Mike Brown, Don’t Stand Down
by Dave Gardner
Bengals owner Mike Brown has taken a stand against outspoken wide receiver Chad Johnson. See why he’s done the right thing.
Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson has appeared on radio stations and on televisions shows, and he probably would even speak to your personally if you would hear his case. He has spoken by himself, and he has spoken with his agent; he has spoken off the record and on the record; for a while he was dodging the questions, but then he finally came out and said it:
“I don’t want to play for the Bengals.”
The only people who aren’t listening are the two people who have to: Bengals President Mike Brown and head coach Marvin Lewis.
This isn’t the first time that Brown has played hard ball with his players. Although it has since been outlawed, it was less than a decade ago that the Bengals unveiled the “loyalty cause” in their players’ contracts. The loyalty clause, also known as the “Carl Pickens Clause,” gave teams the right to reclaim part or all of a player’s signing bonus if that player publicly criticizes coaches, team officials or players.
Certainly, Johnson should be happy that such a clause doesn’t exist anymore. Originally, this was beginning to look like it would unfold in a Terrell Owens-style meltdown, with a star quarterback getting semi-involved.
Although Carson Palmer claimed that Johnson told him in a phone conversation that “he’ll be there when he has to,” Johnson disputed ever saying such a thing.
“I’m not sure where Carson got his information from, but I know I didn’t assure him of anything,” Johnson said. “I wish he’d stay out of this. He’s taking how I’m feeling as a joke because I think everyone else in the organization is doing the same.” Johnson even went as far as to claim that he would rather retire than play for the Bengals
Lewis’ response?
“I’ve stated our case with Chad. He has a contract through 2011. He’s stated without an opportunity to go to a different team and a new contract, he wasn’t going to play. I think he’s a man of his word and says he’s not going to play, so don’t play.”
Wow. Did anyone else know that Lewis majored in bluff-calling at Idaho State? He must be a heck of a poker player.
The Bengals are calling Chad Johnson’s bluff because they are in control of the situation. It will cost Johnson up to $14,000 per day to hold out, and then if he misses just one day of mandatory team activities, he could be forced to pay back up to 25 percent of his signing bonus, pro-rated.
The point here is that the Bengals are sticking to their principles. Although Johnson wants to be traded, he has signed a contract that runs through 2011. There have even been good trade offers for him - reportedly a first-round pick and a conditional pick in 2009 that could escalate to a first rounder - but the Bengals are busy setting a precedent.
Rather than rewarding Johnson’s outlandish remarks and complaints by trading him, the Bengals are steadfast in honoring his remarks, while holding to their own. Rather than show other players who may not be happy that they just have to criticize the team or complain to get out, they are showing those disgruntled players that they take contracts seriously. And they should.
Assuredly, there have been players in the locker room who don’t appreciate Johnson’s frequent antics (even before this season), and now they see that the organization doesn’t appreciate them either. Johnson’s career options may be limited beyond football, but the Bengals receiving options aren’t limited to Johnson.
The best - and maybe only - solution for Johnson besides, you know, honoring his contract, would be something similar to what happened to Corey Dillon in 2003 in Cincinnati. He demanded that the team trade him before and during the season, but the Bengals didn’t send him off to New England until it was over. Even then, they only were willing to let him go because Rudi Johnson had emerged as the starter. That may be Johnson’s only way out.
The draft came and went, and Johnson presumably was unsettled by the fact that he wasn’t traded to another team. What could be encouraging for him, however, is that they did draft two wide receivers within the first three rounds. Eventually, maybe one of them would make Johnson expendable.
One of those receivers, Andre Caldwell, recently told NewEraScouting.com that he would be able to fill Johnson’s shoes - and he was the latter of the two picks. The Bengals are building for a future without Johnson in some capacity, but one thing is for sure, and Lewis said it himself: “The Bengals hold the cards until 2011.”
Here’s hoping that they won’t be the ones who stand down.
Don’t fight it, write it! Got a question or a comment? Send it in to theconstantgardner@newerascouting.com. Include your name and hometown, and I might include you in an upcoming article (unless you instruct me otherwise).