http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080418/SPT02/804180397/1066/SPT
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Chad Johnson's confidant, said Thursday that if his fellow Bengals wide receiver isn't traded, Johnson's going to be a problem and a potential distraction to the team.
Houshmandzadeh said it might be best, in spite of the salary cap hit, if the Bengals granted Johnson's wish to be traded.
"If he's not traded, he's going to be a problem," Houshmandzadeh said.
He found himself talking to both Johnson and quarterback Carson Palmer on Wednesday, the day Johnson denied Palmer's comment that Johnson had told him he would report to the Bengals when required.
"Honestly, it's the same thing; he doesn't want to be here," Houshmandzadeh said. "Will he eventually show up? I don't know. Logic would tell you he would show up and get a credited season. Whatever month it is - September, October (or) November - it's going to be a distraction."
Houshmandzadeh compared the situation to a husband and wife divorcing. If one spouse wants to leave, the only reason that spouse might stay is out of pity, he said.
"It's going to be ups and a whole lot of downs," said Houshmandzadeh, comparing Johnson's relationship to the Bengals. "It's early. We've got May, June and July.
"We have 53 players on the team. Do you want to roll the dice and get him to Cincinnati and see if he will perform and be professional? But will it be such a disruption that it will be another season down the drain - a season when (veteran Bengals right tackle) Willie Anderson doesn't get to the playoffs?"
Houshmandzadeh, the team's player representative to the union, told Johnson he faces more than $14,000 a day in fines for not reporting.
"He doesn't care," Houshmandzadeh said.
By crossing swords with Palmer, Houshmandzadeh said, Johnson might have picked a fight he can't win.
"Carson is the $119 million man," Houshmandzadeh said. "I talked to him (Wednesday). He said, 'I don't know what I said to (anger Johnson).' "
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Chad Johnson's confidant, said Thursday that if his fellow Bengals wide receiver isn't traded, Johnson's going to be a problem and a potential distraction to the team.
Houshmandzadeh said it might be best, in spite of the salary cap hit, if the Bengals granted Johnson's wish to be traded.
"If he's not traded, he's going to be a problem," Houshmandzadeh said.
He found himself talking to both Johnson and quarterback Carson Palmer on Wednesday, the day Johnson denied Palmer's comment that Johnson had told him he would report to the Bengals when required.
"Honestly, it's the same thing; he doesn't want to be here," Houshmandzadeh said. "Will he eventually show up? I don't know. Logic would tell you he would show up and get a credited season. Whatever month it is - September, October (or) November - it's going to be a distraction."
Houshmandzadeh compared the situation to a husband and wife divorcing. If one spouse wants to leave, the only reason that spouse might stay is out of pity, he said.
"It's going to be ups and a whole lot of downs," said Houshmandzadeh, comparing Johnson's relationship to the Bengals. "It's early. We've got May, June and July.
"We have 53 players on the team. Do you want to roll the dice and get him to Cincinnati and see if he will perform and be professional? But will it be such a disruption that it will be another season down the drain - a season when (veteran Bengals right tackle) Willie Anderson doesn't get to the playoffs?"
Houshmandzadeh, the team's player representative to the union, told Johnson he faces more than $14,000 a day in fines for not reporting.
"He doesn't care," Houshmandzadeh said.
By crossing swords with Palmer, Houshmandzadeh said, Johnson might have picked a fight he can't win.
"Carson is the $119 million man," Houshmandzadeh said. "I talked to him (Wednesday). He said, 'I don't know what I said to (anger Johnson).' "
