It's Official - Chad want's out

[TJJackson]

He _is_ selfish, most certainly.

Regardless of whether I (and every other person on the face of this planet, for that matter) call him every name in the book, he still has a contact, and he should play it out. As a professional, this means playing to the best of one's ability, not dogging it.

And just so we're clear - I have never asked for him to be traded. Frankly, 90% of the folks who are angry with him are angry ONLY because of this childish whining of his. Our hearts bleed for the guy. It is *CHAD* saying he should be traded. Fans who now agree he should be traded generally only do so because of the whining.

You don't blame him because you lack the intellect to understand what is going on, and because you've had your tongue buried firmly in his posterior since the moment you arrived here.

That said, here's what I want from Chad, in short, simple bullet points so you have a better chance of understanding

1) Shut your freaking mouth

2) Learn to accept both criticism and accolades (it's what other grown ups do)

3) Play out your contract

4) Play to the best of your ability

5) Work hard to improve the weaknesses in your game (in your case: run blocking and dropped balls)

6) Lead by example (like any veteran star player should)

Now -- take that to any Cincinnati fan that you claim wants him gone and ask them if they still want him gone if he does those 6 things. Oh, and those six things aren't anything new or extra - they are standard expectations of any football player.

[bwillycuse]

He _is_ selfish, most certainly.

Regardless of whether I (and every other person on the face of this planet, for that matter) call him every name in the book, he still has a contact, and he should play it out. As a professional, this means playing to the best of one's ability, not dogging it.

And just so we're clear - I have never asked for him to be traded. Frankly, 90% of the folks who are angry with him are angry ONLY because of this childish whining of his. Our hearts bleed for the guy. It is *CHAD* saying he should be traded. Fans who now agree he should be traded generally only do so because of the whining.

You don't blame him because you lack the intellect to understand what is going on, and because you've had your tongue buried firmly in his posterior since the moment you arrived here.

That said, here's what I want from Chad, in short, simple bullet points so you have a better chance of understanding

1) Shut your freaking mouth

2) Learn to accept both criticism and accolades (it's what other grown ups do)

3) Play out your contract

4) Play to the best of your ability

5) Work hard to improve the weaknesses in your game (in your case: run blocking and dropped balls)

6) Lead by example (like any veteran star player should)

Now -- take that to any Cincinnati fan that you claim wants him gone and ask them if they still want him gone if he does those 6 things. Oh, and those six things aren't anything new or extra - they are standard expectations of any football player.

QFT!!!

I DO NOT want Chad gone. But when you say you dont want to be a part of the team I root for, then FU!!!!

As I have said in the past - We have had to deal with Dillon and Pickens trash this team and city. What Chad is doing is taking a city that backed him and throwing that is the trash. This city has showered this man with all the support in the worldand this is how we are repayed. If he is successful in forcing a trade and shows his face on the field against the Bengals. I would gladly accept a couple late hit penalties against him. He definitely wont be going over the middle freely. Bring on Brian Russel to smack him in the mouth.

But if he recants and recants soon, I may be able to look past this.

I wouldn't mind seeing him sit out a whole season or two if the trade offers dont amount to much. His contract was ripped up TWICE. He has pocketed those signing bonuses with a smile. NOW PLAY FOR IT.

His commercial during the superbowl sucked and all I could think was this guy used to be my favorite player. Now he is the joke that the rest of the league knows he is.

This city loved that guy. How fast HE has ruined it.

Chad, it'll be lonely getting your wish of a trade. Remember TO taking too many pills?

Rethink yourself!!!

[agreen_112]

He _is_ selfish, most certainly.

Regardless of whether I (and every other person on the face of this planet, for that matter) call him every name in the book, he still has a contact, and he should play it out. As a professional, this means playing to the best of one's ability, not dogging it.

And just so we're clear - I have never asked for him to be traded. Frankly, 90% of the folks who are angry with him are angry ONLY because of this childish whining of his. Our hearts bleed for the guy. It is *CHAD* saying he should be traded. Fans who now agree he should be traded generally only do so because of the whining.

You don't blame him because you lack the intellect to understand what is going on, and because you've had your tongue buried firmly in his posterior since the moment you arrived here.

That said, here's what I want from Chad, in short, simple bullet points so you have a better chance of understanding

1) Shut your freaking mouth

2) Learn to accept both criticism and accolades (it's what other grown ups do)

3) Play out your contract

4) Play to the best of your ability

5) Work hard to improve the weaknesses in your game (in your case: run blocking and dropped balls)

6) Lead by example (like any veteran star player should)

Now -- take that to any Cincinnati fan that you claim wants him gone and ask them if they still want him gone if he does those 6 things. Oh, and those six things aren't anything new or extra - they are standard expectations of any football player.

