Chad Johnson Says New England Patriots Didn’t Allow Him To Be Himself

Heard A Lot Of That Same Talk Here

After a disappointing season with the New England Patriots in which he caught 15 passes for 276 yards, Chad Johnson has finally revealed the reason for his struggles. The new Miami Dolphins wide receiver told the Miami Herald:

“My personality was controlled last year. You didn’t hear me at all last year. Zero. Zilch. When my mouth is running, it forces me to perform. It’s never been vindictive. I never got anybody in trouble. … When I can be me, I am loose. Everything just flows for me, whether it’s the style of play, the way I learn.”

“I’m going back to my normal ways. My normal ways, when I was at my best, when I got fined, look at the production those years. Usually things don’t go right when you try to change the way you do things. I’m back to normal.”

Johnson thinks the atmosphere in Miami is more conducive to his success:

“One of the things I like about being here, that’s so refreshing, and is such a weight off my back, is I can be me, whatever that entails. When I can be me, I am loose. Everything just flows for me. Whether it’s the style of play, the way I learn.”

The 34-year-old also isn’t worried about the Dolphins’ quarterback play, with the starter expected to be David Garrard, Matt Moore or first-round pick Ryan Tannehill:

“This season is going to be a monster year. I don’t care who’s playing quarterback. I’m going to have a great year. The first day I get to camp, everybody’s mouth can drop [the bleep] open. My game is at the point where it doesn’t matter who starts at quarterback. Oprah can play quarterback and we’ll be all right.”