Keyshawn Johnson to announce his retirement today (1 Viewer)

[Marauder]

Expect a press conference later today. No link. Cohen, who is a good friend of Keyshawn, broke into the Bob Poppa/Randy Cross show on Sirius to break the story.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Expect a press conference later today. No link. Cohen, who is a good friend of Keyshawn, broke into the Bob Poppa/Randy Cross show on Sirius to break the story.

This makes sense to me. I understand the money that teams are throwing around and discussing is in the veteran minimum range. He thinks he's worth more. Keyshawn Johnson has options past football. Wouldn't surprise me at all to see him walk.From the Daily Email Update last week:

TEN - HC Fisher Confirms Interest In WR Keyshawn JohnsonSource: Associated Press via Sports IllustratedThe Tennessee Titans said Thursday they are interested in veteran Keyshawn Johnson, this coming after Keyshawn expressed interest in them. "There's mutual interest I'd say right now," HC Jeff Fisher said. "I think we'll probably look into the possibility of pursuing things. Where that goes, I can't tell you." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]Johnson will visit Tennessee on Friday. The trouble looks to be that most teams that have been in contact with Johnson are reportedly talking about a contract in the veteran minimum range. Johnson feels he's worth much more than that. If the Titans (or anyone else) won't offer a contract more in line with what Johnson feels he's due, many feel that the WR would happily walk away. He's a talented guy and could easily have a career in broadcasting if he desired. Stay tuned to see how it goes in Tennessee.

J

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

wow

 

[Marauder]

According to Cohen, Tennessee offered him a contract but he turned it down and took a job with ESPN/ABC.

 

[KING]

According to Cohen, Tennessee offered him a contract but he turned it down and took a job with ESPN/ABC.

maybe he should have taken the contract. while he was better than irvin at the draft, it's all relative. ANYONE would have been be better than irvin. i would rather listen to fingernails on a chalkboard than irvin. retiring makes sense though. meshawn never did have any heart. he got by on his talent, and never did work at his craft.

 

[The Shizzle]

Like to see him continue his Sirius show, it was very entertaining.

 

[coolnerd]

According to Cohen, Tennessee offered him a contract but he turned it down and took a job with ESPN/ABC.

maybe he should have taken the contract. while he was better than irvin at the draft, it's all relative. ANYONE would have been be better than irvin. i would rather listen to fingernails on a chalkboard than irvin. retiring makes sense though. meshawn never did have any heart. he got by on his talent, and never did work at his craft.

Hmmm... let's see put my 34-35 year body through another NFL season for veteran minimum or while probably less money, but still very good money to sit around and yuck it up about other people destroying their bodies. Easy choice here.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Good riddance.

 

[Slinger]

According to Cohen, Tennessee offered him a contract but he turned it down and took a job with ESPN/ABC.

meshawn never did have any heart. he got by on his talent, and never did work at his craft.

He was one of the best blocking WR's in the league. He was always willing to go in the middle. He was a drama queen at times, but he definitely had heart. Retiring at this stage of his career was a smart business move.

 

[Sweet Love]

I am sad to see him go. Eventhough he portrayed the primadonna WR stereotype, he turned into a great possession receiver who was a very good blocker downfield...I think he made the other WRs around him better.

 

[blkgolf23]

I'm glad too see Keyshawn walk away vs. taking a low ball offer. He can still be a very good #2 WR in the football world, and why take less money if you don't have to. I met Keyshawn in the Oakland Ca area and he was a very nice person, took time to talk to my two boys and signed their backpacks! Good Key in yur 2nd life.

 

[-OZ-]

As a Titans fan, I was hoping he'd sign here and help VY develop.

He'll have a good career in broadcasting, much better than Irvin or most of the other former players.

 

[Da Guru]

Smart move by Johnson.

When I saw his contract demands I knew nobody would sign him at that price. Johnson has always thought he is much better than he really is.

A very good possesion WR..yes. A game breaking WR..no.

35 year old possesion WRs are a dime a dozen.

 

[Hawk]

Actually, Tenn apparently offered him $7-$8 million over 2 years, and he was quite tempted to take it, but ESPN made him an offer he couldn't refuse. (Translation: he worked the Tenn offer into a great deal from ESPN).

As a Titans fan, I'm disappointed, but I am glad to see that the front office at least made him a good offer to try to land him (instead of low-balling him).

He is clearly ready to be a broadcaster and was worried the ESPN deal would not be thre for him next year or the year after.