Maybe your intellect has you overanalyzing the situation. I don't claim to be an intellect, it doesn't take a very smart person to understand people. Chad's a PERSON who can only take so much. Einstein said it best "Intellectuals solve problems, geniuses PREVENT them"... Don't tell me that Cincy didn't want him gone after he supposedly quit on the infamous "fumble". Don't tell me they didn't want his head after he stepped out of bounds (even tho we won the freaking game) or didn't run a deep enough route during a game that was already over... Since December I've been hearing, not only here on the zone, but just about everywhere I go, people want Chad gone... I didn't exactly predict Chad would do it this way, but I did say that Cincy better be careful because they might just get their wish... It's a shame. Your a shame for always being so negative.

Now I'll comment on your "bullets"

1) Chad did shut his mouth. How long has it been since he talked to the cincy media? He shut his mouth on the field ALL season, which is why he's pissed.

2) Chad accepts criticism very well, IE "the fight with Carson". Carson put him in check and Chad accepted it.

3) He won't sit out in 2008. Rosens**t already made the statement. He'll have a contract somewhere in '08 and he will honor it.

4) Chad doesn't know how to NOT play to the best of his ability. He goes 110% every motherf**king down. If only Carson didn't overthrow him every game, he may have looked even better.

5) Chad can't run block, never has, never will! Forgetaboutit. Every receiver drops balls, play some football, you'll understand.

6) Lead by example... This is the best you have? Has Chad ever had any off field problems? Why do you think TJ is where he is today? Because of Chad's leadership, TJ's the man! Four Pro Bowls in a row. He's a role model not only to players but also to the kids.

Now what?

[agreen_112]

He _is_ selfish, most certainly.

Regardless of whether I (and every other person on the face of this planet, for that matter) call him every name in the book, he still has a contact, and he should play it out. As a professional, this means playing to the best of one's ability, not dogging it.

And just so we're clear - I have never asked for him to be traded. Frankly, 90% of the folks who are angry with him are angry ONLY because of this childish whining of his. Our hearts bleed for the guy. It is *CHAD* saying he should be traded. Fans who now agree he should be traded generally only do so because of the whining.

You don't blame him because you lack the intellect to understand what is going on, and because you've had your tongue buried firmly in his posterior since the moment you arrived here.

That said, here's what I want from Chad, in short, simple bullet points so you have a better chance of understanding

1) Shut your freaking mouth

2) Learn to accept both criticism and accolades (it's what other grown ups do)

3) Play out your contract

4) Play to the best of your ability

5) Work hard to improve the weaknesses in your game (in your case: run blocking and dropped balls)

6) Lead by example (like any veteran star player should)

Now -- take that to any Cincinnati fan that you claim wants him gone and ask them if they still want him gone if he does those 6 things. Oh, and those six things aren't anything new or extra - they are standard expectations of any football player.

QFT!!!

I DO NOT want Chad gone. But when you say you dont want to be a part of the team I root for, then FU!!!!

As I have said in the past - We have had to deal with Dillon and Pickens trash this team and city. What Chad is doing is taking a city that backed him and throwing that is the trash. This city has showered this man with all the support in the worldand this is how we are repayed. If he is successful in forcing a trade and shows his face on the field against the Bengals. I would gladly accept a couple late hit penalties against him. He definitely wont be going over the middle freely. Bring on Brian Russel to smack him in the mouth.

But if he recants and recants soon, I may be able to look past this.

I wouldn't mind seeing him sit out a whole season or two if the trade offers dont amount to much. His contract was ripped up TWICE. He has pocketed those signing bonuses with a smile. NOW PLAY FOR IT.

His commercial during the superbowl sucked and all I could think was this guy used to be my favorite player. Now he is the joke that the rest of the league knows he is.

This city loved that guy. How fast HE has ruined it.

Chad, it'll be lonely getting your wish of a trade. Remember TO taking too many pills?

Rethink yourself!!!

I agree, I love Chad but if he wants off the team, and he does in fact get traded... f**k him. Will I be upset about it? Hell ya. Will I want to see a Bengals defender knock his fukcing head off? Ohhhhh Helllllllll Yaaaaa.. I'm a Bengals fan first. He just happens to be one of my favorite BENGALS players.

[BengalByTheBay]

Here's my 2 cents:

First, Chad's strategy seems to lack a discernable focus. If he wants to be traded, then he won't get more money. If he wants more money (ie, new K) then why is he talking about a trade? The statements so far don't make much sense.

