Bengals News

"CINCINNATI — Bengals special teams coach Darrin Simmons is searching for that guy. That elusive kick-returner, that breakaway threat, who can make the special teams, well, special. Might he be Glenn Holt, Andre Caldwell or Jerome Simpson? Could he be Antonio Chatman or Deltha O'Neal? "Like I say every year: That remains to be seen," Simmons said as the Bengals prepare to open training camp at Georgetown (Ky.) College on Monday, July 28. "We've got to find somebody to step up and be that guy for the whole year so we can develop continuity and consistency in the return game. Hopefully, he's here. We'll find out in the next couple of weeks.""

"Bengals special teams coach Darrin Simmons is searching for that guy. That elusive kick-returner, that breakaway threat, who can make the special teams, well, special. Might he be Glenn Holt, Andre Caldwell or Jerome Simpson? Could he be Antonio Chatman or Deltha O'Neal? "Like I say every year: That remains to be seen," Simmons said as the Bengals prepare to open training camp at Georgetown (Ky.) College on Monday, July 28. "We've got to find somebody to step up and be that guy for the whole year so we can develop continuity and consistency in the return game. Hopefully, he's here. We'll find out in the next couple of weeks.""

"After a frustrating season of special teams play, sixth-year Bengals special teams coach Darrin Simmons is ready to put 2007 in the past. There are many plays he'd like to forget - like Josh Cribbs' 85-yard kickoff return for the Browns Sept. 16. Or Josh Wilson's 72-yard opening kickoff return for Seattle a week later, which preceded Glenn Holt's game-ending fumble on a kickoff return. "Obviously we got off to a rough start last year and we picked up through the middle half. At the end we started to play better. I hope to pick up where we left off and continue building off that," Simmons said. Attribute some of the special teams woes to injuries. Early blows included ..."

"The Bengals' annual pre-training camp luncheon Tuesday brimmed with its usual optimism, including Marvin Lewis' stance that the goal this season is the same as it was in each of his five previous ones - to win the AFC North Division title. "We enter this season as healthy as I can remember," Lewis said. Players will report Sunday morning to the Bengals' camp at Georgetown College near Lexington. The first practices will be Monday."

"Amid all the offseason controversy involving Chad Johnson — his request to be traded that escalated into a demand — Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis never got a call from his star receiver until recently. Now Johnson is overloading Lewis' cell phone with text messages, a positive sign the two are growing closer. Like an ol' married couple, the player and coach have patched things up in time for the Bengals' Sunday, July 27, arrival at Georgetown (Ky.) College for training camp."

"Whatever door Chris Henry left open for a possible return to the Cincinnati Bengals has been slammed shut by head coach Marvin Lewis. Henry, who has been arrested five times since 2005, was released by the team in April but recently said the Bengals were interested in re-signing him if he is reinstated by the NFL. Lewis, at a Paul Brown Stadium pre-training camp luncheon Tuesday, July, 22, said Henry's return is not an option."

"The Bengals’ annual pre-training camp luncheon this afternoon brimmed with its annual optimism, with Marvin Lewis saying the goal this season is the same, to win the AFC North division. “We’re as healthy as we’ve been in many years,” Lewis said of his team on the dawn of camp, which will open Sunday with reporting day and kick into high gear Monday with the first two practices. The Bengals had an eventful offseason, cutting ties with two players who had had troubled off-field lives, linebacker Odell Thurman and wide receiver Chris Henry. Henry, exonerated last week of charges against him that had to his April arrest – his fifth with the Bengals -- was rumored to be heading back to ..."

"The phone interview had been set up with Chad Johnson to promote the new Warner Home Video DVD release he narrates about big-time NFL playmakers, but the Bengals wide receiver wanted to talk more about the offseason past and the season ahead of him. Johnson, who had arthroscopic ankle surgery in mid-June, less than a week after he was limited in the team's mandatory minicamp, said he was progressing well but not sure when he would be 100 percent and back on the field. "My whole focus right now is on Baltimore," Johnson told The Enquirer about the Bengals' opening game Sept. 7 in Maryland..."I do apologize. I'm back. I'm going to give a double-dose of Chad.""

