Chad Johnson played in his first game for the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes yesterday and lets just say he has some work to do.
Chad hasn’t played since he was released by the Miami Dolphins a few years ago and it showed in his first CFL game. The once dynamic receiver only managed 1 catch for 13 yards in his debut and was overthrown on a fly pattern on his other target. That missed fade pattern told more about Chad’s skills than the actual reception. Chad looked heavy footed getting off of the jam at the line and couldn’t gain any separation from the DB running up the sideline.
On the catch Chad ran a veteran 10 & out pattern that had more deception to it than actual quickness. Instead of exploding up field and stopping on a dime like he once would, Chad jogged up field and used a false step/head bob towards the inside to create the space needed to get the reception. Then after brining in the pass he tripped trying to cut upfield. A play that Chad would’ve turned into a 30 yard gain just 4 years ago.
Hopefully Chad shakes off the rust and performs better in his next few games.