We’ve all seen it before, a wide receiver throws up amazing numbers in college on a team that throws the ball over 60% of the time, a guy who is in a run ‘n shoot offense, whatever it may be, then he gets to the NFL only to disappoint.  Examples of this can be seen with busts like Rashaun Woods who dominated the Big 12 when he played for Oklahoma State; Nate Burleson at Nevada (138 catches 1627 yards) who has turned out to be serviceable, but not a star; J.R. Tolver and Kassim Osgood from San Diego State (In 2002).  In 2007 we have seen records fall as Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree put up 125 receptions for 1861 yards and 21 touchdowns before his bowl game.

What separates Crabtree from these other NFL disappearing acts?  This 6’3” 222 pound red shirt freshman (turned 20 in September) has big time speed and strength coupled with great hands and he runs good routes.  Woods was below average with his speed, Burleson had speed but lacked physical toughness and the ability to run after the catch, and Tolver and Osgood didn’t have NFL speed, or reliable hands.  Crabtree also has put up big numbers against big time competition:  9-195-2 TD’s against Texas, 12-154-1 TD against Oklahoma.

It’s official, Chad Johnson is a cancer.  There are those in the media who still say the Bengals main problems are because of injuries, poor drafting, and a bad defense, but more recently people are starting to hear that Chad Johnson’s “act” is wearing thin. 

In the previous four seasons, “Ocho Cinco” as he is sometimes called, was viewed as being a fun-loving, team oriented, non-malicious wide receiver who is out there having fun and showing his PERSONALITY and playing with EMOTION, now the media is beginning to view him as “Ocho-Selfish”.  Everyone in the mainstream media said his end zone antics were fun, they made excuses for some of the “over the top” celebrations, the checklist he made of defensive backs he faces, the press conferences of flamboyancy and confidence, now they are turning on him.  A guy who river-dances in the end zone, makes short putts with pylons, and “proposes” to a cheerleader on the sidelines, a guy who entertains the thousands of people who pay outrageous prices for tickets, is now a cancer to his team because they are underachieving.  In the midst of a 2-6 season, the national media is starting to suggest the Bengals might be better off with a little “addition by subtraction” with the Pro Bowl wide receiver.  Haven’t we seen this before?  We should have known.