Keyshawn Not Interested in Green Bay

[motife]

http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=6489230

The Green Bay Packers' seemingly tepid interest in free agent receiver Keyshawn Johnson will apparently be rebuked.

According to a Sports Illustrated report, Johnson has narrowed his choices to the Tennessee Titans, Oakland Raiders, or retirement, which also means a career in TV.

The report also says Johnson is reluctant to play in Green Bay, and if the money is not right he will walk away from the game.

Johnson, 34, has averaged 70 catches the last three seasons. He thinks he can play two or three more seasons -- but apparently not in Green Bay.

[MJZiggy]

Although I'm not happy about a player saying he doesn't want to play in GB, I'm glad he didn't string the fans along for weeks while they got all excited only to be let down when it didn't happen. That said, screw him.

[wist43]

He's a knob... always has been.

[Bretsky]

no need to take on an aging Keyshawn Johnson when we have to figure out if these young inexperienced guys are NFL Europe or NFL talent

[Patler]

I don't particularly want either one of them, but what I don't understand is why so many fans wanted Moss so badly and are opposed to Johnson. Johnson has far outperformed Moss the last three seasons and has the type of big receiver, over the middle skills that are not likely to disappear over night. He is outspoken and brash, but I don't believe has ever quit on his team as Moss has.

As I said, I don't particularly want either one of them, but if I had to take one of them I think I would prefer Johnson over Moss at this stage of their careers.

I don't get excited over any player, but I am real interested in seeing how the two rookies pan out at WR. Each brings something the Packers haven't had in a while. Jones might be a more physical receiver than anyone the Packers have had for a long time. (For all the Walker fans, yes he is big and strong, and physical downfield, but he also is reluctant over the short middle of the field.) Hopefully, Clowney will provide the speed that has been missing for a very long time in the WR group. I hope each in different ways will open things up for Driver and Jennings. If they do, it could change the dynamics of the passing game a lot.

[Bretsky]

Moss is a much more talented player at this point in his career. Better speed, better red zone target. Just a better player. Stats don't matter much on this one; give Keyshawn the Raiders QB and his would be nasty too.

My level of expectations have changed since the Moss and draft went down so no need to bring in vets; load this group up with young guys and see if any of them are players.

[Kiwon]

No biggie, but let's see what offers he receives from other teams. The Packers might start looking better to him if the others fizzle. He's not ready to retire.

[Cheesehead4]

Keyshawn would be a solid red-zone/possession target with a skecthy TE situation, but not for more than $2-3 million/year. He's a Band-Aid at best, and not worth getting too hot about.

I find it interesting, however, that he prefers Oakland or Tennessee. Oakland (close to home?) or Tennessee (Fishers and Chow USC connection?).

At this point in his career, comfort is probably a high priority... probably doesn't feel that in Green Bay.

[Patler]

Moss is a much more talented player at this point in his career. Better speed, better red zone target. Just a better player. Stats don't matter much on this one; give Keyshawn the Raiders QB and his would be nasty too.


I disagree. Keyshawn Johnson is not much less talented than he ever was. He was never fast, and probably hasn't slowed that much. I believe Randy Moss is only a shadow of his former self. I believe his skills have deteriorated, and consequently the difference in talent between the two has decreased.

Keyshawn Johnson remains what he always was, a possession type receiver. I doubt that Randy Moss can return to the game breaker that he was. He may occassionally make a play, and is going to a team where he will be the best he can possibly be, but id don't think he is capable of dominating games as he did when he was younger.

[Bretsky]

Moss is a much more talented player at this point in his career. Better speed, better red zone target. Just a better player. Stats don't matter much on this one; give Keyshawn the Raiders QB and his would be nasty too.


I disagree. Keyshawn Johnson is not much less talented than he ever was. He was never fast, and probably hasn't slowed that much. I believe Randy Moss is only a shadow of his former self. I believe his skills have deteriorated, and consequently the difference in talent between the two has decreased.

