DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum C. Johnson skips Bengals workouts

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3309769

CINCINNATI -- Chad Johnson skipped the start of the Bengals' offseason workouts Monday, the latest move to show he's unhappy with how he's perceived in Cincinnati.

Johnson said in interviews last week that he is skipping the voluntary workouts to reinforce his message that he'd like to play somewhere else. The Bengals have said repeatedly that they have no intention of trading him.

"I can't force them to trade me. … I'm just trying to let them know I'm not happy," Johnson told ESPN's Stuart Scott on Monday. "We're fooling ourselves not doing things we need to do to compete with the Indy's, the Jacksonville's, Dallas. How do you let Shaun Rogers get away? That helps your run defense. Our defense gives us a chance to win. I'm frustrated. I'm feeling like our fans felt 10 or 11 years before I got here and now we're going backward … not forward. We finished 11-5, 8-8, 7-9 … what are we gonna be this season coming up?"

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who tied for the NFL lead in receptions with 112 last season, also is skipping the voluntary workouts for the second straight year. Johnson has been a regular at the workouts until now.

Coach Marvin Lewis addressed the absences with the other players.

"What I addressed is that in the NFL there are a lot of different situations that occur throughout the season and the offseason, and they are not a bearing on any one particular player," Lewis said. "Whatever occurs, this is professional football. You have to deal with it in your way."

Johnson became indignant last season after a local newspaper columnist suggested his look-at-me antics were hurting the team. Fans also criticized his approach as the season careened to a 7-9 finish.

"I love the fans of Cincinnati," Johnson told ESPN. "Everything I do, I do for them. They ain't had no fun since '88 or '89."

Johnson stopped talking to the local media last season, but went on national interview shows before the Super Bowl and again last week reiterating that he feels unappreciated. Johnson has said repeatedly that he'd like to play for another team.

The Bengals would take a huge hit to their salary cap if they traded him. Johnson has four years left on his contract, which was extended in April 2006. He will make $3 million in base salary next season, and can make $18.5 million over the rest of the deal.

He caught 93 passes for a club-record 1,440 yards and eight touchdowns last season, when he became the Bengals' career leader in catches and yards.

"I wish they were here," quarterback Carson Palmer said of the two receivers, "but we'll work with what we've got and the guys that are here. That's exciting, too."

Houshmandzadeh is spending the offseason in California with a personal trainer. Johnson is staying away to make a point.

"Im not going to get too involved in it," Palmer said. "I know the guys that are here are working their butts off and working for a spot.

"I'm not worried. We've got a good group of guys -- some mature guys, some veteran guys -- that wont let any off-the-field distractions get in the way of what needs to be done, all of the work thats going on right now."

With Johnson and Houshmandzadeh elsewhere, No. 3 receiver Chris Henry was the top returning receiver at workouts on Monday. Henry was suspended by the league for the first eight games of last season. He caught 21 passes for 343 yards and two touchdowns after his return.

His four arrests and repeated punishment have set him back.

"That's all in the past," Henry said. "I'm just excited and ready to get started again."

Henry missed having Johnson around.

"He is like a brother," Henry said. "He's been here since I've been here, and he really took me in when I got here. I'd hate to see him leave."

He's digging his own grave...Bengals fans are FINALLY deciding to turn on him.

CJ is usually a distraction, but this year he's gonna be a negative distraction as in he'll dog it in practice and maybe even in games.

Even though I agree with his antics hurting the team, I don't blame him for wanting out of Cincy. That franchise has been in disarray long before the Browns moved away and came back again. The whole organization is flawed, from the ownership and front office personnel right down to the players and coaches.

Kinda makes me want to dance a jig!

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How do you let Shaun Rogers get away?

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That is one horrible organization.. Can't pick guys that stay out of trouble and can't keep guys happy..

The lone pick that seems to have worked out VERY WELL is Carson Palmer and they can't keep his weapons happy.. Too bad really, he seems like a winner that doesn't deserve this at all.

