Chad will Show
As part of our ongoing wall to wall coverage of Chad Johnson foxsports.com reports he will arrive at camp on time, but likely not participate immediately as he continues to recover his surgically repaired ankle. Johnson has stated he wants to get past the unsuccessful attempt to force a trade this off-season and is concerned about his treatment by the fans.
The reality is that it is likely that the fans will not treat Johnson well early in the season, but if he performs as he has in the past they will get past this ugly off-season. Johnson should look in the mirror and realize the potential he has with the Bengals. With Carson Palmer at the helm and TJ Houshmanzadeh acting as the alternative threat on the outside, he will get his opportunity to be like a “Rock Star” (see: NFL:In Just One Play).
Draft him early Fantasy owners.
Chad Johnson shows, sits
By Brian Doyle
Chad Johnson showed up at camp, put on his pads, and stood on the sidelines. The disgruntled star arrived at practice true to his word as reported previously at fantasyobsession.com, but did not participate.
Johnson who is unhappy with his contract made his statement by arriving at practice late and in his practice gear, but not joining his teammates in drills. He is unhappy with not receiving his trade request (the team turned down an offer by the Redskins) and in the past has stated he would be willing to sit the year.
So true to his word that he is “…crazy, but not stupid…” he is at training camp, but not participating. Until this situation is resolved it will be a challenge for the team and a distraction for his teammates. Carson Palmer is a top fantasy pick with the pairing of Johnson and TJ Houshmanzadeh, but both his and Houshmanzadeh’s value can diminish without their star WR.
Stay tuned…..
Chad Johnson wants to play
Chad Johnson has indicated that he wants to play for the Bengals despite his multiple comments to the contrary this off season.
”Am I coming back? Of course I am,” Johnson said in an interview with ESPN. “I told my coaches I’m going to California to act, but the truth is I may come back to the Bengals as early as June. I may be crazy but I’m not stupid.”
This is just another interesting twist in the colorful career of Johnson, but does it increase his fantasy value. Although he proclaims he wants to be a Bengal the fact that doesn’t change is that he is still under the contract that he does not like and will remain so until 2011. Not to mention he shares the load with TJ Houshmanzadeh who scores big points for many fantasy owners whose leagues incoroprate receptions and TD’s as part of their scoring matrix. TJ has become the prime target of Carson Palmer.
Johnson’s having a big year will be conditional to his staying happy That will be either the promise to renegoitate if he has a monster season and with the amount of passes that come his direction. In many respects he reminds me of another Johnson, Keyshawn, who never was really happy no matter what team he was a part of, and never quite lived up to the hype he attracted from the media and fans.