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Ten things that happened during the Bengals' open locker room at Paul Brown Stadium on Monday: 1. NO SHOW: As expected, wide receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh were absent. Johnson wants to be traded, while "Housh" is working with a personal trainer in California — like last year. "I wish they were here, but we're going to work with what we've got," said quarterback Carson Palmer, pointing to Chris Henry, Antonio Chatman, Glenn Holt and Marcus Maxwell. "I've got a lot of work to do, getting my timing down with them. It's a great opportunity for those guys, and when Chad and T.J. get here, they'll be in shape and ready to roll." 2. SETTLING DOWN: With a girlfriend and two children at home, Henry is showing signs of maturity.
"It makes you grow up pretty fast," he said. "It's not all about me anymore. It's about my kids, my girl, my family. I'm pretty much out there working for them. It's a big motivation. It makes you want to do even better." 3. ODELL MANIA: Linebacker Odell Thurman is hoping to be reinstated after a two-year suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. "He's been working with the strength staff and doing what he's supposed to do, and that's what he needs to do," head coach Marvin Lewis said. "I don't evaluate how he looks. He's doing what he needs to do." 4. 'SPECIAL' TEAMER: Safety Herana-Daze Jones registered a team-high 18 special teams tackles despite missing the final seven games because of a left knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery. He's the star of the Bengals' basketball team. "I still can't dunk," he said, "but everything's getting back to normal." 5. SAMOAN CONNECTION: It's official: Jonathan Fanene is a defensive tackle. He's beefed up to 300 pounds, and ready to clog the middle. "If they put me and Domata (Peko) inside, I'm telling you, it's over," Fanene said. 6. FAME OF HALL: Cornerback Leon Hall, who generated a team-high five interceptions as a rookie, is glad to have sleek pass rusher Antwan Odom on board. "We all work together," he said. "They get more pressure on the quarterback, the ball comes out quicker and the DBs and linebackers are able to make some plays." 7. FADE PATTERN: Wideout Antonio Chatman owns a "faded Mohawk" hairdo. It's a two-inch-high strip down the middle, but not totally shaved on the sides. "It's a little 'Cali' look — California beach weather," he said. 8. IN THE FOLD: Wideout Glenn Holt and linebackers Rashad Jeanty and Corey Mays signed one-year contracts as "exclusive rights free agents." Meanwhile, cornerback Brandon Williams was waived. "I want to get better as a receiver this offseason and just win," said Holt, who doubles as a kickoff returner. 9. DOOM'S DAY: Strong safety Chinedum Ndukwe was drafted No. 253 overall in 2007 — two picks away from being "Mr. Irrelevant." He started the final two games of the season. "I keep that in the back of my mind that I've got a lot of doubters still," he said. "I'll keep competing, keep trying to challenge myself and keep getting better." 10. BIG COUNTRY: Stacy Andrews called it "a good feeling" when he got the franchise tag worth $7.455 million. The 6-7, 342-pounder hopes to measure up to that salary. "I don't know what they have in store for me — whether it's guard or tackle," he said. "Wherever they need me, that's where I'll be."
Dayton Daily News http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/pro/bengals/2008/03/24/ddn032508bengals.html |
