, this week he isn't getting enough chances, next week will it be the Bengals offensive scheme? the coaches? the quarterback? I remember the rumors last year after the playoff loss to the Stealers concerning Chad Johnson and a locker room altercation with coaches and players, and while that was denied at the time, the way things are going makes me wonder whether we may be headed in that direction once again. Is Chad underutilized? Definately, I'd like to see him thrown to 12 times a game. But is national media the arena in which to address that issue? No, it isn't, and what's more getting into that habit is the fasttrack to heelville.

[bengalboomer7]

Sadly, i think Chad is right. It doesn't even look like to me he's the primary reciever very often. But maybe it's Chad's fault that it looks like TJ is Carson's go to guy. I remember last year Chad and Carson going to a Colts game to see the bond Marvin and Peyton had. Well, I don't see that bond, that unspoken trust. And that could be contributed to each player, to Carson's offseason rehab, to anything.

[neidhost]

heh, I called them the Stealers

[Whur CHad At?]

It's coming, and it should come. We are ignoring Chad out there. He is a big time playmaker, you can't just not iget him the ball. He should be pissed right now, he is open most of the time and never gets the ball. Chad needs to be used more in order to win games

[Riagogogoindanati]

Even if Chad is open......it's a little tough when our O-Line can't protect Palmer long enough to get the pass off.......thus throws high. We may just be better off to let the opposing defense know we are going to pass by putting Palmer in the shotgun all of the time.

Sesame Streeters..............

The word of the day is O-Line

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Sadly, i think Chad is right. It doesn't even look like to me he's the primary reciever very often. But maybe it's Chad's fault that it looks like TJ is Carson's go to guy. I remember last year Chad and Carson going to a Colts game to see the bond Marvin and Peyton had. Well, I don't see that bond, that unspoken trust. And that could be contributed to each player, to Carson's offseason rehab, to anything.

Chad's routes are generally a bit higher degree of difficulty than TJ's, who generally gives Carson an easier target. The issue is, if the O-line isn't going to be it's usual self this season, do they need to retool and get Chad routes where he can get open in time for Carson to actually hit him? Because this offense is currently wired around a functioning Oline.

There's also the fact that TJ has gotten better every year he's played and he's now at a point where you legitimately have to consider him on the list of the league's best receivers. I can't count how many balls he's caught short of the sticks on 3rd down, only to rip away from a defender and get the first. So if TJ's open and Chad's not, it's not a tough decision as to where to throw the ball.

I hear Chad's frustration, but it would be better to work with the coaches rather than bitching to the press.

[BengalsMan3203]

It all starts with the 5 up front..... Thats why Chad is having such a off year.

[Stripes]

Yep, it's about the line, period.

T.J. gets open short just as often as Chad, and he is much more reliable for YAC. I'd throw it to him too. Until the line starts playing well consistently, Chad's going to be less of a factor than he is used to.

[HoosierCat]

I couldn't argue with Rudi and Willie last week when they said Rudi needed more touches, and I can't argue with Chad saying he should get the ball more. But Palmer and the o-line need to pick it up first.

[Dan2330]

If Chad was really watching Manning/Harrison last year maybe he should also watch how Marvin reacts when Reggie gets a lot of the big plays in games. Learn to adapt, I mean is this guy still talking about wanting to break the yards record for wideouts?

You got the contract Chad, don't be a freaking TO, play the game, be a damn leader, shut your trap about 'getting yours' while your team is slumping, step up and lose that stupid marker board with those guys your going to burn.... It was fun the first time but now it is becoming a joke.

Amazing a team can have three wideouts like this- one that wants the glamour, one that can't stop from breaking the law, and one that goes out and gets it done and shows the most fire and determination of the other two combined.

[Kazkal]

Hey marvins turning in too chad =)

he did a TD celebration this week omg!

[agreen_112]

rightfully so! Chad has all the reasons in the world to meltdown. He's a playmaker, game-changer, go-to guy and he's not being used properly...

[HairOnFire]

rightfully so! Chad has all the reasons in the world to meltdown. He's a playmaker, game-changer, go-to guy and he's not being used properly...

Maybe the problem starts with Chad having about ten times as many commercials playing in heavy rotation than big plays or TD's scored. And maybe the problem is compounded by the fact that Chad seems to think that the first step in correcting ANY problem begins with him opening his mouth. And finally, maybe Chad should show a hint of leadership skills if really thinks he's the Bengals best player.

