Chad Johnson Tells Stephen A. Smith 'I Want to Be a Bengal ... I Ain't Got No Choice'

This phrase, no doubt, will go on Chad Johnson's headstone: "I'm crazy, but I ain't stupid." That's what he told Stephen A. Smith when asked why he decided to show up for mandatory minicamp when he spent most of the spring saying he wouldn't, you know, show up for mandatory minicamp.

It sounds like Johnson used the time between making idle threats and making an appearance in Cincinnati to reconsider his future. Or, as he says, "I looked at all the fine print of me not showing up, and they could've got me if they wanted to; they could've went after money, you know... I talk a good one, but ... I'm gonna do my homework first and see some of the consequences on some of the things I was saying."

I like Chad, although his act does get tired. That said, I give him credit for admitting to being a pain-in-the-ass distraction these past few months (I'm sure Marvin Lewis is less thrilled with the confession, however), but when Stephen A. Smith is the voice of reason in any conversation, you're probably wrong.

Still, Ocho Cinco explains his demands to be traded as coming down to one thing: winning. Fair enough, but it's hard to reconcile his behavior with his claim that "I want to be a Cincinnati Bengal." Of course, he then added, "I ain't got no choice."

Ultimately, though, Johnson's entire offseason can be boiled down to one quote: "... the fans need to understand this is a business." Fair enough, and I think he's right when he says the Bengals need to commit to getting better instead of just talking about it. Johnson just needs to work on his presentation.