 

[purestrength]

I'll never forget when Keyshawn was with Tampa Bay and ABC had him miked up for Monday Night Football. As the Bucs were destroying the Colts in the first half, he jealously badmouthed Marvin Harrison on the sideline.

Everyone should know the rest of the story by now. Marvin, preferring to let his play do his talking (as usual), went crazy in the second half as the Colts completed one of the most exciting comebacks in NFL history. And Keyshawn was in the lockerroom thinking the Bucs already had the game in hand.

This will be my lasting memory of Keyshawn Johnson -- jealous and forever inferior to Marvin Harrison.

 

[Da Guru]

Actually, Tenn apparently offered him $7-$8 million over 2 years, and he was quite tempted to take it, but ESPN made him an offer he couldn't refuse. (Translation: he worked the Tenn offer into a great deal from ESPN). As a Titans fan, I'm disappointed, but I am glad to see that the front office at least made him a good offer to try to land him (instead of low-balling him). He is clearly ready to be a broadcaster and was worried the ESPN deal would not be thre for him next year or the year after.

I heard in real money it was not worth very much, there is no way Johnson would have seen the second year.

 

[Couch Potato]

Just give me the damn... microphone!

With this news and Travis Taylor going to Oakland, the last remaining 'name' WRs out there are Antonio Bryant (26 with issues), Moulds (34 in July and seriously declining skills), Charles Rogers (26 today -- Happy B-day, stud! -- I said 'name', not viable), McCardell (37).

Tennessee wanted Key badly enough that they have to be concerned about what they currently have: Starters B. Jones and Givens (who knows if he'll be healthy enough to start by midseason or at all this year), Roby, Gage, R. Williams, Orr, and rookies P. Williams, Filani, and Davis.

Do they go after Bryant now or roll with what they have? I think after the PacMan troubles, they avoid Bryant and hang with Roby/Roydell Williams until Givens is ready.

 

[Jason Wood]

Allegedly Keyshawn has been very smart with his $$$$, and unlike many players has no need to continue working. Given that, plus the fact he is likely to be sought after by networks, this makes a ton of sense. As compared to playing for Tennessee or Oakland, at least.

 

[purplehaze67]

Maybe a foolish question, but is there any real chance that he gets an NFL offer more to his liking as the summer drags on? I don't want to drop him until I'm sure he's not playing at all in 2007.

 

[Jason Wood]

Maybe a foolish question, but is there any real chance that he gets an NFL offer more to his liking as the summer drags on? I don't want to drop him until I'm sure he's not playing at all in 2007.

I think that's absolutely a possibility. If a true contender suffers a major injury and inquires about his services, it's not illogical to think he would consider it.

 

[purplehaze67]

Maybe a foolish question, but is there any real chance that he gets an NFL offer more to his liking as the summer drags on? I don't want to drop him until I'm sure he's not playing at all in 2007.

I think that's absolutely a possibility. If a true contender suffers a major injury and inquires about his services, it's not illogical to think he would consider it.

Cool. That's kinda what I was thinking. I'll plan to roster him until late summer and see how it plays out. Thanks.

 

[perry147]

I'll never forget when Keyshawn was with Tampa Bay and ABC had him miked up for Monday Night Football. As the Bucs were destroying the Colts in the first half, he jealously badmouthed Marvin Harrison on the sideline.Everyone should know the rest of the story by now. Marvin, preferring to let his play do his talking (as usual), went crazy in the second half as the Colts completed one of the most exciting comebacks in NFL history. And Keyshawn was in the lockerroom thinking the Bucs already had the game in hand.This will be my lasting memory of Keyshawn Johnson -- jealous and forever inferior to Marvin Harrison.

I remember him bad mouthing MH also. Meshawn Johnson was an average WR who was good at blocking and willing to catch the ball over the middle. I don't like the guy because he always felt he was more then the team itself and it showed in Tampa bay with Gruden, his comments about Wayne Chrebet and his contract grumbles with the Jets.

 

[helix]

Smart move by Johnson.

When I saw his contract demands I knew nobody would sign him at that price. Johnson has always thought he is much better than he really is.

A very good possesion WR..yes. A game breaking WR..no.

35 year old possesion WRs are a dime a dozen.

A dime a dozen? I don't think the Titans would agree with you. They are the big losers here. Having a guy catch 80 balls for 900 yards with around 7 td's and is a solid blocker would be a god send for Vince Young. Without a possesion WR, Young will likely struggle. His WR corp has to be the worst in the NFL. What a disaster for Fisher.

