Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > March > 19 > Entry
‘Trade Chad’ talk hits fever pitch
Chad Johnson wasn’t about to keep his pie-hole shut for very long.
Not after Cleveland’s Shaun “the Hamburglar” Smith ripped him, and certainly not after Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald signed a four-year, $40 million contract, making Johnson’s deal — he’s due to earn $18.5 million over the next four years — seem like chump change.
As predicted here on “Ludwig At Large” a week ago, the toy cannon known as Chad Johnson went “Boom!” — again.
I knew and you knew the five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver would eventually stir up the “I-want-out-of-Cincinnati” talk some more.
That’s just Chad. He’ll interrupt The Super Bowl, “March Madness,” The Masters, The Kentucky Derby, Opening Day of the Major League Baseball season and every other Rite of Spring just for a little pub.
The pub comes courtesy of his double-barrel interviews on NFL Network and ESPN, and naturally magnified at ProFootballTalk.com, which bills itself as “The Best Pro Football Scoop on the Internet.”
Here’s Michael David Smith’s posting:
“Johnson said on ESPN First Take that he had ‘a very frustrating year’ in 2007, and he didn’t sound enthusiastic about playing for the Bengals in 2008.
“Asked if he wants to play for the Bengals, Johnson said, ‘I want to continue my career where ever I have an opportunity at winning a playoff game and getting to a Super Bowl. That’s where I want to be.’ When asked if he could do that with the Bengals, he said, ‘I’m not sure … I’m undecided.’
“The discussion then turned to former teammate Shaun Smith’s confirmation that Johnson had taken a swing at Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis during halftime of a playoff game. Johnson confirmed there was an altercation between himself and Lewis, as well as wide receivers coach Hue Jackson (now with Baltimore), but he denied throwing a punch.
“Said Johnson: ‘It was an incident that did happen. Of course, there were no punches thrown. Coach Lewis had to restrain me. Hue Jackson had to restrain me.’
“If Johnson’s primary goal is ‘winning a playoff game.’ the next time he gets to the playoffs, he might want to spend his halftime going over adjustments with his coaches, not being restrained by them.”
To all loyal “Ludwig At Large” readers, I want your reaction.
From Daniel: “I’m watching the NFL Network interview right now with him. I’m SICK of him. Get him out of town. Puh-lease!!!! His Hollywood attitude is the biggest cancer on the team. He’s self-centered and would be better suited in a jacket and tie with Deion on the set during the ‘08 season.”
From Mark: “Tell the Bengals to send Chad to the Eagles for cornerback Lito Shepherd. Or, better yet, send T.J.!”
Here are 9 responses to Chadly’s antics on ProFootballTalk.com:
1. From Mad555: “E-A-G-L-E-S COME TO PAPA YOU CRAZY NUT JOB.”
2. From Stoogie: “It’s too bad the Turd Watch only counts points to those who run afoul of the law and doesn’t count points to (expletive) like Chad Johnson. If this doesn’t count as someone tossing a great big stink deuce into the Bengals’ locker room, what does? I hope the Bengals keep him just to spite the turd.”
3. From BCfunk: “Tell me again why the ‘Bungles’ don’t trade 85? Housh is a No. 1 wideout in this league and Henry is a damn good No. 2. I don’t get it. Trade him for a No. 1 pick in this year’s draft and be done with it.”
4. From Coopdeville: “Chad said, ‘I want to continue my career whereever I have an opportunity at winning a playoff game and getting to a Super Bowl. That’s where I want to be.’ So, why did you want Parcells to give you a call?”
5. From dlmcc0202: “This guy is a cancer and a prima dona. I have a feeling no team will go very far in the playoffs with him causing problems in the locker room.”
6. From Whodey122975: “I love the guy but agree that he needs to shut up and put up. He could have won two or three games for us this year by catching and not dropping balls. and he wants to be in the Hall of Fame!!!
7. From beerbelliedkillinforce: “This guy has elite talent no question! With so many teams in need of WR help these days, holding onto Chad is completely insane! The Bungles need so much help, Lito Shepherd and a No. 2 (draft pick) would be a perfect fit for both teams. Deal a locker room problem in C.J., get better on defense with Lito and add a very solid pick in the meantime. Not only the Eagles, but why are teams sitting on their hands with a guy like C.J.? Vikings, Bears, Jets, Falcons, Jaguars and Titans are six teams off the top of my head who should be taking a run at the Bungles for C.J.! No more quality UFAs remain, so go make something happen!”
