I think we need to be careful before jumping to conclusions about what really happened inside Chad Johnson's car this weekend. Mostly, because both 85 and his wife are certifiably insane.
You know about Chad. His whackiness has been on display since the moment he entered the league. Of course, he never really gave off the vibe that he was "violent crazy"especially towards women. But I guess you never know.
As for his wife, Evelyn Lozada (Antoine Walker's ex-fianceeone of the stars of VH1's Basketball Wives), here's a little glimpse at what she brings to the crazy train.
All aboard!
OK, I won't make any more light of this situation. But the point is that I really think it's worth pumping the breaks on labeling Johnson a wife beaterdomestic abuser until all the details are out there. For now, all we have is two crazy people in a smart car with a condoms receipt.
The one thing we do know, however, is that Chad Johnson is out of a jobthe Dolphins released him shortly after he was released from jail.
If you watched the first episode of HBO's Hard Knocks, you weren't surprised by this development. Even though he looked pretty good on the field, there was no question that Johnson's unpredictable, attention-whore mentality was already wearing on new head coach Joe Philbin and Co. It's obvious that they don't really care if 85's innocent or not, they just don't want him associated with the team. And no one can blame them. Johnson's had one 1000-yard receiving season since 2007; the time for putting up with his ridiculousness has long past.
New England Patriots
But I don't think people are done putting up with it.
In light of everything that may have happened this weekend, I've heard a bunch of people speculate that Johnson head-butted away his career in that smart car. That Miami was his last shot in the NFL, and he'll now have to settle on a career as professional reality star. I don't buy it, though. There's no way we've seen the last of Chad Johnson.
If Terrell Owens is still getting chances at 38, someone will take a chance on Johnson at 34. Or 35. Or 36. And he'll probably blow every one.
But that won't stop them from trying.
Rich can be reached at rlevine@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Rich on Twitter at http:twitter.comrich_levine