11-18-2003, 12:32 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Devoted
Donor
Location: New England
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Quote:
Bucs deactivate Keyshawn Johnson
Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson has been deactivated for the rest of the season.
"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 affect on our football team," said Bucs general manager Rich McKay. "Like every team in the NFL, we are focused on winning football games."
The controversial Johnson caught 45 balls for 600 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games this season for the struggling Bucs (4-6). In his eighth season out of USC, Johnson has totaled 603 receptions for 7,936 yards and 48 touchdowns.
Johnson has played in Tampa since the 2000 campaign after spending the first four years of his career with the Jets.
Reports originally stated that Johnson was released, but if the Bucs cut him, he could have been claimed by another team.
The Pro Bowl wide receiver has had a shaky relationship with head coach Jon Gruden the past two seasons over the amount of balls thrown his way.
"From a players' perspective, from a coaches' perspective, from an organizational perspective, this situation has become a distraction," McKay added.
With the move, the team is likely to trade Johnson at the end of the season. The NFL trading deadline for the 2003 campaign passed in October.
McKay has scheduled a news conference for later this afternoon.
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