Miami Dolphins WR Chad Johnson has a reputation as a man who does not mince his words, and he lived up to it on Wednesday, when he made his first press conference appearance as a Dolphin.
After spending last season with the notoriously disciplined New England Patriots, Johnson clearly relished the chance to speak his mind in South Florida.
Johnson opened by saying training camp is going "[expletive] awesome," setting the tone for a candid and expletive-filled session. "I’m flying around like a young dude, just having fun."
Though he caught just 15 passes (with one touchdown) a year ago in New England, Johnson said he can return to being the perennial Pro Bowler he was with the Cincinnati Bengals, when he made the NFL's All-Star showcase 6 times in 10 seasons. "I'll be back to normal," he said.
"Regardless of what happened in the past, it’s the past. I’m moving on. The odds have been stacked against me since 1978."
When asked why he did not have a good 2011 season with the Patriots, Johnson said, "I don't know. It doesn't matter. Fins up. [Expletive], it doesn't matter." He said he has no regrets about signing with the Patriots a year ago. "I learned so many things."
Patriots coach Bill Belichick ("one of the greatest coaches ever in the game") taught Johnson a lot, namely discipline. "[I] learned to shut the [expletive] up for a year," Johnson said. "I never thought I could do it, but I did it."
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Johnson dismissed the idea that he has a roster spot secured, adding that if he doesn't make the Dolphins, "I'm always looking to a second job." Not that he shouldn't make the team. After the Dolphins traded leading receiver Brandon Marshall in the offseason, the receivers are easily one of the weaker groups on the team.
He has a plan just in case he gets cut, though. "Thinking about going into porn," he said. "It's not funny. I got to earn a living. I'm being serious. I mean, that's what I would do."
That outcome probably won't come to pass, but you can't say Johnson isn't always thinking about his next move.
