The Diva Wide Receiver

Jim Souhan has a good column on the modern-day sports phenomenon known as the "Diva Receiva":

[. . .] what we now recognize as the Age of the Diva in pro sports, an age in which the phrase "controversial receiver" has become redundant.

NFL wideouts might have surpassed rock stars and European soccer fans as grazers of the nebulous pastures betwixt goofiness and destructiveness.

[. . .]

All of which gives you the feeling that if Keith Richards had played football instead of a Fender Telecaster, he would be a wide receiver. Blood transfusions on Saturday, end zone dances on Sunday.

While Owens is noise pollution and Moss seems to be simply stubborn, Bengals receiver Chad Johnson has found the right mixture of humor and self-absorption. He sends Pepto-Bismol to imminent opponents, and utters such bon mots as this one aimed at Packers cornerback Al Harris:

"The bad thing is he has to cover me. The good thing is ... he can save 15 percent by switching his insurance to Geico."

Johnson is funny and has yet to sabotage his team. Which is more than you can say for so many other star receivers.