Offer made on Chad (1st rd '08, conditional 3rd rd '09)

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I don't know the answer to your first question. I mean this offseason is really the first we've heard of Chad Johnson being a divisive presence in the locker room. And a lot of that is based off a false claim of a fight that never took place. But if he's unhappy, I don't doubt he'll voice his displeasure. Just like many other stars (even on our team).

This is the first offseason in which I've heard that Chad was a locker room problem. But, for several seasons Chad has shown that he is all too often willing to prop himself up at the expense of his team. Moreover, ESPN Radio just aired a segment in which a Bengals beat reporter basically said that the team has been dealing with Chad's "emotional issues" for quite some time, but the team has been concealing such problems. That same reporter also said that most players he's talked to acknowledge that there was some "locker room incident" involving Chad, but none would specify what occurred. The only player that has spoken to the issue (Shaun Smith) acknowledged that Chad tried to attack Hue Jackson and punched Marvin Lewis. Boomer Esiason reported that Chad got into a physical altercation with coaches. I'm not saying that Chad undoubtedly hit a coach.....but where there is smoke.

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

If he's so disruptive don't you think the Bengals would be a bit more willing to let him go? I think his production trumps his disruption.

I think the Bengals believe his production trumps his disruption, but aren't they a shining example as to why character matters? Their team is in tatters, their locker room appears divided, and they are reaping what they have sown. True, Chad hasn't been in trouble with the law. But, I think character evaluations should be based on more than one's rap sheet.