The Gaston Gazette reports a local Cincinnati sports reporter interviewed Ocho Cinco on Wednesday and asked him about joining the Panthers.

On Wednesday, perennial Pro Bowl receiver Chad Johnson of the Cincinnati Bengals told WFNZ- AM’s Mark Packer that he’d love a chance to play for the Panthers.

"Definitely," Johnson told the radio station at the Super Bowl.

I find it tantalizing to think about, having Johnson opposite Smith. Considering how well Jake Delhomme throws the deep ball the Panthers could stretch the field from either side.

When asked about the potential impact to the Carolina offense:

As Johnson told WFNZ-AM: "DeShaun Foster would never see eight men in the box again."

That’s a nice thought but I’d rather say "DeAngelo Williams will never see eight men in the box." With a legitimate threat opposite Smith and an upgrade on the line in one or two positions and this offense could make a huge turnaround.

But alas, getting Johnson is really only a pipe dream at this point.

Johnson is under contract through 2011 the Bengals have said they have no intentions of trading him. It’s also unlikely the Bengals would want to swallow the accelerated portion of Johnson’s original signing bonus in this year’s salary cap.

I’m not going to get excited about any of this wishful thinking until I hear some kind of rumor out of Charlotte. Should the Bengals listen if the Panthers call? Why would they not. They already have a rising star at WR in TJ Housurmomma and it’s no secret they need big time help on defense. I bet Kris Jenkins would interest them. Or Chris Gamble. The Panthers could still draft an OT in the first round and go for a DT or CB in the second to replace whomever they trade.

The reason this pipe dream is so enticing is that the Panthers have had this glaring hole in their offense for three seasons now. The thought of returning to a multidimensional offense makes us all harken back to the recent playoff runs that are getting farther in our past. We just need to start rumors that are at least slightly possible.

I’ll be glad to get the Super Bowl over so we can move on the business of improving the roster.