"Wide receiver Chad Johnson said he will report on time for the Cincinnati Bengals' training camp next week, but his surgically repaired ankle probably will prevent him from fully participating. Johnson also said in a phone interview yesterday that he wants to move on from his failed attempt to maneuver a trade. He had threatened to sit out the season if he wasn't dealt, but the Bengals refused to trade him, turning down an offer from Washington before the draft in April."

"Receiver Chad Johnson says he'll report on time for the Cincinnati Bengals' training camp next weekend, but his surgically repaired ankle will probably prevent him from fully participating in practice. Johnson also said today that he wants to move on from the fallout of his lobbying for a trade, which included threats to sit out the season if the Bengals didn't deal him. The club refused, turning down a lucrative trade offer from Washington. The Pro Bowl receiver said he's going to be as flamboyant as ever this season. He hopes Bengals fans still support him, and promised to put on a show for them."

"Former Ohio State and Cincinnati Bengals fullback Pete Johnson faces up to one year in prison and a $2,500 fine for writing a bad check. He's scheduled to be sentenced today in Champaign County Common Pleas Court in Urbana. Johnson was convicted last month of writing a bad check to buy a pickup truck. He was acquitted of a second charge of grand theft of a motor vehicle. Johnson testified that he thought he had enough money in the account to cover the check."

"Teams in the Browns' AFC North Division inherited four of the eight toughest schedules in 2008, based on last year's records. That's why several experts are predicting a 9-7 record could win the division. The flip side is it's doubtful the second-place team could earn a wild-card berth. The defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers head into training camp as the team to beat. The Browns would rank ahead if not for their 0-9 record against their archrivals the past four years. The Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals both have high hopes, but fell behind the Browns last season. Here's a look at the Browns' rivals as camps open this week."

"Everybody has questions. How soon can quarterbacks Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco start in Atlanta and Baltimore? Where does Brett Favre play in 2008, if he plays at all? Is there another team such as the New York Giants that will come out of the shadows at playoff time to seize the Super Bowl? There are no ready answers in July and August. Training camp is a time to grind, but it's also a time for optimism. Let's set the stage for the NFL's 89th season."

"Yes, the Bears have some issues as they head into training camp this week. But they are not alone. Each of the 32 teams in the NFL will be trying to answer deep questions, tie together loose ends and bury ghosts of the past. Here is a look at the other 31:"

"The Bengals on Thursday announced the signing of two more of their 10 draft picks. Signing four-year contracts were sixth-round tight end Matt Sherry of Villanova and seventh-round defensive end Angelo Craig of the University of Cincinnati. Sherry and Craig are the second and third of this year's Bengals draft picks to complete contract negotiations. The team also has signed defensive lineman Jason Shirley of Fresno State, its fifth-round selection. The Bengals have reached an agreement on a four-year contract with seventh-round pick Mario Urrutia, a wide receiver from Louisville, agent Joe Linta said. But Urrutia has not yet signed the contract."

"The Cincinnati Bengals confirmed today, July 17, the signing of two more 2008 rookie draft picks — sixth-round tight end Matt Sherry of Villanova and seventh-round defensive end Angelo Craig of the University of Cincinnati. Both players signed four-year contracts. Sherry and Craig are the second and third Bengals draft selections to complete contract negotiations. Earlier this week, Cincinnati signed defensive lineman Jason Shirley of Fresno State, the club's fifth-round selection."

"Now that former Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry's legal issues are behind him and he could possibly be reinstated, the question is: Where will he land next? According to Henry and his agent Marvin Frazier, a return to the Bengals is a possibility. "We have interest in several teams, including Cincinnati,'' Frazier said Thursday. Frazier says it's still early in the process, but the Bengals have shown preliminary interest in Henry since his assault charge was dropped in Hamilton County (Ohio) court earlier this week. Perhaps expecting a suspension following Henry's fifth arrest, the team released Henry before the legal system ran its course. But Henry says he wouldn't hold ..."

