Keyshawn Johnson......no longer a Buccaneer

[Quadruple OG]

In the latest shocking development from a championship team gone awry, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have deactivated former All-Pro wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson for the rest of the season.

Keyshawn has made it very clear to us that he has no intention of wanting to remain as a Buccaneer beyond the 2003 season, and this approach and his actions are having a negative effect on our football team," general manager Rich McKay said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. "We are focused on winning football games. From a player's perspective, from an organizational perspective, this situation has become a distraction."


Johnson, who is midway through a $56 million contract that included a $13 million signing bonus, has been unhappy with his role in coach Jon Gruden's offense during a disappointing 4-6 start for the defending Super Bowl champions.


He put his Tampa home up for sale again last week and had been dropping not-so-subtle hints in the locker room he did not wish to remain in Tampa Bay beyond 2003.


McKay said he spoke with Johnson's agent, Jerome Stanley, and "we agreed that it will not be necessary for him to be present at our facility for the remainder of the year." It appears likely that the Bucs will attempt to trade Johnson in the offseason. The 2003 trading deadline passed in October.


Speaking earlier Tuesday with ESPN's Shelley Smith, Johnson reiterated his relationship problems with his coach, but expressed surprise at the Bucs' decision.


"Honestly, I'm very disappointed because I really wanted to win another championship with this team," he said. "I was never Gruden's guy. He never liked me. I told him I'd rather retire than play for him in 2004. But I also told him I wouldn't be a distraction, I wouldn't go to the media with it and I didn't. I don't know why they released me. I was playing hard, I wasn't dogging it. Tell everyone I'm in New York looking for apartments."


An eight-year veteran and the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 NFL draft, Johnson has 45 catches for 600 yards and three touchdowns this season -- his fourth in Tampa Bay after starting his career with the New York Jets. For his career, Johnson has 603 catches for 7,936 yards and 48 touchdowns, reaching 600 career catches faster than any other receiver except the Indianapolis Colts' Marvin Harrison.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1664796

[pappy]

wow i actually shocked.  i never like keyshawn tho he was 2 cocky

[Perfection]

There's a chance he could end up with the NY Jets

[Don Jacob]

hey keyshawn......wanna play for bill parcells again......or how about playing with two greats in oakland, lol


wishful thinking i know but it's been forever since i seen a team i like win the superbowl

[Primo]

come join JJ Stokes in New England!

[dexter]

He should go to Oakland.

[JTSimon]

How about dumping Jerry Rice/Tim Brown for T-O and retard Keyshawn?

[dexter]

Key aint a retard and ALLHIPHOP is a funky site

[Perfection]

Keyshawn said that he would love to play for Parcells, but it didn't look like that would. Then said he wouldn't go to Oakland because they don't have a QB. Then he said he was buying an appartment in NY, so when asked about rejoining the Jets his answer wasn't yes or no but he has respect for Herman Edwards.


Anyone who says Oakland should get TO and Keyshawn is stupid because if complains about not getting the ball enough now, then no one would be able to shut him up if he had Keyshawn theretaking catches from. That's the same deal with Keyshawn.

[dexter]

TO should go 2 Atlanta 2 play with Vick.