Dayton Daily News: Bengals, Chad can't afford an implosion

Angus

Active Member
Messages
5,097
Reaction score
20
Bengals, Chad can't afford an implosion
Team's hope for 2008 at stake; Johnson has marketability and a $3M salary on the line.

By Joe Kay

Associated Press

Sunday, May 11, 2008

CINCINNATI — A year ago, it was unthinkable.

Fans were invited recently to exchange their Chad Johnson jerseys for minor-league hockey tickets. Nineteen fans accepted the offer, and another gave up a Chad bobblehead.

A small number, of course. But the fact that anyone would even think of holding such a promotion underscores how far Johnson's image has slipped in recent months.

"We're trying to raise awareness of ourselves," said Cincinnati Cyclones publicity director John Hamel. "Certainly now he's a huge target and the center of discussion here in Cincinnati. What better way to tie ourselves to it?"

Johnson has changed from the Cincinnati Bengals' most beloved player into their most divisive one. Fans have chosen sides on whether he should stay or go. And what he does next could have major repercussions.

If it turns into a case of Chad Johnson vs. the Cincinnati Bengals, no one wins.

First, a little history.

When the Bengals reworked his contract in April 2006 — coming off their first winning season since 1990 — everyone was delighted. Johnson got an additional $10.75 million in a deal that runs through 2010, with a club option for 2011. The team expected to be back in the playoffs year after year.

Two years later, they're at an ugly impasse.

Johnson's blowup at quarterback Carson Palmer during a loss to New England became the signature moment in a 7-9 season. For the first time in his career, Johnson came under public criticism.

He couldn't deal with it.

Johnson loves attention and couldn't understand why fans were suddenly turned off by his look-at-me antics.

"I'm the type that I want everyone to like me and what I do," Johnson said in a 2006 interview. "I don't want anybody to have any doubts in anything that I do."

Johnson brooded and stopped talking to the local media. In the offseason, he has taken an increasingly harsher stance in national interviews. He threatened to sit out the season and his agent pleaded for a draft-day deal.

Not a chance.

Philosophically, the Bengals were not about to let a player take all his upfront money and run after only two seasons. Cincinnati ownership has a history of digging in when a recalcitrant player tries to manipulate a trade.

There was a practical reason, too. Chris Henry was released after his fifth arrest, leaving the team with only Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh as proven receivers.

If they had taken Washington's offer of two high draft picks, the Bengals would have been writing off the season.

If Johnson sits out, he stands to lose $3 million in salary. His multimillion-dollar endorsement deals are safe for now, but his long-term attractiveness could be hurt.

So, what now?

The best that can happen is Johnson shows up, shuts up and plays up to form, helping turn the Bengals around. Anything less is a big problem.

The 7-9 backslide last season brought back memories of the bad old days. If the team implodes and Johnson's situation gets ugly, there will be a huge backlash.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/co.../pro/bengals/2008/05/11/ddn051108spchad1.html
 
Top