Bengals players are reportedly fed up with Chad and T.J.

by Josh Kirkendall on Dec 17, 2007 2:41 PM EST in Rumors

When someone says something about this team, without an official known source, I simply take it for a grain of salt. Lately, I haven't been able to resist. Someone is saying something about them. That someone is the guy that broke the story about the locker-room explosion during the Bengals 2005 Wild Card Game.

A league source tells us that there is growing animosity in the Bengals locker room toward receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

Per the source, both are yelling "all the time" at quarterback Carson Palmer, but coach Marvin Lewis doesn't say or do anything about it. Players are also upset that the two receivers are trying to "run the team."

The situation reminds us of the latter days of the Denny Green era in Minnesota, where receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss were berating quarterback Daunte Culpepper and operating under a separate set of rules.

Makes me feel like eating my words about Marvin Lewis earlier this morning. It's not that I'm taking this rumormill as 100% accurate of the team's lockerroom. Sadly, the rumormill has promoted more truths than not. However, even if this were true, I'd advise against casting blame. At this point, someone, anyone, needs to figure out what to do with this damned team.

Tweet Comment 3 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Let's hope...

...Mike Brown pulls an Art Modell and we get a new franchise in town. I'm serious. It's the best option.

Tom Blogical

by Tom Blogical on Dec 17, 2007 6:59 PM EST reply actions

Palmer

He's a big boy; why doesn't he yell back? If the rumors are at all accurate, and if the team is fed up with the two star WRs, then the team should be in Palmer's corner if he told the WRs to stuff it.

Maybe Lewis is waiting to see if Palmer will stand up for himself.

by etabby on Dec 18, 2007 1:07 AM EST reply actions

The Blame Game

I'm not buying it. Receivers are always the ones making noise, but Carson is a big boy and that won't bother him. I am concerned about his high throws the last few weeks. I also thought Chris Henry would make more of a splash. Henry looks like good trade bait to me....
If they really want to improve, try changing the play calling and formations. The last four games, at least, they have been very predictable. When the announcers start reading you, I think the opposing teams can also.
We need to set the players up for success. TJ and Chad will fall in line once we start winning (next year?). And of course, draft defensive linemen...big...fast....hard workers.

by Sloppygolf on Dec 18, 2007 7:46 AM EST reply actions