8. From The Jimmy: “Man, I hope the Bengals keep this guy. They’ll stay one less team in the division to worry about. Chronic ‘me first’ malcontent.”
9. From BillyIdol: “First of all, anyone who thinks Mike Brown will get rid of this guy and take an $8M cap hit this year is kidding themselves. He’s a Bengal or he sits. Whether that’s a smart move or not, who knows? But it is reality. Period. Secondly, why would Cincy trade him for Lito when they just drafted two first rounders and have Deltha at nickel? The problem is the whole defensive front. I don’t much like Shepherd’s chances holding the point of attack.”
email cludwig@daytondailynews.com
Permalink | Comments (28) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By BAM
March 19, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
The Bengals had one good season and are heading back to the bottom as usual. Coaching and owner blows…Do you blame him for wanting out? Too many holes to fill to even think playoffs for the next few years…By Nicci
March 19, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
Personally I’m getting sick of Chad but it would serve him right to be held to his contract with the Bengals. He needs to concentrate on playing serious football all season and not just when half of his family is there to watch. That was his best game all year when he had people to show off in front of. He needs to concentrate on learning again how to turn and catch a football and run it down the field instead of his now-rare touchdown antics.By BRAD UHLENHAKE
March 19, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this
I AGREE WITH CHAD - WHY THIS TEAM DID NOT THROW HIM THE BALL MORE OFTEN I DO NOT KNOW. THROW HIM THE BALL CARSON. THROW HIM THE BALL MARVIN. LET’S GET OUR MONEY’S WORTH - TO DO SO WE NEED TO THROW HIM THE BALL.By Dave
March 19, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
Time for Chad to sit. I know you can’t pay $6M a year for a benchwarmer. I am so tired though of these overpaid, arrogant atheletes signing for big money then playing this game. A contract is just that, live up to your end, or sit on your end. I wouldn’t run him out of town, I wouldn’t run him out on the field. I know, I know, easy for me to say since it’s not my $6M. But I do pay a part of that with my COA, Tickets, $7 beers and jerseys. www.stripehype.comBy Dave
March 19, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
Time for Chad to sit. I know you can’t pay $6M a year for a benchwarmer. I am so tired though of these overpaid, arrogant atheletes signing for big money then playing this game. A contract is just that, live up to your end, or sit on your end. I wouldn’t run him out of town, I wouldn’t run him out on the field. I know, I know, easy for me to say since it’s not my $6M. But I do pay a part of that with my COA, Tickets, $7 beers and jerseys. www.stripehype.comBy Dave
March 19, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
Time for Chad to sit. I know you can’t pay $6M a year for a benchwarmer. I am so tired though of these overpaid, arrogant atheletes signing for big money then playing this game. A contract is just that, live up to your end, or sit on your end. I wouldn’t run him out of town, I wouldn’t run him out on the field. I know, I know, easy for me to say since it’s not my $6M. But I do pay a part of that with my COA, Tickets, $7 beers and jerseys. www.stripehype.comBy Brian
March 19, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
This is like beating a dead horse. It seems apparent that everything is falling into place for an off-season for Chad. No offseason workouts. Clearly, no offseason work with Carson. No offseason film study. Endless crying and team morale disruption. Without the offseason work, will a season of groin/hamstring pulls, or high ankle sprains be far behind? Odds are Chad’s trade value will never be higher than it is right now, so of course the Bengals will part ways with him a season too late.By RIch H
March 19, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
All I keep hearing about trading Chad is that his cap hit makes it virtually impossible. Well if he REALLY wants out of Cincy so bad then Drew RosenDouche could have a sit down with Katie & Mike to renegotiate a cap friendly deal that would slash the Bengals cap hit to about 2 million this season. Then I say we trade him to a team that’s gonna be terrible for the next few years. (Oakland/Atlanta) We’ll see how he likes catching passes from a 300 pound rookie in Oakland while the raiders finish 3-13.By Brunnegd
March 19, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
I assume you used the phrase ‘pie-hole’ because this is a family newspaper. Clearly Johnson does most of his talking through his other hole.By Mixmaster Mike
March 19, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
Chad is only making himself look bad by continuing to grant interviews only to complain. Let him sit out if he wants or he can play for the Bengals for the amount of money agreed upon when the Bengals tore up his contract 2 years ago to give him a ton of money up front.By Mixmaster Mike