Keyshawn Johnson remains what he always was, a possession type receiver. I doubt that Randy Moss can return to the game breaker that he was. He may occassionally make a play, and is going to a team where he will be the best he can possibly be, but id don't think he is capable of dominating games as he did when he was younger.

I won't argue with any of this, but still feel Moss is the better talent. IMO Moss would be one of our big 3. KJ would definitely be the #3.

As it stands we have two starting calibur WR's and a bunch of potentials. Hopefully a few of them develop.

[BooHoo]

Let him play for someone else then. Also, I don't think he is a very good announcer so his media days might be numbered.

[Patler]

Truth be told, there are probably a lot of players that would prefer not to play in Green Bay, probably even some current Packers. Small town, rural Green Bay is not for everyone, and I suspect that among the professional athlete personality types there is a somewhat lower percentage who find it an attractive life style than in the population as a whole. There are some FAs that Green Bay will be attractive to ONLY if they look at it as a chance to win a Super Bowl, as it was 5 to 10 years ago. Now they do not see it as that.

Big and emerging businesses in small towns can have similar problems in attracting top level executives. Not everyone wants to go there. You have to fine the right fit, like a Brett Favre.

I have often wonder if Favre would have been as happy playing football in New York, Chicago or another major metropolitan area as he has been in Green Bay. I doubt it. Too far to go to go hunting!

[BooHoo]

Yes, we are not the big draw that we were 10 years back. People like a winning team.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Good.

[ahaha]

I don't particularly want either one of them, but what I don't understand is why so many fans wanted Moss so badly and are opposed to Johnson.

Because Keshawn was never the game-changing receiver that Moss was. And, there's reason to think he might still have those skills, if you believe the reports of him running the 40 recently in the 4.3 range.
And, as someone mentioned, the comparison of stats for the last couple years isn't fair. The Raiders had terrible QB play combined with an embarrasing o-line. How could any receiver have a good season when the quarterback stinks and his offensive line is allowing him to be sacked over 70 times? Or how about an offensive coordinator who hadn't been in the league in over a decade? Things change in the NFL, and this guy was totally lost.

[Patler]

How could any receiver have a good season when the quarterback stinks and his offensive line is allowing him to be sacked over 70 times?

Maybe by actually TRYING....on every play.... instead of only when he felt like it. :)

[Patler]

I've never been a real big Kerry Collins fan, but he wasn't absolutely awful as a QB. At least he He was experieinced, and he was the QB for two of Moss' 3 seasons with the Raiders.

[ahaha]

I've never been a real big Kerry Collins fan, but he wasn't absolutely awful as a QB. At least he He was experieinced, and he was the QB for two of Moss' 3 seasons with the Raiders.

He was pretty bad with Oakland. But, I agree that he was a decent QB when he had an adequate o-line. He had to deal with too much pressure during his stint there.

[Patler]

Collins seems like a guy that doesn't like to be hit, and gets flustered when he does get hit, which in Oakland meant that he was pretty much flustered all the time! Good thing he wasn't with the Texans!

[Pack_Attack88]

best news I've heard this week!! I didnt want keyshaun at all!!!!!!!

[Creepy]

Johnson would not be a big help in GB. he is strong and goes across the middle, that is where Driver goes. Except for being taller Driver is the better WR. He was not that great in the redzone for the 6 years he has 25 TDs.

He is a good WR but I believe he would be any real help at all. You also have to look at how he acts when he doesn't get the ball. Can you see him getting in Favres face about not getting the ball. In the long run he would be detrimental to the team. He wants to go to Tennessee or Oakland, but neither is interested. GB should keep the money and work with what they have.

[woodbuck27]

Moss is a much more talented player at this point in his career. Better speed, better red zone target. Just a better player. Stats don't matter much on this one; give Keyshawn the Raiders QB and his would be nasty too.

My level of expectations have changed since the Moss and draft went down so no need to bring in vets; load this group up with young guys and see if any of them are players.

