Thursday, March 20, 2008

Stinko (Chad Johnson) Wants To Be A Cowboy

STINKO WANTS TO BE A COWBOY
Posted by Mike Florio

We’re having trouble keeping up with the antics of Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Johnson, and even more trouble caring. But the situation remains newsworthy, because Johnson is one of the most physically talented receivers in the NFL. And because he seems to be interested in playing for any team the one that currently owns his rights.

Most recently, Ocho Stinko appeared on FSN’s Best Muther-F–kin’ Sports Show, Period (we know it’s not the real title, but oh how we wish it were), and he talked about possibly playing for the Dallas Cowboys.

“If I end up in Dallas, I would just look at which finger I’m gonna put it on,” Johnson said, via Albert Breer of the Dallas Morning News. “That’s it. Ain’t no ifs, ands or buts about it.”

But what about the fact that Terrell Owens is already the top wideout on the team?

“It’s gonna work,” Johnson said. “T.J. [Houshmandzadeh] and Chad Johnson are no different than ‘81′ and ‘85′ because T.J. is a No. 1 receiver. We just happen to be two No. 1 receivers on the same team at the same time. It’s no different.”

Here’s another reason why we think it would work — Drew Rosenhaus represents Owens and Johnson. So if there were a way to get Stinko to Dallas, Rosenhaus would do everything in his power to ensure that there would be no friction between two of the biggest egos in all of pro sports.

Meanwhile, Johnson again addressed the infamous January 2006 halftime locker-room incident, which was resurrected two weeks ago when a video surfaced of former Bengals defensive tackle Shaun Smith saying that Johnson punched coach Marvin Lewis in the eye.

Our initial report on the matter, from the day after the incident, included a mention that Johnson at one point had receivers coach Hue Jackson in a headlock. Johnson now claims that Jackson had him in a headlock.

The common theme from Johnson and Jackson is that Johnson was being restrained. We’ve never known for sure, however, precisely what or whom Johnson was being restrained from.

Anyway, the real issue going forward is what will happen with Johnson. From the moment Johnson launched his campaign to get out of Cincinnati, it’s been made clear to us that the Bengals will not let him have his way.

Assuming, then, that Johnson is too cheap to pay back bonus money and/or to incur the fines that would accrue if he boycotts mandatory minicamps and/or training camp, there likely will be another T.O.-style drama come July and August.

Johnson simply can’t control his emotions. He’ll be half-hearted (not to be confused with “hoof hearted“) and lackadaisical in practice. When pressed to get his butt in gear, he’ll eventually blow his stack. At some point, he’ll be suspended without pay for conduct detrimental to the team. Grievances will be filed. Hearings will be held. It will be a freaking circus.

And we can’t wait to watch it all unfold.