Browns waive WR Johnson
 

Browns | Johnson Waived - from www.KFFL.com
Tue, 11 Nov 2003 14:14:58 -0800

ESPNews reports the
Cleveland Browns waived WR Kevin Johnson.

What the hell is this all about. I know they just benched Johnson for Andre Davis supposedly because of his blocking, but to cut him entirely. Johnson has been the leading reciver in Cleveland for years, this does'nt seem to make much sense. I wonder if there is more to this? I can't imanage him lasting long on the wavier wire.

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

I\'ve been looking for this to happen for some time now. They have been very unhappy with him for a while.

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

Yea I heard the grumbling too, but the Browns resigned him to a extension last year and the Jets were offering a second round pick for him earlier this year. This guy was there stud for years and is leading the team in recptions and yards this year as well and now they just dump him? That is a mighty fast and hard fall from grace.

[Edited on 11/11/2003 by saint5221]

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

If the Eagles have any cap room, they should jump on this now.

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

Here is the cap numbers of each team as of Sept 30.
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ESPN.com
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Below is the amount of money each team is under or over the $75.007 million salary cap for 2003 as of Sept. 30.


TEAM-BY-TEAM SALARY CAP UPDATE
Team Cap status
Arizona Cardinals $12 million under
Atlanta Falcons $584,000 under
Baltimore Ravens $4.92 million under
Buffalo Bills $2.48 million under
Carolina Panthers $569,000 under
Chicago Bears $3.58 million under
Cincinnati Bengals $3.39 million under
Cleveland Browns $1.7 million under
Dallas Cowboys $3.73 million under
Denver Broncos $1.78 million under
Detroit Lions $1.72 million under
Green Bay Packers $1.47 million under
Houston Texans $3.81 million under
Indianapolis Colts $636,000 under
Jacksonville Jaguars $3 million under
Kansas City Chiefs $5.5 million
Miami Dolphins $523,000 under
Minnesota Vikings $3.3 million under
New England Patriots $3 million under
New Orleans Saints $5.5 million under
New York Giants $1 million under
New York Jets $1.88 million under
Oakland Raiders $2.2 million under
Philadelphia Eagles $4 million under
Pittsburgh Steelers $1 million under
St. Louis Rams $36,000 under
San Diego Chargers $189,000 under
San Francisco 49ers $881,000 under
Seattle Seahawks $1.66 million under
Tampa Bay Buccaneers $1.16 million under
Tennessee Titans $41,000 under
Washington Redskins $2.19 million under

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

Nice.

Now, I think pushing $5 million under is extreme, but can someone explain this?

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

It doesn\'t make any sense to me either BnB.They will be able to go on a pretty serious shopping spree next off season but they sure could of used some of it this year. After them we are sitting as pretty as anyone.

[Edited on 11/12/2003 by saint5221]

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

Same story, different year.

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

Here is the full article on Johnson\'s release, after reading it I still don\'t get this move, Butch Davis is nuts.



Tuesday, November 11, 2003
Johnson was benched a week ago

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By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
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Less than a week after benching Kevin Johnson, the Cleveland Browns have booted him entirely. ESPN.com has confirmed that the club released the five-year veteran wide receiver on Tuesday.


ÂÂÂÂ*
Johnson


\"It\'s a complete shock to me,\" Johnson told The Associated Press in an exclusive interview in his home. \"I had a great 4½ years in Cleveland, but I never thought it would end this way. I\'m still trying to figure this out.\"


The move, given Johnson\'s productivity and popularity during his tenure with the team, is somewhat dubious. The former Syracuse star has never been a favorite of the Butch Davis coaching staff, however, and was a frequent subject of trade rumors.


Browns fans are left wondering why Davis would release Johnson -- the team\'s most consistent receiver -- at this point in the season and after signing him to a four-year, $13.35 million contract extension with a $3.5 million signing bonus before last season.


\"This is not a knee-jerk reaction,\" Davis said in a statement. \"We have been trying for almost three seasons to help Kevin perform to the level of expectations we have had for him. I am disappointed our staff has not been able to get him to accept the expectations we have of how the wide receiver position should be played.\"


Johnson said Davis called him into his office on Tuesday to inform him that he was no longer in the team\'s future plans.