 

[Christo]

First ballot HOF?

I know he rubbed just about everyone the wrong way. But Top 25 in receiving yards and Top 15 in receptions and he has a SB ring.

 

[redman]

I'll never forget when Keyshawn was with Tampa Bay and ABC had him miked up for Monday Night Football. As the Bucs were destroying the Colts in the first half, he jealously badmouthed Marvin Harrison on the sideline.

Everyone should know the rest of the story by now. Marvin, preferring to let his play do his talking (as usual), went crazy in the second half as the Colts completed one of the most exciting comebacks in NFL history. And Keyshawn was in the lockerroom thinking the Bucs already had the game in hand.

This will be my lasting memory of Keyshawn Johnson -- jealous and forever inferior to Marvin Harrison.

I remember him bad mouthing MH also. Meshawn Johnson was an average WR who was good at blocking and willing to catch the ball over the middle. I don't like the guy because he always felt he was more then the team itself and it showed in Tampa bay with Gruden, his comments about Wayne Chrebet and his contract grumbles with the Jets.

1 catch . . . for 1 yard. That's my memory.

 

[TheBradyBunch]

The Titans lost a player...to ESPN! Ouch!

Gotta believe Moulds is the next best option...

 

[kevthegrad]

Maybe a foolish question, but is there any real chance that he gets an NFL offer more to his liking as the summer drags on? I don't want to drop him until I'm sure he's not playing at all in 2007.

I wondered this as well. 70 catches last year as Steve Smith's 2nd fiddle and an underperforming QB. I think he has football left in him and think the Packers are being putzes in not throwing some money (at least more than the vet minimum) to sign him.I have to think he's an injury or two (to another receiver elsewhere) from getting better offers.

 

[Couch Potato]

The Titans lost a player...to ESPN! Ouch! Gotta believe Moulds is the next best option...

The Moulds of today or the Moulds you remember from 3 years ago?

 

[TheBradyBunch]

The Titans lost a player...to ESPN! Ouch! Gotta believe Moulds is the next best option...

The Moulds of today or the Moulds you remember from 3 years ago?

The Moulds of 3 years ago=Best WR in NashvilleThe Moulds of today=Best WR in NashvilleTake your pick....

 

[Capella]

I'll never forget when Keyshawn was with Tampa Bay and ABC had him miked up for Monday Night Football. As the Bucs were destroying the Colts in the first half, he jealously badmouthed Marvin Harrison on the sideline.Everyone should know the rest of the story by now. Marvin, preferring to let his play do his talking (as usual), went crazy in the second half as the Colts completed one of the most exciting comebacks in NFL history. And Keyshawn was in the lockerroom thinking the Bucs already had the game in hand.This will be my lasting memory of Keyshawn Johnson -- jealous and forever inferior to Marvin Harrison.

don't forget the super bowl ring he has either.

 

[Da Guru]

Smart move by Johnson.

When I saw his contract demands I knew nobody would sign him at that price. Johnson has always thought he is much better than he really is.

A very good possesion WR..yes. A game breaking WR..no.

35 year old possesion WRs are a dime a dozen.

A dime a dozen? I don't think the Titans would agree with you. They are the big losers here. Having a guy catch 80 balls for 900 yards with around 7 td's and is a solid blocker would be a god send for Vince Young. Without a possesion WR, Young will likely struggle. His WR corp has to be the worst in the NFL. What a disaster for Fisher.

The Titans would send a private jet for Big Mike Williams right about now.Johnson has not scored 7 TDs in a year since the 2000 season. Can`t see him doing in in Tenn.

 

[Couch Potato]

The Titans lost a player...to ESPN! Ouch! Gotta believe Moulds is the next best option...

The Moulds of today or the Moulds you remember from 3 years ago?

The Moulds of 3 years ago=Best WR in NashvilleThe Moulds of today=Best WR in NashvilleTake your pick....

Not close. Houston released him because he cannot get separation and has no speed. There's a reason no one in the league has signed him. He's pretty done.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

First ballot HOF?I know he rubbed just about everyone the wrong way. But Top 25 in receiving yards and Top 15 in receptions and he has a SB ring.

Had he played on a couple of more years and topped 1,000 receptions I think he could have possibly made it in at some point...even later in life as a Senior inductee...but not now. He ends up with 800+ catches but it won't be enough.Keyshawn always said he would play 10 years and that wa it...he made it to 11. He had an interesting little quip with someone form ESPN, maybe Mortenson right after the SB where he made no apologies for the Bucs or his role with the team.