"Now that the All-Star break is history, it's time to get back to work. Some Reds players and staffers enjoyed vacation during the three-day respite, and others simply welcomed a break from the daily grind. Now they must be ready for the New York Mets - make that the streaking New York Mets. The Mets (51-44) won nine straight games by an average of about four runs before the break and are only a half-game behind Philadelphia in the National League East."

"Nathan Byrd is no Bengals fan; he prefers the New England Patriots and the Dallas Cowboys. But there are a few Bengals players that the 13-year-old looks up to. One is Pro Bowl wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Tuesday afternoon, Byrd caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Houshmandzadeh while playing in a 7-on-7 game in which Houshmandzadeh was the quarterback. "It felt wonderful," said Byrd, who plays running back and quarterback for Sycamore's junior high team. "He gave me a couple of high-fives and told me that he likes how I think.""

"Shayne Graham makes his living kicking a football for the Cincinnati Bengals. But he got his own kicks Tuesday, July 15, by engaging in his favorite hobby — flying an airplane. But it wasn't just any aircraft. It was an F-16 "Fighting Falcon" jet at the Springfield Air National Guard Base. "It was the coolest thing I've ever done," said Graham, 30. Lt. Col. Joe "Woodstock" Schulz was at the controls in front of the two-seat, needle-nose jet — known to its pilots as the "Viper" — with Graham directly behind him on the hourlong flight."

"Old Man River is up there every July, rolling on about the urgency to win football games. You are a young Bengal, you hear Willie Anderson, but you don't listen. The words don't reach your heart, so you roll your eyes and tell Big Willie to "sit his (self) down," as T.J. Houshmandzadeh recalls it being phrased. Time passes, the losing accumulates. Before you know it, you become Big Willie. "Willie has a point," Houshmandzadeh is saying. "This is my eighth year. I've been to the playoffs one time. You realize you want to win more than anything. We'll see." Houshmandzadeh was at Sycamore High today, hosting a kids football camp."

"The Bengals have agreed in principle on contracts for three of their 10 draft picks. Agreeing to terms are fifth-round defensive tackle Jason Shirley, sixth-round tight end Matt Sherry and seventh-round wide receiver Mario Urrutia. Shirley was signed to a four-year deal. No terms were available this afternoon. Sometimes, deals are hung up in translation from verbal agreement to written contract, but those hang-ups are less likely with lower-round draft picks. The Bengals also are nearing a contract agreement with seventh-round defensive end Angelo Craig, formerly of the University of Cincinnati. Sixth-round safety Corey Lynch should be following closely, too."

"A second assault trial for former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry has ended abruptly with prosecutors dropping the last remaining charge against him. Henry was accused of punching a University of Cincinnati student in March and of breaking his car window with a beer bottle. The first trial ended earlier this month when a jury could not reach a verdict on an assault charge against Henry and the judge dismissed another misdemeanor count, a charge of criminal damaging."

"The New England Patriots didn't do much this off-season, which is why not much has changed in the American Football Conference. New England did lose All-Pro cornerback Asante Samuel, but otherwise looks like the same team that went 16-0 last season. The Patriots have won 20 regular-season games in a row, dating to a 21-0 loss at Miami on Dec. 10, 2006. They have broken their own NFL record of 18 consecutive victories set in 2003-04. The Indianapolis Colts, the San Diego Chargers and the Jacksonville Jaguars didn't change much in the off-season, either, which is why they are given the best shots to challenge the Patriots for AFC supremacy this season."

"In two days, Reggie Williams willhis crutches and ease into the passenger seat of his Lexus, embarking on a journey as life-affirming as it will be painful. It will begin in Midtown Manhattan and end with his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind. The former Bengals linebacker will have 707 miles over which to ride shotgun and stare down at his right leg. The limb has been so ravaged by football, surgery and infections that this might be Williams' last road trip with it. He'll have 707 miles to be grateful. That's the plan, at least."

"The Erie County Sheriff's office has issued a felonious assault warrant for former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred May 27 at Kalahari Waterpark Resort, according to the Sandusky Register. The newspaper said Thurman was indicted by an Erie County Grand Jury, and authorities are looking for him."

