Could we unload one of those #2's for Chad Johnson?

[JSn]

Deals that need to get done - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

Excerpt:

2. Cincinnati wide receiver Chad Ochocinco – A year after turning down a trade that could have netted two first-round picks for the receiver then known as Chad Johnson, Bengals owner Mike Brown could be laying the groundwork to trade Ochocinco for much less this year. The Bengals have reportedly had highly regarded Missouri wide receiver Jeremy Maclin in for a workout recently. That said, two sources who have spoken to Brown said he would be willing to deal Ochocinco – and two others said he won’t. What could turn the tide toward a trade is that while Ochocinco has been much quieter than last offseason, he still wants out. Ochocinco hasn’t shown up for offseason workouts. That follows his decision to not have surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder, something the Bengals wanted him to do. Throw in the fact that at least two people who know Ochocinco have told the team that his competitive spirit to play for the Bengals has basically burned out, and you get the picture. One source even told quarterback Carson Palmer in March that a deal of Ochocinco could be coming before the draft.

Maybe not, but think about it: your #3 and #4 WR competition is between Lewis, Galloway and Ochcocinco. You're coming out of camp with an amazing cast of players, especially since Lewis and Welker play ST's.

It seems implausible at first glance, which is why I think it merits discussion. I think the first thing Bill would do is give him a new number, LOL.

 

[billdog3484]

hes a great player. but who wants his me first attitude? hes also in his 30s now. i think a 2nd rounder is way too high for a guy like this

 

[Nestapats]

I've no problem giving up a second rounder for C. Johnson, but i got a problem with his contract demands. He doesn't want to be a third receiver with Gaffney type a money. He wants to be our no. 1 or 2 guy and those positions are already filled. I don't see it happening, but i believe quality wise it's a better option than drafting a rookie WR in the second round, which is always risky.

 

[Mogamedogz]

Dont need him. Especially not at that cost.

 

[TriplecHamp]

Honestly I like Chad but I want to get Younger at WR. I would rather draft a Wideout than trade for one. If we were to pick up a vet I would want it to be Plax but yeah.

 

[signbabybrady]

I put this in the interesting category.

BB has noted his affinity for Chad but one has to wonder if that would just be from afar and if he would want to deal with him. Obviously he would have to be willing to shut up and play.

What I don't like though is that he did not take care of the shoulder.

Anything higher than a 2 and I would say no but how can you not want to take a chance on him with something lower.

 

[JSn]

I put this in the interesting category.

BB has noted his affinity for Chad but one has to wonder if that would just be from afar and if he would want to deal with him. Obviously he would have to be willing to shut up and play.

What I don't like though is that he did not take care of the shoulder.

Anything higher than a 2 and I would say no but how can you not want to take a chance on him with something lower.

Well, I thought about age, but we PAID Joey G, and he's 37. An above competent receiver with even 3 solid years in him is EASILY worth a second (maybe not #34, though). I'd say a loaded roster is an issue, but some of these opportunities are hard to come by.

I will be up front and say I don't expect to ever see a projected "immediate impact" receiver drafted by Bill unless it's a knock-out player (at WR, pfft).

I also don't know what his deal is, but he may want out of Cinci bad enough to spend a year showing he can back up the yak. And I think he can.

I won't be upset if we make no move, but it seems a heck of a lot more likely than the Peppers scenario and it adds an impact player who's proven he's got game.

 

[PatsChamp88]

After trading for Lewis and then signing Gallo I don't think so we got 5 WRs already. Instead lets get some nice defensive prospects instead.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Well, I thought about age, but we PAID Joey G, and he's 37. An above competent receiver with even 3 solid years in him is EASILY worth a second (maybe not #34, though). I'd say a loaded roster is an issue, but some of these opportunities are hard to come by.

$1.8M isn't exactly "getting PAID."

 

[apple strudel]

I think the first thing Bill would do is give him a new number, LOL.

LMAO

What's the cap hit? He'd probably have to re-structure his contract or do a new deal. But for the right money I think a 2 for him is a no-brainer.

 

[JSn]

$1.8M isn't exactly "getting PAID."

For a 37 year old wideout?

 

[VJCPatriot]

1. CJ will want to get paid too much.
2. A 2nd round pick is too much to give.
3. CJ is a disruptive player.
4. The Bengals would be left with no #1 WR.
5. If CJ was really being shopped I'd it for a 4th round pick and a 1 year prove it deal. But no more than that. So basically, it ain't happening.

 

[Synovia]

1. CJ will want to get paid too much.
2. A 2nd round pick is too much to give.
3. CJ is a disruptive player.
4. The Bengals would be left with no #1 WR.
5. If CJ was really being shopped I'd it for a 4th round pick and a 1 year prove it deal. But no more than that. So basically, it ain't happening.

