What began four years ago as an immature rant that smacked of insecurity as
much as it did a craving for more attention has evolved into a tired lounge
act that must be mercifully stopped.
When Keyshawn Johnson first took cheap shots at fellow Jets wide receiver
Wayne Chrebet, calling Chrebet the "team mascot" in his trashy, ill-advised
book about his rookie season, he was looked upon like an immature youngster
who'd learn respect.
|  | | Unlike Keyshawn Johnson, Wayne Chrebet did not talk to the media this week. |
It actually made the fact that their lockers were adjacent to each other in
one corner of the locker room rather humorous.
But when Johnson, in quiet read-between-the-lines whispers during his four
years as a Jet, continued to show Chrebet little respect, it became an
annoying ongoing issue that you wished would go away because both players
are such terrific, special talents.
Once Johnson was traded away to Tampa Bay shortly before last April's NFL draft, it renewed Johnson's assault on Chrebet. He told anyone who would
listen that there was no way Chrebet could survive as a so-called No. 1
receiver.
Johnson went on and on about how much better Dedric Ward is as a receiver
compared to Chrebet, how Ward is a playmaker opposing coaches fear more than
Chrebet.
He so much as said, "Watch what happens when I'm not there," insinuating
that it was his presence that allowed Chrebet to catch the 265 passes and 17
touchdowns while the two played together.
The fact is, it was as much Chrebet's presence and talent that opened up
seams for Johnson to make his receptions as it was Johnson's presence that
opened things up for Chrebet. They were a terrific tandem, as formidable a
one-two receiving punch as any in the NFL.
For the most part, Chrebet has taken the high road in this off-the-field
battle. However, when Johnson surfaced with the Dedric Ward comments from
Tampa, Chrebet wondered aloud why Johnson was so interested in him.
Now, with the 3-0 Jets poised to play Johnson's 3-0 Buccaneers Sunday in
Tampa Bay, the venomous way in which Johnson keeps firing missiles at Chrebet
is bordering on demented.
On Wednesday, Johnson had perhaps his most delusional
moment when he had the audacity to accuse reporters of manufacturing this
rivalry between the two because they keep asking him questions about Chrebet.
This was the first salvo Johnson fired toward Chrebet as this week of hype
began when the two teams went to 3-0 with wins on Sunday: "There's no beef
with him. You're trying to compare a flashlight to a star. Flashlights only
last so long; a star is in the sky forever. He's not even close to me and
anyone who knows football knows that."
Johnson currently has 14 receptions for 180 yards for a 12.9-yard average
and one touchdown. Chrebet had 13 catches for 154 yards, an 11.8-yard average and two
touchdowns.
While Johnson had three scheduled press conferences this week -- using the
bulk of them to continue taking cheap shots at Chrebet and new Jets coach Al Groh -- Chrebet,
who last week began warning that he had nothing to say about Johnson, has been
conspicuous by his absence.
He was one of the first players out of the locker room and gone after the
Jets' win over the Bills last Sunday and has not once made an appearance in the
Jets' locker room during the allotted time when reporters have access.
Chrebet knows his presence is wanted, but he's so far refused to oblige,
preferring to avoid the obvious topic completely.
There are a number of theories about why Johnson insists on keeping his
disdain for Chrebet.
Firstly, when he arrived to the Jets, Johnson was immediately intimidated by
the fact that Chrebet had reached such darling status with Jets' fans, New
York and the NFL coming from where he came from: A free agent longshot from
Hofstra University, where the Jets train. Chrebet caught 66 passes as a
rookie after making the team from 10th on the depth chart. Secondly, Chrebet, who can be somewhat quiet and perceived as aloof, didn't
bow to Johnson's self-perceived greatness upon his arrival.
Things got so acrimonious, that Johnson quietly turned his dislike for
Chrebet into a race issue, making comments that indicated that if Chrebet
weren't white he wouldn't have received nearly the accolades he has in the
NFL.
|
“ |
I
just think if you're going to be a professional
athlete, act like a professional athlete and just go
about your business. We're 3-0 and he's not here. Go tell that to
Keyshawn. ” |
|
|
— Kevin Mawae, Jets center |
"(The relationship between Chrebet and Johnson) was pretty non-existent for
a couple of years, pretty icy to say the least," former Jet and current
Jaguar tight end Kyle Brady said this week. "There was no communication in
1996 or 1997, none that I saw anyway. I don't think there was much admiration
or respect at all."
Brady's locker was several feet away from Chrebet's and Johnson's. It was
always an interesting and amusing dynamic watching the goings on around the
Chrebet-Johnson stalls.
Often, Johnson's bravado with a group of reporters surrounding his locker
would often hit an instant dimmer when Chrebet would arrive to his locker.
Johnson was well aware of Chrebet's utter disdain for him, and there was an
element of it that was intimidating to him.
For Chrebet, having Johnson's locker next to his was at least as bad as a
college kid showing up to his dorm room to find himself or herself stuck with
a terrible roommate. At least Chrebet and Johnson didn't have to sleep together in the same room.
Brady, who was always very close to Chrebet when he was a Jet, found it
pathetic that Johnson can't let go.
"He tries to throw stones at Wayne's house, but they come back and break his
own windows," Brady said. "Why should he be concerned about Wayne if he
thinks the guy is nothing, just an average receiver making his way in the
league? Why make up those colorful quotes? Obviously, there's some
insecurity."
