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Sunday, July 13, 2008

NFL head coaches prefer Chad Johnson over T.O.

Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker

Which Pro Bowl-caliber player would you not want on your roster?
PlayerPos.TeamVotes
1. Terrell OwensWRDallas Cowboys14
2. Chad JohnsonWRCincinnati Bengals3
3. Randy MossWRNew England Patriots1
3. Drayton FlorenceCBJacksonville Jaguars1
3. Adam JonesCBDallas Cowboys1

This offseason ESPN.com did an anonymous survey of NFL head coaches that explored a variety of topics, including smartest offensive and defensive player, dirtiest player and owner with the best reputation.

Another question we asked NFL head coaches was which Pro Bowl-caliber player would they not want on their roster?

Of the 20 head coaches who responded, 14 voted for Dallas Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens, who was the runaway winner. Chad Johnson of the Cincinnati Bengals was a distant second with three votes.

Hunter Martin/Getty Images
Fourteen head coaches said they wouldn't want Terrell Owens on their team.

But the question is why Owens, and why such a large margin?

When it comes to winning, there is no comparison between Owens and Johnson.

Owens led three different teams to the playoffs and has a Super Bowl appearance with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Johnson has just one winning season his entire career in Cincinnati and is 0-1 in the postseason.

Their styles of play vary but both are effective. Their numbers have been comparable the past several seasons.

Yet, a majority of NFL head coaches would rather have Johnson on their team over Owens, which is interesting.

It is clear that Owens rates much higher on the distraction scale with coaches.

Original here