TK Posted November 22, 2003 Share Posted November 22, 2003 http://www.app.com/app2001/story/0,21133,858700,00.html Asbury Park Press 11/21/03 The Jersey Shore's News Source Keyshawn isn't worth the hassle Stephen Edelson The smug expression on Keyshawn Johnson's face while doing a television interview on the day he was fired from his job in Tampa Bay earlier this week tells you all you need to know about a player who seemed to care less about his sudden separation from the guys he won a world championship with last January. It was, and always has been, about him. Just like it was when he helped author "Just Give Me The Damn Ball" after a 1-15 rookie season with the Jets. Just like it was when he feigned a preseason holdout and forced Bill Parcells/Al Groh to trade him to the Bucs. And just like it's been since Jon Gruden arrived on the scene after the 2001 season, with Johnson challenging the head coach time and again before the organization had no other choice but to act decisively with their season slipping away. Memo to Jets: Keyshawn Part Deux would be a disaster. Forget the petulant behavior and look-at-me mentality he exudes. The fact is that, based on the price the Bucs paid to get him (two first round picks), the price of the contract they signed him to ($56 million over seven years, with a $13 million signing bonus) and the fact that he's a possession receiver, not a game-breaking franchise-type receiver, Johnson's arguably the league's most overrated player right now. In this era of the salary cap, where every dollar you spend on rookie, free agent and veteran contracts affects you both immediately and in the future, you simply can't afford to overpay for a possession receiver. Particularly a 31-year-old with a lot of mileage on him, no matter how inviting a target his 6-4 frame provides for a quarterback. During his first eight seasons in the league, Johnson has a grand total of two receptions for 50 yards or more. By contrast, Randy Moss has eight over the last three season, while Marvin Harrison and Terrell Owens have six apiece during that time. He's simply not worth the money . . . or the hassle. Take a look at the receivers from the Class of 1996, of which Johnson was valedictorian. The Jets took him with the No. 1 pick overall, but Owens, Eric Moulds and Harrison, whom Johnson disparaged earlier this season when he wore a microphone during their Monday night game against the Colts, are all considered franchise players in their eighth season. Johnson's simply not in that category. Even Amani Toomer, a second-rounder in 1996, has better numbers over the previous four seasons. While Johnson's 342 catches between 1999 and 2002 are 31 more than Toomer, the Giants' top receivers has more yards (4,674 to 4,398) and touchdowns (26 to 22). When you look at the entire league, who would even consider Johnson in the top 10 receivers around the league when taking all factors into consideration? In the NFC alone, Moss, Owens, Toomer, Isaac Bruce, Marty Booker and Joe Horn all have reputations that exceed Johnson's. The AFC has Harrison, Moulds, Hines Ward, Derrick Mason, Peter Warrick, while the Jets' Santana Moss leads the conference with nine TD catches. There's no denying the fact that Johnson has a Super Bowl ring to back up his 603 career receptions, with 48 of them going for touchdowns. But if the Jets weren't going to overpay for Laveranues Coles last off-season, when the Redskins tossed out an offer sheet worth $35 million, including a $13 million signing bonus, then they shouldn't overpay for Johnson. The Bucs had Johnson restructure his $56 million deal last off-season or it's unlikely he would have been back this season. But things got so bad the team is willing to take what will be a salary cap hit of nearly $10 million when they eventually release him, which might not be until after June 1 so they can spread it over two seasons. And at a time when every dollar counts, it was a move that says it all about Johnson's declining market value. Stephen Edelson is an Asbury Park Press staff writer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted November 22, 2003 Share Posted November 22, 2003 Heck don't care as long as he isnt coming to the skins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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