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
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
‘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
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Chad wants ‘change of scenery; I need it’
I’ve described Chad Johnson as narcissistic, but in a cuddly sort of way. I can’t say that any longer.
I don’t know how to describe him now, except to say he’s a great receiver who wants the ball, who’s self-centered, a showman, and a guy who helped put Cincinnati on the map.
He wants everyone to love him, but that’s impossible. He also wants out of his contract, which has four years remaining, ($3 million, $4.5 million, $5 million and $6 million). And he desperately wants out of the ‘Nati. The only way that will happen is via trade.
I’m asking loyal “Ludwig At Large” readers: How do you feel about Chadly? You can’t answer me until you read on.
Here are some excerpts from Chad Johnson’s in-studio interview on Tuesday night’s (March 18) NFL Total Access with host Rich Eisen and analysts Jamie Dukes and Rod Woodson.
Check out the full interview at:
http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d8074ae3a
Q. Do you want out of Cincinnati?
A. We don’t have to talk about that because I’ve said my piece about it. Nothing is going to change. It’s time to move on.
Q. Does that mean time to take more time to take some time off or time to move on, move on?
A. Time to move on for everybody.
Q. You’re not requesting a new contract? But would it be nice to have it?
A. I don’t want any money … wait, stop, think about this 85. Think before you speak. It’s always about the money. This is a business. You play this game for a reason, that’s the money. We fill those stands for the owners because it brings in money. Coaches want to win because they get new deals. Players play at a high level because you get more money. You guys want to be the best at what you do because you want money. Right now, in this situation, I don’t want any money from where I am. That’s not what I asked for. I said what I wanted to.
Q. But what if you still have to be there?
A. If I still have to be there, you’re still going to get Chad Johnson. I’ve said what I need to say. If the shoe was on the other foot, it would be bye-bye Chad.
Q. What do you hope is the state of the Chad in September of 2008?
A. The state of the Chad is, I don’t know, what the man upstairs wants it to be.
Q. What would make the Chad happy?
A. Change. A change of scenery. I need it. I need a fresh start. A breath of fresh air. I need it regardless of what people think of me. I need it. I’m tired of what people are saying about me. I’m tired of trying to make everyone like Chad. I have to do what’s right for Chad.
Q. Tell me about your relationship with Marv. How is it? Is it strained?
A. It’s never been strained. I’m a lovable person. I don’t care who it is or what it’s about. If you don’t like me, there’s something wrong with you. I’m going to speak my mind, especially now, because I’m at a point where I can’t be worried about what people think and what people say, I have to do what’s best for Chad.
Q. What about your teammates?
A. I love them to death. They went through everything with me those 16 weeks, and the seven before. They know why. I don’t need to say anything. The other 53 players know. The eight on the practice squad know. I don’t need to say anything to them.
Johnson, in closing: “I’m so serious, if I don’t stand up for Chad now, I’m done. I’m not playing, and I’m going to tear up, but you’re not going to make fun of me. They say the grass is greener on the other side. I have my water hose and my seeds, and I will make it green.”
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WGRR’s Chris & Janeen ‘survive’ Hawaii!
They went kayaking and snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay on the sunny south Kona coast of the Big Island of Hawaii.
They indulged in the decadent food and entertainment at the fabulous Luau Kalamaku at Kauai.
They hung by a thread on one of those “Zip Line” deals over a volcano; cruised around the south coast of Molokai; shopped ‘til they dropped in Nawiliwili (Maui); took the “Circle of Fire” helicopter ride over the Kilauea volcano in Hilo; and finished it all off with a visit to Hanauma Bay in Oahu, which is, well, sort of breathtaking.
Cincinnati’s First Couple — WGRR’s Chris O’Brien & Janeen Coyle, the dynamic “Married with Microphones” duo — arrived home Sunday, March 16, after 10 delicious days in Hawaii as king and queen of the WGRR Listener Cruise aboard the “Pride Of Aloha” ship.
Talk about perfect timing. Oh, yeah, and perfect weather. Chris & Janeen enjoyed both.
“It was great!” Janeen told me by telephone from Cincy on Tuesday, March 18. “It was 82, 83 degrees every day.”
Which made everybody back home insanely jealous because they happened to miss our belligerent BLIZZARD!!!
“Yes, we missed the big snow storm,” Janeen added. “That’s all everybody talked about on the ship.”
Chris & Janeen detail the trip of a lifetime in their daily blog with some snazzy prose and photos.
“While it’s nice to get away,” Chris wrote, “it’s great to be back home and on WGRR with you.”
Janeen loved every minute of the dream vaca ‘cept for one thing … the jet lag, of course.
Keith and JD did a terrific job holding down the fort on “Oldies 103.5 FM.”
But every faithful listener to the morning show (5-9 a.m.) is glad Chris & Janeen arrived home safely.
Welcome home, kids.
It’s great to have you back.
More than great, it’s (W)GRReat!”
With love, “The Chickster”
Check out Chris & Janeen’s blog at …
http://www.wgrr.com/AirStaff/ChrisJaneen/ChrisJaneensBlog/tabid/86/Default.aspx
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