Exactly. If anybody should be asking to get out of Cinci is Carson Palmer. CJ belongs in Cinci cause he fits in with the rest of the hoodlums.

This is for you Chad....

Chad will not be a Bengal in 2008. Right now he's playing it cool and not going nuts. BUT come May or June and he's still a Bengal things will get ugly and force the Bengals to trade him or just go on with him holding out which would be stupid. Of course its the Bengals...They have handled this siutation once again, horribly. Just trade the guy and get picks, get the cancer off your team while he's valuable.

This whole mess with the Bengals over the last few seasons really boils down to Marvin Lewis not being able to manage the players and gain their respect. The first couple guys that created problems should have been dealt with. Marvin let it go and and his whole team lost all respect for him and the team has tanked. He's now just a door mat that has to defend himself at every presser.

I can't see Marvin turning this ship around, they'll lose 10 games this year and he's gone.The Bengals arent too far from the Raiders level.

How frustrating is that? Gotta laugh or else you'll cry...

I have a couple good friends who are true Bengal fans. They've stuck by them for as long as I've known them, and this was during the Bengals truly horrible years as well. I emailed them, I'll be interested to see their response.

I have to say that if Edwards or Winslow was pulling crap like this, there would be a lot of people, myself included, who would say "good riddance." Hopefully we don't run into that.

NRTU


Looking at this whole situation. I'm not 100% sure this is the organizations fault. This, to me, is more Marvin's fault.

People in Cincinnati looooooved Chad, and had they released him after that playoff game when he threw a punch at Marvin, there wouldve been negative backlash at the time, and i dont think they wanted that. plus they wouldve lost their best talent.

Did they know then that theyd be creating a cancer? well...no, but it turned out that way. Thats just bad luck.

Granted had they released him after the playoff game incident, it would look better for them now, but thats all retrospect. I think it was bad luck.

This situation with Chad is just bad luck. The situation with the arrests, well that was also one bad decision that breeded more problems. If they wouldve dumped Chris Henry when he screwed up the first time, it wouldve set a precedent and guys like Thurman, and Joseph maybe wouldve kept their noses clean.

It was another thing where talent and fans trumped morals, and its come back to bite them.

I wont go so far as to say the organization is a mess, as they just made two mistakes, that really, really, really hurt them. And not just right then, but down the road. Its more of a bummer than it is anything else.

Good points.

I blame both Lewis, who can't control his team and can't maintain a team mentality AND Chad Johnson who only thinks about himself.

They're just too stupid to realize that if they just come together, play as a team, and behave well off the field that suddenly these problems will melt away.

The selfishness and the poor leadership is apparent all over that organization.

true...the poor leadership is a surprise.

especially in the areas where their problems are. I look at their defense, and sure theyve had people in trouble, but that is always dismissed and overshadowed. Its interesting because the defense just moves on, they go on and say well, fine you guys blew it, or you guys will have to work to overcome it. But the defensive problems have been all about talent. Not off field issues, and i applaud them for that.

but on offense its been a completely different beast.

and that surprises me. because TJ and Carson are the two most stand up guys in the division if you ask me. Theyre great players and theyre smart. Im surprised both of them havent shut Chad up.

Carson really needs to step up and take control of that team. I know Marvin should, but if he doesnt, Carson should. Much like Brett Favre has done. He told Javon Walker get to camp or get to another team, and he did, and look at GB now, and look at what Walker has done (ok he got 55 mil, but have his teams won? no.) That should be the role Carson should take.

This fear of Chad is really ridiculous. Because i fully believe that the Cincy fan base would support Carson over Chad. So if Carson were to say Chad, quit being a , get to camp and play football, or get out of here, he would be supported, and prolly even lauded for his leadership.

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HNIC

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OK, what does that stand for? I know what I've always heard it meant, but I've never seen it used on this board, I'm hoping there's another meaning for it.

Like my dad always says, you can't polish a turd. Cincy would be much better off without Chad. But they can't release him because doing so would create a lot of dead money (I don't remember the exact amount). They have a tough situation and I hope that they continue to do everything wrong.

