Two Teams Chasing Ghost Johnson
March 14th, 2015
Former Bucs ghostly defensive end, Snuggle-soft Michael Johnson, doesn’t seem as if he will be unemployed long. Per the fingers of Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, two teams are begging for Johnson’s image services: the Vikings and the Bengals.
For nearly 24 hours, the Vikings wined and dined Johnson.
After visiting Winter Park yesterday, touring the area, checking out the construction site of the city’s new stadium and grabbing dinner with Vikings officials at a downtown restaurant, Johnson stayed overnight in the Twin Cities. But head coach Mike Zimmer and the Vikings were unable to close the deal and Johnson headed back to the airport this morning.
Despite his affinity for Zimmer, his first defensive coordinator in the NFL, Johnson plans to meet with the Bengals, his former team, before deciding where he wants to play in 2015.
The Vikings and the Bengals are believed to be the only teams Johnson is strongly considering.
The only thing Joe has to add to all of this is, be careful what you wish for.
March 14th, 2015 at 4:27 pm
He produces elsewhere. This site will erupt.
March 14th, 2015 at 4:30 pm
He won’t.
March 14th, 2015 at 4:30 pm
Dude! Joe what are you doing? Show this dude no love! It’s a fckn joke and embarrassing as Fck. Add that no one seems to be interested in signing. It’s beyong depressing, down right shameful.
I hope everyone knows the back story to this about him wanting to go back to the bengals mid-season. In the words of Donald Duck it’s “despicable!”
March 14th, 2015 at 4:38 pm
Joe has been all over that story. 🙂
March 14th, 2015 at 4:39 pm
Although I must say the picture is perfect. #snuggle
March 14th, 2015 at 4:43 pm
That is why the Vikings suck. Lol. If the Bengals take him back, then they deserve him.
March 14th, 2015 at 4:56 pm
With some decent coaching? Who knows?
March 14th, 2015 at 5:23 pm
Remember he’ll once again be trying to get a nice contract. He will play better elsewhere because he’ll be motivated again. The sucker is the team who gives him a long term deal again.
March 14th, 2015 at 5:28 pm
There is something dreadfully wrong that there aren’t offset clauses with players like coaches…..Johnson should be guaranteed his $$ from the Bucs but shouldn’t be able to double-dip…..that is an incentive to be a slacker….
March 14th, 2015 at 5:40 pm
The image of him jumping up and down with his hands in the air nowhere near the play is burned into my mind. The O-lineman didn’t even have to block him, he just jumped up and down in the same place.
March 14th, 2015 at 5:41 pm
Why not, McGowan and Clayborn signed with new teams. Johnson won’t last the weekend. The one that perplexes me is Mason Foster. I would have thought there would be a high demand for him. It wouldn’t surprise me if Collins is off the market by the end of the week
March 14th, 2015 at 5:42 pm
As this is information that needn’t concern this fan base, PFT pointed this out days ago. The Bengals, even before he was released, and the PP Eaters minutes after his release. Thanks for the piggyback.
March 14th, 2015 at 5:46 pm
I’m publicly amditting I read this far into the comments section of this site as a part of self-shaming program aimed at doing more with my life. I would appreciate but do not hereby solicit your prayers. Thank you.
March 14th, 2015 at 5:48 pm
Reports are that Chicago is working out a 3-year deal with Foster.
I don’t have a problem with cutting players at the end of their contract….and them making big bucks elsewhere….but when we still have to pay them & they work out deals with other teams…..that sucks…
March 14th, 2015 at 6:06 pm
Yea – MJ is loving the double dip this year. He’ll be lucky to get $4-5M after what he put on tape last year and even then teams will justify it by trying to look back at 2012 to see what he did right and try to duplicate that environment.
I don’t think I can take another big $ FA coming in who sucks and doesn’t even give full effort. That is just so messed up to sign your big deal and then be a slacker for your new employer – such a slacker in fact that the team is forced to cut you after only 1 year despite a $7M cap hit. Its almost like you PLANNED to double dip and then scoot back to Cincy. Did You MJ? SMH
Next up.
Find us a real edge pass rusher Lovie. You defense doesn’t work without a good one. If that means seriously considering Hardy – then so be it. At least bring him in and have a long talk with him and see how you feel about having him on your team. What could that hurt? You did it with Incognito who is probably a much bigger piece of crap than Hardy.
March 14th, 2015 at 6:13 pm
Joe…..please save these type posts for Mondays…..you have just about ruined my Saturday night with this…..I can’t stop thinking about this sackless piece of $hit.
Gets a great contract….(contract of his dreams)…..comes in….does squat forces us to cut him (nobody would trade) can’t even get a 2025 7th rounder for him….nobody wanted to pay him….now he gets millions that some other hard-working player deserves…..no justice…
Again….Mondays please….
March 14th, 2015 at 6:13 pm
Brion Says:
March 14th, 2015 at 5:46 pm
“I’m publicly amditting I read this far into the comments section of this site as a part of self-shaming program aimed at doing more with my life. I would appreciate but do not hereby solicit your prayers. Thank you.”
What the?
Why the?
Who the?
March 14th, 2015 at 6:17 pm
“You did it with Incognito who is probably a much bigger piece of crap than Hardy.”
Hey Pickgrin we agree on something. Incognito is a serial offender who was a douche at every level on multiple teams.
So far I haven’t read about a litany of any Hardy offenses. If he’s only had this one messup I can see giving him a shot. If there’s more stuff then I’m too nervous.
March 14th, 2015 at 6:18 pm
@Pablo
“Brain De La Puenta
De La Puente played in only eight games for the Bears last year but still finished the year ranked as Pro Football Focus’ seventh-best center. He can also play guard, giving him versatility that clubs crave. He’s only 29 and should get another shot to play.”
March 14th, 2015 at 6:38 pm
Speaking for Pablo
“Wiz/De la Puenta……Wiz/De la Puenta…..Wiz/De la Puenta…..Pablo is torn….OK…Pablo thought about it for 16 seconds….Pablo wants De la Puenta to be a Buc. Pablo wants Lovie to do his Chicago/Chicano thing!!!”
March 14th, 2015 at 6:39 pm
Slow news day
March 14th, 2015 at 7:06 pm
I hope his new team gets to play the Lions.
-Matt Stafford
March 14th, 2015 at 9:09 pm
The last player we had that left like this was Josh Freeman and we all know how that worked out.
Not sure how much money Johnson walked out the door with but like Freeman, he has real no motivation to play or put in a huge effort much like last year.
The Vikings probably offered him minimum money since I recall they already have a stud LDE that the Zimm got big money for last years.
They probably offered him league minimum since he would be projected as a backup. They have seen the film on this guy.
March 14th, 2015 at 10:44 pm
LMAO @ the snuggle bear picture representing Michael Johnson’s performace
March 15th, 2015 at 12:59 am
Had Johnson been used in a way to capitalize his strength,, which a pass rush specialist is not, and not been so grossly overpaid, then he wouldnt be considered a bust. He was paid to be a franchise edge rusher from the 5, and he was paid alot to do so. When he couldnt adjust and later just gave up when times got everyone was disapointed and for good reason. It wouldve just been better not to pay him and look elsewhere. I can understand having a hsrd time adjusting but to just quit on us is unacceptable. He’s soft and I hope he never plays in the NFL again.
March 15th, 2015 at 5:04 pm
The Vikings coach Mike Zimmer was also Johnson’s coach at Bengals, so there must be a reason they want Johnson.