Chad 24/7

[ShulaSteakhouse]

ESPN Story

So instead of giving up $4mm this year and next in dead money, the Bengals want to keep a disgruntled player who will do nothing but cause distractions and problems for the team this year, again, and possibly not play at all, rather than get some real value for him and rebuild some areas of the team that desperately need the attention, with an additional first round pick, and up to another 1st round pick next year.

Typical Bengals.

[aceinthehouse]

Bengals | Team declines Redskins offer for C. Johnson

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:37:21 -0700

Chris Mortensen, of ESPN.com, reports the Cincinnati Bengals declined a trade offer from the Washington Redskins for disgruntled WR Chad Johnson. The Redskins, according to sources, offered their first-round draft pick in this year's NFL Draft and a conditional third-round pick in 2009 that could escalate to a first-round pick if Johnson and the Redskins hit certain performance levels.

Why would the Bengals turn that down?OMG....!

[TJJackson]

It's just a unconfirmed rumour at this point, Steakhouse....

Now if it turns out to be true - yeah, then I agree with ya

[COB]

This is absolute lunacy. Move him now and get something for him.

[Defender]

And they missed out on a perfect opportunity to c*ck-block the Steelers and pick up whoever they would have taken two spots ahead of them!

[HoosierCat]

Why would the Bengals turn that down?OMG....!

Maybe they want more.

I see three teams from the same division all blowing kisses at the Bengals over Chad. Perfect situation for a bidding war.

[Sandwedge]

Why would the Bengals turn that down?OMG....!

Maybe they want more.

I see three teams from the same division all blowing kisses at the Bengals over Chad. Perfect situation for a bidding war.

I agree, let those 3 teams start out doing each other... The only bad thing we did was, we didn't act interested..

[walzav29]

That does suck. Hopefully they are just trying to sweeten the pot. The DIllon and Wilkinson trades didn't seem that bad.

[HairOnFire]

Why would the Bengals turn that down?OMG....!

Maybe they want more.

I see three teams from the same division all blowing kisses at the Bengals over Chad. Perfect situation for a bidding war.

I agree. A 1st and a 3rd matches my best guess of trade compensation from several months ago, but the 1st round pick isn't high (21st) and the 3rd rounder is from next years draft, lowering it's value by more than a full round. In addition, the pick is conditional and based in part on triggers relating to team performance, which is crap. Individual performance, yes. Team performance, no. Plus, the story doesn't even hint at what the individual performance figures might be and that could be a huge issue since Chad has never scored many TD's in a season, and would suddenly find himself on a new team, playing in a new system, and catching passes from Jason Campbell.

Finally, there's no reason to accept a trade now. The draft isn't until this weekend. If the Bengals are entertaining trade offers, and I'm still betting they aren't, they'd be smart to let the rumor float for a few days and see what happens.

[walzav29]

I believe they will trade him. I'm listening to NFL radio right now and they are saying 2 1st round picks are in order. This is going to be good. I can't wait to get rid of him. Look at Marvins history. He has always said, "If you don't want to be here, you don't have to be". Sirius has Philly, Redskin, and Cowboy fans calling in wanting to up the ante. This is great.

[HoosierCat]

Marvin denied any such trade offer(s) in his presser today. Also said Pollack will retire, I put that news in its own thread.

[HairOnFire]

Sirius has Philly, Redskin, and Cowboy fans calling in wanting to up the ante. This is great.

But fans don't make trades.

Plus, any rumor of a trade offer is just that.

Personally, I like the idea of trading Chad and the rumored trade compensation has finally risen to a point where it could no longer be rejected out of hand. But the circumstances alone are enough to prompt a storm of rumors and most, if not all, will turn out to be false.

I say file Mort's rumor away and wait for the next one.

It won't take long.

[GregCook]

I believe they will trade him. I'm listening to NFL radio right now and they are saying 2 1st round picks are in order. This is going to be good. I can't wait to get rid of him. Look at Marvins history. He has always said, "If you don't want to be here, you don't have to be". Sirius has Philly, Redskin, and Cowboy fans calling in wanting to up the ante. This is great.

