a little more on KJ:
(to answer your question) johnson is 27 years old. the release had nothing to do with his skills. to me, he's just entering his prime. clearly, this was an issue with johnson and browns brass. for whatever reason, butch davis just doesnt like the guy.
its really garbage. the first year davis was here, he put johnson on the "trade market" so to speak. my memory eludes me, but it was either kansas city or new orleans that offered a 3rd round pick for kevin johnson and the browns turned it down. (not that they werent willing to trade him, but the price just wasnt right. johnson was the first pick of the 2nd round in 1999. so davis stuck with johnson. it was clear then that for some reason there would always be a problem with davis and johnson)
the browns will do some damage control and say that they wanted to give other receivers a chance to develop. in their defense the browns DO have a surplus of great young wide receivers. however, to outright release johnson was puzzling. hell, get something for him in a trade after the season instead of cutting him. the problem is, the browns better hope they can reach an agreement with dennis northcutt, who is a free agent after the season and has was upset his contract wasnt extended over last offseason. if northcutt bolts, the browns go from the deepest receiving corps (collectively) in the entire league to having it stripped down to andre davis and quincy morgan. very precarious situation for the browns imo.
browns have a press conference tomorrow morning so perhaps we'll know more then. id love to hear johnson's side of this, but i doubt he will be candid in his feelings, simply because he doesnt want to come off as bitter. but this is truly a case where this has nothing to do with skills. as a player, he is one of the most reliable possession receivers in the league. his hands are amazing. ive watched him for five years now and ive seen him drop ONE pass. im just at a loss right now.
clearly butch davis is trying to shake up the team. im all for a shake up, but to do it with kevin johnson? thats stupid.
honestly, i would love for someone like baltimore to sign him and to have johnson stick it to the browns in a game that counts down the road. the guy has been nothing but class since hes been here. he deserved much better.
its amazing how the local feelings toward butch davis have changed in just a season or two. when the browns signed him to coach the team, everyone was excited. the guy turned around miami and we were expecting great things. now this team is stuck in the mud and nto improving. im not exaggerating when i say that the texans are in better shape and are further along than the browns. this franchise gets anything they want. the support from the city is unreal. and the product they are putting on the field is not acceptable right now. this team could be gutted if they go in the tank to finish the season. many want davis gone right now. his draft choices have been very suspect. no dominant players since davis has been here.
whats amazing is that i dont even know what to think of the season.
theyre 3-6.
and yet they have an equal chance of going in the tank.
or making the playoffs in the lame afc north.
strange.
as far as the ravens go, i dont know who is out there as far as quarterbacks go, but that team needs someone in the mold of an o'donnell (like you alluded to). do they realize they dont need anything more than a qb that wont turn the ball over and can protect the football? if they get that, they win the division. get someone to manage the game and simply not make mistakes. they dont even need to pass for 200 yds a game to win. for the ravens sake, i hope redman shakes off his disastrous season to this point and performs like hes capable of.
