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| Authored by Andrew Perna - 22nd December, 2005 - 4:05 am
 It?s the holiday season and as the saying goes, ?It?s always better to give than receive.?
Except when you?re one of the NFL?s top wide receivers.
Chad Johnson has promised to bring holiday cheer to all when his Cincinnati Bengals take on the Buffalo Bills this Christmas Eve. Johnson alluded to the fact that should he score a touchdown one of Santa?s reindeer will be involved in the end zone celebration.
He told the Associated Press, ?You can look forward to the celebration being part of something that has to do with Christmas. It?s going to be fun. I might get in trouble, so I might as well let that out now. I might get in trouble for what I?m going to do, but it?s worth it.?
Johnson, a second round pick out of Oregon State, has taken the league by storm ever since he became a starter for the Bengals in 2002. He has eclipsed 1,100 receiving yards for the fourth straight year, and was just named to his third straight Pro Bowl. More importantly, his Bengals are finally winning.
Cincinnati is 11-3, and has clinched their first playoff berth in over fifteen years. The Bengals have also locked up the AFC North division, and will host the first ever playoff game at Paul Brown Stadium. Johnson, along with quarterback Carson Palmer and running back Rudi Johnson are the three main reasons why the Bengals have been so successful this season.
Cincinnati has the number three ranked offense in the NFL to go along with their league-leading plus-26 takeaway ratio.
Johnson has connected with Palmer for 84 receptions, 1,260 yards, and 8 touchdowns through the Bengals? first fourteen games. Only Carolina receiver Steve Smith has accumulated more receiving yards than Johnson this season. Palmer and Johnson have matured together over the past two seasons in Cincinnati. The first overall pick in the 2003 draft, Palmer has exploded this season for 3,516 yards and 30 touchdowns, which leads the NFL.
Johnson and Palmer have become one of the league?s top quarterback-wide receiver duos. The two have drawn comparisons to the Colts? Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison, who have connected for more touchdowns than any other combo in the history of football.
While Palmer often resembles Manning at the line of scrimmage, Johnson and Harrison couldn?t be more different. The reason why the two top receivers are so different just might be the same reason why Johnson has become of the NFL?s most popular players.
Johnson loves to have fun on the field.
He has guaranteed victories, and been fined for several end zone celebrations. Johnson has sent opposing defensive backs boxes of Pepto Bismol, and celebrated touchdowns by mimicking the Lord of The Dance, proposing to a Cincinnati cheerleader, and practicing his putting in the end zone.
Even though he?s been fined and criticized heavily for his antics he says he will continue to surprise the NFL and it?s fans. His fellow Bengal teammates have often defended him. ?It?s not offensive, it?s harmless,? Palmer told the Associated Press. ?He?s just being Chad. He?s being himself and doing what comes to his head.?
Johnson himself feels his critics need to realize that times are changing, ?I don?t know what it is about them, but they need to know this is a new era,? Johnson told the Associated Press. ?The old times are gone and this is how it?s going to be, so enjoy it.?
The difference between Johnson and other notable end zone celebrators like Randy Moss and Terrell Owens is that Chad has been a team player. Johnson, who is signed through 2009, has yet to disrespect Carson Palmer, demand a trade, or refuse to speak to any of his coaching staff. Johnson was a man when the Bengals were struggling, and now he?s reaping all the benefits.
When asked about the Owens saga Johnson told the Cincinnati Enquirer, ?I?m still on his side. He is a player. He is out-performing what he is making.? It?s the way Owens went about requesting a contract restructuring that Johnson disagrees with. ?I couldn?t do it. You know my personality is not like that. It?s not me. I couldn?t take that route.?
As long as Johnson is scoring touchdowns he?ll be putting on a show in the end zone, and the Bengals will likely be winning. If Palmer-Johnson turns out to be the next Manning-Harrison, then we have many more unique celebrations to enjoy in the next decade or so.
However, it will be interesting to see if Johnson continues to celebrate in his first postseason.
What would really be amazing is to see what Chad could come up with if the Bengals make it to the Super Bowl this season.
I?d imagine it would have more to do with a trophy than a live deer. |
