Reexamining the trade that wasn’t (Chad Johnson to the Redskins)

by bengaljohnboy on Aug 20, 2011 12:04 PM EDT

With the trade last month of Chad Johnson (sorry, still can't do the Ocho thing) to the Patriots, there has been a lot of rehashing the "how could Mike Brown pass it up" trade offer from the Redskins back in 2008. While two firsts may be the golden goose of trade offers, we need to remember a few key truths from that time. First, Chad had just had his best year as a Bengal (1440yds, 8 TDs) and had been a consistent 1000+ yd receiver for the five years before that. He was certainly a Top 6-8 receiver in the game at that point. Second, he had just signed a contract extension in 2006 with $8M in new bonus money and two years remaining on his rookie contract. Trading him would have created $8.5M of dead money. At the end of the 2008 season they had about $9M in cap space available plus another $3M from Chad's base had they traded him. Certainly a do-able deal but a tough pill to swallow for an owner known for his tight grip on his wallet.

Of course no one could have predicted his miserable 2008 season (13 games, 540yds, 41.5/game, 4 TDs). So let's hold off on all the Monday morning quarterbacking on this non-trade.

And who would we have drafted had we made the trade? In 2008, Washington had the 21st pick which they traded to Atlanta who picked OT Sam Baker. Given that we released Rudi Johnson in August 2008, a pick of Rashard Mendenhall (picked 23rd) or Chris Johnson (24th) certainly would have been an excellent move - no offense to Chris Perry! In 2009, Washington took Brian Orakpo with the 13th pick. Assuming Chad helped them win another 4 games (from 8-8 to 12-4, best case) they would have had the 26th pick. Not sure about you but OLB Clay Matthews (26th) or WR Hakeem Nicks (29th) would have been pretty good choices.

Hmm, maybe I should rethink my initial conclusion...

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors.

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I would have taken a bag of dorritos for 85 (I refuse to even refer to him by any name)

I mean seriously, its such an awesome feeling not having to hear about the latest shenanigans by that guy.

Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.

by Blue Steel on Aug 20, 2011 12:49 PM EDT reply actions

You hate him that much?

He’s one of the greatest Bengals in history. He did so much for us that you can’t just write him off and pretend he didn’t exist. Not to mention that in all those horrible and mediocre seasons, he was the only thing that made anyone outside of our fanbase care about the Bengals in any way.

Miguel Cairo is so last week.

by sexsalad on Aug 20, 2011 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes

and I especially despise him because he was the only thing that people outside the fanbase knew about the Bengals – which always made us look like a bunch of amatuers

Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.

by Blue Steel on Aug 20, 2011 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I kinda feel the same way too.

Last week or two I had posted a comment about Chad talking to the media. He said “that this has been the hardest he has practiced in a few years”. To me, I took it as that he just didn’t try and well, it showed the last couple of years. And now it’s a fact b/c he said it himself, not in so may words though…

by WHYUS!! on Aug 20, 2011 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

by Oregonbengalsfan on Aug 20, 2011 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions

early in his career he tried hard

stayed to watch film, was super passionate about the game, etc.

but playing in the No Win Zone eventually Bengalizes all of ’em.

by occams_tiger_teeth on Aug 20, 2011 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions

There is no reason to hate on Chad that much man. You didn’t like his style. Fine. But to despise a guy who worked hard most of the time he was here, didn’t get into trouble and gave fans something to be excited about. You’re just trying too hard to hate him.

Am I excited for a quiet dude who just only focuses on getting better? yes. But I think even though he was hunger for attention for most of his time here he worked his ass off to be better.

Oh and btw when people thought of the bengals and thought of chad, we were amateurs so their assumptions were correct.

by SWSH on Aug 21, 2011 11:47 AM EDT reply actions

Chad made the bengals able to be broadcasted on television. we were and still are AMATEURS. I could see hating on someone like TJ, who walked away from the money, then said “it would be nice to win some games.” But i’m sure instead of appreciate the great talent and coverage threats chad brought to the table, haters are always gonna hate.

by gatornevabeenaboutdat on Aug 22, 2011 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions