What about Bob?

Keyshawn Johnson looked down from the ESPN podium at the draft, caught my eye and smiled.

He then held out his hand, gesturing about his on-air performance.

"So-so," the body language said.

Actually, Keyshawn, by all accounts, was terrific in his draft-day commentary on ESPN. He was particularly eloquent about the Panthers' drafting of fellow USC receiver Dwayne Jarrett in the second round, defending those who scoffed at Jarrett's lack of speed.

Little did Johnson know that he was only days away from having to find a new team. Yesterday, the Panthers released him, in part because of the drafting of Jarrett.

Now the question for Johnson: Where to next?

The Giants? It's an intriguing possibility, especially because the team showed interest in him last year before he wound up signing with the Panthers. But despite the fact that Johnson still has something left in the tank as a possession receiver, he just doesn't fit right now.

The reason: Like the Panthers, the Giants drafted another USC receiver - Steve Smith - so there's really no room for a veteran receiver like Johnson. With Smith, second-year receiver Sinorice Moss and veterans Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer, adding Johnson creates too big a logjam.

Add in the fact that Johnson would be yet another strong personality added to a locker room that needs less ego, the time just isn't right for Keyshawn to come back to New York.

The Titans are probably his best option right now; team officials have acknowledged interest in the Johnson. And while the Giants haven't completely ruled him out, the fit just doesn't seem right at this point. Unless there is an unexpected problem with Toomer's comeback from knee surgery - and by all counts, he appears ahead of schedule - then Keyshawn just doesn't fit into the equation.

As for the idea of Johnson finishing his career where it started - with the Jets - it just doesn't fit, any way you look at it. Eric Mangini and Mike Tannenbaum are not looking for 35-year-old possession receivers who like to draw attention to themselves. Besides, their top two go-to guys are Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery, and there just aren't enough passes to go around. Johnson is not a guy who will be content being a third receiver, so it just doesn't make any sense.

...

On a personal note, I've known Johnson since he was drafted by the Jets No. 1 overall in 1996, and I find him to be one of the most refershing people in the game. We've had plenty of locker room banter of the years - we once have a friendly wager that Randy Moss would score more touchdowns once their careers were all said and done - and he's been one of the best interview subjects I've ever run into. So, journalistically, there would be nothing better than to have him with the Giants this year. But this isn't about good quotes on the Giants' beat; it's about their receiving situation, period. And right now, it just doesn't make sense.