1. Randy Moss will want to get paid too much
2. Randy Moss is a disruptive player
3. The Raiders would be left with no #1 WR.


If you can get Chad johnson for a 2nd, and he fits in the cap, you do it without even thinking twice.

 

[jmt57]

Two words: salary cap.



Actually, a few more words on the subject.

If you trade for Johnson then you inherit his contract, which calls for $4.5 million in 2009, $5 million in 2010, and $6 million in 2011. There are also workout bonuses of $250k in each of those years.

There is no incentive for Johnson to agree to restructure that contract to something that would pay him less money. His best options would be to either continue to get paid under the terms of that contract (whether it be with the Bengals or with another team), or become a free agent where he can sell his services to the highest bidder. It doesn't make a lot of sense to agree to take a pay cut unless he also becomes a free agent.

There are a couple of things to consider from the Pats perspective. First is fitting him under the cap, and how that would affect ant other potential roster signings. Though the Pats could make the room it would severely limit them for any other moves they may want or need to make in case of injury.

Second, with limited cap space remaining, where does the team get the most bang for the buck? In other words, how much does adding Johnson really improve the team? In my opinion the incremental improvement of Johnson is minimal, and the team could have more improvement by spending that same money on other areas.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

He will want to be Top Dawg, and there is already a Top Dawg in Moss who is a much better player and leader in the clubhouse. Johnson would never be happy with the Pats or be able to keep his mouth shut. I don't want him as long as Moss is with the team.

 

[jeffbiologist]

I have been lobbying for this trade for a while. I think CJs game, what is lost with alot of people, fits perfectly as the #2 wr in our offense just at Moss fits #1 and Welker #3. If Moss misses any time(he is in his 30s as well) CJ can easily slip to #1, something Galloway cant do. We know our history of drafting WRs so thats not a real good option. Further, the same year we got Moss and Welker we also got Stallworth...and never really replaced him. Creating competition at that spot is good, and how much cap do we lose if Galloway doesnt make the team?? Giving up a 2nd(47 or 58)is a no brainer, but it would tax our cap specialists. We have lots of picks and lots of rookies from last year who dont make all that much. A restructure would be obvious, and I can see CJ taking a Moss-like deal, but likely a 2 yr not a 1 yr. The trading landscape isnt always apples-apples now, contract length and number factor in as much as ability. But there is no one in the 2nd round who could be as good THIS YEAR as CJ....

 

[Bring Back Antowain!]

The thing I always go back to is the respect Chad Johnson and Bill Belichick share for each other.

Chad Johnson is an entertainer, and that's how he looks at things. However, at some point, he's going to want to become a player and win a championship.

If that is where he is now, and it might be if he had a chance to play for the Patriots, I would most certainly take a flyer on Johnson.

 

[mgteich]

Why is age relevant in a one-year contract? My guess is that there is NO rookie WR who projects to be a better WR in 2009 than Galloway.

For a 37 year old wideout?

 

[mgteich]

We could get Johnson for $5M a year for three years for a 2nd? If this were true, Belichick would be on a plane to bring the papers for signature.

The ONLY thing that concerns me is his possibly needed surgury.

Brady at WB throwing to Moss on one side, Johnson on the other, and Welker in the slot, and you think Johnson would be worried about his role!

You think that we are full up at WR with Galloway as the opposite for Moss?

Lewis is really a non-issue. He is primarily a special teamer, although he could take as many reps at receiver as needed (as Aiken did and Washington didn't).

You're worried about salary cap? Why? We don't worry about the cap when we discuss signing Jason taylor or trading for Peppers.

Two words: salary cap.

Actually, a few more words on the subject.

If you trade for Johnson then you inherit his contract, which calls for $4.5 million in 2009, $5 million in 2010, and $6 million in 2011. There are also workout bonuses of $250k in each of those years.

There is no incentive for Johnson to agree to restructure that contract to something that would pay him less money. His best options would be to either continue to get paid under the terms of that contract (whether it be with the Bengals or with another team), or become a free agent where he can sell his services to the highest bidder. It doesn't make a lot of sense to agree to take a pay cut unless he also becomes a free agent.

There are a couple of things to consider from the Pats perspective. First is fitting him under the cap, and how that would affect ant other potential roster signings. Though the Pats could make the room it would severely limit them for any other moves they may want or need to make in case of injury.

Second, with limited cap space remaining, where does the team get the most bang for the buck? In other words, how much does adding Johnson really improve the team? In my opinion the incremental improvement of Johnson is minimal, and the team could have more improvement by spending that same money on other areas.

 

[TriplecHamp]

I just got an Idea. How about #34 for Anquan Boldin. IDK what the Cards want for him but just a thought.