Bengals appear hellbent on keeping Johnson

ISUFan22 · 04-22-2008, 10:08 AM

ESPN - Sources: Skins offer '08 first-rounder, '09 pick for Johnson; Cincy says no - NFL

I think the 'Skins were "overpaying" here (as usual) with a first rounder this year and what very likely could be a first rounder next season.

IMO, the Bengals should've taken that one with a big smile on their faces. Perhaps they're trying to milk Snyder for more...

cybsball20 · 04-22-2008, 10:11 AM

They still have to take the salary cap hit even if they do trade him. THey are fine with having him sit out all year if need be.

ISUFan22 · 04-22-2008, 10:15 AM

I don't see the cap hit being as big of an issue as people think. As noted, it can be spread over 2 years and it's money they don't have to spend - it's simply a reduction of what they can spend in that cap year.

jay moe · 04-22-2008, 10:52 AM

I hope the Bengals keep him and make him sit out. I am tired of players whining about their contracts and giving teams ultimatums about where they want to play. You have a multi-million dollar deal and it's not good enough, too bad, sit out and pout as far as I am concerned!

ISUFan22 · 04-22-2008, 10:59 AM

But if a player is not performing up to his contract - teams will force renegotiations on them, conduct a trade or just cut 'em.

These contracts and their "uselessness" is a two way street.

CyTom · 04-22-2008, 11:01 AM

Yeah, to me this seems like it should be a no-brainer "YES!!!" for the Bengals. 2 first round choices for an unhappy WR that is now upset with his QB. The salary cap hit I read about would be $4 million for both this and next year.

mwitt · 04-22-2008, 12:51 PM

The Eagles and Cowboys have also inquired about acquiring Ocho Cinco.

Drizzle · 04-22-2008, 12:56 PM

I am a Bengals fan, Ickey Shuffle Baby!!! They need to TRADE him!! He only has a few good years left in his tank anyway, and the 21st pick along with a conditional first rounder in '09 is well worth getting rid of him.. He'll just continue to cause trouble if he stays...

ISUFan22 · 04-22-2008, 01:17 PM

I think it all boils down to the principle of the deal. The Bengals said from day 1 they were not going to trade him - they don't want to look bad by doing it - even if they get a lucritive deal from someone.

But if I'm running the show, I'd rather have a first round pick on my roster with at minimum a 3rd rounder coming the following year (could be a 1st or 2nd) instead of a guy that I'm paying a ton of money to sitting on the bench - not doing anything for me but being a season-long distraction.

mwitt · 04-22-2008, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

I'd rather have a first round pick on my roster with at minimum a 3rd rounder coming the following year (could be a 1st or 2nd) instead of a guy that I'm paying a ton of money to sitting on the bench

Obviously.

The thing is you don't want guys doing that in the future who want more money or want to get their way out of a losing situation.

I would say the chances of him sitting the season out are roughly 0.5%.

heyguy85 · 04-22-2008, 01:35 PM

Being a Bengals fan I have thought about this issue back and forth for a couple weeks. I like the previous point about these guys whining to get out. The deal was good enough when he signed it. He's obviously not a team player. That is why it would be hard to pass up 2 high picks for someone with 3-4 good years left. Draft picks can bust (Akili Smith, Ki-Jana Carter, Peter Warrick) or get hurt (David Pollack). If he sits out the year then he comes out the loser, no matter how they end up the season. It's about the team, so in that regard, trade him. Go that route, then the player wins...again. I don't think they will trade him, but I believe they should and take their chances in the draft.

tim_redd · 04-22-2008, 01:40 PM

At the end of the day, the point the Bengals are trying to make is pointless. Look at the Eagles, they would have been better served to get rid of TO in the off season, than have him put the team through all that crap during the season.

price26 · 04-22-2008, 01:42 PM

I would trade him to someone else in the bottom half of the league if they were interested. I wouldn't let him get his trade wish and end up with a good team.

travman23 · 04-22-2008, 01:43 PM

Ocho Cinco is gradually starting to work his way up the list of cancers that only care about themselves. TO is at the top of the list but Johnson is starting to close the gaps between the 2.

superfan · 04-22-2008, 01:44 PM

Interesting bit from SI:

Bengals' Lewis to Chad Johnson: Keep your word and sit out

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Tired of Chad Johnson's posturing for a trade, Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis says the disgruntled receiver should keep his word and sit out the season.

Lewis also said Tuesday that linebacker David Pollack is leaning toward retirement. The former first-round draft pick broke a bone in his neck while making a tackle during the 2006 season.

Pollack's decision isn't a surprise. He has said all along that he doubted he would return if there was a chance he could injure the neck again.

Lewis' comments about Johnson were his strongest yet. The Pro Bowl receiver has been disgruntled since the middle of last season, when his look-at-me antics came under criticism.

Since the end of last season, Johnson has been lobbying for a trade even though he agreed to a long-term deal with the Bengals two years ago. Johnson's contract would pay him $3 million next season and extends through 2010, with a club option for 2011.

Although Johnson stopped talking to reporters in Cincinnati last season, he has done numerous national interviews in which he threatened to sit out the season if he's not traded. Lewis responded Tuesday by saying he should follow through with his threat.

"I've stated our case with Chad," Lewis said. "He has a contract through 2011. He's stated without an opportunity to go to a different team and a new contract, he wasn't going to play. I think he's a man of his word and says he's not going to play, so don't play."

Lewis said the Bengals haven't received a trade offer for Johnson. The club repeatedly has said it won't trade him.