Early this week I wrote a post on Chad Johnson and why the Bengals wouldn't win. Chad has become so absorbed with himself that he and his end zone celebrations have become more important than the team and the win. I watched for ESPN to show us a deer being kissed or some other nonsense, why, because Chad guaranteed it, but alas it didn't happen. He did score a touchdown and then passed out presents to fans in the endzone seats. A nice gesture to be sure, but how about giving your team a present. Focus on winning the game more and stop worrying about what celebratory dance you will come up with next to upstage who???? Yourself. Talk about an ego. Earth to Chad, Earth to Chad! The Bengals are in the playoffs and could have locked up home field advantage against the Broncos if they face them. Come back down off your high horse and the pedastol that you have yourself before you end up like T.O. How meaningless are his celebrations now?
Sometimes I would agree with this point of view, but in Chad's case, I don't. Why? Because he backs it up. If he wasn't producing after all that trash talking and silly celebrating, then there'd be a problem, but clearly it's not affecting his focus or his offensive unit's focus, so I don't see the harm in having a little fun.
Personally I'd rather see my team having fun than being uptight every game. Players who are fired up and happy are usually more productive.
...Plus, Chad's celebrations actually make me chuckle a little, unlike celebrations a la T.O.'s, which reek of arrogance.
While I agree he does produce on the field, so did TO. No one can argue that TO didn't produce for his team. The point is, he is focusing on himself instead of the team. His celebration is a result of a line blocking for a QB who in turn makes a good throw, probably because he had a play action that worked because the running back was doing his job. It is a team, the others don't celebrate for his catch which is the culmination of the whole play.
But unlike T.O., Johnson isn't going out of control with his celebrations. Yeah he does them, but he's also not being a complete jerk to his teammates, causing internal fights, putting his QB down, etc. etc. Johnson didn't let his small ego-boosting antics take control of him like T.O. has done. T.O. was never a problem until he hit it big. Ever since he finally broke out, he's been getting worse and worse, and it really took off once he first began with his end zone antics.
That is my point Doc, TO started with a pen, a cell phone and each time it had to escalate to more. Chad is heading down that path. I hope he keeps a clear head.
So everyone is holding their collective breath on what Chad will do next. Who cares? I don't. Granted, the guy can play and brings "it" every game. The main problem, as I see it, is that Chad seems to think that he, and he alone, is the heart and soul of the Bengals. Is everyone forgetting that there are 52 other players on the team? Without Carson Palmer to throw the ball to him, he would not have the stats he does. Without the offensive line to block so Palmer can throw the ball, he would not have the stats. Without the coaching staff to devise a gameplan that includes blocking schemes so Palmer has time to throw to Chad, he would not have the stats. See my point? Chad is a very important part of the Bengals. I emphasize "part", not the whole team. I really wonder if he knows that. By the interviews I have seen him do, I don't think so. I hope he realizes this and does not become the cancer that TO is.
Uh JAID, did you just copy my commment two spots back. I think I basically said that. I don't care if he brings it every game, read my post about CHad and Rudolph. My point is that he is putting himself above the team. Others say no, he brings it, but he has stated he doesn't care if his end zone celebrations get him suspended, he will continue. That is the ultimate slap in his team's face.
Thanks for the comment SoCal. Sometimes when you write something you can't stop laughing at, you hope others find it even half as funny. If I'm lucky enough to make the top 16, I'm sure I'll see you there. Keep up the good posts, I've enjoyed reading your work!
Seriously though, it's the nature of the beast. Talented wide receivers are naturally cocky. Of course, there are guys like Harrison and Holt who buck the trend, but most of the premier wideouts in recent memory (Moss, T.O., CJ, Keyshawn, Irvin, etc.) are me-first guys.
The Bengals took the lead after Johnson scored, and he finished the game with 9 catches for 117 yards. I only think it's a problem if he celebrates with his team down 20 points similar to what Roy Williams did a couple of weeks back.
Point taken. Let me say that I really don't care if he celebrates after each and every score, it is the attitude he had last week in a press conference where he openly said he didn't care if he were suspended for a game, he was going to make a big presentation. You just don't say that going into the play offs. Every game is important and they cannot afford to lose him for one game. How do you think his teammates felt when they heard that?
SoCal, I have disagree on you on this one. Chad Johnson isn't playing defense. He become a Celebration Celibate, and Cincy still would have given up 37 points. He's a nice lighting rod, but I find the antics a lot of fun. And the things he passed out was a really nice touch. I think fans will remember that for a long time. And given this is their best year in 15 years, hey, more power to him.
Chad Johnson is smart enough to know what he should and should not say to the media when it comes to his celebrations. The element of surprise was what made his routines funny. The next time the media asks him what he will do next, simply say 'score some touchdowns and help the team win ballgames'. Simple. And then entertain us with some TD celebrations. We are at the point where he does not need to tell us, we already know. That way, he puts his team first without a doubt (even though I feel he isn't like Meshawn or Me-O and he cares about team-first).
I think Chad's teammates and coach Marvin Lewis know when Chad is serious or not. I strongly doubt that Johnson would do anything that would get him suspended, and if he did, then there's no excusing that whatsoever.
Early this week I wrote a post on Chad Johnson and why the Bengals wouldn't win. Chad has become so absorbed with himself that he and his end zone celebrations have become more important than the team and the win. I watched for ESPN to show us a deer being kissed or some other nonsense, why, because Chad guaranteed it, but alas it didn't happen. He did score a touchdown and then passed out presents to fans in the endzone seats. A nice gesture to be sure, but how about giving your team a present. Focus on winning the game more and stop worrying about what celebratory dance you will come up with next to upstage who???? Yourself. Talk about an ego. Earth to Chad, Earth to Chad! The Bengals are in the playoffs and could have locked up home field advantage against the Broncos if they face them. Come back down off your high horse and the pedastol that you have yourself before you end up like T.O. How meaningless are his celebrations now?
