Chad Johnson and the Skins

Not too long ago, I raved about the Skins off season moves (coaching, no big FA spending) and hoped that trend would continue under Head Coach Jim Zorn. It appeared that the Legend was able to keep Snyder and Cerrato from meddling with the lineup each season, and the Redskins made the playoffs 2 years under Gibbs.

Now you get word that they are actively pursuing Chad Johnson, the mercurial receiver and oft maligned performer for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Don't know if it is apparent by my past posts or the links on my page, but I have no stomach for showboating and shenanigans on or off the field. I rued the day that Deion "Overrated" Sanders came to town. And I was happy when Michael "Me First" Westbrook was shown the door (to Cincinnati, no less). This article from the Washington Post notes this fun fact, that until today, I had not heard about:

Washington has pursued trading its first-round pick in this weekend's draft (No. 21 overall) for Cincinnati's Chad Johnson, a Pro Bowl wide receiver who has lashed out at team officials and teammates while trying to force a trade and allegedly punched Cincinnati Coach Marvin Lewis in the eye during halftime of a playoff game in 2006.

Punched Marvin in the face (in my best Jules voice)!

How is that even possible? We are going down the slippery slope again in the Nation's Capitol. I would much rather keep the undersized core of receivers than bring a malcontent and showboat to the team. It makes it real difficult to root for him to do well (see Brandon Lloyd). Ocho Cinco puts up the numbers, but I can't see how that will help with the chemistry or development of a young budding superstar QB with CJ running around with his gold fronts and tap shoes on.

Sets a bad precedent that DC is the Ellis Island of the NFL, except they pay exorbitantly, and bids farewell to the playoffs (see the Bengals last year).