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(March 24, 2008, Paul Brown Stadium) (Opening day, Offseason Workout Program) Q. How’s it going? A. First off, it’s nice to be be able to come back and start the season off fresh, you know? Q. What do you hope for this spring, summer and fall? A. I just want all the guys to be back together and get the kind of chemistry we need to want to play for each other once the season comes.
Q. Is this your breakout year? A. Yeah, I really want it to be. You never know how that goes, but that’s what I’m hoping for. That’s what I’m pushing for. That’s my goal. Everyone wants to have a great season. Q. I saw you, your girlfriend (Loleini) and son (Chris Jr.) at Kettering’s Trent Arena for the Bengals’ Celebrity Basketball Game. You look so much more comfortable and relaxed. How has family life changed you? A. I’ve got two kids now. It makes you grow up pretty fast. It ain’t all about me no more. It’s about my kids, my girl and my family. I’m pretty much out here working for them. Q. Does that motivate you? A. Yeah, it’s a big motivation. It just makes you want to do even better. Q. Head coach Marvin Lewis touched on Chad Johnson’s absence. Do you just have to concentrate on your own thing? A. Pretty much. I’m here, excited to be back with my teammates, ready to work. Ready to get ready. Q. You were in a rough spot a year ago (with an 8-game suspension). A. Yeah, but I mean that’s all in the past. I’m just excited and ready to get started again. Q. Mentally, what does that mean for you to know there is nothing hanging over your head? A. It’s a great feeling. Like I said, I’m just real excited, coming out here to work hard, being back with my teammates and just trying to get things started. Q. How are you a better receiver than when you came into the league in 2005? A. I’ve got a couple years under my belt now in the league, and I’m just older and just ready to go. Q. In the second half of last season, when you could play, did you have a deeper appreciation for the game? A. Yeah, I did. While I sat out, I had a lot of time to sit back and think about everything. Q. How did it impact you to be able to play again? A. This is what I’m supposed to be doing. This is my career, and I can’t take that for granted. So, I’ve just got to be smarter with all the decisions I make, and just focus on my career. Q. Have you been working out with linebacker Odell Thurman? A. Yeah, me and Odell have been working out pretty much for three weeks now here in town. It’s always good to see Odell in the locker room. He’s one of my best friends on the team. We came in together (in 2005). He’s so excited to be back. I know he’s going to be ready. Q. If there’s one guy who can take two years off and come back, could it be Odell because he’s such a great athlete? A. Yeah, definitely. Dayton Daily News http://www.daytondailynews.com/o/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/chickludwig/ |
