NFL - Sports Rumors

Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:17 am EDT

Bengals prepared to move on without Chad Johnson

By Joe Zedalis

Chad Johnson

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Marvin Lewis sharpened his comments about Chad Johnson to a razor's edge Tuesday, the coach saying the Cincinnati Bengals are "prepared to move on" if the all-star wide receiver decides to sit out the 2008 season the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

Speaking during the AFC coaches' breakfast at the annual NFL meeting, Lewis talked openly and passionately about Johnson and challenged his team to rise above one player's squabble with the club. Johnson, a five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, has made a series of comments about the Bengals — most of them negative — over the past three months. He has threatened to sit out, though he remains under contract through 2010 with the Bengals holding an option for 2011. Lewis said the team will not trade Johnson.

"It's unfortunate that Chad has put himself in that situation, because a lot of people who really had affection for him now see him in a different light," Lewis said. "Hopefully some of the things he said, he's going to have to face one way or another. If he shows and does things, and does (them) the right way, I'm willing to take the bullets for him again and allow him to come back the right way."

Source: Cincinnati EnquirerNew Window

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55 Comments

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  1. Shea B
    1. Posted by Shea B Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:18 pm EDT

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    just trade him already, hes nothing to the bengals now but a disruption
  2. Kenster
    2. Posted by Kenster Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:49 pm EDT

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    Draft dat trade is coming. Move up and get DT or DE
  3. Greg M
    3. Posted by Greg M Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:34 pm EDT

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    What a baby
  4. Child Please
    4. Posted by Child Please Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:37 pm EDT

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    I am just amazed how athletes across the board aren't held accountable for the contracts that they sign.
  5. John
    5. Posted by John Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:57 pm EDT

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    This is an entertainment industry if you remember, but it would be nice to see a prima donna not get what they want. See; T.O. going to dallas, Eli going to new york, Walker to oakland etc etc
  6. John
    6. Posted by John Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:57 pm EDT

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    This is an entertainment industry if you remember, but it would be nice to see a prima donna not get what they want. See; T.O. going to dallas, Eli going to new york, Walker to oakland etc etc
  7. Imworth a
    7. Posted by Imworth a Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:59 pm EDT

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    This guy thinks he's a hall of famer?? Ha! Last time I checked, I don't recall any women being nominated. The dudes a punk.
  8. Stephen A
    8. Posted by Stephen A Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:19 pm EDT

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    Trade Him they will trust me if not during the draft, they will during the season, I don't understand how a team has they right to tell someone we won't trade you when asked for one, but they will when its not you asking for it! Its shows how dumb the bengals are
  9. robert.hinton@...
    9. Posted by robert.hinton@... Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:45 pm EDT

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    Playing pro sports is a job. I I didn't show up for work I would lose it. Who is advising this guy? He already has a tendency to run incorrect routes. By acting like a spoiled brat, he is cutting down on the teams that would be willing to trade form him.
  10. Wolverines
    10. Posted by Wolverines Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:04 pm EDT

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    TRADE! TRADE! TRADE! Get ride of the drama queen and beef up the D. He's acting like one of those spoiled kids on that Sweet 16 show.
  11. Wolverines
    11. Posted by Wolverines Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:04 pm EDT

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    TRADE! TRADE! TRADE! Get ride of the drama queen and beef up the D. He's acting like one of those spoiled kids on that Sweet 16 show.
  12. thetundrapigs
    12. Posted by thetundrapigs Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:06 pm EDT

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    If the Bengals do not trade this guy, they will once again demonstrate why they are where they are. Mired in mediocrity with no chance of recovery.
  13. Patrick
    13. Posted by Patrick Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:23 pm EDT

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    Trade him. I've been a Bengals fan a long time and he is a show off on the field getting penalties and we don't need him as long as we have TJ. Chris Henry should go too!
  14. Wolverines
    14. Posted by Wolverines Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:04 pm EDT

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    Trade him to Oakland for their 1st and 3rd pick, that gives Cincy a chance to beef up the D and gives Russel a huge weapon along side Walker
  15. jim
    15. Posted by jim Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:35 pm EDT

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    I'd trade him to one of the worst teams in the league. Wait a minute, he already plays for one of the worst teams in the league! Never mind!
  16. Anton
    16. Posted by Anton Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:48 pm EDT

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    I don't think he'll sit out. His ego is too big for him NOT to prove he's the best every game. But hey, he needs to fix his relationship with the coach, the players, and Carson Palmer, because chemistry is a big part of a winning team. Either that or just trade'em. He's just like Kobe earlier in the season when he was demanding trades and old Jason Kidd. T.O. whined but he still got the job done.
  17. redfox
    17. Posted by redfox Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:38 pm EDT

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    Just because a person has a God given talent, and is treated as something special and given a pass on traits that would make him a person to be looked up to, does not mean that he has the inner strength or character to become an influence for good. Such is the case for a large number of professional athletes. We the fans have created these monsters, we are the ones who pay to see them perform but do not hold them to a standard. Sounds a lot like the Roman Coliseum in it's hay day. Should we expect anything different as far as their behavior is concerned?
  18. Peebles,Ohio
    18. Posted by Peebles,Ohio Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:05 pm EDT

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    Chad needs to be made an example of for future knuckle heads that can't think for themselves. There are ways of dealing with these people that will put them in their place. Just do it.
  19. Brn4Life
    19. Posted by Brn4Life Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:43 pm EDT

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    What a SCUMBAG !!!
  20. 20pc
    20. Posted by 20pc Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:34 pm EDT

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    we would have to take a 9 million dollar hit on the salary cap if we trade him so we should just let him sit out we can recoup some of his money if he doesnt play that is why the bengals wont trade him
  21. Adam C
    21. Posted by Adam C Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:45 pm EDT

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    $8 M cap hit if we trade him. That means even if we took the Raiders #4 pick in the first round, we wouldn't have the cap room to sign 2 top 10 draft picks. You either need to recoup his signing bonus (which would lower the cap hit) or just let him sit out. Those are the only 2 options.
    I guess we'll see this year if TJ is really a #1 receiver. Chris Henry, PLEASE STAY OUT OF JAIL
  22. 32Ranger
    22. Posted by 32Ranger Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:14 pm EDT

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    I can understand the Bengals not wanting to have to take the $8 M cap if they trade him but think he will do less harm if he is sitting than if he is on the field not trying. Anyway it goes the team is going to be paying big time, just what they need more controversy!!
  23. bigDUNKdizzle
    23. Posted by bigDUNKdizzle Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:50 pm EDT

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    you do not say ok fine your outta here and just up and trade someone.....cuz then to other players it looks like you can just say ok i want outta here when times are rough.... the only two places that he could go and have a better qb is indy or new england- other then that carson palmer is the best qb in the league. with an established running game setting up the pass the bengals will go 10-6 and make the playoffs. whether or not they have chad johnson they will do this. all that chad is, is a deep threat. he hates going over the middle and would rather run a down and out. keep him in cincinnati and finally stick it to a rosenhaus client!
  24. Acbob
    24. Posted by Acbob Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:16 pm EDT

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    You CANNOT give up 8 million dollars in cap space. That's crippling to any team.
    He's already started to backtrack. Instead of unequivocally demanding a trade, he said a couple weeks ago "he wants a trade if the team doesn't try to improve via trade or the draft".
    He's playing next year. The Bengals played hardball. He's not sitting out.
  25. Anonymous
    25. Posted by Anonymous Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:17 pm EDT

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    All of this fuss over a #2 WR. The Bengals may want to consider drafting a WR in the second round for insurance.

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