Posted on 05/03/2007 12:56:12 PM PDT by HIDEK6
Panthers release WR Johnson
May 1, 2007
Panthers.com
The Carolina Panthers have released wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, the team announced Tuesday.
Johnson started all 16 games last year and produced 70 receptions for 815 yards and four touchdowns in addition to scoring one rushing touchdown on a four-yard reverse in his only season with the Panthers. Carolina had signed Johnson last offseason after he was released by Dallas.
"We appreciated the contribution of Keyshawn in his season with the Panthers," said head coach John Fox. "He brought us high production, but at this time, we are in a situation in which we have a number of young receivers and thought this was the right time to make the decision."
General manager Marty Hurney said, "Keyshawn brought what we knew he would when we signed him, and we wish him the very best."
Johnson, 34, has played 11 NFL seasons with the New York Jets, Tampa Bay, Dallas and Carolina. He is tied for 15th place all-time in NFL history with 814 catches for 10,571 yards and 64 touchdowns.
Comments from general manager Marty Hurney
On the decision to release Johnson: We got through the weekend and were fortunate enough to get those two young receivers in Dwayne Jarrett and Ryne Robinson. We talked and those two guys along with the young guys we have already on the team in Drew Carter, Keary Colbert and Taye Biddle, we just thought that we had a number of young wide receivers that we wanted to commit to as far as time and reps to accelerate their development. We appreciate everything Keyshawn did for us. He was everything we thought when we signed him. Seventy catches in this League is a lot of catches in a year. He brought us everything that we had hoped he would. We just made the decision that now is the time to focus on the group of young receivers we have and try to give them the time and reps to accelerate their development.
On Johnson's reaction to being released: I think Keyshawn understood. One thing about Keyshawn is he understands the business aspect of everything. We had a couple of conversations. Obviously, he was disappointed. I think he feels like he could help our team try to get to a championship, which was his goal. I know he does not agree with the decision but I think he understood it.
On if Johnson's personality factored into the decision: No. The reasoning was just what I explained. We added two young wide receivers. We have a group of young wide receivers that we want to commit to to accelerate their development.
On if this was a salary-cap decision at all: No. It really has everything to do with giving the time and reps to the young receivers that we have on the roster and, hopefully, accelerating their development.
On if the Panthers have a Plan B if wide receiver Steve Smith gets hurt: Anything that you do in the offseason, people are going to have their opinions. Everybody is going to have a different opinion. Basically, it's our job to make decisions, and, hopefully, they will work out. Obviously, we put a lot of thought into the decisions we make. I think that we do have a lot of confidence in our young wide receivers. I'm hoping that in October and November everybody is saying, “Hey, that was a great decision. These young wide receivers are working and making plays for the Panthers.” Obviously, we would not have made this decision if we didn't feel that way. You have to wait and see how it works out, but we feel like our young guys are going to come through for us.
On if this is a vote of confidence for rookie wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett: We are very excited to have Dwayne, but I think that it really is more confidence in the group. We have five young guys who we think have the ability to be good players at this level. Obviously, the ability to acquire Dwayne Jarrett and Ryne Robinson this weekend was the closing factor on this decision.
He was on ESPN’s Draft Day coverage, he’ll be good in the booth.
They released him three days ago.
Did they release him again?
I thought timing of this was very embarrasing to Keyshawn, especially given his company-line comments during the draft proceedings.
I was looking for a thread on the subject to weigh in, but didn’t see one, so I started this one.
As a Panthers fan I think that this is a mistake. He was great last year and really took a lot of pressure off Steve Smith.
He will not be in the booth next season, he will be performing very well on the field, just not in Charlotte.
I see him in Raider black, now that Moss is gone.
"Gimme the damn booth!"---Key
That’s OK. It takes a little while for me to realize what’s going on around me.
Good riddance! One touchdown every four games for a #2 receiver? No thanks. His mouth was way too big for this team. I think he sealed his fate when he decided to talk a bunch of smack to the Philly fans going into the locker room at halftime, only to lose the game. We could have done more with a half-ass functioning tight end.
He was fantastic....at self-promotion.
Too bad he was largely a waste of talent at football.
So are the Cowboys going to sign him soon? Seem’s to be that is were everyone ends up for one last year.
He was a Cowboy the year before last.
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