\"I\'m really disappointed in the way it ended, simply because of all that I\'ve done for him (Davis),\" Johnson told the AP. \"I never questioned him and I never talked bad about him to anyone or about anything. It doesn\'t make sense.\"


Johnson was demoted last week because coaches felt he had not blocked well in the running game and Johnson reacted by publicly noting he has been the Browns\' leading receiver in every season with the team. That likely did not play well with team officials.


Johnson, however, said he never questioned his benching. In fact, he was the one who told Andre\' Davis that he would be starting, the Associated Press reported.


\"I took it like a man,\" said Johnson, whose 315 receptions tied him for fourth on the club\'s career list. \"I supported every guy who went in there.


\"It was very disappointing not to be in there,\" Johnson said. \"We went 3-for-11 on third downs -- that\'s where I make my living. All I\'ve done is make plays for this team.\"


Then again, the demotion did not play well in the locker room, where veterans have questioned some of Davis\'s past moves, and the Tuesday release of Johnson probably will send shock waves through the roster.


Johnson was stunned to hear Davis\' reasons behind releasing him.


\"I guess I wasn\'t good enough,\" he told the AP. \"This is crazy.\"


Johnson\'s relationship with Davis had been strained for some time. As early as 2001, Davis\' first season in Cleveland, he tried to trade Johnson.


Johnson, 27, is subject to league waivers.


If he is claimed by another team, he must report, since the trade deadline has passed. But because he is a \"vested\" veteran, he has the right to declare himself an unrestricted free agent after the 2003 season. If he is unclaimed by Wednesday, which is anticipated, then Johnson becomes free to sign with any team.


Within hours of being released by the Browns, Johnson sat in his living room and fielded several calls from NFL head coaches interested in signing him.


Johnson\'s cell phone was also ringing nonstop from Cleveland players offering their support and wishing their popular ex-teammate well, the Associated Press reported.


His base salary for 2003 is $950,000, which means any team assuming his current deal will owe him a prorated portion based on remaining games, or about $391,000. Johnson was under contract through 2006, with scheduled base salaries of $1.45 million (2004), $1.4 million (2005) and $2.65 million (2006). There were annual workout bonuses of $100,000.


But he is also due a $2 million options bonus in 2005 and that almost certainly will preclude any club from claiming him on waivers.


Never noted for his speed, Johnson nonetheless led the Browns in receptions in each of his first four seasons in Cleveland, and topped the team in catches again this year. Many scouts feel he has the best hands of any wide receiver in the NFL and that, while he lacks the playmaker skills of a \"lead\" wideout, is a prototype No. 2 wide receiver.


\"Kevin had a diminished role in our offense, and he was not happy with it,\" Davis said. \"We have a number of young, talented receivers in Quincy Morgan, Andre Davis, Dennis Northcutt, Andre King, Frisman Jackson and C.J. Jones. As a result, we did not foresee Kevin\'s role expanding in the future.


\"This will enable him to get a fresh start, and it will allow our young receivers to continue to develop and improve. We wish Kevin all the best.\"


A second-round pick in the 1999 draft, and one of the few players remaining from the franchise\'s first year of its second incarnation, Johnson played in 73 games and started in all but one of them. He had 315 catches for 3,836 yards and 23 touchdowns. His average per catch this year, of just 9.5 yards, is well below his career standard of 12.6 yards, but there figures to be a strong market for Johnson among teams seeking to add a productive receiver for the stretch run.

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

Cleveland won\'t miss a beat. They don\'t have a playmaker reciever, but then, they never did (well, since Paul Warfield, anyways). When you go several years in a row, spending your 2nd round pick on a WR, you become fairly deep at the position.

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

True, but Davis could of gotten something for Johnson.The jets were offering a #2 earlier I\'m not saying that would of been the market now but it would of been something . Also with a losing team it\'s starting to get hot for Butch Davis, moves like this don\'t help on the field, in the stands and more importantly in the locker room. The players association is comming down on the handling of the issue of Green smoking green, now the players are shocked by this, definatly not a players coach, things coulds start to get out of hand and Davis could find himself out of a job fast.

