Emmitt Smith came to Chad Johnson's defense the other day on ESPN — said the flamboyant wide receiver is being made the "escape goat" for the Cincinnati Bengals' woes this season — and now a lot of those hide-behind-a-bogus-name Internet posters and airwave anonymous radio callers are mocking Smith.

Inarticulate, they say. Embarrassing. A mush-mouthed former jock who doesn't know a scape from an escape.  In my book, some of those web weasels and talk-radio toadies need to get a life. Verbiage aside, Emmitt had it right.  I wrote this in my "Through the Arch" blog after Sunday's Bengals' game and I'm bringing it up here again. Johnson is being unfairly singled out by certain media types, some Bengals fans and, if ESPN's Chris Mortensen is to be believed — and he's one of the best in the business — "a prominent member of the Bengals organization."

Chris Henry the Bengals suspended Wide receiver started practicing this morning with the Cincinnati Bengals team after being given permission from the NFL.  Henry is six games into an eight-game suspension.  He was suspended for his four arrests.  Henry is eligible to return for the Nov. 11 game at Baltimore.

Henry could certainly bring a big upside to the Bengals offense.  Since his suspension, the Bengal have not been able to find a 3rd receiver to replace him.  Henry brings just one more option for Carson Palmer.  He also draws Defensive coverage away from the already potent combination of Chad and TJ.

Growlzone.com Cincinnati bengal News

Chad Johnson insisted he is not frustrated, but it's clear the criticism coming at him from seemingly every direction has angered the Bengals receiver.

On Sunday, ESPN's Chris Mortensen said the Bengals might consider trading Johnson in the offseason. The NFL Network reported that some members of the organization believe Johnson is angling to leave.  Others in the national media have taken shots at Johnson for his perceived selfishness. A Cincinnati Enquirer columnist, who with the receiver's cooperation wrote Johnson's biography, likened him to a scorpion that can't help but sting.

"Some of the things that are being said are just so ridiculous," Johnson told several reporters in a discussion in the parking lot at Paul Brown Stadium yesterday.  "I guess I'm an easy target," he said, but he vowed not to mute his personality.  "I cannot perform at a high level and not be Chad," Johnson said. "It's impossible. I cannot and I will not change."

It was like tossing a lighted match on spilled gasoline.  The Bengals erupted for 28 straight points and rode the explosion to a wild 38-31 victory over the New York Jets in front of 65,868 spectators at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday.  Cincinnati stopped the bleeding of a four-game losing streak with its second win in nine games and 10th triumph in 25 games dating to 2005.

The timing was perfect because the Steelers are coming to town Sunday for the first 1 p.m. home game of the season. Maybe, just maybe, Bengals season ticket holders won't scalp their seats to Steelers fans eager to twirl their Terrible Towels in the Queen City's face.  "It's a good win — this team needed a win," head coach Marvin Lewis said. "Obviously, we were under attack all week. So we'll just keep battening down the hatches. We have a big game next week."

Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson conducted his weekly "Chad's Corner" interview for Channel 19, the local FOX affiliate, then split — but not before speaking to the Dayton Daily News.  ESPN's Chris Mortensen sparked controversy before the game when he said on "Sunday NFL Countdown" that sources within the Bengals organization told him that Johnson could be trade bait in the offseason.

Bengals fans were vocal in their criticism of Johnson all week on sports talk shows, saying Johnson's on-field antics are wearing thin.  "You know me," Johnson said. "So there's no need to pay that any attention. It's the nature of the beast. When you're against me, you add fuel to my fire."

There is no game check to take to the bank. Johnathan Joseph will have to settle for the interception he took to the house.  The Cincinnati second-year cornerback returned a Chad Pennington pass 42 yards for a touchdown in the Bengals' 38-31 victory over the Jets.  "I just love to play the game and do my job without getting paid extra," Joseph said. "Or getting paid at all."

Joseph was suspended for last week's game against Kansas City. He did not receive his game check of $21,177 for that contest. He also was fined another game check Sunday; both penalties levied for an arrest earlier this year for marijuana possession.  With Cincinnati leading 31-23 in the final minute at Paul Brown Stadium, Joseph saw Pennington turn to his left and look for Laveranues Coles.  "I just happened to make a break this time and make a play on the ball," said Joseph, who high-stepped into the end zone. "If a guy gets a jump on the ball, there's nothing a quarterback really can do — or the receiver."