Should the Panthers Make the Bengals an Offer for Chad Johnson?

What are every one's thoughts on this article?

Should the Panthers Make the Bengals an Offer for Chad Johnson?

Posted Jan 5th 2008 2:15PM by David J. Warner

Let me just state up front that this is not an actual trade rumor. In fact, it might be nothing more than the delusional ramblings of a fan whose team has nothing but the silly season in front of it. Still, this idea is stuck in my head, and I must let it out.

You may have heard the reports that Chad Johnson wants out of Cincinnati. He was the first to get blamed for the Bengals' woes this season, and the team may decide T.J. Houshmandzadeh is a better investment. Meanwhile, recently canned Bengals defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan walked away saying the Bengals need to spend some more money on defense.

Meanwhile, rumors in Charlotte have the Carolina Panthers putting outspoken defensive tackle Kris Jenkins back on the trading block again, and guess what? They're still looking for a complement to Steve Smith at receiver, and former contenders Drew Carter and Keary Colbert are both free agents.

So here's your trade idea: Chad Johnson for Kris Jenkins. Straight up.

For the Panthers, this trade would give them a formidable wide receiver tandem that's played together before. (Smith and Johnson were teammates at Santa Monica College.) Combined with budding tight ends Jeff King and Dante Rosario and a potental slot receiver in Ryne Robinson, the Panthers passing game would suddenly feature a lot of viable targets. Plus, Johnson would get a fresh start with an old friend helping him out in the locker room.

For the Bengals, this trade would allow them to dump a potential headache and provide an instant boost to their run defense. Jenkins proved doubters wrong about his weight and finished the season with 38 tackles and 2.5 sacks. He wouldn't be afraid to kick some tail in the Bengals' locker room, either.

Obviously, there are salary cap concerns here for the Panthers. Johnson's contract worth about $3 million more per year than Jenkins, and while they would shed $2.1 million by letting Carter and Colbert go, they would still need some cash to re-sign veterans like Kindal Moorehead and Damione Lewis, who are also free agents. Plus, Carolina GM Marty Hurney would also have to give Julius Peppers a new, more cap-friendly deal, and after Peppers' subpar season, he won't get Dwight Freeney money, which would make for contentious salary negotiations.

Come to think of it, Maybe Ocho Cinco for Peppers instead of Jenkins would be a better trade for the Panthers, who have Charles Johnson and Stanley McClover waiting in the wings at defensive end. If they trade Peppers, though, they would have to start both of those youngsters next year, as Mike Rucker is headed for retirement.

 

HELL YES!

 

IMO, no.
I understand that the Panthers will never have a shot at a #2 receiver that's that explosive without him being a headcase, but I still don't want a headcase.

We really just need a solid #2 guy.

 

headcase? how so?

 

do you want it alphabetically, chronologically, or by magnitude?

 

name one...

but it has to be over the top of any previous Panther... or current Panther for that matter... I can even make a case for something more over the top than Randy Moss... he's been an okay pick for the Pats

 

I'll take the headaches of Chad Johnson anyday in return for 93 receptions, 1,440 yards receiving, and 8 touchdowns.

Just imagine how explosive our offense would be with him, Smitty, and Williams.

 

Aren't Carter and Colbert FA's? If so, they don't have a 2008 cap hit, so they'd free up $0.

 

who is gonna throw to them?

 

That's sort of what I was wondering.