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

sh-t, with Donte\'s hamstringitis, Pathon\'s remarkable disappearing act for most of this season, and Horn\'s age and condition, give me one good reason why the Saints shouldn\'t try and sign this guy after he clears waivers. Four WR set of Horn, Stallworth, Pathon, and Johnson. Dang. If McCarthy can\'t return the offense to last season\'s form with those guys then he should be fired.

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

Sounds great if he clears waivers, KFFL is reporting a ton of activity around Johnson. It makes sense to get him after waivers. Because of the veteran rules, Johnson will be a free agent next year if he is claimed off waivers.That may make teams wait till the 4:00 deadline, but with all the interest someone may claim him to have the first shot. Detroit seems to be stepping up along with the Packers and the Vkings.

[Edited on 11/12/2003 by saint5221]

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

Davis is \"pulling a Haslett\" in Cleveland, trying to push out all the players that have been there before he arrived. He has made some obscure personnel decisions that can\'t be explained otherwise (including starting Holcombe over Couch).
I doubt Johnson will clear waivers. The Vikings badly need a receiver, there\'s NOONE but Moss. That became very clear when Randy played hurt in the 4th quarter against the Chargers and he was only used as a decoy. The passes went to Kleinsasser or Moe Williams (not that I mind, Mr. Williams won the fantasy football game for me). If Detroit or some other bad team doesn\'t pick him up, Minnesota will.
I still believe our WR corps is one of the better ones. They just have to focus.

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

Just as a final wrap up to this, the Saints did put in a waiver request along with just about everyone else in the league for Johnson,the Jags ended up with him.

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

I wish we could have signed Johnson. I continue to believe that our receivers are overrated. Joe Horn is a very good receiver but hardly an elite receiver. There are MANY teams where Joe would not be their # 1 receiver. Stallworth, well, he could be, but he\'s not and he\'s hardly ever on the field. Paython -- a decent 3rd receiver I guess, but the league is full of them.

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

I agree with you 100 percent Billy. Saintz08 just took another swig of 08er-aid.

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

I don\'t see too many teams out there where Horn would not be the #1 guy. Sure, Moss and Owens are a cut above everybody else in the league, and there are several young players (including Stallworth) with the potential to join them. But Horn is right there with anybody else in the league, although he has had too many drops this year. Most of the \"elite\" receivers play on teams that throw the ball a lot, so the receivers get a lot of attention. And the Saints ain\'t one of those teams.

Here are the league leaders in receiving yardage this year. I\'m posting this not to prove a point, but to give a list of people who could be called elite receivers. I don\'t see too many that I\'d rather have on my team (talking real team, not fantasy football) than Joe Horn. Who would you rather have?

Player Team Rec Yds Avg TDs Long
Torry Holt STL 66 1016 15.4 9 48
Randy Moss MIN 63 998 15.8 10 72
Chad Johnson CIN 48 807 16.8 5 82
Anquan Boldin ARI 56 790 14.1 4 71
Laveranues Coles WAS 51 783 15.4 3 64
Marvin Harrison IND 56 777 13.9 7 79
Santana Moss NYJ 44 726 16.5 8 65
Hines Ward PIT 60 717 12.0 8 50
Isaac Bruce STL 45 705 15.7 1 41
Amani Toomer NYG 37 693 18.7 3 77
Keenan McCardell TB 44 693 15.8 6 75
Derrick Mason TEN 50 690 13.8 4 50
Steve Smith CAR 52 645 12.4 5 67
Terrell Owens SF 48 636 13.3 4 75
Darrell Jackson SEA 34 604 17.8 4 66
Andre Johnson HOU 42 589 14.0 2 43
Joe Horn NO 49 576 11.8 6 42
Keyshawn Johnson TB 42 566 13.5 3 39
Eric Moulds BUF 41 542 13.2 1 49
Jeremy Shockey NYG 48 535 11.1 2 46
Jerry Rice OAK 41 523 12.8 0 29
Reggie Wayne IND 40 520 13.0 5 57
Plaxico Burress PIT 35 517 14.8 1 47
Koren Robinson SEA 34 498 14.6 2 37
David Boston SD 40 495 12.4 3 46
Chris Chambers MIA 33 491 14.9 6 57
Ike Hilliard NYG 47 490 10.4 6 38
Rod Smith DEN 39 487 12.5 1 38
Tony Gonzalez KC 33 481 14.6 5 67
Peerless Price ATL 40 468 11.7 1 48

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

IMO you\'ve kinda watered down the word \"elite\" with such a long list. Personally, I\'m not knockin\' Joe Horn. I just don\'t think the Saints receivers are as good as some of us would like to think they are.