Just a couple of notes on what you were saying.........



1. Mike Brown runs the organization still........not Lewis. He makes the players go to his office still to pick up their check just so they know who is the real boss....lol. It's the same deal that goes on in Oakland, and it's hard to discipline a player when the owner doesn't have your back. Lewis was totally against getting the Brooks kid in the sup draft a couple of years back, and Brown told him it wasn't his call, and got him anyway. So the problem isn't that Lewis was given too much power, but rather the reverse.......he wasn't given enough power to properly manage his team.

2. Lewis needs to grow a sack and tell BROWN he either wants to have the power to manage the players or he's gone.

I've got some more stuff I can PM you, but I am getting this from a "source", and can't post it on here...............trust me though their problem isn't Lewis, but rather has been and will continue to be Mike Brown trying to run the show (albeit more discreetly than he used to).

True enough.. Plenty of blame all around. Someone, somewhere at the top of that organization needs to take control.. Really, laugh if you want, but I think they need a guy like Phil Savage. Someone that comes to town with instant respect (sure seemed like Phil had then when he arrived).

And that guy needs to find a coach JUST LIKE RAC. Someone that's just honest with everyone, doesn't lay blame for anything on anyone in public. Is always positive and of course, can coach.

Not that I want them to do this, but they may need to tear that team apart and start over. Maybe keeping a few key parts.. Palmer, TJ Hoosyourmama and a few others.. I hope to heck they don't do that, but that's what's needed.,

That place is a mess from top to bottom. JMO however

Same here,, only heard one meaning for that... No appropriate for here IMO.

Like a dysfunctional family.
We can only the uproar continues for about the next 20 years or so.
As long as Mike Brown is in control I think it will continue as it has.
But remember, it is only the Bungles.

What's the best way to punish someone like Johnson? You take away his ability to do what he loves, which is be in the spotlight.

If he doesn't shape up, you just make him inactive every game. The Union may not like it, but he's still getting paid, and the team has the right to make guys inactive.

I don't think there's anything preventing them from doing that. Correct me if I'm wrong.

They are not married.... So it's time for a freash start for both the Bengals and Ocho...

When someone doesn't want to be there you get as much value out of them and or as much for them as you can and you rid yourself of the issue... You improve the overall situation for all sides. Just the true hard facts of the situation. You let thy Cameron go...

I'm in the people business and thats what we/I do. Philly would be a good fit and they have experience managing this type of situation. Now keep in mind that the Chad is not what TO was when Phiily acquired him... I'd take Chad 9 times out of ten compared to TO...

There are many other teams that 85 would be a great fit with. And quite honestly if we didn't have the crew we have I'd be love to see him in orange and brown. IMO, the Browns have the staff to handle him and get the most out of him. He is an outstanding player and makes the game fun to watch.

It's a business first for those in the game... For us it's different... IMHO.

Pretty sure it could also be "head numbskull..."

J/C

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The Bengals would take a huge hit to their salary cap if they traded him. Johnson has four years left on his contract, which was extended in April 2006. He will make $3 million in base salary next season, and can make $18.5 million over the rest of the deal.

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I thought that I read somewhere that Cincy would take something like an 8 Mil Cap Hit if they were to trade or release him this year.

A Question: If he wants traded soooo damn bad, Could tell him to come back in and lets sign another contract extention and take a big reduction in salary to make it more Cap Friendly to make a trade?

If at all possible...put the ball back in his court to see exactly how bad he wants out.

I wasn't referring to the 90's, but rather stuff he's done since Lewis has been there..........heck stuff he's done since this year. He's much more discrete in his meddling these days then he was in years past, but he's still the same old Mike Brown, and Marv hasn't had the sack to stand up to him much at all............especially the last 2 years.

smart money says thatd be the right thing to do. chances are very low.

I think that theyre thinking that winning would cure all ills. They want to just win games and he'd be back in the fold.