"Aaron Harang has been ordered not to pick up a baseball for a week. And the Reds couldn't be happier. The MRI on Harang was normal. He has a right forearm strain and will be re-examined this weekend. "That's great news," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "That's huge news." And the Reds couldn't be happier. The MRI on Harang was normal. He has a right forearm strain and will be re-examined this weekend. "That's great news," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "That's huge news.""

"All is quiet on the Cincinnati Bengals' rookie contract-signing front. But that's about to change. With administrators, coaches and player personnel staff, along with player agents coming off vacations, the sense of urgency to get all 10 drafted rookies signed is about to kick in. After all, training camp at Georgetown (Ky.) College opens July 27. "I really expect everything to pick up this week," said Dave Butz, the agent for Bengals second-round wide receiver Jerome Simpson."

"None down. Ten to go. That's the situation facing Cincinnati Bengals management and agents for the club's 10 rookie draft picks. There's no panic in the streets of the Queen City over the fact that not one member of the Bengals' 2008 draft class has signed a contract yet. But given the climate between NFL owners and the NFL Players Association cool and mostly cloudy there's plenty of cause for concern as training camps get ready to open later this month."

"Despite making about $2.5 million since 2005 as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, Chris Henry is so broke he wants taxpayers to pay for a record of his trial. "He's broke," said Perry Ancona, the former wide receiver's attorney said Tuesday, July 8. "He doesn't have any money to pay for a transcript.""

"A judge has declared a mistrial in the assault case of former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry. An eight-person jury in Cincinnati told the judge Tuesday they were unable to agree on a verdict. Hamilton County Municipal Judge Richard Bernat then dismissed the jury and set a hearing for July 8."

"Days before a trial was scheduled to begin, a settlement has been reached in a lawsuit against Chad Johnson and a comedy club. Plaintiffs have agreed to a $100,000 settlement against Bengal's wide receiver and the Funny Bone Comedy Club in Newport. The suit claimed Johnson and the Funny Bone drew people into the club with the promise of prizes, including a car, but never delivered. Johnson has said he's done nothing wrong, and never had an agreement with the club."

"Cincinnati Bengals running back Chris Perry's playing status with the team remains up in the air after missing nearly two seasons due to a broken and dislocated ankle. He last carried the ball in Game 11 of the 2006 season against Cleveland. Now the former first-round pick is not only battling back from injury, but could be fighting for a job. Perry appears to have his work cut out for him in what is turning out to be a crowded backfield for the Bengals. He will have to prove himself during training camp and will have some stiff competition. Kenny Watson, DeDe Dorsey and rookie free agent James Johnson, who has been very impressive in practice thus far, are vying for playing time ..."

"Chad Johnson underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle Wednesday morning and is expected to be ready to participate in training camp July 28, the Bengals announced. The procedure was performed by Bengals orthopedic surgeon Angelo Colosimo and was completed without complication, the team said. The ankle problem has lingered since the end of the 2007 season, coach Marvin Lewis said last week during the team's mandatory minicamp."

"Limited last week at the Bengals' mandatory minicamp because of a tender ankle, wide receiver Chad Johnson will undergo arthroscopic surgery but is expected to be ready for the start of training camp on July 27. Johnson, who has been unhappy with the Bengals since the end of last season, reported in time for minicamp but did not participate fully in the two practices last Thursday, though he passed a physical that morning."

"Limited last week at mandatory Bengals minicamp because of a tender ankle, wide receiver Chad Johnson will undergo arthroscopic surgery but is expected to be ready for the start of training camp. It opens with reporting day July 27 and the first two practices July 28."

"Day 1 of Bengals minicamp was described as a circus when flamboyant wide receiver Chad Johnson showed up for his first day of practice. I can assure you that this spectacle was nowhere near the Ringling Bros. and Barnum"

"My top 10 Bengals' minicamp memories: 1. Swarmed by fans after practice, Chad Johnson speaks into a WXIX-TV (FOX 19) camera: "This is for everyone watching: Cincinnati, I love you. And if you don't like me, I love you." 2. After an impromptu news conference near Central Avenue, Chad's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, sprawls under a shade tree and cranks up his Blackberry and laptop computer. 3. Chad kisses NFL Network's Scott Hanson on the head one day and "high-fives" some reporters on the sidelines the next."

