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.