Chad says he wants to go to a team that will be a winner. Exactly what team would that be? It most certainly would not be the Dolphins, which is the team everybody associates with starting his trade talk. So, that looks to me like he's posturing for a new contract.

Chad says he feels betrayed by everybody (looks like Lewis). This looks to be the one thing that I believe is true. I think Chad does feel betrayed. IMO he looked up to Lewis like a father-figure and did receive special treatment in the past. Now that he's not receiving the special attention he thinks he deserves, he's gonna pout. The fact that everybody is willing to put a microphone in front of him only validates his perception that people agree with him. I think he has fundamentally miscalculated in this respect. I don't think people are generally going to sympathize with him (AGreen aside) because what he says doesn't make any sense. Why should the team comment on those who say he was a disruption anyway? As far as I can tell, the team was, if anything, mildly supportive of Chad.

Finally, there's the fact that soP is unlikely to trade him. Again, a pretty fundamental miscalculation by Rosenhouse/CJ. This was not the year to claim that he's outplayed his contract. The team underperformed and Chad was not above reproach. Yeah, he had the yards, but that only gets you props when the team does okay. 7-9 is not all Chad's fault. But this whining to the media -- with no apparent basis for it -- isn't going to win him any more fans that didn't already think he craps lollpops (ie, that can bring any objectivity to the issue).

That leaves Chad to either hold out -- could happen, but so what? If he misses training camp, he'll still have to play because that's the only way he give himself any value to other teams. He'll be 31 next year and I don't see this current whining as increasing his value to anybody. I think he'll play.

He could play, but play bad. See preceding paragraph -- that would basically make him poison to any other team. In trying to create some negotiating leverage for himself it just looks like Chad is killing his career to me. He's worth more to the Bengals than to any other team. If he plays worse next season, that just makes him worth less to the Bengals and to any other team. It really would be a lot like Pickens. Anybody remember how well he did after finally forcing the trade?

[agreen_112]

Bengalbythabay - I'm not sympathizing with Chad in the way he's demanding a trade. I think he looks like an idiot, there's a better way to go about wanting a trade. All I'm saying is I don't blame him for wanting out... Why is that so hard to understand?

[ArmyBengal]

Saw a bullet at the bottom of ESPN ticker that stated Rosenturd said Chad will be playing for the Bengals next season...

The way I see it is, they have no leg to stand on for anything... I still don't care as I pretty much saw Chad coming back regardless...

WHODEY !!!

[HoosierCat]

Here's my 2 cents:

First, Chad's strategy seems to lack a discernable focus. If he wants to be traded, then he won't get more money. If he wants more money (ie, new K) then why is he talking about a trade? The statements so far don't make much sense.

Yeah, I agree. That's why I doubt the "this is all Rosenscum" theory. It's too discombobulated to be a calculated effort.

Chad says he wants to go to a team that will be a winner. Exactly what team would that be? It most certainly would not be the Dolphins, which is the team everybody associates with starting his trade talk. So, that looks to me like he's posturing for a new contract.

Maybe...but to me that's just another example of the flailing-about nature of the "trade tour."

Chad says he feels betrayed by everybody (looks like Lewis)...As far as I can tell, the team was, if anything, mildly supportive of Chad.

"Mildly" being the key word here. Obviously Chad feels like he went above and beyond in shutting up, shutting down, not "bojangling," etc., yet still got no credit from the media (and likely, some elements of the locker room) and insufficient support from coaching and management. I think you can certainly look at that and make the case that Chad did get support and ought to grow up. OTOH you can also make the case that the Bengals knew what they had in Chad, knew the issues he brings to the locker room, knew the kind of stroking and constant attention he would need -- and coughed up multiple extensions for him anyhow. So the organization gets little sympathy from me when Chad decides to be Chad; the old parable about the frog and the scorpion comes to mind.

Finally, there's the fact that soP is unlikely to trade him. Again, a pretty fundamental miscalculation by Rosenhouse/CJ. This was not the year to claim that he's outplayed his contract.

I haven't seen any "outplayed his contract" claims (but maybe I missed something) which is another reason I don't think this is (mostly) about money.

[Scottishbengal]

Excuse my ignore of US sports contract details, but if CHAD decided to sit out the season would that give the Bengals extra flexibility in the salary cap (ie, Chads salary/bonuses NOT being paid being deducted from the total of salary/bonuses that they pay players = the cap) ??

[agreen_112]

Saw a bullet at the bottom of ESPN ticker that stated Rosenturd said Chad will be playing for the Bengals next season...

