Chad Tour

[BengalByTheBay]

Yeah, I know he's pimping for McDonald's and generally continuing to attract attention for its own sake. Yet, I can't help but compare this young offseason with the Urkel glassed pre-SuperBowl interview swing two years ago and simply be satisfied that Chad has grown up some in that time.

Perhaps, he sees that his career will be ending rather soon and wants to shine up his image. While I doubt that he'll ever be analyst material (although that bar is rather low), there's no doubt that he can bring positive attention to himself when he puts some effort into it.

/>http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Chad-tour-starts-to-roll/5dfd246d-49fd-40a3-84bc-d367551d16ee

[COB]

Pretty funny that he keeps an Xbox at work. Glad I don't have any electronic devices that suck my time and attention away from work, uh..., uh......

[ArmyBengal]

It will be nice to have an offseason that doesn't revolve around how big of a douche Chad is.

I'm glad things have seemed to calm down for him and I hope he stays focused like he did last offseason.

Good for you Chad, good for you !!!

[gregstephens]

It will be nice to have an offseason that doesn't revolve around how big of a douche Chad is.

I'm glad things have seemed to calm down for him and I hope he stays focused like he did last offseason.

Good for you Chad, good for you !!!

On general principle I don't sound Fredo's horn. So, with that, I will just adopt Mark's statement in toto.

[BengalPimp]

I will continue to defend Chad....good job Chad! At least 1 person thinks you're not a "Douche"

[HairOnFire]

Trade him.

[Pidge]

Would we get anything meaningful for him now?

[James_Brooks21]

Trade him.

Damn I can't believe how harsh you guys are on Chad this year, last year I was right with you guys. Trade him and we will win at the most five games next year. We would have absolutely no threat at wide receiver without him and teams would just load up to stop Benson. People are talking about getting Brandon Marshall and in the next breath calling Chad a douche bag, Brandon Marshal makes Chad look like a choir boy with some of the antics he has pulled on and off the field since he has been in the NFL. The microscope should be on Carson this year, if his play doesn't improve they should be looking for a future replacement for him in next year draft.

[TJJackson]

Chad is still a major douchebag, but he has decided to go on this goodwill tour to generate, uhm, well, goodwill

Wolf in sheep's clothing, to use an old but time-proven expression

What did Army say once upon a time?

Oh yeah

F*ck you, Chad

...and yes, douchebag or not, I expect him to act as a professional and prepare and play to his top potential week in and week out, all season and offseason long. After all, that's what he agreed (signed contract) to do.

[skyline]

Chad is still a major douchebag, but he has decided to go on this goodwill tour to generate, uhm, well, goodwill

Wolf in sheep's clothing, to use an old but time-proven expression

Man, what does it take for you people to give a guy a chance?

I'm sure he enjoys the attention he gets from this, but does that automatically mean that he doesn't have a good heart as well? I think he legitimately enjoys doing things for people, but ever since he got on your bad side, it's impossible for him to win. Bad things are same old Chad, and good things are simply Chad trying to fool everyone...

Maybe you're right. Perhaps this whole tour is nothing but shameless self-promotion. But can't we at least be willing to consider the fact that maybe, just maybe, he's not such a bad guy after all?

You don't have to like him, but to be unwilling to think he's capable of anything worthwhile says far more about you than it does about Chad.

[TJJackson]

Perhaps this whole tour is nothing but shameless self-promotion.

Given that is what has always been number 1 for Chad, its kinda hard not to see a continuation of the pattern - wrapped in shiny gift paper this time, but still

But can't we at least be willing to consider the fact that maybe, just maybe, he's not such a bad guy after all?

Consider, sure - but he has a long road ahead of him to show me he's turned a new leaf

to be unwilling to think he's capable of anything worthwhile

I am not unwilling - rather - he has a huge number of points against him in my book, and these have yet to be counterbalanced with points in his favor.

There's a substantial difference between being unwilling to consider x and considering x but decding x is simply not so.

I am in the latter camp, naturally

[BengalPimp]

Chad is still a major douchebag, but he has decided to go on this goodwill tour to generate, uhm, well, goodwill

Wolf in sheep's clothing, to use an old but time-proven expression

Man, what does it take for you people to give a guy a chance?

I'm sure he enjoys the attention he gets from this, but does that automatically mean that he doesn't have a good heart as well? I think he legitimately enjoys doing things for people, but ever since he got on your bad side, it's impossible for him to win. Bad things are same old Chad, and good things are simply Chad trying to fool everyone...

Maybe you're right. Perhaps this whole tour is nothing but shameless self-promotion. But can't we at least be willing to consider the fact that maybe, just maybe, he's not such a bad guy after all?

You don't have to like him, but to be unwilling to think he's capable of anything worthwhile says far more about you than it does about Chad.

Right On!!!!!

[HairOnFire]

Would we get anything meaningful for him now?

A fair question, but yeah....I still think trading Chad would bring an attractive return in trade value. If by attractive we mean multiple draft picks in exchange...with at least one of those picks being a valuable early round selection.

That said, the more meaningful question might ask if right now isn't the Bengals very last opportunity to get any meaningful trade return for Chad.

Simply put, I'm guessing it is, and for that reason alone I remain interested.

