P-Rez25

For the past month, Chad Johnson has used just about every bully pulpit -- except the Cincinnati media -- to say how unhappy he is with the Bengals and how if he indeed were the problem during the disappointing 7-9 2007 season that he should be traded.



In summary, Johnson has said that the only teammates supporting him are fellow wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh and quarterback Carson Palmer, head coach Marvin Lewis stopped talking to him and somebody in the front office -- a prominent person -- has bad-mouthed him internally all season.


Despite the noise from Johnson and a Washington Post report that the Redskins want to trade for Johnson, don't look for the Bengals to trade him. And besides, who says the Bengals want to deal Johnson anyway?


An obstacle to any trade of Johnson would be the salary-cap hit the Bengals would suffer. The Bengals would lose $8.03 million on the salary cap -- money the club would not have to spend on other players -- if it traded or released Johnson on or before June 1, said Mark Levin, director of the salary cap and agent administration department for the NFL Players Association.


"And there is nothing the Bengals could do about it," Levin said in an e-mail sent by the union to The Cincinnati Enquirer.


Lewis, on Feb. 13, repeated his and the organization's stance in an interview with The Enquirer and the team-owned Website.


"No. 1, the guy has a contract through 2011, OK," Lewis said. "No one within the Bengals organization has ever spoken of or ever uttered anything about trading Chad Johnson, nor will he be traded. There is no such thing as behind-the-door dealings in the NFL. That does not occur because the team in question (the Bengals) is not willing to trade their player nor have they thought about trading their player or discussed trading their player, or will they discuss trading their player. So I think that's pretty clear. Things can move on.


"Our player (Johnson), we know is very passionate about the game. He continues to play at a very, very high level. He has been very, very productive. He has been well-compensated."


Johnson's 6,870 receiving yards in the past five years are the most in the NFL. He played in his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl this year, though he was the first alternate at wide receiver for the AFC team and went because New England's Randy Moss withdrew because of injury.


A trade or contract termination done June 2 or after gives NFL teams another year to absorb the salary-cap implications, in this case, 2008 and 2009. The salary cap for 2008 is $116 million, up from $109 million in 2007.


Redskins owner Daniel Snyder is interested in trading with the Bengals for the disgruntled Johnson in his quest to obtain an elite wide receiver now that he has hired a new head coach, Jim Zorn, according to The Washington Post. The newspaper reported that Drew Rosenhaus, Johnson's agent, is working quietly with the Bengals and Redskins to broker a trade.


Johnson, a member of five consecutive AFC Pro Bowl teams, was the fourth highest-paid wideout in the NFL in 2007, according to NFL Players Association figures.


NFL tampering rules could come into play. The Bengals could file a complaint with the league if The Washington Post report did originate with sources inside the Redskins organization.


"Any public or private statement of interest in another club's employee is a violation," the rule states.


Johnson remains under contract with the Bengals through 2011, the result of an extension he signed with the club in April 2006.


The Post reported, again citing unnamed "league sources," that Snyder, coaching candidates and Redskins executive vice president Vinny Cerrato discussed Johnson specifically. And Johnson, two more league sources told The Post, wants a hefty new contract from the Redskins.


Clubs can give a player's agent permission to talk to other teams about a potential trade, according to the NFL. But the Bengals would not say whether they gave Rosenhaus an OK to talk to the Redskins or any other team.


Notes, Quotes
• In addition to seeing his surgeon, David Pollack was expected to visit a doctor in California during the second week of February (Feb. 11-15) before determining whether to attempt a comeback as an NFL player. The Bengals linebacker, who suffered a fractured C6 vertebra during a September 2006 game and has not played since, had told The Cincinnati Enquirer that an appointment Feb. 8 would be pivotal in his decision-making process.


There is no timetable for Pollack's announcement.


"I will want to take some time, though, to fast and pray and spend time by myself a lot and try to figure out where God is leading me," Pollack told The Enquirer in January. "If it closes one chapter, it opens another."


Pollack, now 25, was the 17th overall draft pick by the Bengals in 2005 from the University of Georgia. He played in 16 games with six starts in three NFL seasons. After the injury, he was fitted with a protective halo and then a neck brace. If he chooses to attempt a return, Pollack said he would rather play defensive end than linebacker.


• There has been no word from the NFL about a decision on linebacker Odell Thurman's application for reinstatement, following a two-year suspension for repeated violations of the NFL substance abuse policy. Thurman was allowed by the NFL in late January to begin working out at Paul Brown Stadium with teammates and coaches.


Thurman was the Bengals' second-round draft pick in 2005, following former Georgia teammate Pollack. Other than a few snaps in Week 2 of 2006 for Pollack, neither has played in the past two seasons.


• NFL franchise player designation rules state that a tender is either the average of the five highest cap figures from the year before or a 120 percent increase over the player's previous year's designation, whichever is higher. In the case of Bengals defensive end Justin Smith, who was designated the team's franchise player in 2007, he would be more expensive.


He was paid an $8.644 million, one-year tender in 2007. If the Bengals were to use the franchise player designation again on Smith -- which would limit his mobility in free agency -- they would have to pay him 120 percent of his 2007 tender. Smith would get a $10.372 million tender in 2008. The average for the top five defensive end salaries in 2007 is $8.8 million, so Smith will be significantly more expensive to tag this year. Teams have until Feb. 21 to designate a franchise player.


• The Bengals and other NFL teams will have until Feb. 28 to tender qualifying offers to their restricted free agents, players who have completed three seasons and whose contracts have expired. The Bengals' restricted free agents and their draft levels are defensive end Jonathan Fanene (seventh), quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (seventh), offensive lineman Adam Kieft (fifth) and wide receiver Tab Perry (sixth).


