Chad Johnson

[37Harrison]

Just cause it happened with Moss I'm not sure it's gonna happen with Ochoson or whatever he is calling himself these days.

Their will probably be someone else that offers him more money thinking that they can do what the Pats did with Moss. Unless his affection for BB is genuine and more than $$, I don't see him in a Pats uni.

Would rather see them go after Steve Smith, even with his character flaws.

 

[Froob]

I say go for it. I don't think anyone has questioned Chad's work ethic. I think he'd chill out if he comes here. I don't really like the "He'll stunt the development of Tate or Price" argument. Make Tate beat him out.

 

[Snake Eyes]

I say go for it. I don't think anyone has questioned Chad's work ethic. I think he'd chill out if he comes here. I don't really like the "He'll stunt the development of Tate or Price" argument. Make Tate beat him out.

Amen, brother!:rocker:

 

[BTTA]

I'm OK with all of the peripheral issues, but am not at all convinced he can still play at a high level. Can he run fast, jump high, stay healthy, etc?

 

[patriot lifer]

I'm OK with all of the peripheral issues, but am not at all convinced he can still play at a high level. Can he run fast, jump high, stay healthy, etc?

i always come back to what the team will be like without Branch (if/when he's hurt for some period of time). Tate is hardly a #1 receiver, Price is an unknown, and Welker and Edelman are slot guys. We sure could use another starting caliber wide receiver.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Despite Johnson's ego (I refuse to call him Ochocinco) I'd have no concerns about that aspect of his signing. Belihick and Johnson have always expressed mutual personal and professional respect for each other and I think Chad could fit in here.

Where I have more doubts is the remaining physical skills of the 33 year old WR.

Can he still stretch the field and be the deep threat WR that the Patriots need?

I have some serious doubts about that - if Belichick has the same doubts I don't expect he'd sign him. If he thinks there's a chance he can still stretch the field, and Johnson accepts an incentive laden contract, then there's little downside for the Pats.

We do need a deep threat - but I'm not sure if Johnson or the other WR rumored to be on the Patriots radar, Steve Smith, can fill that role at this stage of their career.

 

[Dufflebagz]

I would like to see BB give him a shot.

He's a hard worker, seems like he's a great guy, and I bet he wants a ring more than anything. He likes to have fun and he had some problems with Palmer and Lewis but he's never in trouble.

 

[part-timer]

I'd give this about a 0.000000000000000000054% chance of happening.

Sooo, your saying theres a chance!

 

[ausbacker]

You get the feeling Ocho never respected Palmer..which is fair enough. That said if the Pats do go down the Chad path they might as well just send him on go routes every time given the comment that he doesn't run routes.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

I'm shocked that DW hasn't posted in this thread.

Maybe he's busy ordering his Pats Ochocinco jersey.

I'm kidding man! (Don't do it! Seriously!)

 

[HomerSchooled]

I'd support it if it went down, but I just don't know. Could be a mild upgrade from Tate or Branch if he hits it off with Brady, but would he be a bad influence on our young guys? I'm sure he'd bring a lot of fun and hard work into the locker room, but his sense of entitlement may be infectious. If he can really buy into the Patriot Way and become a humble, grateful role player, that could be tremendously meaningful to the kids. I don't know if his upside is high enough to even bother, though.

 

[memento]

I'm optimistic. Brady made a name out of himself with an unknown receiving core, and now he might get another big name before he goes out. Get out of the court rooms and set off the fireworks.


Although, it doesn't bode well that I looked at the title and thought of Bethel Johnson and Chad Jackson before Ochocinko

 

[Run DMC]

Guy can't get separation at all anymore from db's. Love the guy, hate the player. Please spare us. Stick a fork in him.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Please no :bricks:

 

[NSPF]

I'm personally rooting for it, just because I love the guy, but I'm not sure that it would be in the Patriots' best interest. As everyone else has said, they worked really hard to build that locker room the way they wanted it, so they might not consider it worth the risk.

On the other hand, a team full of Rudy's isn't going to win you too many games. I think everyone can agree that the Pats could use Chad's skills, even if they've diminished some. If it goes down I would expect him to see a lot of playing time.

The wild cards are obviously Tate and Price. It they are better than we think we might not need Chad.

 

[stinkypete]

The real question is can he play? He's been in steady decline for the past 4 years now.

It's tough to say, Palmer has also been in steady decline over the same period, the offense has emphasized the run over over the pass over the past 2 years, and his WR help had become virtually non-existent until the Owens/Shipley/Gresham haul.

I'd love a low risk/high reward deal, like Moss got in 2011. Welker, Branch and Edelman are all regularly hurt. Tate and Price need to earn a spot.

I'd also prefer him over Steve Smith. As much of a diva as Johnson's been, I think Smith is far more cancerous to his team.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

I would rather have Moss back that Chad

 

[patfanken]

This type of pickup wouldn't be a bad idea. I'm sure once we get ready for camp, BB will bring is some veteran WR to compete for a job. It would be Chad. It could be a Steve Smith, or any of a dozen guys with professional experience. There certainly will enough guys out there to sign. Johnson is one of them.

I'm mixed on him. I have no problem with his work ethic. I actually have no problem with his antics, which are essentially just playful and harmless. He would fit in fine here. I DO have an issue with the question of his skills. If they are still intact, then I'd welcome him with open arms. If they have declined, then I'm sure BB will pass.

The odds I think are really not in his favor. I'm pretty sure that the current 5, (Welker, Edelman, Tate, Price, and Branch), are firmly entrenched. And I'm not so sure that the Pats will keep more than 5 WRs this year, given the probable placement of 4 TEs on the roster. Hernandez's role as a hybrid means that I'm guessing there will be one less pure WR slot available this season, making it tough for any vet WR BB will sign to make the squad.

 

[Joker]

what...Jerry Rice wasn't available?...:beatingcoming:

 

[jays52]

I don't think that this is so cut and dry. Let's look at what 85's game is first. The guy can run every route in the tree. He understands option routes and coverages. Has a great feel for zones. Catches the ball away from his body. Will compete for close balls. Competitor. Can still separate well. Can play either outside position.

On paper that is everything the Patriots want from his receivers. He will thrive in an option route system like the Patriots have.

Is he an attention whore? I think that's probably a pretty mean way of describing how well he has marketed himself. He's built a pretty good brand for himself, and never once has that been detrimental to his training and understanding of the game. He doesn't get in trouble in clubs, doesn't drink, not dumb enough to get busted for pot. He strikes me as a very passionate player who truly wants to play for a winner. Does he have some diva-esque traits in a game where the passing game is sputtering? Sure. Then again, I want my receivers to have that trait.

Obviously it's impossible to know if he'll be pursued by the Pats, but I wouldn't be so dismissive of him as a good fit.