Right now, I'd have to say TJ is this teams go-to guy, Chris Henry is the best playmaker, and Chad Johnson is Mr. Wednesday...the day of the week he always launches the latest version of his dog-and-pony show.

[Stripes]

Maybe the problem starts with Chad having about ten times as many commercials playing in heavy rotation than big plays or TD's scored. And maybe the problem is compounded by the fact that Chad seems to think that the first step in correcting ANY problem begins with him opening his mouth. And finally, maybe Chad should show a hint of leadership skills if really thinks he's the Bengals best player.

What he said.

[bengalspride1219]

i dont knnow if this was posted

http://nfl.aolsportsblog.com/2006/11/06/ch...has-had-enough/

u think chad isnt doing well because of the stats i really really think carsons over thrown him a lot and this guy sees it too

i flew to cincy for the atl game and there were 2 tds carson missed to chad. before the end of the 1st half, and the 80 yard td that would have been to start the second.

how bout the first game against the chiefs, didnt an easy td get thrown at chads feet?

chads not dropping passes hes not TO these passes just arent getting there. and he seemsm to over throw chad more than housh or henry

[HoosierCat]

Maybe the problem starts with Chad having about ten times as many commercials playing in heavy rotation than big plays or TD's scored. And maybe the problem is compounded by the fact that Chad seems to think that the first step in correcting ANY problem begins with him opening his mouth. And finally, maybe Chad should show a hint of leadership skills if really thinks he's the Bengals best player.

Right now, I'd have to say TJ is this teams go-to guy, Chris Henry is the best playmaker, and Chad Johnson is Mr. Wednesday...the day of the week he always launches the latest version of his dog-and-pony show.

Maybe. OTOH, I didn't see too much complaing two weeks ago when Rudi Johnson made the same move, complaining he didn't get the ball enough. And I have to wonder why out of our two highest-paid playmakers, we have two unsatisfied customers. We didn't pay these guys to complain, we paid them to perform. Why aren't the getting the ball?

[Stripes]

I gave Rudi a break based on his history, Hoosier... I was surprised to see him as vocal about his frustration as he was. Anyone could see Chad's meltdown coming though. If Rudi continues to whine, then I'll be on his back about it too. I think Rudi is a little better at maintaining his composure than Chad is though, so I don't expect that.

Both Chad and T.J. said all the wrong things after that game, IMO.

[HoosierCat]

I gave Rudi a break based on his history, Hoosier... I was surprised to see him as vocal about his frustration as he was. Anyone could see Chad's meltdown coming though. If Rudi continues to whine, then I'll be on his back about it too.

The question isn't about whining, it's about why this team can't get the ball into the hands of its top playmakers. Hair's answer on the WR front is clear: Henry is the new guy, screw "Mr. Wednesday." Well, OK. But what happens when Henry gets his butt suspended again? I think keeping Chad and Rudi happy is good psychology, and good football.

[HairOnFire]

Maybe. OTOH, I didn't see too much complaing two weeks ago when Rudi Johnson made the same move, complaining he didn't get the ball enough. And I have to wonder why out of our two highest-paid playmakers, we have two unsatisfied customers. We didn't pay these guys to complain, we paid them to perform. Why aren't the getting the ball?

What can I say? I supported Rudi because I agree with the things he said. The debate we had on this issue made me stop and reconsider some things, but in the end it didn't change my opinion about what I think we've been witnessing for weeks.

That being, I think there have been more opportunities to run the ball and by using physical play establish a team identity.

However, I don't think this team really wants to develope a running identity and is determined at all costs to continue passing the ball, even if that means controlling the ball for 15 minutes less than the opposing team in nearly every game we play.

[Stripes]

Fair enough, Hoosier. I just think they're complaining needlessly... when things are going as they should on offense those two do get the ball quite often. I'm sure the coaches are trying their best given the problems they've had to deal with on the line and in the WR corps, and I think the players should acknowledge that rather than be so vocal about their displeasures.

Losing makes that a tough task though, no doubt.

[HairOnFire]

The question isn't about whining, it's about why this team can't get the ball into the hands of its top playmakers. Hair's answer on the WR front is clear: Henry is the new guy, screw "Mr. Wednesday." Well, OK. But what happens when Henry gets his butt suspended again? I think keeping Chad and Rudi happy is good psychology, and good football.

It's not me that's screwing Mister Wednesday. Opposing defenses are double teaming Chad, living with the damage that TJ can do to them over the middle, and rolling the dice that they can get away with man to man coverage on Chris Henry. Well, screw dat'. Feature Henry until defenses adjust. Go back to the Chad well only when it starts working more than it fails.