Tenders for restricted free agents are expected to be announced by the NFL during the scouting combine, which begins Feb. 20. One-year tenders are expected to be $927,000 for draft-level compensation, $1.47 million for a second-round pick, $2.017 million for a first-round pick and $2.562 million for first- and third-round picks. Original teams can match an offer sheet the restricted free agent might sign with a new team. If the original team declines, it will receive draft-pick compensation based on the tender it offered the player.


Quote To Note: "Stacy, no question, Stacy is a very important part of our football team. We watch growth, whether it's been left guard or right tackle. You see a guy ascend. He has no bad habits. He's a good worker. He's a good studier. It's what you want." -- Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, when asked about unrestricted free agent Stacy Andrews, who might receive the team's franchise tag designation.


Strategy And Personnel
With their coaching staff largely in tact heading into Marvin Lewis' sixth year as Bengals head coach, Lewis and the front office think they are not far away from returning to the postseason after two disappointing seasons and a 15-17 record.


The team has the opportunity to make over its defense -- and new coordinator Mike Zimmer and linebackers coach Jeff FitzGerald already are on board -- giving the $7 million ballooning of the salary cap, careful cap management (one estimate shows the Bengals some $30 million under the cap) and a host of free agents on defense.


Four starters -- end Justin Smith, linebackers Landon Johnson and Dhani Jones and free safety Madieu Williams -- are eligible for unrestricted free agency beginning Feb. 29.


TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY


The first and potentially most costly decision the Bengals must make by Feb. 21 is whether to use their franchise tag on defensive end Justin Smith for the second year in a row.


The Bengals have made offers to linebackers Dhani Jones and Landon Johnson, and they are expected to meet with Ken Zuckerman, agent for free safety Madieu Williams, at the scouting combine.


1. Defensive line: The Bengals face a tough decision whether to use their franchise tag on end Justin Smith, who would receive a one-year tender of $10.372 million. Coach Marvin Lewis said the team needs to put more pressure on quarterbacks, and its 22 sacks in 2007 made the Bengals the worst in the NFL on sacks per pass play.


2. Offensive line: Injuries to tackles Levi Jones and Willie Anderson hurt the line. Versatile Andrew Whitworth and Stacy Andrews were invaluable, and Andrews might receive the franchise tag. Still, Lewis said, the team needs to add depth and block better to get its running game untracked.


3. Running back: Lewis is confident that Rudi Johnson can return to form following a season battling a hamstring injury. The team is hopeful that 2004 first-round pick Chris Perry can return after missing a season from ankle and lower leg injuries. The Bengals are less sure of the health of 2007 second-round pick Kenny Irons, who suffered an ACL tear in the preseason opener.


Medical Watch: RB Kenny Irons, the team's second-round pick, suffered an ACL tear in the preseason opener at Detroit. He said he will be ready for the start of training camp in late July. ... LB/DE David Pollack (fractured neck) said he expects to make a decision about attempting a return as a player after meeting with doctors during the first half of February. ... LB Ahmad Brooks, who underwent surgery on a chronic groin injury during the 2007 season (he went on IR) is working out at Paul Brown Stadium and undergoing treatment. ... The Bengals have refused to provide any information on postseason surgeries or player rehabs.


FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS


• T/G Stacy Andrews' stock has risen dramatically with the Bengals. With 12-year right tackle Willie Anderson in questionable health, coupled with Andrews' ability to play guard as well as tackle, Andrews has become an important player to re-sign.


• WR Antonio Chatman can play when healthy, but there's a question whether his body can withstand the demands of the NFL.


• K Aaron Elling was injured during the preseason, and it's unlikely he'll stick around until training camp.


• LB Landon Johnson is steady, not spectacular, and he has led the defense in tackles for three of four seasons. The team apparently gave him a low offer that he took as almost an insult. He is headed to the market.


• LB Dhani Jones distinguished himself in his short stint with the Bengals as a productive professional and starter at weak-side linebacker, and a fast learner who was voted special teams captain. He wants to re-sign and a deal is apparently almost done.


• P Kyle Larson was brought up in the Bengals' system and is a favorite of special teams coach Darrin Simmons. But if another team makes an outrageous offer, the Bengals brought back for training camp Danny Baugher.


• LB Lemar Marshall suffered an unfortunate Achilles' tendon injury that cut short a promising first season in Cincinnati; he is a quality player on defense and special teams and would likely be re-signed if he is healthy.


• LB Caleb Miller went through four injury-prone seasons, though he played relatively well in spurts when healthy, but he has likely played his last game in Cincinnati.


• DE/DT Bryan Robinson was an 11th-year pro in 2007 who will not be re-signed.


• DE Justin Smith plays hard but his 2007 contract as franchise player ($8.64 million) might be a little too rich for his big-play productivity; Bengals have been unable to reach long-term deal. He'll be even more expensive to tag in 2008.


• C Alex Stepanovich is a respected veteran backup who was ready to play when starter Eric Ghiaciuc was injured.


• S Madieu Williams is considered the most physical player in the Bengals secondary; he is willing to return but open to leaving if necessary.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS


• DE Jonathan Fanene (not yet tendered) seventh-round pick.


• QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (not yet tendered) seventh-round pick.


• OL Adam Kieft (not yet tendered) fifth-round pick.


• WR Tab Perry (not yet tendered) sixth-round pick.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS


• RB Dan Burks missed the season after suffering training camp injury.


• WR Glen Holt is a solid backup receiver who has made the most of chance as kickoff return specialist, though team is looking to upgrade.


• LB Rashad Jeanty returned to the lineup as strong-side starter in midseason and made positive addition to improved defense against the run.


• LB Corey Mays proved valuable on special teams.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED


• S Herana-Daze Jones: Potential ERFA; 1 yr., terms unknown.



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