Chad Johnson anyone?

I just saw an article on ESPN.com that a "source" has said Chad Johnson may sit out the entire 2008 season with the Cincinnati Bengals if he is not traded. I don't know how much merit there is to a "story" (rumor) like that, but let's pretend for a moment it's the truth and that Johnson will be traded in the off-season.

What would stop the Eagles from shipping a few picks to Cincinnati for this guy? Yes, I know, we don't want another T.O., we don't want more clubhouse dissension, we tried it once and it didn't work out. But if I'm not mistaken, when we brought Owens in, we immediately went to the Super Bowl. Probably not a coincidence.

A guy like Johnson would give the offense a completely new dimension, but that's obvious. What people may not believe is that McNabb will return to his franchise quarterback form if he gets a legitamate #1 WR. But if you couple Johnson with Kevin Curtis (a very solid #2), Reggie Brown, Brian Westbrook, and an O-line that can still get it done, I don't think it's crazy to say that's one of the best offenses in the NFL, if not THE best. How many other teams will be able to say they have a top 5 RB, top 10 QB (if he has the weapons he is top 10) and a top 5 WR? I would probably be able to count them on one hand.

McNabb had the best regular season of his career when T.O. first came here. His QB rating was over 100, his completion % was his highest ever, and he became the first QB in NFL history to throw more than 30 TDs while throwing fewer 10 INTs. I truly believe Chad Johnson, at his best, is very close to Owens's level. Bringing him in would bring the offense back to its glory days of just a few years back.

McNabb is aging. He doesn't have much left in him. Westbrook is in his prime. It would be disgraceful for the Eagles organization to let his golden years go by without seeing anything come of it except individual accolades. If Johnson wants to be traded this badly, GO GET HIM! You think anybody didn't want Owens when the Eagles were pursuing him? NO! When you have the opportunity to grab one of the best receivers in the game and transform your offense from above-average to superior then you do it. That's what championship caliber teams do. That's what the Patriots have done. It's not a coincidence!

I can't be any clearer about this. Now, obviously, bringing him in doesn't make everything peachy-keen. The defense is still iffy. But, really, imagine the offense firepower we would have if we got him. There shouldn't be a fan out there who doesn't want Chad Johnson. And if there is, they clearly didn't watch our receivers in action this year. Curtis was very good, but imagine how much more effective he would be as a posession receiver in the #2 spot? Seems like gold to me.

Give McNabb the weapons. Get Chad Johnson. The window of opportunity while D5 is here is closing. I guarantee you the organization will not regret it if they pull this off. I mean, really, it won't be any worse than Terrell Owens. Let's get Chad Johnson!

-ajd