 

[TheBradyBunch]

The Titans lost a player...to ESPN! Ouch! Gotta believe Moulds is the next best option...

The Moulds of today or the Moulds you remember from 3 years ago?

The Moulds of 3 years ago=Best WR in NashvilleThe Moulds of today=Best WR in NashvilleTake your pick....

Not close. Houston released him because he cannot get separation and has no speed. There's a reason no one in the league has signed him. He's pretty done.

In his 5 seasons with the Texans, David Carr was sacked 249 times! That translates into 1 wr getting most of the action. Look, I'm not saying Moulds is great, but he could still start for the Titans and I think he'd be a great veteran to have on such a young team.

 

[Couch Potato]

The Titans lost a player...to ESPN! Ouch! Gotta believe Moulds is the next best option...

The Moulds of today or the Moulds you remember from 3 years ago?

The Moulds of 3 years ago=Best WR in NashvilleThe Moulds of today=Best WR in NashvilleTake your pick....

Not close. Houston released him because he cannot get separation and has no speed. There's a reason no one in the league has signed him. He's pretty done.

In his 5 seasons with the Texans, David Carr was sacked 249 times! That translates into 1 wr getting most of the action. Look, I'm not saying Moulds is great, but he could still start for the Titans and I think he'd be a great veteran to have on such a young team.

Well, I've been wrong before (I think back in 1972 or so ), so let's see if he signs anywhere and what happens then. I'm not very hopeful.

 

[Ghost Rider]

First ballot HOF?I know he rubbed just about everyone the wrong way. But Top 25 in receiving yards and Top 15 in receptions and he has a SB ring.

Not a chance in hell.He only had 4 1,000 yard seasons, and he averaged less than 6 touchdown catches a season. A Super Bowl ring for a WR is not make or break when it comes to the HoF.

 

[KING]

First ballot HOF?I know he rubbed just about everyone the wrong way. But Top 25 in receiving yards and Top 15 in receptions and he has a SB ring.

WTF? HOF? whats with all this man love for meshawn on this board. even if you completely overlook his attitude, he never was a dominate player. even his 106 catch season, he only scored 1 td. you going to put every receiver in that averaged 74 catches and 5 td's.

 

[Christo]

First ballot HOF?I know he rubbed just about everyone the wrong way. But Top 25 in receiving yards and Top 15 in receptions and he has a SB ring.

WTF? HOF? whats with all this man love for meshawn on this board. even if you completely overlook his attitude, he never was a dominate player. even his 106 catch season, he only scored 1 td. you going to put every receiver in that averaged 74 catches and 5 td's.

Man love? See that thing at the end of my first sentence? It's a question mark. Not an exclamation point.I don't like the guy. He was an elite jack-###. But you can't deny that he was a good WR for a long time. The only year he had less than 800 yards was when Gruden suspended him. The only two years he had lesss than 70 receptions were his rookie year and the year Gruden suspended him. And his value to a team was much more than the numbers due to his willingness to block downfield.Care to tell us how many WRs played for more than 10 years and averaged 74 receptions and 960 yards?BTW, it's dominant, not dominate.

 

[mlball77]

First ballot HOF?I know he rubbed just about everyone the wrong way. But Top 25 in receiving yards and Top 15 in receptions and he has a SB ring.

WTF? HOF? whats with all this man love for meshawn on this board. even if you completely overlook his attitude, he never was a dominate player. even his 106 catch season, he only scored 1 td. you going to put every receiver in that averaged 74 catches and 5 td's.

Man love? See that thing at the end of my first sentence? It's a question mark. Not an exclamation point.I don't like the guy. He was an elite jack-###. But you can't deny that he was a good WR for a long time. The only year he had less than 800 yards was when Gruden suspended him. The only two years he had lesss than 70 receptions were his rookie year and the year Gruden suspended him. And his value to a team was much more than the numbers due to his willingness to block downfield.Care to tell us how many WRs played for more than 10 years and averaged 74 receptions and 960 yards?BTW, it's dominant, not dominate.

And although I don't think Keyshawn is a first ballot HOF'er, just looking at his stats doesn't tell the complete story. His downfield blocking should very much help his case, imho.

 

[Don Quixote]

First ballot HOF?I know he rubbed just about everyone the wrong way. But Top 25 in receiving yards and Top 15 in receptions and he has a SB ring.

I put in Art Monk before Keyshawn.

 

[Yenrub]

Smart move by Johnson.