Insecurity is the common denominator to Johnson's continuous rants. But why
should he be insecure? The man seemingly has everything -- a $56 million
contract, a family, houses, a restaurant.
Here are a few theories on why Johnson won't let go:
Ever since being traded away, he's felt rejected by the Jets. After
all, who's still there as the marquee receiver in New York? Chrebet.
He's merely a complementary player on the Buccaneers, who are a
running and defensive team, and that bothers him because he thrives on being
the center of attention.
He's in Tampa, not New York. Commercial Keyshawn is a much smaller
item in the publicity world playing in Tampa compared to being in New York.
He's undoubtedly been taken aback by the Jets' 3-0 start to the
season, something they were unable to do in the four years he was in New
York. Given Johnson's outward disrespect for Groh, he has to be
surprised at how well the Jets have fared so far, not to mention the fact
that Chrebet and Ward have played so well.
Interestingly, as Johnson takes his shots at Chrebet, Chrebet goes
undefended -- not that he needs to be. But the Jets players were warned at
the start of the week by Groh to stay away from Keyshawn chatter.
One of the few players who had the backbone to stand up to Johnson's
ridiculous chirps has been Jets center Kevin Mawae.
"There's some guys that handle themselves with class and there's some guys
that don't," Mawae said. "Wayne continues to make plays and continues to get
dogged. I don't know if it's a sense of jealousy or insecurity."
Note to Mawae and everyone else: It's both.
"Keyshawn ... whoops, I wasn't supposed to say his name ... I just think if
you're going to be a professional athlete, act like a professional
athlete and just go about your business," Mawae said. "We're 3-0 and he's
not here. Go tell that to Keyshawn."
In closing, we present Keyshawn Johnson's worst nightmare: A Jets victory
Sunday in his house, Raymond James Stadium, with Chrebet making six catches
for 115 yards and Johnson making a quiet three catches for 46 yards in a
losing effort.
That's perhaps the only scenario that might shut Johnson up -- for a few
minutes anyway.
Don't believe the Bledsoe trade rumors
| |  | |
| Bledsoe |
There have been rumblings in New England that the Patriots are unsure about
whether to retain quarterback Drew Bledsoe for the long haul. There was even
one newspaper report that quoted unnamed sources close to team owner Robert
Kraft saying he wasn't certain he wanted to re-sign Bledsoe to an extention.
That notion, however, is so preposterous that Kraft
felt compelled to stand up and defend Bledsoe this week.
"As far as I'm concerned we're privileged to have Drew Bledsoe here," Kraft
said. "I hope and believe he will remain a Patriot until he's ready to
retire."
The Patriots are 0-3, but it's not something that can be pinned on Bledsoe's performance. The mentality of the New England sports fan is sometimes a
lynch-mob mentality. If they run Bledsoe out of town, then they'll really
understand what bleak football hopes are. Bledsoe is one of the very best in
the game. He simply needs more talent around him.
Bledsoe is currently playing under a seven-year, $50 million deal that runs
through the 2002 season. Given the utter lack of quality quarterbacks out
there, consider it a lock that the Patriots re-sign him to an extension.
Dolphins wary of desperate Pats
Speaking of the Patriots, the three teams that have contributed to their 0-3
start are a combined 9-0 entering this weekend. The Buccaneers, Jets and
Vikings are all 3-0.
"All you have to do is watch the film and you see New England making as many
plays as anyone else we've played," Miami coach Dave Wannstedt, whose
Dolphins play the Pats Sunday. Wannstedt added that the Patriots are "one
play away from being 3-0."
Bledsoe has thrown for 3,736 yards against the Dolphins, the most by any
active quarterback in the NFL against the Dolphins.
"They're a desperate football team," Thurman Thomas said.
"Coach (Wannstedt) made mention about a wounded bear," Miami linebacker
Derrick Rodgers said.
No stampede in Buffalo
| |  | |
| Smith |
What has happened to the Bills' rushing attack?
With Thurman Thomas having departed for Miami, Antowain Smith was supposed
to be the answer as the Bills' feature back, but he's been regressing since
eclipsing the 1,000-yard barrier two seasons ago. Last year, he had only 695
yards and five touchdowns on 205 carries. This year, he has 72 yards on 34
carries in three games.
Buffalo coach Wade Phillips, reaching for answers, said he'll start Jonathan
Linton Sunday against the Colts. "Hopefully, I can go in there and meet their
expectations; the coaches have faith in me," Linton said.
The Bills' leading rusher is quarterback Rob Johnson with 109 yards on 16
scrambles.
Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post writes an AFC notebook every Thursday for ESPN.com.
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ALSO SEE
Keyshawn apologizes for obscene gesture to TV cameraman
Game of the Week: Jets at Buccaneers
Game Plans: Jets vs. Buccaneers
Focal Point: Keyshawn Johnson vs. Wayne Chrebet
Inside the Playbook: Jets at Bucs
NFC: Bucs loosen up on offense
ESPN experts' picks for Week 4
Week 4 injury report
VIDEO
  ESPN's Sal Paolantonio takes a look at Keyshawn Johnson's first game against the New York Jets. RealVideo: 28.8 Al Groh says it was a total team effort in Sunday's win against Buffalo. RealVideo: 28.8 Tony Dungy and the 3-0 Buccaneers are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the 3-0 Jets. RealVideo: 28.8 Linda Cohn talks with Vinny Testaverde about the Jets' 3-0 start. RealVideo: 28.8  Tony Dungy is not ready to censor Keyshawn Johnson. wav: 238 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 |
