Archive for the 'Bengals' Category

ESPN reports, ” Johnson packed on 15 pounds of muscle to increase his durability and is running like the Johnson of old in early practices.” Full story here.

Monster Take: Let’s hope that Rudi returns to his previous production levels. If he does, he could be a bargain this year. He’s going as the 30th overall RB on average in early drafts. If he continues strong through training camp his stock will climb, but he could still be a good value as a number 2 or 3 back this year. We’ll wait until we see more in training camp before we bump him up the boards.

The AP reports, “Johnson had his troublesome right ankle cleaned out Wednesday. He is expected to be ready for the start of training camp on July 27.” Full story here.

Monster Take: Sounds like all systems are go for Johnson. We’re also hearing that his attitude is coming around - well as much as it can anyway given that it is Chad Johnson we’re talking about here.

NFL.com reports that “Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Johnson is scheduled to undergo ankle surgery Wednesday. Full story here.

Monster Take: From the sounds of things, this should just be a minor procedure. It should have been taken care of during the offseason, but better now than hampering his production during the season.

The AP reports, ” Receiver Chad Johnson fully participated in drills for the first time Saturday as the Cincinnati Bengals wrapped up their minicamp. Coach Marvin Lewis said, “I think it’s been good for him to get back into the flow of things. We still have to get some clarity on the ankle and being able to deal with that because it is something we dealt with a year ago.” Full story here.

Monster Take: It’s good to see Johnson fully participate, but the ankle issue has us a little concerned. Whether he has an injury that will require surgery or it’s just something Johnson will use as an excuse to skip workouts, this could be disruptive to his production this year.

ESPN reports, “Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson has apparently ceased his demands for a trade and declared a return to the Bengals as imminent, perhaps as early as next week.” Full story here.

Monster Take: Good news for Carson Palmer and the Bengals. Despite all of the pundits clamoring for the Bengals to trade or cut Johnson, the bottom line is Johnson is an immense talent and he is under contract with the Bengals. The Bengals held the line and got exactly what they wanted. As long as he isn’t a cancer in the locker room, this should smooth itself out.

NFL.com is reporting that Johnson is willing to sit out the 2008 season. He said in an interview with Solomon Wilcots, “I will stick by my guns, and I will not be there.” Full article here.

Monster Take: If you have Chad Johnson in your keeper league, I’m feeling your pain. Both sides are stubbornly sticking to their respective position. Even though it would seem to be in the Bengals best interest to rid themselves of Johnson while he still has some trade value, they haven’t shown any interest in doing that to this point. Let’s hope they move him to another team so we don’t have to miss out on 85’s on-the-field and off-the-field exploits this year.

The AP reports, “tired of the receiver’s posturing for a trade, coach Marvin Lewis said Tuesday that Johnson should keep his word and sit out the season — the strongest comment yet from an organization that is reluctant to let him go.” Full story here.

Monster Take: The Bengals continue to maintain their stance that Johnson will honor his contract with the Bengals or not play at all this year. They have a history of sticking to their guns in a similar situation with Corey Dillon in 2003. Johnson’s public comments are creating division in the team. If a pre-draft trade doesn’t happen, this situation will likely drag into the season.

The AP reports, “the Bengals today released troubled wide receiver Chris Henry on the heels of his most recent legal troubles.” Full article here.

Monster Take: Well, the “could be in real trouble” from our post earlier today has become “is in real trouble.” The Bengals have apparently had enough. Henry is talented enough that someone will likely take a chance on him. However, he’s leaving a situation where he had a real chance to produce, especially if Chad Johnson sits out the season or gets traded to another team. Stay tuned.

The AP reports “Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry has been accused of punching an 18-year-old man in the face and breaking his car window with a beer bottle, according to court documents filed Wednesday.” Full article here.

Monster Take: The bad news just keeps coming for the WR corps of the Bengals. If these allegations have legs, Henry could be in real trouble here. He was suspended for the first half of last season after violating the league’s conduct policy (arrested 4 times in 14 months). Lesson learned? Maybe not.

ESPN.com reports that, “If Chad Johnson decides to sit out the season, Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said Tuesday the team is prepared to move on without him.” Full article here.

Monster Take: Both sides seem prepared to dig their heels in on this one. The longer it drags on the worse it is for 85’s fantasy prospects and the better things will look for Chris Henry. This will definitely be one to watch over the coming months.