Chad Johnson isn't with the team for offseason program

by Josh Kirkendall on Mar 30, 2009 1:52 PM EDT in Chad Johnson Campaign

Chad Johnson isn't with the team to start the offseason program, writes James Walker.

"I'm not worried about him; I'm worried about the guys we have here," Palmer said at a news conference Monday. "The guys that want to be here and want to work now are the guys who are in the locker room right now and are here today."

Geoff Hobson did write:

Indications were that wide receiver Chad Ocho Cinco wasn't in the building, although he is expected to begin working out in Los Angeles with Charles Collins, his junior college coach. Palmer said he hasn't spoken to Ocho Cinco and wouldn't comment on his absence, saying he's focused on the players that are here.

Whether or not we can call this a mini-protest, demanding to be traded again, is beyond us. This could be an influence from Houshmandzadeh to workout while in California, nothing more, or it could be bona-fide demand to be traded -- or at least to promote your refusal to be with your teammates.

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Coles, Henry and Caldwell are the three starters…whaddya say, guys?

by TheWalrus1971 on Mar 30, 2009 2:25 PM EDT reply actions

Unfortunately

That’s a colossal step back in talent

Men write many fine and plausible arguments in support of monarchy, but the fact remains that where every man in a state has a vote, brutal laws are impossible.

by BoVandy on Mar 30, 2009 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Here we go again

I agree with Walrus, when he does show up for mini camp put him in the second unit to prove a point. He should know by now that he has no control over his situation as hes signed through 2010 with a club option for 2011.

by CincyMike56 on Mar 30, 2009 3:15 PM EDT reply actions

Ocho no-show no-go

If he misses this voluntary workout after all the off-season talk, it’s time to give him his wish. Shop him for a 2nd rounder that likely would allow drafting OT William Beatty and C Eric Wood with our two picks in that round. Use #6 to grab Mizzou WR Jeremy Maclin who is faster, stronger, and more elusive than Ocho and returns kicks as well. Thus, we get a deep threat to go with Coles and address the need for a KR.

by rob9571 on Mar 30, 2009 3:56 PM EDT reply actions

its voluntary…. but we can do without him, i firmly believe our best wideout is Henry

by cinbengal_85@yahoo.com on Mar 30, 2009 4:06 PM EDT reply actions

"its voluntary"

True. But it never really is just voluntary. If not for the questions about whether a player is happy enough, players that actually attend, tend to disregard the players that don’t show up. Building the team unity, that type of thing.

Just a thought.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Mar 30, 2009 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I firmly beleive he should be there. He hasnt caught a pass from Carson since like week 4 i think and needs to get a feel of coles. Get a team chemistry going and show the other guys that hes commited for this season

by cinbengal_85@yahoo.com on Mar 30, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions

goddamnit!

Will somebody please rid us of this meddlesome ~~priest~~ wide receiver? Given the legal woes of Plaxico Burress and Philly’s serious need of a number one receiver, there is a market for him- and probably a first round pick type market. Maybe just the first rounder with no accompaniment but pick 28 or whatever the Giants first is would be just fine. Carson will hit whoever we put out there, somehow some way- at least as long as he’s upright. Coles will have no problem getting in sync. Henry has been working with Carson almost all off season, and the kids spent the last month doing the same. What little benefit we’d gain keeping Chad would be negated by his presence and what it says about Marvin’s control of the team. Hell, with a late first, we could pick up a Hakeem Nicks, maybe Darius Heyward-Bey- though I gotta tell you, guys with hyphenated names make me want to scream, “Make up your damn mind!”. I’m still sold on using the 6th pick on Andre Smith should Monroe or Jason Smith not be there.

I’d really like it if I never had to speak of Chad again, never had to wonder where his head was at, and never had to actually see the word, “Ochocinco”, stitched on the back of an official Bengals jersey.

by IgnatiusJReilly on Mar 31, 2009 8:04 PM EDT reply actions