It's called a reality check.

Good for not beating yourself up. :)

[woodbuck27]

Who"s employed on a contender at this time?

Randy Moss or Keyshawn Johnson?

Those questions will assist in the who's better debate. 8-)

[oregonpackfan]

Keyshawn's not coming to Green Bay? Break out the Sparkling Cidar! :)

[Patler]

Who"s employed on a contender at this time?

Randy Moss or Keyshawn Johnson?

Those questions will assist in the who's better debate. 8-)


Moss was shopped for 3 months before a deal was made. Johnson has been available for all of a week.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I think this debate comes down to a high ceiling/high floor argument. The team getting Keyshawn is more likely to get what they think they are getting--which is a decent, albeit old, player. High floor. Low ceiling. The team getting Moss has the potential to get a great player OR an injury prone, broken down player (or headcase). His ceiling (e.g. potential) is higher, but his floor isn't.

[Scott Campbell]

Who"s employed on a contender at this time?

Randy Moss or Keyshawn Johnson?

Those questions will assist in the who's better debate. 8-)


True. Though he only fetched a 4th rounder in return for the trade. That says a lot about his value too.

[Patler]

I think this debate comes down to a high ceiling/high floor argument. The team getting Keyshawn is more likely to get what they think they are getting--which is a decent, albeit old, player. High floor. Low ceiling. The team getting Moss has the potential to get a great player OR an injury prone, broken down player (or headcase). His ceiling (e.g. potential) is higher, but his floor isn't.

Well-put! N.E. is hoping Moss doesn't pull the floor out from beneath others!

[woodbuck27]

I think this debate comes down to a high ceiling/high floor argument. The team getting Keyshawn is more likely to get what they think they are getting--which is a decent, albeit old, player. High floor. Low ceiling. The team getting Moss has the potential to get a great player OR an injury prone, broken down player (or headcase). His ceiling (e.g. potential) is higher, but his floor isn't.

Well-put! N.E. is hoping Moss doesn't pull the floor out from beneath others!

If Moss doesn't come on with just the right attitude in NE.

The fans will eat him alive. Also he"ll toss his marketability as a FA out the door.

I look for Randy Moss to be rejuvenated in the total package and football climate that the NE Pat's want to provide.

[woodbuck27]

http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_5850040

Johnson should be Denver's key catch

By Woody Paige
Denver Post Staff Columnist

Article Last Updated: 05/09/2007 12:11:38 AM MDT


Keyshawn Johnson has 814 catches for 10,571 yards, but recently was cut by the Panthers.

The Raiders and the Titans are interested.

The Chargers and the Saints are uninterested.

"Dancing with the Stars" probably is intrigued. The Jets, the Bucs, the Cowboys and the Panthers definitely won't dance with him anymore.

The Broncos should sign Keyshawn Johnson this week.

Last year Johnson caught more passes than the Broncos' leading receiver, Javon Walker, 70 to 69, and had only six fewer yards than the combined totals of the Broncos' No. 2 and No. 3 receivers, Rod Smith and Brandon Marshall, 821 to 815.

He started 16 games, which is 12 more than new Broncos wide receiver Brandon Stokley played (because of injuries) during 2006.

Johnson, who will be 35 in July, has 35 fewer catches and 818 fewer yards in his career than Smith, who will be 37 on May 15.

Mike Shanahan has utilized empty backfield, five-receiver sets in the past. Imagine Walker, Smith, Johnson, Marshall and Stokley on the field on the same play. Or consider Walker, Smith and Johnson in the game at the same time.

If the Broncos are going all the way next season, they should go all the way now.

They didn't want to give up anything to get Randy Moss. They won't have to give up anything to sign Johnson, and he will come much cheaper on payday.

Don't ask why. Explain to me why not.

It's so true that Johnson, like Moss, has been an enigmatic receiver since being drafted first overall in 1996, then jettisoned by the Jets, the Bucs, the Cowboys and, the day after the recent draft, the Panthers.

