In the world of professional football, it seems like putting your name out on a billboard is just as important as putting the ball in the end zone. With the possible exceptions of Sprint spokesman Joe Horn and the never-silent Terrell Owens, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson has emerged as the brashest, cockiest player in the NFL. Even more than the Cleveland Browns' Kellen Winslow II (and that's saying something.)
You have to give Johnson respect for how he's played. But that's about it. He's put up two pretty solid years, racking up 1,000-yard seasons in 2002 and 2003. He's been to the Pro Bowl. And thanks to his play and the coaching brilliance of Marvin Lewis, his team may no longer be known as the Bungles.
However, Johnson is part of a growing, disconcerting trend in professional sports where endorsement deals mean more than team glory. Johnson seems to care about the team a lot now after the Bengals overachieved, but what will happen if Carson Palmer struggles in his first season as starting quarterback? What will happen if the Bengals can't meet their lofty expectations this year? I have a hard time imagining Johnson sitting back, staying quiet, and working harder.
The problem with Johnson's attitude is that it inflates his presumed talent. Johnson's mouth could be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and because of that mouth, people tend to think that he plays as well as he speaks. That's not true.
He's had a good few years, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. If Johnson can lead Cincy deep into the playoffs and maybe to the Super Bowl, then maybe my opinion will be changed. But, for now, I can't stand watching a wide receiver with a game like a Lexus, but a mouth that runs like a Lamborghini.
Newest Brown shows disrespect for game before catching a pass by Kevin Wiseman
Are you kidding me? I don't even think there's a comparison between Chad Johnson and Kellen Winslow II. Have you ever heard Johnson screaming at reporters after a game, calling himself a soldier?
No, you definitely have not. Winslow made a complete fool of himself on that day, screaming about how he was a soldier when there are real soldiers overseas. This debate should end right there, but I'll continue.
At least when Chad Johnson guaranteed a victory over Kansas City, his team delivered a victory. I remember K2 saying that Ohio State stood no chance against the 'Canes in the Fiesta Bowl. I believe Winslow said something about Ohio State would get beat as bad as Nebraska did the year before.
We all know that Winslow was wrong and Ohio State won. Granted, Winslow had a good game, but his team lost and that's the bottom line. So once again, Winslow looked like a fool.
Also, Winslow recently held out of training camp for the Cleveland Browns, turning down a contract that would have made him the highest paid tight end in the league. Winslow has yet to play a down that counts in the NFL, so he has no right to be so arrogant. At least Chad Johnson has worked hard to go from a second-round draft pick to starting in the Pro Bowl in just three seasons.
Johnson's dad does not pace around on the sidelines either, as Winslow Sr. did during the Fiesta Bowl loss. Winslow The Elder needed to be in the stands, not walking around the sidelines as if he is about to jump into the game, so that's another annoying thing about K2.
Chad Johnson has proved his worth in the NFL, unlike Winslow. Let's not even compare these two right now.
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Mike Stafford
