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

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

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.

Fair enough on the ESPN Radio part. Shaun Smith has on multiple occassions thrown teammates (past and present) under the bus. I have complete disregard for anything he says quite honestly. I think Esiason is being a little loose with the term "altercation." I believe what happened is what Hue Jackson and Chad Johnson have said, that Chad Johnson got "emotional" and Hue Jackson restrained him to calm him down. The actual events none of us know. But what shouldn't be overlooked is that Chad Johnson has publicly apologized for creating a stir during that halftime and said it was inappropriate. I know some people here are all gung-ho about pointing out that Jared Allen apologized for his multiple DUIs and league suspension. So let's not dismiss that CJ apologized for "acting up" in a locker room.

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.

Good points. But it also adds to my point that Johnson wants out of there because the team culture is a mess.