Thursday, September 21 Why Keyshawn still disses Chrebet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Mark Cannizzaro Special to ESPN.com What began four years ago as an immature rant that smacked of insecurity as much as it did a craving for more attention has evolved into a tired lounge act that must be mercifully stopped. When Keyshawn Johnson first took cheap shots at fellow Jets wide receiver Wayne Chrebet, calling Chrebet the "team mascot" in his trashy, ill-advised book about his rookie season, he was looked upon like an immature youngster who'd learn respect. Unlike Keyshawn Johnson, Wayne Chrebet did not talk to the media this week. It actually made the fact that their lockers were adjacent to each other in one corner of the locker room rather humorous. But when Johnson, in quiet read-between-the-lines whispers during his four years as a Jet, continued to show Chrebet little respect, it became an annoying ongoing issue that you wished would go away because both players are such terrific, special talents. Once Johnson was traded away to Tampa Bay shortly before last April's NFL draft, it renewed Johnson's assault on Chrebet. He told anyone who would listen that there was no way Chrebet could survive as a so-called No. 1 receiver. Johnson went on and on about how much better Dedric Ward is as a receiver compared to Chrebet, how Ward is a playmaker opposing coaches fear more than Chrebet. He so much as said, "Watch what happens when I'm not there," insinuating that it was his presence that allowed Chrebet to catch the 265 passes and 17 touchdowns while the two played together. The fact is, it was as much Chrebet's presence and talent that opened up seams for Johnson to make his receptions as it was Johnson's presence that opened things up for Chrebet. They were a terrific tandem, as formidable a one-two receiving punch as any in the NFL. For the most part, Chrebet has taken the high road in this off-the-field battle. However, when Johnson surfaced with the Dedric Ward comments from Tampa, Chrebet wondered aloud why Johnson was so interested in him. Now, with the 3-0 Jets poised to play Johnson's 3-0 Buccaneers Sunday in Tampa Bay, the venomous way in which Johnson keeps firing missiles at Chrebet is bordering on demented. On Wednesday, Johnson had perhaps his most delusional moment when he had the audacity to accuse reporters of manufacturing this rivalry between the two because they keep asking him questions about Chrebet. This was the first salvo Johnson fired toward Chrebet as this week of hype began when the two teams went to 3-0 with wins on Sunday: "There's no beef with him. You're trying to compare a flashlight to a star. Flashlights only last so long; a star is in the sky forever. He's not even close to me and anyone who knows football knows that." Johnson currently has 14 receptions for 180 yards for a 12.9-yard average and one touchdown. Chrebet had 13 catches for 154 yards, an 11.8-yard average and two touchdowns. While Johnson had three scheduled press conferences this week -- using the bulk of them to continue taking cheap shots at Chrebet and new Jets coach Al Groh -- Chrebet, who last week began warning that he had nothing to say about Johnson, has been conspicuous by his absence. He was one of the first players out of the locker room and gone after the Jets' win over the Bills last Sunday and has not once made an appearance in the Jets' locker room during the allotted time when reporters have access. Chrebet knows his presence is wanted, but he's so far refused to oblige, preferring to avoid the obvious topic completely. There are a number of theories about why Johnson insists on keeping his disdain for Chrebet. Firstly, when he arrived to the Jets, Johnson was immediately intimidated by the fact that Chrebet had reached such darling status with Jets' fans, New York and the NFL coming from where he came from: A free agent longshot from Hofstra University, where the Jets train. Chrebet caught 66 passes as a rookie after making the team from 10th on the depth chart. Secondly, Chrebet, who can be somewhat quiet and perceived as aloof, didn't bow to Johnson's self-perceived greatness upon his arrival. Things got so acrimonious, that Johnson quietly turned his dislike for Chrebet into a race issue, making comments that indicated that if Chrebet weren't white he wouldn't have received nearly the accolades he has in the NFL. “ I just think if you're going to be a professional athlete, act like a professional athlete and just go about your business. We're 3-0 and he's not here. Go tell that to Keyshawn. ” — Kevin Mawae, Jets center "(The relationship between Chrebet and Johnson) was pretty non-existent for a couple of years, pretty icy to say the least," former Jet and current Jaguar tight end Kyle Brady said this week. "There was no communication in 1996 or 1997, none that I saw anyway. I don't think there was much admiration or respect at all." Brady's locker was several feet away from Chrebet's and Johnson's. It was always an interesting and amusing dynamic watching the goings on around the Chrebet-Johnson stalls. Often, Johnson's bravado with a group of reporters surrounding his locker would often hit an instant dimmer when Chrebet would arrive to his locker. Johnson was well aware of Chrebet's utter disdain for him, and there was an element of it that was intimidating to him. For Chrebet, having Johnson's locker next to his was at least as bad as a college kid showing up to his dorm room to find himself or herself stuck with a terrible roommate. At least Chrebet and Johnson didn't have to sleep together in the same room. Brady, who was always very close to Chrebet when he was a