When I saw his contract demands I knew nobody would sign him at that price. Johnson has always thought he is much better than he really is.

A very good possesion WR..yes. A game breaking WR..no.

35 year old possesion WRs are a dime a dozen.

Really? I'd like to see a list of them. And please send one to the Giants, Eli could use the help.

 

[purestrength]

I'll never forget when Keyshawn was with Tampa Bay and ABC had him miked up for Monday Night Football. As the Bucs were destroying the Colts in the first half, he jealously badmouthed Marvin Harrison on the sideline.Everyone should know the rest of the story by now. Marvin, preferring to let his play do his talking (as usual), went crazy in the second half as the Colts completed one of the most exciting comebacks in NFL history. And Keyshawn was in the lockerroom thinking the Bucs already had the game in hand.This will be my lasting memory of Keyshawn Johnson -- jealous and forever inferior to Marvin Harrison.

don't forget the super bowl ring he has either.

I'll remember Keyshawn's uniquely insulting comments about Marvin when Tampa Bay was winning that 2003 game in the first half than the one Super Bowl ring he received that 52 different players and several coaches get each and every year.

 

[enfuego]

Maybe a foolish question, but is there any real chance that he gets an NFL offer more to his liking as the summer drags on? I don't want to drop him until I'm sure he's not playing at all in 2007.

I think that's absolutely a possibility. If a true contender suffers a major injury and inquires about his services, it's not illogical to think he would consider it.

That's not my take on this situation at all...unless there's more under the covers. It's not about not going to winner or not. In fact, in pure money terms, the latest figures out are quite amazing as Key apparently turned down almost $8m over 2 years with a pretty decent part of that guaranteed. Apparently he was seeking $12m over 2 years! Walk on Key...walk on...

 

[TheBradyBunch]

Now Tennessee is left with a slew of young and inexperienced wide receivers and a lack of veteran options.

The Titans will consider bringing in former Houston Texan wide receiver Eric Moulds, though some personnel men around the league believe he has little left to offer. Houston released Moulds last winter, after a season in which he caught 57 passes for 557 yards.

http://nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/10193833

fwiw!

 

[Pittsburgh United]

According to Cohen, Tennessee offered him a contract but he turned it down and took a job with ESPN/ABC.

meshawn never did have any heart. he got by on his talent, and never did work at his craft.

He was one of the best blocking WR's in the league. He was always willing to go in the middle. He was a drama queen at times, but he definitely had heart. Retiring at this stage of his career was a smart business move.

This is exactly what I was going to say, but you already did. Congrats to Keyshawn on a good, solid career. He was a tough, gritty WR (I would almost consider him a cross between TO and Hines Ward) and I respected his game. I look forward to his contributions on ESPN.

 

[Dhizz]

According to Cohen, Tennessee offered him a contract but he turned it down and took a job with ESPN/ABC.

meshawn never did have any heart. he got by on his talent, and never did work at his craft.

He was one of the best blocking WR's in the league. He was always willing to go in the middle. He was a drama queen at times, but he definitely had heart. Retiring at this stage of his career was a smart business move.

This is exactly what I was going to say, but you already did. Congrats to Keyshawn on a good, solid career. He was a tough, gritty WR (I would almost consider him a cross between TO and Hines Ward) and I respected his game. I look forward to his contributions on ESPN.

Cross between TO? That's like saying Warrick Dunn is a cross between LT and Barry Sanders. Without all the TDs.He's a poor man's Ward. Solid WR. Average career. A nice complier. Should only be allowed near the HOF with a ticket.

 

[Capella]

I'll never forget when Keyshawn was with Tampa Bay and ABC had him miked up for Monday Night Football. As the Bucs were destroying the Colts in the first half, he jealously badmouthed Marvin Harrison on the sideline.Everyone should know the rest of the story by now. Marvin, preferring to let his play do his talking (as usual), went crazy in the second half as the Colts completed one of the most exciting comebacks in NFL history. And Keyshawn was in the lockerroom thinking the Bucs already had the game in hand.This will be my lasting memory of Keyshawn Johnson -- jealous and forever inferior to Marvin Harrison.

don't forget the super bowl ring he has either.

I'll remember Keyshawn's uniquely insulting comments about Marvin when Tampa Bay was winning that 2003 game in the first half than the one Super Bowl ring he received that 52 different players and several coaches get each and every year.

Good point. Paying attention to one game and a series of obnoxious comments is much more reflective of his career than a championship team that he was a big part of.