African-American football players caught up in the rebellion and buffoonery of hip hop culture have given NFL owners and coaches a justifiable reason to whiten their rosters. That will be the legacy left by Chad, Larry and Tank Johnson, Pacman Jones, Terrell Owens, Michael Vick and all the other football bojanglers.

It's already starting to happen. A little-publicized fact is that the Colts and the Patriots — the league's model franchises — are two of the whitest teams in the NFL. If you count rookie receiver Anthony Gonzalez, the Colts opened the season with an NFL-high 24 white players on their 53-man roster. Toss in linebacker Naivote Taulawakeiaho "Freddie" Keiaho and 47 percent of Tony Dungy's defending Super Bowl-champion roster is non-African-American. Bill Belichick's Patriots are nearly as white, boasting a 23-man non-African-American roster, counting linebacker Tiaina "Junior" Seau and backup quarterback Matt Gutierrez.

For some reason, these facts are being ignored by the mainstream media. Could you imagine what would be written and discussed by the media if the Yankees and the Red Sox were chasing World Series titles with 11 African-Americans on their 25-man rosters (45 percent)?

"It's unfortunate he's put himself in that," said Lewis, who appeared to single out Johnson when reaming his team for being selfish following the Patriots loss.

"There's two sides (to success). When you put yourself up there like that, you've got to be ready for what's up at the top."

Lewis already has his hands full formulating strategies to compensate for an injury-plagued roster. Having to also serve as an amateur psychologist is wearing his patience.

Lewis singled out a handful of talented Bengals — including Johnson — whose behavior and mindset he believes help explain why they were forced to attend junior colleges.

"My job is to get the junior college guys to act like they've gone to Notre Dame and Michigan," Lewis said. "As we go, we'll continue to get more of those stable guys. But unfortunately, that's what we're dealing with — a bunch of junior college guys."

Johnson denies it, but the rumors likely won't subside anytime soon.

A scorpion asks a turtle for a ride across a lake. The turtle laughs and tells the scorpion he's crazy. "If I give you a ride, you'll sting me," he says. The scorpion replies, "Why would I do that? If I sting you in the middle of the lake, we'll both die."

The turtle agrees to give the scorpion a lift. Halfway across the lake, the scorpion stings the turtle. As both are drowning, the turtle asks the scorpion why he stung him. "It's what I do," the scorpion said.

An uneasy peace exists now, between Chad the scorpion and his drowning team. As the 1-4 Bengals prepare to face the 1-5 New York Jets this afternoon, Johnson flails in the center of the lake, a great receiver too often undone by his emotions. He makes the Pro Bowl and reaches the end zone with regularity. He loses self-control almost as often. It's what he does.

Is he worth it?