Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE
NFL journeyman wide receiver Chad Ochocinco Johnson is reportedly drawing interest from the Philadelphia Eagles. Johnson, who was recently released by the Miami Dolphins during training camp, on the heels of a domestic violence charge, has been unemployed since that time. Johnson is apparently currently in Philadelphia, but the exact reason for his visit to the City of Brotherly Love is unclear. It could be to meet with the Eagles, or he may have just really wanted to get a bite to eat at Jim’s Steaks.
The timing of this trip to Philly is somewhat intriguing, as Johnson is obviously looking for work and the Eagles are dealing with several injuries to their wide receivers. Jeremy Maclin re-injured his hip for the second straight week in the win against the Baltimore Ravens, DeSean Jackson is nursing a hamstring injury and Riley Cooper is still suffering lingering effects from a broken collarbone.
While Johnson has had an incredibly productive career in the NFL, his production has clearly declined over the last few years; he caught only 15 passes last year for the New England Patriots. Earlier in his career he would have amassed that total in 2 games.
Look, I’m all for giving someone a second chance. I just don’t think it will benefit the Eagles to bring in a 34 year old receiver with declining skills, a pending legal situation and a penchant for being the epitome of a “diva” receiver. Philly fans are all too well aware of what happened when they brought in Terrell Owens, and he wasn’t even in the twilight of his career at the time.
I personally think it would be a mistake for the Eagles to even entertain the thought of brining in Johnson. This screams that it is a move with the potential to decimate their locker room and ruin the momentum a 2-0 start has generated. I think Johnson will end up somewhere in the NFL this year, but I can’t help but think the potential rewards associated with signing Johnson are not even remotely worth the risk.
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