Healthy trash talk

He’s cocky.

He’s got swagger–a lot of swagger.

He’s conceited.

He emanates an air of boastfulness.

He’s also a darn good football player.27 year old wide out Chad Johnson is emerging as one of the most prolific receivers in the NFL–and one of the most talkative.

Johnson embodies the strong frame of Terrell Owens, the quick, precise, cerebral route-running of Marvin Harrison and the flashy athletic ability of Randy Moss. He’s troublesome to defend on deep routes and impossible to defend in the short game. He’ll out-muscle bump-and-run coverage from a cornerback and outrun even the slyest of safeties. He’s the most complete receiver in the NFL–combining raw strength, god-given speed, and a keen intellect.

In his first four seasons, Johnson racked up 1,000 receiving yards three times (the only time he didn’t was his rookie season); he had a career high 10 TD catches two seasons ago and caught 95 passes last season, also a career high. And with the touted Carson Palmer finally shedding his skin, Johnson’s numbers will only improve.

But stats are only half the man.

Johnson keeps a checklist of every defensive back he’s scheduled to face this season. And, every week, Johnson publicly taunts the next sorry sucker on his list.

But, unlike the pretentious Freddie Mitchell, who’s all fluff, Johnson actually backs up his bold predictions.

Like last week, when Johnson called-out the Chicago Bears secondary before catching 2 touchdown passes.

And the week before, when Johnson explicitly challenged Minnesota Vikings cornerback Fred Smoot. Johnson torched Smoot, one of the better defensive backs in the league, catching 7 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown.

Yes, Johnson trash talks, but he’s not to be compared with the selfish, self-centered, egomaniacal likes of Randy Moss and Terrell Owens. While Johnson’s tirades are in good nature, Moss and Owens generate unwanted disaffection and create hostility in the locker room–they’re all about themselves. They think they’re the pinnacle of the universe and everything else circles around them. Owens and Moss may be phenomenal players, but they’re horrible teammates.

Johnson is the opposite of that.

His antics promote cohesion and comradery. Johnson’s not publicly taunting his opponent to make them feel bad; he’s doing it to support his teammates–to create a positive atmosphere in the locker room.

Sure, he’s promoting himself, but there’s nothing wrong with that, as long as he’s doing it for the right reasons.

And what’s wrong with a little elbow-ribbing once in a while? Is he hurting anybody? Do you think Fred Smoot cries at night because Chad Johnson is calling him his next victim? No. If anything, it just makes Smoot more determined to beat Johnson (and creates an interesting headline).

In fact, Johnson’s probably good for football–he creates positive controversy while throwing in a little drama to spice up the fun-diluted NFL. Chad Johnson doesn’t need the NFL, he could probably make a lucrative acting career, but the NFL needs Chad Johnson. The NFL has been plastered with the title, “no fun league,” and rightfully so. Johnson’s vivaciousness, zeal and fun-loving cockiness is drawing public attention and exorcizing the ominous vibe the NFL is carrying around.

But what happens when Johnson has an off day (and everyone has off days)? It’ll be interesting to see how he responds: does he discontinue his public revelry or audaciously mock the next guy on his list?

Will people listen the next time he guarantees a win or taunts an opposing defense? Will his luminous flare fizzle into mediocrity?

Johnson’s engulfing himself in a potentially messy situation.

But hopefully we’ll see more Chad Johnson in the headlines rather than the droning Owens and Moss garbage that’s been infused into our brains–you can’t say annoying without mentioning TO, they’ve become synonymous, and Randy Moss, we all know you’re the most athletic wide out in football (when you want to be), we all know you’re on track to shatter every record in the book, and we all knew you were lighting up the neon bunny (marijuana). You didn’t need to hold an elaborate interview to convey that message.

Hopefully Johnson’s rants will entice the next generation of football stars to follow suit. If they see how much publicity Johnson is getting, without the infamous baggage that typically encompasses fame, then maybe we’ll see more guys like Johnson in the future.

But with glorious fame comes a high chance of corruption. The good-hearted Johnson might find the lust for, say, a bigger contract, too endearing a chance to pass up. It’s human nature to yearn for more: more money, more wealth, more women. If Johnson has to make a decision, for the team or for oneself, will human instinct drive him to riches and greed?

It drove Terrell Owens to greed. It drove Randy Moss to greed.

How is Chad Johnson different?

He isn’t. He’s cocky…he’s conceited….he’s human.