Quote:
Originally Posted by marius
I agree to a large extent (especially about drafting linemen) but I feel that if there is a player that is available who will very likely make us significantly better then we should take him. I just can't agree that having CJ would make the team 'more fragile' than an unproven rookie. I also agree that the free agency frenzy that we have experienced in the recent past has been detrimental to the team. However, I feel that in this case, for this player, in this position, we should go for it. He is not a Brandon Lloyd. He is better than Randle El and Santana Moss. He will improve the team.
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I don't think anyone questions that Chad Johnson will dramatically improve the team's passing attack. I think, however, people question whether the upside of trading for Chad Johnson outweighs the downside. I see quite a bit of upside, but I see even more downside.
Chad Johnson is going to be 30 years old at the start of the season. We will likely replace Pete Kendall, Randy Thomas, Jon Jansen, Phillip Daniels, Cornelius Griffin, Marcus Washington, London Fletcher, and Shawn Springs within the next 2 years. That's nearly 50% of our starting lineup. We may have youngsters who can fill some of those shoes (e.g., Reed Doughty, Anthony Montgomery, and H.B. Blades), but we need to continue our youth movement and generally avoid acquiring high-priced and aging free agents. Trading a first round draft pick or several high round picks for a 30 year old when we clearly have a need to infuse our roster with more
quality youth just doesn't make much sense to me.
Moreover, I have serious reservations about Chad's ability to act like a responsible and respectful team player. Chad Johnson is undoubtedly a great talent and supposedly has a great work ethic. But, Chad Johnson routinely and
intentionally draws 15 yard penalties for post-touchdown celebrations. Chad Johnson also got into a physical altercation with a
coach. It's one thing to get into a training camp fight with a teammate, it's another to go after your boss.
I just don't see why so many want this guy.