Me-Shawn no longer; Johnson cares about wins, not stats

TAMPA, Fla. -- Dressed in a sharp suit and tie, looking every bit the professional that he is, Carolina Panthers receiver Keyshawn Johnson walked slowly from the locker room last Sunday at Raymond James Stadium talking about how he has dealt with all those who say his best football is way behind him.

"I don't care," Johnson said. "I really don't care."

Come on, Keyshawn? You, of all people, don't care?

Three games into his Panthers tenure, Keyshawn Johnson has provided steady production. (Getty Images)

"As long as I'm out there doing all I can to help my team win, I don't care," he said. "I know what I have left. I know I can still play and play at a high level. That other stuff won't bother me. I've been around too long. I have too many other things to worry about."

After talking to him, I believe him.

He might have screamed loudly -- and wrote a book -- and he has been involved in his share of controversies over the years, but Johnson seems to be at peace with his lot in life, playing second-fiddle -- being the other guy -- to star Steve Smith on the Panthers.

That can be tough to take for some receivers, particularly a guy like Johnson whose ego rivals any I've encountered. But, so far, Johnson hasn't griped, hasn't called for the ball. What we have is a more mature Keyshawn Johnson.

And you know what: Give me 22 like him and I'll play anybody, anywhere. Johnson is a gamer, the kind of player you have to have on your team to win. He'll do the dirty work. He blocks. He runs crossing routes. Whatever he's asked, he'll do -- with enjoyment.

"I play ball," Johnson said. "That's what I do. ... Ask any of the coaches I've played for. I go out and make plays."

At 34, now in his 11th season, Johnson is doing a heck of a job playing ball. In the Panthers' 26-24 victory over the Buccaneers, he showed the doubters that he can still get it done.

He had seven catches for 94 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown pass from Jake Delhomme. He also scored on a 6-yard reverse that prompted some teammates to mock his speed, which Johnson laughed about.

"Running those reverses isn't just about speed," Johnson said. "It takes some technique."

Playing receiver isn't just about speed, either. It helps, but Johnson has never been a burner, yet he's 1 yard away from 10,000 for his career. He has 760 catches and has consistently put up good numbers, even if some critics say he has never lived up to being the first overall pick in the 1996 draft by the New York Jets.