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Bengals Utilize Receiving Depth Considering that Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson is one of the most tempting targets in the NFL and has led the AFC in receiving yards each of the past three years, it would be difficult to think of him as a decoy.
That, however, summed up his role during the Bengals' 28-20 win over the Steelers on Sunday at Heinz Field. "I am somewhat of a difference maker when I am out there, and I help my team in more ways than just catching the ball," Johnson said. "I had a safety, a corner and a linebacker on me, and I've worked myself to the point that this is what teams have to do to take me out of the game."
With the Steelers blanketing the Pro Bowl receiver on every play, it effectively limited Johnson to just one second-quarter catch for 11 yards. In fact, Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer only threw two passes to Johnson in the game despite completing 18-of-28 attempts for 193 yards and four touchdowns. "On any given play, Chad can score, so you've got to be on your Ps and Qs when you're playing a receiver like that," Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor said. "But our defense is going to attack, because that's the kind of defense we are." With Johnson effectively taken out of the equation, the Bengals outside passing game fell into the hands of second-year receiver Chris Henry and veteran T.J Houshmandzadeh. They combined to riddle the Steelers secondary with 14 catches and all four scores. "Chad's one of the leading receivers in this league, and teams are going to try to take him away," Palmer said. "We're fortunate to have guys like Chris Henry and T.J., who can win in 1-on-1 coverage. There aren't that many second, third and fourth receivers you can count on to win 1-on-1." Throughout the first half, Palmer's go-to receiver was Henry, the former West Virginia flanker who made more headlines with his three offseason arrests than his receiving. He caught five passes for 69 yards and two touchdowns. But he didn't catch another pass after he was drilled by Steelers safety Ryan Clark with just under eight minutes to play in the third quarter. "He made two nice plays, and it was good to see," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "He's just got to keep his composure and keep playing." When Henry tailed off, the onus of the receiving game fell to Houshmandzadeh, who caught five passes for 56 yards and two touchdowns in the second half. It was only the third time Houshmandzadeh caught two touchdowns in a game, but the second time he did so against the Steelers. Houshmandzadeh's second score, which gave the Bengals a 28-17 cushion in the fourth quarter, was an impressive feat of juggling, as he tipped the ball from one hand to the other and cradled it as he fell into the end zone. "Carson just threw the ball up, and I made a play. And, earlier, Chris Henry did the same thing," Houshmandzadeh said. "Carson trusts us that, if he puts the ball up there, we're going to make a play, and that's what we try to do." It also sent a message to NFL defensive coordinators that there's a lot more to Cincinnati's vertical passing game than Johnson. "We're deep, and I don't know how people don't recognize that," Henry said. "But we're going to prove it to them." Keith Barnes can be reached at
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http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_472048.html
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