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Bengals’ Chad Johnson has a thing for Philly
Before the NFL trade deadline hit Oct. 14, there was talk of the Philadelphia Eagles being in the market to trade for a big-name receiver and Cincinnati Bengals Chad Johnson was believed to be on the list of potential prospects.
There was much speculation that Johnson might be on the trade block after repeated demands to be traded earlier in the year. The trade deadline came and went and Johnson remains with the 1-8 Bengals.
As the story goes, Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was the voice of reason for Johnson during the turbulent times.
“I blew his (McNabb) phone up,” Johnson said Wednesday during a conference call with Philadelphia media. “Donovan was a big influence. (He) really is one of the reasons why I really turned myself around and looked at my situation as more of a positive outlook and just thinking about all the people that would love to play this game, you know?
“He took me in that direction, instead of thinking about, ‘Oh, I’m tired of losing and I don’t want to be here anymore,’ but just thinking about, ‘Man, a lot of people wish they were in your shoes just to have the ability to play in the NFL.’ That kind of turned me around, and that’s why I’ve been as positive as I have been this year, and even though we’re losing, man, I’ve just been plugging away.”
So did the Eagles have any interest in trading for the flamboyant receiver?
During head coach Andy Reid’s press conference Wednesday he put the kibosh on whether the Eagles ever entertained the idea of acquiring Johnson this season.
“He wasn’t free,” Reid said. “I mean, that’s the thing, and I respect (Bengals head coach) Marvin (Lewis) and the league way too much to ever get into something like that. He was always a Cincinnati Bengal.
“Now, I will say this, he is a heck of a football player, as is (WR T.J.) Houshmandzadeh and a couple of their other wide receivers.”
Johnson is under contract with the Bengals through 2011, but has openly expressed interest to playing in the Illadel.
“I’ve always been a fan of (McNabb), and especially Philly,” Johnson said. “The fans in Philly are the real deal, and that would be a real joy to give them a treat.”
When asked if he was back to saying he wanted to get traded, Chad couldn’t help himself.
“Oh, yeah,” Johnson said. “OK. Next question.”
Could Chad one day Fly Like a Eagle?
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Comments
By Ian
November 13, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
“The fans in Philly are the real deal, and that would be a real joy to give them a treat.” — And when you start to suck they will eat you up. You think the Cincinnati media and fans are bad? Ask McNabb about how he has been treated when times are bad in Philly.By Joe
November 13, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
No nO NO. Send him to the Steelers!!!! I guess I should tell Jackie to hold on to him in the keeper fantasy league just in case.By Jonathan
November 13, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
I think T.J. Houshmandzadeh would be a better fit for the Eagles and expect the team to be a major player in pursuing T.J. should he hit the open market.By loyalistfan
November 14, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this
no no no blah blah blah please send him to detroit(chad johnson)it would be like the saint is marching in!lolBy ROFL
November 25, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
It’s more likely the Bengals will franchise TJ and let Chad go. While talented, Chad is more of a distraction to the team than TJ.