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

I am so baffled by this statement that I don\'t even know how to respond. Congrats- I am speechless...for the moment.
Think it\'s coincidental that the two biggest AB jock straps are the same two that are claiming our receivers are overrated?

[Edited on 13/11/2003 by BlackandBlue]

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

I\'ll take these guys over Joe Horn.

Torry Holt STL 66 1016 15.4 9 48
Randy Moss MIN 63 998 15.8 10 72
Laveranues Coles WAS 51 783 15.4 3 64
Marvin Harrison IND 56 777 13.9 7 79
Hines Ward PIT 60 717 12.0 8 50
Isaac Bruce STL 45 705 15.7 1 41
Terrell Owens SF 48 636 13.3 4 75
Andre Johnson HOU 42 589 14.0 2 43
Eric Moulds BUF 41 542 13.2 1 49
Jeremy Shockey NYG 48 535 11.1 2 46
Plaxico Burress PIT 35 517 14.8 1 47
David Boston SD 40 495 12.4 3 46
Rod Smith DEN 39 487 12.5 1 38
Tony Gonzalez KC 33 481 14.6 5 67

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

Why are you baffled? Do you think Joe Horn is an elite receiver?

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

Without question.

Joe makes plays, he is a playmaking receiver. He\'s not just another guy that lines up and has the ball thrown to him. I won\'t bring up stats, only what I\'ve seen on the field. He is by no means the best in the league, but there are very few others that I would put above him and his abilities. Moss (obviously), Owens, Harrison, Ward (maybe- I don\'t think he can get open like Horn can, but nobody blocks like Ward at the receiver position- nobody). He runs the slant pattern better than anyone else I\'ve seen in the league, he has an uncanny ability to get open, despite being double-teamed on a few occasions, and has the ability and focus to go up and catch the ball, regardless of who is around him. He plays hurt, talks trash and gets in the head of the opponents...I can\'t believe this is even a discussion.

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

I don\'t dissagree with your over all premise of Saint recivers being overrated but I think the list above Horn is a lot smaller than you have it.
First I think we can get rid of Shockey and Gonzalez ,come on they are tight ends not what are talking about at all.

I\'d put the list at:
Torry Holt STL 66 1016 15.4 9 48
Randy Moss MIN 63 998 15.8 10 72
Laveranues Coles WAS 51 783 15.4 3 64
Marvin Harrison IND 56 777 13.9 7 7
Terrell Owens SF 48 636 13.3 4 75

That who I\'d take right now over Horn there are a couple emerging WR who I might take next year over Horn but right now thats my list.


[Edited on 11/13/2003 by saint5221]

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

Joe is a very good receiver. In my book, he is NOT an ELITE receiver. Joe is not a guy who dominates at the receiver position. Defenses must account for Joe, as with just about any # 1 receiver, but I don\'t think he exactly strikes fear in their heart. Fans seemed to be enamored with Saint players that play with heart and it is taboo to say anything negitive about them. Like, Sammy Knight. They are what they are though. Let me say it again. I don\'t think Joe Horn is an elite receiver. Joe is a very good receiver though.

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

I agree completely Billy. He\'s a good WR. But he drops a lot of balls and talks too much trash, providing BB material for opponents.

I like him and would probably place him in the top ten. Elite to me means top 4 or 5. He\'s not there but he\'s close

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

My original purpose was not to talk about Joe Horn but to talk about our receiving corp. in general. Past Joe Horn, who do we have that is making a big difference this year? Deuce is our 2nd leading receiver !! Somebody needs to step up the second half of the season.

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

With you there 100%, it\'s to early to call Stallworth a bust, but if he finishes the season the way he\'s started it that would be a lot more than a sophmore slump. I have no idea what the hell has happened with Jarome, he is better than the dissapearing act he has pulled as of late.

Browns waive WR Johnson
 

Bottom line - over the last three years, only Harrison has been consistently better than Horn. T.O., Moss, and a slew of others have been good, but they\'ve been up and down. Can\'t argue that.