I was going to pen (I guess type is the better term here because I haven’t put pen to paper since college) yet another take on why the Anquan Boldin situation will distract the Cardinals, who is to blame (obviously Drew Rosenhaus) and how it could possibly send the Cardinals into another disappointing season but what’s the point. You’ve heard everyone blame everyone else for the standoff and when it comes down to it each side has “valid” reasons for their stance.

The thing that stands out most to me about the entire situation is the fact that each participant is playing their conventional role - Cardinals as cheap, Rosenhaus as greedy - with the exception of Boldin. From all accounts Boldin has always been a very stand up guy and a team leader. A model NFL receiver, if you will, that doesn’t open his mouth but lets his play on the field do the talking, and boy does it speak volumes. Simple, talented, with no sideshow…until now.

The complete change of Boldin’s behavior is what leaves such a bitter taste in my mouth. So much so, that it got me to thinking, would I rather have Anquan Boldin right now, or Chad Johnson?

Both receivers have the same complaints about their contracts, organizations and coaches but both have taken distinctly different paths to get to this point.

While Boldin was quietly torching defensive backs and running over linebackers, Johnson was making lists of corner backs he would soon make fools of and publicly calling them out. He was doing crazy touchdown celebrations and making up fake name plates for his jersey. The game was as much about “what would Chad Johnson do next?” as it was “will the Bengals win?” (which is good because for a majority of the time the answer to the latter was ‘no’). He was a distraction, but an entertaining one.

Johnson and Boldin, both Rosenhaus clients, demanded new contracts in the off season, didn’t attend mini-camp and threatened to not attend training camp (although both eventually would).

The difference is the biggest news that Johnson has made since training camp started is the that he is considering officially changing his name to Ocho Cinco, so the NFL can’t prohibit him from wearing the moniker on the back of his jersey .

Johnson’s attitude and hi jinx can be distracting to a team from time to time, but his jovial attitude has a way of defusing even the tensest of situations (like a ‘that’s what she said’ joke in the middle of an interview).

That’s the reason I’d rather have Johnson over Boldin at this point. Boldin’s stark contrast in attitude is slowly poisoning his locker room and ruining his reputation while Chad is just being Chad. Johnson may complain but you know something funny and interesting is right around the corner to break the tension. He may demand a new contract in one breath but will have a an entertaining touchdown dance, funny sound bite pull a complete 180 in opinion the next .

It’s time to relax Anquan. Do a touchdown dance, be quircky and then rip on the coach the organization and make some jokes afterwards. If you do that all things will be forgiven. Otherwise you just look like a curmudgeon … like you do now.

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