Shell
11-18-2003, 03:19 PM
Bucs Declare Keyshawn Johnson Inactive
11 minutes ago
By FRED GOODALL, AP Sports Writer
TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa Bay star receiver Keyshawn Johnson was deactivated for the rest of the season Tuesday, and the two-time Pro Bowl selection has likely played his last game for the Buccaneers.
"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.
"We are focused on winning football games. From a player's perspective, from an organizational perspective, this situation has become a distraction."
McKay planned a late-afternoon news conference to discuss the decision.
Johnson, who is midway through a $56 million contract that included a $13 million signing bonus, has been unhappy with his role in coach Jon Gruden's offense during a disappointing 4-6 start for the defending Super Bowl champions.
He put his Tampa home up for sale last week and had been dropping not-so-subtle hints in the locker room he did not wish to remain in Tampa Bay beyond 2003.
McKay said he spoke with Johnson's agent, Jerome Stanley, and "we agreed that it will not be necessary for him to be present at our facility for the remainder of the year."
Johnson, the first pick in the 1996 draft, was acquired in a trade with the New York Jets (news) in 2000. He was the Bucs' leading receiver the past three seasons and helped them win their first Super Bowl in January.
Johnson reached 600 career catches quicker than any other receiver except Indianapolis' Marvin Harrison. He is the Bucs' third-leading receiver this season with 45 catches for 600 yards and three touchdowns.
Messages left by The Associated Press with Johnson were not immediately returned. Reached in Miami by the St. Petersburg Times, he said he was shocked by the move.
"I really don't know what to say. Basically, they are shutting me down for the rest of the season. I don't understand it," Johnson told the newspaper. "I gave them everything I had between the white lines. I did everything they asked me to do. But it's OK, I'll continue to work out and stay in shape and look forward to playing somewhere else next year."
11 minutes ago
By FRED GOODALL, AP Sports Writer
TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa Bay star receiver Keyshawn Johnson was deactivated for the rest of the season Tuesday, and the two-time Pro Bowl selection has likely played his last game for the Buccaneers.
"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.
"We are focused on winning football games. From a player's perspective, from an organizational perspective, this situation has become a distraction."
McKay planned a late-afternoon news conference to discuss the decision.
Johnson, who is midway through a $56 million contract that included a $13 million signing bonus, has been unhappy with his role in coach Jon Gruden's offense during a disappointing 4-6 start for the defending Super Bowl champions.
He put his Tampa home up for sale last week and had been dropping not-so-subtle hints in the locker room he did not wish to remain in Tampa Bay beyond 2003.
McKay said he spoke with Johnson's agent, Jerome Stanley, and "we agreed that it will not be necessary for him to be present at our facility for the remainder of the year."
Johnson, the first pick in the 1996 draft, was acquired in a trade with the New York Jets (news) in 2000. He was the Bucs' leading receiver the past three seasons and helped them win their first Super Bowl in January.
Johnson reached 600 career catches quicker than any other receiver except Indianapolis' Marvin Harrison. He is the Bucs' third-leading receiver this season with 45 catches for 600 yards and three touchdowns.
Messages left by The Associated Press with Johnson were not immediately returned. Reached in Miami by the St. Petersburg Times, he said he was shocked by the move.
"I really don't know what to say. Basically, they are shutting me down for the rest of the season. I don't understand it," Johnson told the newspaper. "I gave them everything I had between the white lines. I did everything they asked me to do. But it's OK, I'll continue to work out and stay in shape and look forward to playing somewhere else next year."