"Will starting right guard Bobbie Williams become the Bengals' No. 1 center? The coaches said "No," claiming Williams is competing for the backup job only behind incumbent Eric Ghiaciuc. But the 6-foot-4, 345-pound Williams sure cuts a massive figure in the middle of the offensive line flanked by tackle Levi Jones and guard Andrew Whitworth on the left side, and guard Stacy Andrews and tackle Willie Anderson on the right side."

"Bengals cornerback Jerrid Gaines has endured a three-month roller=coaster ride in the NFL. The former Springfield South High School and Miami University star was down when he went undrafted, up when Cleveland signed him, down again when the Browns released him after rookie minicamp on May 4 and up again when Cincinnati snared him on May 29. "I couldn't understand why Cleveland let me go," Gaines said. "I was shocked. I thought I was just as good or even better than a lot of guys there. But I just said, 'Well, somebody else will like me.' Now it's like, wow. I'm here, and I've just got to keep fighting for myself.""

"Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson has come full circle. He completed Cincinnati's mandatory minicamp Saturday, June 14, right where he finished the 2007 season — in the starting lineup. Standing out like a neon sign on the Vegas strip, Johnson — in white stretch pants — ran with the first unit as the Bengals wrapped up their three-day extravaganza at Paul Brown Stadium. "He was going to practice (Friday) afternoon, then got rained out," offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski said. "He worked very hard. He's rusty, rusty. I told him he looked rusty. Nobody likes to hear that." The Bengals' in-your-face defense under new coordinator Mike Zimmer wasn't about to let ..."

"The Bengals wrapped up their on-field work for the offseason Saturday with their final minicamp practice. The next time they will be on the field for real will be July 28, for the first two practices of training camp at Georgetown College. The offense has added receiving targets for Carson Palmer in the form of middle-threat tight end Ben Utecht and tailback Chris Perry, who has returned from injury. Still, the goal on offense is to avoid turnovers and penalties and re-establish the Bengals as a power-running team."

"No NFL coach would ever say his team's minicamp was not a success, Marvin Lewis included. "The exciting part is we're in a good spot," Lewis said this afternoon, after the team completed its fifth of five scheduled minicamp practices. "We've done a lot of football since March 24." The end of minicamp closes the 12-week offseason program for veteran players, Lewis said. Rookies can be around for another two weeks before attending the NFL Rookie Symposium."

"Chad Johnson remained quiet off the field Saturday after the last of the Bengals' five minicamp practices, declining interview requests, but the wide receiver participated more fully and flashed some of his familiar energy and personality during the two-hour workout. He ran with the first-team offense, caught passes and even practiced blocking. Still, there is the issue of Johnson's lingering ankle injury to address - not to mention whether the unhappiness he had expressed since January is in the past."

"Former Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL. The Bengals released Henry on April 3 after he was arrested for the fifth time. Henry is scheduled for trial June 24 in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court on charges of assault and criminal damaging. A man accused Henry of punching him in the face and breaking his car window with a beer bottle. Henry had received permission from the judge to try out with other NFL teams, but the suspension puts an end to that."

"The Bengals can book a room at Georgetown College for Chad Johnson. Agent Drew Rosenhaus said that the five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver will go to training camp in July. "Chad is going to do the honorable thing," Rosenhaus said in an ESPN interview. "He'll be at training camp.""

"The Bengals did not draft a running back in April, and they apparently are not interested in signing Florence native Shaun Alexander. But the lineup is not set in the backfield. Daniel Coats has been moved from tight end to fullback, where he is competing with incumbent starter Jeremi Johnson."

"Zimmer has been on the job just five months, and he's still two months from seeing his defense in a game for the first time. But he is beginning to put his brand on the Bengals' defense. "I think they're proving to have his identity and carry that with them in how they do things and how they practice," Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said, "the intensity and detail of it.""