The fever is rising around the NFL swamp as Saturday rolls around. Rumors are the thing now. I don't see why the Bengals wouldn't want this to get around, it only serves to build interest in Chad.

But then again, they lose Chad, they lose much of their offense as its currently built. They have little depth at WR so this will be a tough year, # 6 in the Parson Project.

[bengalskyspy]

The Bengals.com article said "Lewis denied they had turned down the Redskins...." That's a bit different than "we are not going to trade him." Hmmm.... methinks the Bengals doth protest too much. Two first round picks for Chad would the deal of the century. Hey, hey Chad, goodbye!

[Spor_tees]

If Pollack retires does that free up cap money that makes it easier to trade Chad?

[redsbengalsbucks]

The Bengals.com article said "Lewis denied they had turned down the Redskins...." That's a bit different than "we are not going to trade him." Hmmm.... methinks the Bengals doth protest too much. Two first round picks for Chad would the deal of the century. Hey, hey Chad, goodbye!

I'd rather have the first this season, a fifth this season and Antwaan Randle-El.

[TJJackson]

or does all his bonus money hit this year, creating yet more "dead money" in 2008 against the cap?

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

I agree. A 1st and a 3rd matches my best guess of trade compensation from several months ago, but the 1st round pick isn't high (21st) and the 3rd rounder is from next years draft, lowering it's value by more than a full round. In addition, the pick is conditional and based in part on triggers relating to team performance, which is crap.

If Mort to be believed, the second pick is (as I read it) at *minimum* a 3rd, upgradable to a 1st if he hits his targets. Last month many were claiming that the Bengals wouldn't get more than a 2nd rounder for Chad - and now we have two 1sts as an opening offer. Personally, I'd be happy with that deal, but given that it's an unsolicited opening offer one would assume we could get more.

Finally, there's no reason to accept a trade now. The draft isn't until this weekend. If the Bengals are entertaining trade offers, and I'm still betting they aren't, they'd be smart to let the rumor float for a few days and see what happens.

Absolutely. But it is time to get moving. I'm hoping they're currently working the entire NFC East at a minimum to drum up a bidding war, as Hoosier pointed out. I mean, it's too easy. We already know that the Cowboys and Redskins want him, and they have crazy owners who have lots of money, and their teams hate each other. And we can send him to the NFC where he'll only hurt us once over the next 4 years (granted, it's this year, but still). Screwing this up would be almost as bad as passing on the Saints draft offer in 1999.

My counteroffer would be this year's #1, a #2 next year that upgrades to a #1 at 800 yards or 8 TDs, and the current #2 receiver (Randle El from the Skins or Crayton from the Cowboys). Two first round picks and a decent receiver for a talented but head-case receiver on the wrong side of 30 - this is a no-brainer. Make a deal.

[HoosierCat]

If Pollack retires does that free up cap money that makes it easier to trade Chad?

I'm not sure. if the salcap page at go-bengals is right, Pollack is scheduled to count about $2.1 million against the cap this season. If he was cut all $2.6 million of his remaining bonus would accelerate into this year, so worst-case scenario is his cap hit bumps up by about half a million. However, if he retires I believe the Bengals can demand he refund that $2.6 million of his signing bonus, and then they would get a credit for that. But I'm not sure if the credit would come this year or next. I'm betting 2009.

[HairOnFire]

If Mort to be believed, the second pick is (as I read it) at *minimum* a 3rd, upgradable to a 1st if he hits his targets.

No argument. However, one of the great unwritten rules involving draft day trades states any draft pick that can't be exercised until the following year is immediately downgraded at least one round in value. In short, if it's a 2009 second round pick then it's trade value is comparable to a 2008 3rd round pick. And again, I don't like the idea of any pick being conditional based upon Redskin team performance. Simply put, this is a trade the Bengals don't want to make, one they feel is being forced upon them, and they haven't approached the Redskins. It's the other way around, right? So the issue of whether the trade helps or works out for the Redskins isn't the Bengals concern.

My counteroffer would be this year's #1, a #2 next year that upgrades to a #1 at 800 yards or 8 TDs, and the current #2 receiver (Randle El from the Skins or Crayton from the Cowboys).

