Ted Johnson Anyone?

[captain stone]

If I recall, he was kind of an ass after he retired and made a few unsolicited comments towards the CS. Not sure he is necessarily welcome back.

Anyone else recall the granularity of his departure?

I remember that he (along with McGinest) was left unprotected in Houston's expansion draft. Wasn't he also inactive for an Opening Day game once, and actually left the team for a couple of days because of it?

I have the feeling that BB doesn't send TJ a Christmas card, nor will he make a phone call to him now, probably. Pity.

How about Chris Claiborne, recently released by the Giants?

 

[RayClay]

Found that interesting, even though he is a little lighter, might help.. I would suspect that BB and SP did not know he was interested, there is no other obvious reason they would not contact him.

Yeah, they wanted to read it in the Herald.

Leave it to TJ to say he won't play for the salary that wasn't offered to him.

 

[DaBruinz]

While Ted Johnson may want to come back, one has to wonder if BB and SP want him back. I think that Ted Johnson put the Patriots behind the 8-ball last year and did so for selfish reasons. Now, I am NOT talking about the fact that he had to retire because of concussions. I am talking about the fact that he wasn't forth-coming with the staff. At least, that is the way it appeared.

I honestly can not believe that BB and SP would not have made every effort to sign a better ILB than Chad Brown or Monty Beisel last year if they knew that Ted Johnson was going to retire before the start of training camp. I believe it caught them by surprise and I believe that Ted Johnson with-held the information from them in an attempt to NOT have the team replace him pre-maturely.

 

[fgssand]

While Ted Johnson may want to come back, one has to wonder if BB and SP want him back. I think that Ted Johnson put the Patriots behind the 8-ball last year and did so for selfish reasons. Now, I am NOT talking about the fact that he had to retire because of concussions. I am talking about the fact that he wasn't forth-coming with the staff. At least, that is the way it appeared.

I honestly can not believe that BB and SP would not have made every effort to sign a better ILB than Chad Brown or Monty Beisel last year if they knew that Ted Johnson was going to retire before the start of training camp. I believe it caught them by surprise and I believe that Ted Johnson with-held the information from them in an attempt to NOT have the team replace him pre-maturely.

I think you are right in saying he probably burned an already weak bridge by leaving the way that he did. He did leave the Pats scrambling to try to replace the void his sudden retirement caused.

However, I also feel that if BB/SP felt he could help them, they would sign him up right now. I think his playing days are over, all that's left is a little denial over that fact.

 

[marty]

I think you are right in saying he probably burned an already weak bridge by leaving the way that he did. He did leave the Pats scrambling to try to replace the void his sudden retirement caused.

However, I also feel that if BB/SP felt he could help them, they would sign him up right now. I think his playing days are over, all that's left is a little denial over that fact.

I think this assessment is right on the money. Add to the fact that I don't think the Krafts would want a potential brain-damaged player on their hands, I think they'll pass. Love how Ray Clay picked up the same thinking I did on his remarks re salary!

 

[Armen Da Pats Fan]

Maybe HE's not concerned, but he should be. He quit for all the right reasons. Why drasticly increase your odds of debilitating brain problems as you age with life expectancy on the rise?

I can only speculate that something in his life situation has changed such that unexpectedly he needs more money.

Yes, but if he can help us win a couple of games then it's worth being debilitated for life, isn't it?

 

[IcyPatriot]

Ted Johnson became a big liability covering receivers. Granted you try to put him in on running downs...but when the team passes instead Ted becomes a problem. This is how and why Bruschi bumped TJ from being a starter.

 

[italian pat patriot]

I'd sign to a vet minimum contract filled with incentives. I wonder how much he has left in the tank..

i was thinking the same.
anyway i always liked him (# 52)

 

[MDD]

I remember that he (along with McGinest) was left unprotected in Houston's expansion draft. Wasn't he also inactive for an Opening Day game once, and actually left the team for a couple of days because of it?

I have the feeling that BB doesn't send TJ a Christmas card, nor will he make a phone call to him now, probably. Pity.

How about Chris Claiborne, recently released by the Giants?

A year or two after his leaving the team and pulling a nutty he turned down more money from Green Bay to stay here. he was also honored at halftime ofg a game last year. I don't think there's any burned bridges.

The Pats would sign any player if they believe: 1.) he could be a team player, and 2.) he could help them win football games. Belichick does not factor in any "burned bridges" in this regard. he saves that for former coaches he's worked with!

 

[lobster]

Ted Johnson was superb against the run but looked totally inept in playing the pass, which isn't really what the Pat's are looking for. HOWEVER with a good probability of facing the Chargers at San Diego, my guess is Belichick will give Johnson a try-out. Who cares about the risk of a concussion when it's the playoffs?

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I say there's close to ZERO chance that TJ is interested and that BB would then try him out. He's done. And for good reason. Concussion brain damage likelihood.

 

[alamo]

he was also honored at halftime of a game last year. I don't think there's any burned bridges.

I don't think being honored like that means anything at all from a football perspective... I think that the Krafts personally handle anything like that, with little input wanted or needed from BB and SP. (And I doubt BB and SP care, since it doesn't affect the current team.) That's why in the not so distant future Bledsoe will be getting honored by the Patriots.