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| Johnson plans on taking a more serious approach in 2012. (Getty Images) |
INDIANAPOLIS -- Stevie Johnson drew a lot of attention over the past two years with his touchdown celebrations, much of it unwanted. And as he heads towards an offseason that could see him become a free agent, those antics have to be concerning for teams interested in Johnson's service.
Except Johnson says that he's 'done' with touchdown celebrations moving forward, regardless of where he ends up playing.
"It could be a good thing or a bad thing," Johnson said when asked if teams would be worried. "But no matter what: I'm done with it. When I was doing my first couple seasons, I was just trying to be a relevant guy, you know? I think people are beginning to know who [No.] 13 is."
Really? Johnson's just going to quit coming up with random, quirky ways to draw attention to himself? Apparently so.
"Yeah, for real man," Johnson said. "Just thumbs ups. I'm going to still play with the confidence and swagger I have but thinking about what I'm doing next, I'm done with it."
The real question is whether or not Johnson will be in Buffalo. The wide receiver said he'd prefer to remain a Bill but understands the limited number of chances he'll have to cash in on a shot at the open market.
"I'm definitely hoping the Bills step up and we can connect on an agreement and I can play out my career in Buffalo," Johnson said. "But with free agency, you get this maybe once in your career so I'm gonna keep my options to all the teams and we'll go from there."
There's also a good chance Buffalo decides to utilize the franchise tag on Johnson; keeping him for an additional year and seeing if he can replicate his success from the previous two years wouldn't be all that cost prohibitive.
And while Johnson wouldn't prefer the franchise tag, he would be open to it.
"I'd definitely be open to that because I'd have another season in Buffalo," Johnson said. "But it's good and bad because it's only one season that I'd have. But if it has anything to do with signing in Buffalo I'm definitely interested in it."
Presuming that Johnson ends up sticking, he's making it sound like someone else will be asking why he's so serious.
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