Youd think theyd learn to cut their losses and just try to restructure his contract and thatd be smart. but i doubt theyll do that.

Doofus flareup. Just a little more drama service for the egomaniac I guess. He will show THEM who is boss! After all, look how working less, jawing more, and and self worship round the clock made for huge numbers and output last year. Just can't abide this brat attitude in the Bigs. He is well paid for his time and talent; he is under contract. I would run him deep every play I could to get my $$$$$ out of his outspoken with little good reason trailer portion. Have a great season. I am OK if he wants to sit the season out as well. Canadia remains a real option and opportunity. Sure there is room in their hall of Fame for Chaddish One.

RE: HNIC

I like it and could see that being useful. May I use that in the future with your permission?

Bengals should trade Chad Johnson ASAP

Clifton Brown
Posted: March 25, 2008


The Cincinnati Bengals should trade wide receiver Chad Johnson.

They have never won a playoff game with him. Coming off a 93-catch season, at age 30, Johnson's trade value probably never will be higher. And if the Bengals stubbornly keep Johnson, they likely will face a dysfunctional season from an unhappy star player who clearly wants out.

This is not an easy situation for the Bengals, who keep insisting Johnson will not be traded. Trading Johnson, who is signed through 2011, would force the Bengals to take a huge salary cap hit this year, reportedly in the neighborhood of $8 million. Trading Johnson also would mean giving up one of the NFL's best receivers.

But the longer this situation lasts, the more flammable it will get. Johnson already has skipped the Bengals' strength and conditioning program. That is only the beginning.

Considering his outspoken history, it is almost impossible to imagine an unhappy Johnson reporting to training camp on time, keeping his mouth shut and not being a HUGE distraction.

If that happens, the Bengals' chances of having a successful season go way down. Yes, the Bengals will avoid the salary cap hit and show Johnson who is boss. But if Johnson actually makes good on his threat to sit out the season, the Bengals will get nothing in return and still have the Johnson problem staring them in the face.

Trading Johnson means owner Mike Brown and coach Marvin Lewis would be giving into the demands of a disgruntled player. But that is not always a bad thing.

If the controversy surrounding Johnson seriously disrupts the team, everyone loses -- Brown, Lewis and the Bengals. Remember when Terrell Owens and the Eagles had their nasty divorce in 2005? That season was a nightmare for the Eagles, who went from NFC champions to 6-10. But the next season, with Owens in Dallas, the Eagles bounced back and made the playoffs.

Both the Cowboys and the Eagles might be interested in a trade for Johnson, and having those two NFC East rivals vying for his services likely would increase his trade value. Perhaps the Bengals could fetch a future high draft pick or two, or a solid defensive player. Whether Johnson stays or not, the Bengals must improve their defense; adding draft picks and/or a veteran player might speed up that process.

Fortunes can change quickly in the NFL, but even with Johnson the Bengals do not look like a team on the verge of winning a Super Bowl. They have underachieved the past two seasons, and too many of their players, like Odell Thurman and Chris Henry, have caused distractions with off-field problems. They need a new direction, not more distractions. Trading Johnson would be a step toward that.

Lewis is right when he says Johnson has been well compensated by the Bengals. Johnson is a terrific player, but the Bengals gave him a new contract in 2006; if he wants more money, the Bengals should not give it to him.

Clearly, Johnson has a right to be frustrated by the team's failure to make the playoffs, but he is not alone. Carson Palmer is frustrated, too, but he is not demanding a trade. Successful teams need star players who lead by example, especially when times are tough. But Johnson does not want to lead the Bengals. He wants to leave them.

After seven seasons in Cincinnati, Johnson has the itch to split and the Bengals should oblige him before the divorce gets really ugly. Take the salary cap hit and send Johnson packing. The time has come for the Bengals to say "Adios" to "Ocho Cinco."


http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=391403

I heard something on NFL network yesterday....I only caught part of it but it was an interview with this loser where he said he would rather play for the arena league than the bengals....anyone else catch that interview?