The variables are too numerous to list. Suffice to say I'd prefer any deal that doesn't involve waiting a year or more for any portion of the compensation.

[DesperateDerelict]

So instead of giving up $4mm this year and next in dead money, the Bengals want to keep a disgruntled player who will do nothing but cause distractions and problems for the team this year, again, and possibly not play at all, rather than get some real value for him and rebuild some areas of the team that desperately need the attention, with an additional first round pick, and up to another 1st round pick next year.

Typical Bengals.

Perhaps (just guessing here) the FO wants to entertain offers after June 1st. These offers could be predicated on getting a 1st rounder next year AND a player that will help us this year. At the very least, this allows the Bengals to spread out the cap hit, and could conceivable eliminate a majority of it based on any new contract Fredo signs with his new suckers team.

[Clackwoods]

Lets get both the Cowboys picks this year! Please. We could get Phillips, one DT and a replacement WR

[walzav29]

I know things have been crazy in Bengal land the last few years, but think back to when Marvin 1st got here. He would not put up with this stuff. He has said that he wants to blow this whole thing up. With that being said. Do you really believe that he will FORCE Chad to play for Cincy? He has said that he wants to recommit to the run. The team is going to go through changes and he is going to side with Palmer and Willie on this issue. I believe he is driving Chads price up. Genius.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

No argument. However, one of the great unwritten rules involving draft day trades states any draft pick that can't be exercised until the following year is immediately downgraded at least one round in value. In short, if it's a 2009 second round pick then it's trade value is comparable to a 2008 3rd round pick.

I've always thought that's way too much of a downgrade. Ignoring the skyrocketing contracts at the top of the draft for a moment, you're telling me that a guaranteed #1 overall next year is worth the same as the #32 pick this year? I'd say that's extreme. I do realize that's how teams look at it, but I'd take advantage of that mindset and happily take a first next year, claiming it as 2nd-round value this year. Hell, if I could trade my 2nd round pick this year for a first next year, and do it every year, I would.

And again, I don't like the idea of any pick being conditional based upon Redskin team performance.

It doesn't offend me - I'd just look it as a bookie would, and evaluate the Redskins' chances. I wouldn't care if they wanted to tie the value of the second pick to the 2008 rainfall total in Kansas, as long as I can reasonably evaluate the odds of it happening then I can handicap the value of the pick.

Simply put, this is a trade the Bengals don't want to make, one they feel is being forced upon them, and they haven't approached the Redskins. It's the other way around, right? So the issue of whether the trade helps or works out for the Redskins isn't the Bengals concern.

I don't care about the Redskins (or Cowboys, or Iggles) either. The point is, this trade would benefit the Bengals immeasurably by eliminating a cancer and getting us far more for him than we thought we would. If Mikey feels the trade is forced on him (by Chad, the league or the Redskins), who cares? Strongarm a better deal and he'll look like the winner. Isn't this his chance to be the guy who tricked the other side for once? If he got rid of Chad and swindled a high-profile owner by pitting them all against each other, Mikey looks good.

I will admit though, I'd be willing to take less to send Chad to a guaranteed loser, and that wouldn't be any of the NFC East teams.

Suffice to say I'd prefer any deal that doesn't involve waiting a year or more for any portion of the compensation.

Problem is that limits our negotiations to the Cowboys (as Clack points out). If they want to give us 2 guaranteed #1s, ring it up. But the Bengals need to use the other teams as foils to get the Cowboys to bid that. You know, what better agents and GMs always do to us.

[BTG]

I mean, the FOOTBALL FAN part of me wants to see them bury his ass at the bottom of the depth chart and let him not play football for a few years. I think in the long run that would be good for the sport, as it would (potentially) stop this s**t from happening in the future. On the other hand, the BENGALS FAN part of me wants them to get some value from a problem player so they can restock their team with talent.

Honestly, it's a lose/lose situation for the management of the team, because if they cave and trade him, the media will bash them for letting the "inmates run the asylum." Yet if they hold fast and bury him they'll be bashed by frustrated fans and other members of the media for not taking legit offers.

Anyway, I say trade him to Dallas for one of their firsts, a third, and Bobby Carpenter. We could move him to OLB and use him like he should have been used to begin with.