Jet, found it pathetic that Johnson can't let go. "He tries to throw stones at Wayne's house, but they come back and break his own windows," Brady said. "Why should he be concerned about Wayne if he thinks the guy is nothing, just an average receiver making his way in the league? Why make up those colorful quotes? Obviously, there's some insecurity." Insecurity is the common denominator to Johnson's continuous rants. But why should he be insecure? The man seemingly has everything -- a $56 million contract, a family, houses, a restaurant. Here are a few theories on why Johnson won't let go: Ever since being traded away, he's felt rejected by the Jets. After all, who's still there as the marquee receiver in New York? Chrebet. He's merely a complementary player on the Buccaneers, who are a running and defensive team, and that bothers him because he thrives on being the center of attention. He's in Tampa, not New York. Commercial Keyshawn is a much smaller item in the publicity world playing in Tampa compared to being in New York. He's undoubtedly been taken aback by the Jets' 3-0 start to the season, something they were unable to do in the four years he was in New York. Given Johnson's outward disrespect for Groh, he has to be surprised at how well the Jets have fared so far, not to mention the fact that Chrebet and Ward have played so well. Interestingly, as Johnson takes his shots at Chrebet, Chrebet goes undefended -- not that he needs to be. But the Jets players were warned at the start of the week by Groh to stay away from Keyshawn chatter. One of the few players who had the backbone to stand up to Johnson's ridiculous chirps has been Jets center Kevin Mawae. "There's some guys that handle themselves with class and there's some guys that don't," Mawae said. "Wayne continues to make plays and continues to get dogged. I don't know if it's a sense of jealousy or insecurity." Note to Mawae and everyone else: It's both. "Keyshawn ... whoops, I wasn't supposed to say his name ... I just think if you're going to be a professional athlete, act like a professional athlete and just go about your business," Mawae said. "We're 3-0 and he's not here. Go tell that to Keyshawn." In closing, we present Keyshawn Johnson's worst nightmare: A Jets victory Sunday in his house, Raymond James Stadium, with Chrebet making six catches for 115 yards and Johnson making a quiet three catches for 46 yards in a losing effort. That's perhaps the only scenario that might shut Johnson up -- for a few minutes anyway. Don't believe the Bledsoe trade rumors Bledsoe There have been rumblings in New England that the Patriots are unsure about whether to retain quarterback Drew Bledsoe for the long haul. There was even one newspaper report that quoted unnamed sources close to team owner Robert Kraft saying he wasn't certain he wanted to re-sign Bledsoe to an extention. That notion, however, is so preposterous that Kraft felt compelled to stand up and defend Bledsoe this week. "As far as I'm concerned we're privileged to have Drew Bledsoe here," Kraft said. "I hope and believe he will remain a Patriot until he's ready to retire." The Patriots are 0-3, but it's not something that can be pinned on Bledsoe's performance. The mentality of the New England sports fan is sometimes a lynch-mob mentality. If they run Bledsoe out of town, then they'll really understand what bleak football hopes are. Bledsoe is one of the very best in the game. He simply needs more talent around him. Bledsoe is currently playing under a seven-year, $50 million deal that runs through the 2002 season. Given the utter lack of quality quarterbacks out there, consider it a lock that the Patriots re-sign him to an extension. Dolphins wary of desperate Pats Speaking of the Patriots, the three teams that have contributed to their 0-3 start are a combined 9-0 entering this weekend. The Buccaneers, Jets and Vikings are all 3-0. "All you have to do is watch the film and you see New England making as many plays as anyone else we've played," Miami coach Dave Wannstedt, whose Dolphins play the Pats Sunday. Wannstedt added that the Patriots are "one play away from being 3-0." Bledsoe has thrown for 3,736 yards against the Dolphins, the most by any active quarterback in the NFL against the Dolphins. "They're a desperate football team," Thurman Thomas said. "Coach (Wannstedt) made mention about a wounded bear," Miami linebacker Derrick Rodgers said. No stampede in Buffalo Smith What has happened to the Bills' rushing attack? With Thurman Thomas having departed for Miami, Antowain Smith was supposed to be the answer as the Bills' feature back, but he's been regressing since eclipsing the 1,000-yard barrier two seasons ago. Last year, he had only 695 yards and five touchdowns on 205 carries. This year, he has 72 yards on 34 carries in three games. Buffalo coach Wade Phillips, reaching for answers, said he'll start Jonathan Linton Sunday against the Colts. "Hopefully, I can go in there and meet their expectations; the coaches have faith in me," Linton said. The Bills' leading rusher is quarterback Rob Johnson with 109 yards on 16 scrambles. Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post writes an AFC notebook every Thursday for ESPN.com. ALSO SEE NFC: Bucs loosen up on offense VIDEO ESPN's Sal Paolantonio takes a look at Keyshawn Johnson's first game against the New York Jets. RealVideo: 28.8 Al Groh says it was a total team effort in Sunday's win against Buffalo. RealVideo: 28.8 Tony Dungy and the 3-0 Buccaneers are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the 3-0 Jets. RealVideo: 28.8 Linda Cohn talks with Vinny Testaverde about the Jets' 3-0 start. RealVideo: 28.8