The way I see it is, they have no leg to stand on for anything... I still don't care as I pretty much saw Chad coming back regardless...

WHODEY !!!

Did it say exactly "Rosens**t reports Chad Johnson will be playing for the Bengals next season" or did it say "Rosenbitch reports Chad Johnson will not sit-out 2008 season"? These are very different and I seen the "will not sit out 2008" on the ticker last night. I hope he reported "Chad will play for Bengals" *crosses fingers*

[BengalByTheBay]

Finally, there's the fact that soP is unlikely to trade him. Again, a pretty fundamental miscalculation by Rosenhouse/CJ. This was not the year to claim that he's outplayed his contract.

I haven't seen any "outplayed his contract" claims (but maybe I missed something) which is another reason I don't think this is (mostly) about money.

Well, that's kinda my point. The best ammunition for trying to re-do a contract is fundamental fairness...ie, that he outplayed his current contract. While there's no legal basis for changing the existing contract, there is at least the implied equitable consideration that it's only fair to pay for what you're getting.

Also, while you can say "fool them twice" as far as Chad's basic nature, I'm not sure that when the re-did his contract it was necessarily foreseeable that he would pull one of these kind of moves. Maybe it should have been predictable, but then again I think it's pretty hard to predict what Chad is going to do a couple of years down the line -- even if you're Chad. Yeah, he's always going to need a lot of attention, but that doesn't mean you can predict what's going to cause him to start crying, or when it might be.

[BengalByTheBay]

Bengalbythabay - I'm not sympathizing with Chad in the way he's demanding a trade. I think he looks like an idiot, there's a better way to go about wanting a trade. All I'm saying is I don't blame him for wanting out... Why is that so hard to understand?

If you don't sympathize with him and think he's not going about things the right way, but you also don't blame him for wanting to be traded, I guess I have a hard time reconciling the two. I'm not saying that you can't do both of those, it just seems to be a pretty narrow distinction there.

[agreen_112]

Bengalbythabay - I'm not sympathizing with Chad in the way he's demanding a trade. I think he looks like an idiot, there's a better way to go about wanting a trade. All I'm saying is I don't blame him for wanting out... Why is that so hard to understand?

If you don't sympathize with him and think he's not going about things the right way, but you also don't blame him for wanting to be traded, I guess I have a hard time reconciling the two. I'm not saying that you can't do both of those, it just seems to be a pretty narrow distinction there.

I love Chad, I don't want him to leave, but I think he has a pretty valid point (check the quote in my sig) for wanting out of Cincy, if he's dead serious and not messing with us. At the same time I think he looks like an idiot doing these interviews and comes across as a baby (again, only if he is dead serious)... If Chad is in fact just "venting" or "messing around" with us, I really do hope Justin Smith or Willie (as someone else pointed out) slaps the s**t out of him!

Somebody flip on ESPN and watch the ticker to confirm Army's post please.

[HoosierCat]

Also, while you can say "fool them twice" as far as Chad's basic nature, I'm not sure that when the re-did his contract it was necessarily foreseeable that he would pull one of these kind of moves. Maybe it should have been predictable, but then again I think it's pretty hard to predict what Chad is going to do a couple of years down the line -- even if you're Chad. Yeah, he's always going to need a lot of attention, but that doesn't mean you can predict what's going to cause him to start crying, or when it might be.

But you do know that he will start crying over something, on a regular basis, and especially if things aren't going well. That's what scared other teams off Chad, and why he dropped to the second round of the draft. If you are going to spend a premium pick on a head case, then you had better be prepared for the consequences. Of course, the Bengals never are, and they never learn their lesson, so year after year they draft the Dillons and Pickenses and Chads and Odells and Henrys and Nicholsons, and year after year act hurt and surprised when these guys blow up in their face.

At least, they did until last April. I hope the trend continues.

[TJJackson]

Then again, this is what...Chad's 8th year? You'd think a fellow would mature some in that time - age 22 to age 30

[volcom69]

It said no where that Chad will be playing for the bengals this year, and even if he does that kind of scares me because we just dont know what chad will show up anymore. Im telling u Marvin has lost this team it seems to me like no one respects the coaches around here they get away with whatever they want to and nobody ever does anything about it. This will be another distraction for the bengals locker room and if Marvin dosnt get a hold of this team and gets these guys to act there age and play as a team its gonna be another long year.

[ArmyBengal]

Actually my wife is the one who pointed it out to me early this afternoon and I waited for it to come back around. It stated...

