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Says 'it's really not a concern'
Chad Johnson's published tease that he might be back next week in time for the Bengals' mandatory minicamp was met Wednesday with a large measure of indifference by head coach Marvin Lewis and a handful of teammates. Johnson wrote in the edition of ESPN the Magazine that hit newsstands Wednesday that he expected to return to the team, though he remained critical of the organization for not signing play-making defenders.
"I really think that's not what was said," Lewis said of the possibility of Johnson reporting in time for the start of mandatory minicamp June 12. "No. 1, he's not here. No. 2, it's something he said awhile back, a long time ago. So it's really not a concern. Chad has a contract to play football. He has to make some decisions on his own."
Johnson remains under contract with the Bengals through 2011. He faces an $8,000 fine if he misses the three-day minicamp.
"We're not concerned about those things, about players who aren't here," Lewis said when asked if the club would fine Johnson. "When mandatory work begins, you have steps you can take." Quarterback Carson Palmer didn't want to talk about Johnson. "I'll be extremely happy when he gets here. I hope he is (here). We'll see," Palmer said. "I'm not going to talk a whole bunch about that issue." Johnson, who wants a trade, and fellow starter T.J. Houshmandzadeh - who prefers to work out in his native California in the offseason - are not part of the voluntary work. Other wide receivers are getting a lot of attention. "We're just worrying about ourselves," wide receiver Glenn Holt said. "We know (Johnson) has his position." Defensive tackle John Thornton said the defense is concerned about elevating its performance. "The guys who aren't here aren't here," he said. "They can afford not to be here. Chad is a five-time Pro Bowler. T.J. tied for the most receptions (112) in the league. (Starting left tackle) Levi Jones is working out (in Arizona)." Willie Anderson, the senior Bengals player, who joined the team in 1996 as a first-round draft pick, said the Bengals played with disgruntled players previously and that they would play with Johnson. "We played with (running back) Corey (Dillon). We didn't have a problem with him. We played with (wide receiver) Carl Pickens," Anderson said when asked if Johnson's negative comments could divide the locker room.
Cinicnnati Enquirer
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