[Pidge]

A 2nd and a 3rd/4th/5th might still be gettable from a team willing to roll the dice for one last shot at a playoff run. I wouldn't be disappointed with that. We're going to have to blow up the receiving situation sooner rather than later anyway, so why the hell not? Wherever Chad plays in the next couple of yrs, his career is starting to wind down.

Start over with Caldwell, a TE or two (if Coffman doesn't develop) and draft and prepare another couple of WRs. Maybe even one of our PS/ST WRs like Purify step up.

[BengalByTheBay]

Start over with Caldwell, a TE or two (if Coffman doesn't develop) and draft and prepare another couple of WRs. Maybe even one of our PS/ST WRs like Purify step up.

Ugggg. Say what you will about Chad, he was unquestionably our most reliable receiver. My strong suspicion is that he is worth more to the Bengals than whatever another team would offer. Receivers take a while to get rolling and I think we'd take a giant step back next year if we're relying on drafting somebody that's going to produce right away.

[BengalPimp]

The way Chad keeps himself in shape, he can play in this league until his late 30's if he chooses. I think the guys still has 4 or 5 more productive years in him. He's not going anywhere....nor should he.

Listen Guys....He's under contract through 2011. Even if we draft a WR in the First, it will take AT LEAST until 2011 before that WR can be expected to be a #1 WR (If we get lucky).

P.S. We do not currently have another legit #1 on our roster..

[BengalszoneBilly]

P.S. We do not currently have another legit #1 on our roster..

This must be addressed come draft day in April. It can't wait.

[Pidge]

Well, hopefully the bengals would pursue a FA WR if they did part ways with Chad. Plus Chad has 4 or 5 more yrs of good production does he? Love the optimism.

[HairOnFire]

The way Chad keeps himself in shape, he can play in this league until his late 30's if he chooses. I think the guys still has 4 or 5 more productive years in him.

Unlikely, but not unreasonable. Regardless of personal opinions, some team will conclude Chad can play effectively for several more seasons...so the potential for a healthy return in trade value still exists.

He's not going anywhere....nor should he.

Yeah, he should, and for more reasons than I care to list.

We do not currently have another legit #1 on our roster.

I agree. In fact, not having a capable replacement is the only reason the Bengals have for keeping Chad.

But is it reason enough?

I'd say no.

[Sea Ray]

I agree. In fact, not having a capable replacement is the only reason the Bengals have for keeping Chad.

But is it reason enough?

I'd say no.

Let's say your $100 million QB says "no, I don't want him traded. He's the only WR on this roster that I fully trust to be where he's supposed to be."

Would that change your mind?

My guess is Palmer has a comfort level with Chad not rivaled by anyone else on this roster.

[BengalByTheBay]

We do not currently have another legit #1 on our roster.

I agree. In fact, not having a capable replacement is the only reason the Bengals have for keeping Chad.

But is it reason enough?

I'd say no.

That's your cold, dead heart talking and not your head. While I don't disagree with drafting a WR this year based on the anticipated decline in performance from Chad from here on out, I don't think that trading him without a reasonable chance of having anything near a legitimate #1 on the team makes any sense. Since when is not having a legitimate replacement for a starter in a key role not reason enough to keep him?

[Ickey44]

Chad isn't going anywhere, and he shouldn't. It would be stupid to start next season without the only receiver who was productive for us last year. Caldwell and Coles just don't get the job done. If you get rid of Chad, who do you get to replace him? Especially since it seems to take receivers at least a year to get fully comfortable in Brat's complex system.

[HairOnFire]

Let's say your $100 million QB says "no, I don't want him traded. He's the only WR on this roster that I fully trust to be where he's supposed to be."

Would that change your mind?

No, it wouldn't. Because while Chad might still be the best WR the Bengals currently have...he's still the only player on the roster who admits to tanking an entire season.

In fact, Chad Johnson may be the least trustworthy player on the Bengals entire roster.

[skyline]

I think the bottom line at the moment is that Chad is having a positive impact on this team. Anyone that wants to deny that is either stuck in the past or completely delusional.

The only real questions to be asked are:

a. Can the Bengals expect that to continue or is he a ticking time bomb?

and

b. If he were to be traded, could you at least get equal compensation in return?

Mike Brown is always willing to give someone a 2nd, 3rd, ..., nth chance, so discussing point "a." is a true exercise in futility.

As for question "b.", I just don't see it. We've got a very talented receiver at a very reasonable price; he seems to be working his tail off and doing and saying all the right things. Then, you also have to consider that there's nobody in the NFL that has his history and chemistry with Carson.

If the Bengals truly want to make a Super Bowl run next season, the goal of the team right now should be supplementing Chad, not replacing him.

[HairOnFire]

Since when is not having a legitimate replacement for a starter in a key role not reason enough to keep him?

Whenever the incumbent starter is a fading player unlikely to continue playing at past levels.

Whenever the player in question has enough trade value to be attractive.

Whenever an aging players trade value is still high...yet very likely to fall substantially very soon.

Whenever a team is rebuilding their passing game almost from scratch.

Whenever the player in question has no impact whatsoever in a playoff game.

Whenever the positive playing impact provided by the player can be consistently negated by opposing teams.

Whenever addition by subtraction comes into play.

Whenever it feels right.