March 19, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
Chad is only making himself look bad by continuing to grant interviews only to complain. Let him sit out if he wants or he can play for the Bengals for the amount of money agreed upon when the Bengals tore up his contract 2 years ago to give him a ton of money up front.By Todd
March 19, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
Everyone keep in mind that the $8 mil cap hit the Bengals claim it would cost to trade Chad is B$! Remember, those dollars are nothing more than the total salary cap allowed to be spent—-which the Bengals never spend to anyway. It’s not real money, just potential spending! We can only hope the Bengals insistence on keeping #85 is simply posturing to make sure they get the most out of a potential trade. Otherwise he sits out and the team has a huge distraction from day 1 and the 2008 season is almost guarenteed to runined.By BamuraIdiot
March 19, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
Bam take your BS to the Cleveland forums, DumbazzBy Kimberly
March 19, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this
I know one darn thing, I just got a “Chad Johnson” jersey for Christmas, so he better keep his ashy behind with the Bengals until I get tired of that jersey……By Kimberly
March 19, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
I know one darn thing, I just got a “Chad Johnson” jersey for Christmas, so he better keep his ashy behind with the Bengals until I get tired of that jersey……By Kimberly
March 19, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
I know one darn thing, I just got a “Chad Johnson” jersey for Christmas, so he better keep his ashy behind with the Bengals until I get tired of that jersey……By Kimberly
March 19, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
I know one darn thing, I just got a “Chad Johnson” jersey for Christmas, so he better keep his ashy behind with the Bengals until I get tired of that jersey……By tammy
March 20, 2008 8:06 AM | Link to this
Give him his release. Nothing lost!By Cait
March 20, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this
As a Giants fan, I’m happy, no complaints! But I don’t blame Chad for wanting out of the Bungles black hole. However, he should stop whining about things. How many Super Bowls has T.O. or Fitzgerald won? Maybe Chad should model himself after Marvin Harrison and Jerry Rice. Class acts who left it all on the field for the team, not themselves. If every Bengal player did that, they might become consistent winners instead of consistent whiners.By D8Nken
March 20, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
First, move Chad. The disruption he will be is not worth keeping him. Second, you can disapprove of his tatics, which I do, but not his desire to move on. This team is going nowhere. To the Bengals, free agency means let your current starters leave and sign back-ups from other teams. That is not the way to improve.By e-rock
March 24, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this
I think chad is a great player but a great big cry-baby!He would be such a better asset to the bengals if he concentrated more on scoring t-ds than what he is going to do after the t-d!By e-rock
March 24, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this
I think chad is a great player but a great big cry-baby!He would be such a better asset to the bengals if he concentrated more on scoring t-ds than what he is going to do after the t-d!By e-rock
March 24, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this
I think chad is a great player but a great big cry-baby!He would be such a better asset to the bengals if he concentrated more on scoring t-ds than what he is going to do after the t-d!By e-rock
March 24, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this
I think chad is a great player but a great big cry-baby!He would be such a better asset to the bengals if he concentrated more on scoring t-ds than what he is going to do after the t-d!By e-rock
March 24, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this
I think chad is a great player but a great big cry-baby!He would be such a better asset to the bengals if he concentrated more on scoring t-ds than what he is going to do after the t-d!By e-rock
March 24, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this
I think chad is a great player but a great big cry-baby!He would be such a better asset to the bengals if he concentrated more on scoring t-ds than what he is going to do after the t-d!By e-rock
March 24, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this
I think chad is a great player but a great big cry-baby!He would be such a better asset to the bengals if he concentrated more on scoring tds than what he is going to do after the td!By e-rock
March 24, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this
I think chad is a great player but a great big cry-baby!He would be such a better asset to the bengals if he concentrated more on scoring tds than what he is going to do after the td!