Could Birds have interest in Chad Johnson?
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Could Birds have interest in Chad Johnson?
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Quick little nugget before we call it a night here at MTC.
ESPN's Michael Smith said on NFL Live tonight that he's hearing the Eagles have interest in Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson.
Rather than paraphrase what Smith is reporting, here's exactly what he said so you can decide for yourself whether this is just a rumor or something more.
"I am hearing there is interest in Chad Johnson," Smith said. "Now there's been some back and forth as to whether or not he is officially on the market. I think everybody in Cincinnati has signed off on moving Chad Johnson except for owner Mike Brown. The Eagles could be in the picture. They have two first-round picks. They need a receiver."
Note: It was brought to my attention that I could have been clearer with the above quote. Smith was asked a direct question about the Eagles when he said, "I am hearing there is interest in Chad Johnson." So in my interpretation, he was directly talking about the Birds, not just saying there was general interest around the league in Johnson.
The other name Smith threw out there was Bills offensive tackle Jason Peters.
Our beat guys have mentioned Peters' name in the past, and according to Smith, the Eagles have "engaged in serious discussions" with the Bills about him. Per Smith, those talks could heat up again as the draft approaches.
Remember, Smith reported earlier this offseason that Donovan McNabb had met with Eagles management and wanted to see what weapons the Eagles would add before looking at a contract extension.
Stay tuned to philly.com to see if the Johnson rumors can be either confirmed or refuted.
And we will of course be back bright and early Wednesday morning with more.
Now that's news, but I wouldn't give a 1st round pick for Chad either. I very confident that the Eagles are going 2 do good this season with the receiving corps they have. I would rather spend a pick in someone who is going to help me in the future (Moreno, Pett,).— tonygreeneagle5- True. I would love to see them make a trade and move up, taking Crabtree. Admittedly wishful thinking at best. But the game is so often decided by the line, can't blame them for taking care of that. I miss Jon Runyan already.— hallux
- True. I would love to see them make a trade and move up, taking Crabtree. Admittedly wishful thinking at best. But the game is so often decided by the line, can't blame them for taking care of that. I miss Jon Runyan already.— hallux
I look forward to the Eagles selecting Michael Oher and Moreno in the 1st round. AR will suprise us this draft.-johnnyu- I say go for Chad. He is still better than what we have and is a true legit #1 with the right QB throwing at him. It always comes down to what we are willing to offer which is usally not much. AR has only suprised me in the draft in a very bad way, by not picking anyone that anyone else would have picked in the spot. Crabtree will be gone in the top 6 or 7 and we dont have one chance of moving up that high with the two low 1st round picks. Then there is always "nickles" Banner that will not let us pick a high round skill position.— #1WRneeded
- Michael Smith has zero proof the Eagles are interested in Ocho Cinco. Like everyone else, he brings up the Birds because they have two first round picks. These reporters don't know squat which is why they use the word "could" in everything they write or say.— StopThePanic
- Leave ocho whatever in Cincy...too old and not an upgrade..— merlinknghts
- How about Chad Johnson AND Pettigrew with the other first round pick? Then trade up (With some of the 5th round picks?) early in the 2nd round and take a running back there? Johnson, DeSean Jackson, Kevin Curtis and Pettigrew playing with Westbrook? Might be an explosive offense.— drjimmy
- Age + Ocho-tude = damaged goods. If cincy wants to move him, we can get him for much less than a 1st round pick. Remember what we paid for TO when he talked his way out of San Fran? I say do it. Take a chance, but don't overpay when you don't have to.— dragoon6
- If the Eagles trade for any WR, they'll trade for Boldin or Edwards before Johnson. Johnson is a major diva and a headcase. It's very unlikely that the Eagles will take a WR or TE in the first round. All you have to do is look at Reid's draft history to see what positions he values. He's not going to spend a 1st round pick on a blocking TE. He's not going to draft a rookie WR in the 1st round when he's got Jackson, Curtis, Brown and Avant. Regardless of the personal feelings of fans, Curtis is productive when healthy and had over 1,000 yards two seasons ago. Reid likes him. Reid also likes Avant a lot as a slot receiver. Again, I know a lot of fans don't like Reggie Brown, and with LJ gone he's moved up the totem pole of dislike, but the guy is young and he's got the talent to be a solid #2 receiver. He's gotten side-tracked with injuries combined with some inconsistency but Reid still likes him and that's all that counts. So I think Reid truthfully believes he's ok at WR but he'd take a game-changer like Boldin if he could get him. He's not going to spend a first-round pick on a WR unless they trade for Jason Peters. I think that's the most likely trade option. Trade one of the first-rounders in a deal for Peters and use the other first-rounder on a RB (hopefully Moreno). If they can't get Peters, they'll use the other 1st rounder on a tackle. If they can get Peters, then they might be willing to take a WR in the first-round.— JimG
- Isn't this the same time and age we went and got T.O.? And what happen that year we got him? Super Bowl? I hope they get 85, maybe he can help D-Jack improve his game. A game that already has great quailities!— sheek2109
- Peters, for the 28th pick and Herremans?— sheek2109
- Forget Ocho Stinko! If they go get Peters that would be more reasonable than trying for an aging WR. We have more than enough WRs right now. No, they aren't #1's but with them ALL healthy, they are more than able to hold down the WR position. An OT is more importnat for McWhiner's safety and health throughout this year! I wouldn't hold much to what Mike Smith says. He's just another talking head who no doubt heard something from some other talking head and figured that he would put it out nationally. Stop sweatin' Eagles fans. Let's just hold on to see what the FO does. So far, they have disappointed us. Think they'll do it again? Yup!
- If the Eagles got Chad, they still wouldn't have a big physical wide receiver who can go get the ball. That's what they've been lacking since Mike Quick.— Voytas
- Johnson would be nice, but this is just Smith's speculation.— rwright611
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