Free Republic

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers shelved their disgruntled star receiver, Keyshawn Johnson, for the rest of the year Tuesday, saying he had become disruptive during a disappointing 4-6 start for the defending Super Bowl champions. The Bucs said they would deactivate Johnson for the remaining six games. He will be paid his full salary and was not fined, general manager Rich McKay said. "For whatever reason he didn't want to be here. He let me know that some time after one of our early games," coach Jon Gruden said. ESPN's Sal Paolontonio has learned that the Bucs will not release Johnson...

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,...