"Drew Rosenhaus stated that Chad Johnson will be playing for the Bengals in 2008 and has no plans to sit out the upcoming season refuting an earlier report"

Now I may be going on 38, but I have 20/20 peepers. I went back to see if it was still on there, but it wasn't. Just saying what both my wife and I saw earlier. I just figured THAT would have been the talk on here today. Kinda suprised me that I was the only one that saw that. Anyway, I still don't care...

WHODEY !!!

[Horsemen]

Marvin has lost this team

Looks that way.

Btw thanks to those who explained things to me. Much appreciated.

[Spor_tees]

I'm tired of hearing about guys outplaying their contract and wanting more money. Two things to point out about that:

First off if Chad had just signed a huge contract and then came out and only caught 30 balls for 500 yards would he sign a new contract for LESS money? Would he offer to give back part of his salary because he played so poorly? Hell NO he wouldn't!

Secondly, these players don't want one year contracts, they want long term contracts for job stability, yet they want to renegotiate at the drop of a hat if it will be in their benefit.

This kind of thing isn't what happens in the real world, if you sign a contract you live up to it. I think it is time for the government to lift the NFL anti-trust.

[HoTbOy]

I don't know if anyone said this or not, but i do believe that CJohnson wanting out is due to a little jealousy...I do believe that he sees what his fellow WR's RMoss, TOwens have done on other teams with the records and the winning maybe he thinks that what he needs to do...maybe he thinks he will never get to be in that spotlight all the time unless,he is either on America's team or a team that wins all the time...

[volcom69]

Thats my point hotboy its all about him its always gonna be about him and it will never be about the team. Like i said before and ill say it again he will never be a leader in this league he is not mature enough to be a leader. I love the guy for what he has done for this team up until now, but he was never a leader. He said he wants to be a leader he want to help this team get to the superbowl, but he just ate those words so now it is what it is.

[generaldreedle]

Marvin Lewis and Mike Brown have already stated that Chad Johnson is not going anywhere. Drew Rosenhaus, Chad's agent, stated that Chad will not be sitting out the 2008 season. Therefore, since he is under contract with the Bengals, and he is not a free agent to sign elsewhere, he will be playing for us next year. Nuff said.

[BengalByTheBay]

Also, while you can say "fool them twice" as far as Chad's basic nature, I'm not sure that when the re-did his contract it was necessarily foreseeable that he would pull one of these kind of moves. Maybe it should have been predictable, but then again I think it's pretty hard to predict what Chad is going to do a couple of years down the line -- even if you're Chad. Yeah, he's always going to need a lot of attention, but that doesn't mean you can predict what's going to cause him to start crying, or when it might be.

But you do know that he will start crying over something, on a regular basis, and especially if things aren't going well. That's what scared other teams off Chad, and why he dropped to the second round of the draft. If you are going to spend a premium pick on a head case, then you had better be prepared for the consequences. Of course, the Bengals never are, and they never learn their lesson, so year after year they draft the Dillons and Pickenses and Chads and Odells and Henrys and Nicholsons, and year after year act hurt and surprised when these guys blow up in their face.

At least, they did until last April. I hope the trend continues.

I don't think that going back to his draft is a good argument at all. He's clearly been one of the most productive WR's in the league regardless of draft position. Surely, you're not going to suggest that the Bengals should've passed on him because of generalized "concerns". He's been a success story even if he retired right now for the Bengals. And, as for the "concerns" around him, as I recall it was pretty much that the concern was that he had gone the Juco route and probably had some problems with being coachable. Certainly, that has not been the problem. He's been eminently coachable and has, primarily through this own hard work, ended up an elite WR. His mouth has, predictably, gotten bigger as he's had more success. Thus, the predicted problems never affected him and his very success has fed the current problem with him thinking that everybody wants to hear him talk. If your argument now is that the Bengals didn't get a huge benefit from drafting Chad Johnson when he was a recognized "head case" you're ignoring the plain reality and the past 8 years in favor of looking at the past 8 months or so.

[HoosierCat]

If your argument now is that the Bengals didn't get a huge benefit from drafting Chad Johnson when he was a recognized "head case" you're ignoring the plain reality and the past 8 years in favor of looking at the past 8 months or so.

And I argued that where? I never said they "didn't get a huge benefit from drafting Chad Johnson when he was a recognized "head case"".

I said they knew he was a head case, they drafted him anyhow, they had years of experience with him in the locker room, they knew the problems he created...and they decided to give him big bucks more than once anyhow.

In which case they get zero sympathy from me.

[Jonboat]

check this out. Drew might want to talk to his client & tell him to STFU !

http://www.1530homer.com/pages/cincysports_bengals.html