It's not about playing favorites. It's about which player is actually producing big plays and touchdowns, not headlines, soundbites, and stupid lists.

As for what happens if and when Henry gets suspended again, I repeat....if the NFL says Henry can play, feature him. If they say he sits, then adjust as best as you can. But it's silly to trot him out there each week and then ignore him in favor of endless atempts to force the ball to Mister Wednesday.

[HoosierCat]

It's not me that's screwing Mister Wednesday. Opposing defenses are double teaming Chad, living with the damage that TJ can do to them over the middle, and rolling the dice that they can get away with man to man coverage on Chris Henry. Well, screw dat'. Feature Henry until defenses adjust. Go back to the Chad well only when it starts working more than it fails.

No problem. OTOH, can Palmer throw some passes that don't require Chad (and other recievers) to sacrifice ribs for catches? Even Henry seems a bit reluctant to go eight feet up and get killed (see the last pass of the Balti game). Can we find some other ways to get the ball to Chad? We paid him enough, shouldn't we use him? Good teams find a way to get the ball into the hands of their playmakers. Maybe Brat needs to get creative? I dunno, but I can't find it in me to bust on Chad too much. He ought to get the ball more.

[HairOnFire]

I dunno, but I can't find it in me to bust on Chad too much. He ought to get the ball more.

And I can't find it in me to start slagging on Palmer for not being the QB he was last season. Obviously he's not the player he was last year, but knowing what he had to go through just to get to the point he's at right now I have a very hard time believing that anyone on this team has outworked him, cares more than he about winning, attempts to lead by example and by word, or willingly shoulders more than his fair share of the responsibility for a loss. So forgive me if I'm unmoved or unimpressed when Chad Johnson selfishly compares himself to a car hood ornament when he doesn't get the ball as much as he neeeds to remain in the spotlight. I'm far too busy being impressed by Carson Palmer's refusal to throw his underachieving blockers under the bus.

I kid you not, every time I see Carson Palmer pick himself up from the turf without complaining or throwing up his hands in frustration I think to myself..."THAT'S leadership!!!" Sadly, I'm also thinking that Chad Johnson can't spell the word LEADER even with a dictionary and plenty of help. In fact, the only leadership Chad Johnson has shown this season is when he kept his mouth shut for weeks, and the moment he declared "I'm back" is the exact moment I knew he hadn't changed.

And he needs to. The public face of this franchise can't be a goofy manchild who throws temper tantrums.

In regards to Palmer hanging his wideouts out to dry, I'll argue that right now he's become something he's never been before. Yup, right now he's a mechanically unsound QB and it's obvious to everyone that his accuracy has suffered as a result. We're not seeing the same guy who has been so accuarate that the location and timing of his passes actually moved his receivers away from contact.

That said, so freaking what? Have we forgotten how serious his injury was? Have we forgotten that we feared his career might be over? Have we forgotten that it seemed impossible that he'd be ready to play before midseason? Then, by the fourth game? And finally, by the opener?

I'm not sure what many of you were expecting back then, and I'm not sure what you're expecting now, but I've got strong doubts that this is something that Palmer can play his way out of this season. I hope I'm proven wrong, but I fear we may not get a glimpse of the Cartoon QB until next season. But none of this means I'm not as impressed by what I've seen from Palmer this season. Even at his worst he's a damn good QB.

In closing, the thread title asks the question..."Is Chad Johnson headed for a meltdown?" In response I'll argue that the question should be reworded to ask..."Is Chad Johnson headed for yet another meltdown?"...and I fear we all know the answer.

Because the lovable, funny, and incredibly gifted player known as Chad Johnson is also absolutely pie-eyed and completely bes**tted.

[Spor_tees]

There are ways they can get Chad the ball and slow down blitzing teams at the same time. Why do you never see the Bengals run a WR screen? Why do the Bengals stop throwing the ball WR right at the line of scrimmage and letting the WR's try to make a move on the DB and gain some yards? I swear everytime they do it, TJ or Chad get 5 yards or more. Well if a team is blitzing 7-8 guys and they throw a pass to the WR at the line of scrimmage, if he can make a move on the DB or break a tackle, he only has one man to beat to make it into "6." Maybe the Bengals should study the Panthers offense, and see some of the plays Carolina uses to get Steve Smith his touches and then use those plays with Chad. The guy is a star player and not just a loud mouth. You don't beome a star in the NFL with just a loud mouth and no talent. Ask Freddie Mitchell.