But the 6-foot-4 receiver was released by Carolina because of salary cap and youth issues, not because he had been a rabble-rouser or a has-been.

Johnson was due a $3 million bonus if he stayed in Charlotte another season, and the Panthers drafted USC receiver Dwayne Jarrett in the second round.

Johnson, who was working with ESPN as a commentator on draft day, said he was excited about the pick.

"We need another receiver," he said. Jarrett immediately replaced Johnson, and "we" became "they."

Johnson, who was told by Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden to stay away from the team for the final six games of the Bucs' 2003 season, has cleaned up his nasty act, possibly because he finally matured, and maybe because he eventually seeks to be a TV commentator, and maybe because he hopes for Hall of Fame consideration.

He is unafraid to run across the middle, will clutch the football and is a superior blocker. He could be a 60-catch, 600-yard receiver in Shanahan's system.

Johnson is exactly the man of experience the Broncos need to join their receiving corps.

The cocky author of the book "Just Give Me The Damn Ball!" when he was a rookie in New York claims he isn't ready to quit and wishes to play for a legitimate championship contender.

That should eliminate Oakland and Tennessee.

The Chargers have just told Johnson's agent they will pass on, not to, the receiver, which could be a serious mistake the Broncos shouldn't emulate.

New England's addition of Moss and the return of the Colts' championship pass offense have made them Las Vegas Super Bowl favorites at 5-1 and 11-2, just ahead of San Diego at 6-1.

The Broncos are bunched with several want-to-be whippets at 25-1.

The "wiseguys" aren't sure about Jay Cutler and the Broncos' revamped defense. Johnson would improve the Broncos' odds for the title, if not in the casino sports books.

Johnson wouldn't cost the Broncos a fortune, a draft pick or a linebacker.

He says he won't play for the minimum ($820,000), but the Broncos could make an offer that includes a signing bonus, $1 million in salary (which is what the Panthers would have paid him) and several incentive clauses (which is more than a network will pay him).

Not bad rental for one year, especially if the Broncos can persuade another veteran to restructure his contract slightly to make room under the cap.

Johnson could get another Super Bowl ring, and the Broncos would have the final offensive threat - and a safety net given the usual wide receiver injuries, the rawness of Marshall and the uncertainties of Smith's future and Stokley's comeback.

Just give him the dadgum contract.

Staff writer Woody Paige can be reached at 303-954-1095 or wpaige@denverpost.com.

[MJZiggy]

You just posted that because the author's name is Woody, right? :wink:

[woodbuck27]

You just posted that because the author's name is Woody, right? :wink:

Actually I posted that as I try to keep abreast of player movement and one never knows just what may be the final outcome mj.

In time he may come back to our market. :)

[superfan]

Keyshawn is a decent, although largely overrated, receiver. Nothing special. Don't like him much at all as a person.

GB should sign him as a public service. Keep him out of the booth for a couple more years.

[woodbuck27]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2003699056_hawk09.html

According to a report on Sports Illustrated's Web site, the Seahawks have expressed interest in signing veteran free agent WR Keyshawn Johnson, who was released by the Carolina Panthers last week.

Seattle is not considered a leading candidate for the 34-year-old Johnson, who might decide to go into broadcasting.

[woodbuck27]

Keyshawn is a decent, although largely overrated, receiver. Nothing special. Don't like him much at all as a person.

GB should sign him as a public service. Keep him out of the booth for a couple more years.

You don't like him. :)

[MJZiggy]

You just posted that because the author's name is Woody, right? :wink:

Actually I posted that as I try to keep abreast of player movement and one never knows just what may be the final outcome mj.

In time he may come back to our market. :)

(I was joking...)

[woodbuck27]

You just posted that because the author's name is Woody, right? :wink:

Actually I posted that as I try to keep abreast of player movement and one never knows just what may be the final outcome mj.

In time he may come back to our market. :)

(I was joking...)

I knew that mj. :)