By KEVIN GOHEEN
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Chad Johnson does not yet have a 20-yard reception this season. The Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver had 11 games last season in which he caught at least one pass for 20 or more yards, but the three-time Pro Bowler is getting a lot of attention from opposing defenses so far this season.
His longest reception of the season is good for 18 yards. Running back Rudi Johnson and tight end Reggie Kelly, not exactly first options on passing plays, have caught passes for 18 yards this season.
"You've got to be (kidding) me. Who do I talk to about that?" Chad Johnson said. "I just think I'm not allowed to say anything or I'll get that wonderful label of being selfish, begging for the ball. So I just sit in my little cubbyhole and play on Sundays."
Johnson was in a jovial mood as the Bengals prepared to play at Tampa Bay on Sunday, their first game following the bye week. How well Johnson would react to adverse situations was a question mark in the offseason. While he leads the team with 18 catches for 201 yards, he has yet to have a signature game, one in which he comes up with big plays to turn momentum or set it in the Bengals' favor.
He had six catches for 78 yards and his only touchdown against Cleveland, but that's been his highest output of the season. Johnson has 17 100-yard games in his career, three behind Isaac Curtis for the most in franchise history.
"I'm coping with it very well," Johnson said. "I can't complain. We're 3-1."
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Chris Henry and Kelley Washington have combined to catch 33 passes and all have 115 yards or more in receptions and at least one touchdown. A two-game NFL suspension will keep Henry out of this week's game as well as the Oct. 22 contest against Carolina, but quarterback Carson Palmer has been able to find other outlets for his passes when defenses send two or more players toward Johnson.
"I don't think you can ever completely take someone away," Palmer said. "He's been frustrated like everybody has. When your number's not called, you get frustrated. But he's had a very level head about himself and realizes what's going on. He's been a team player about it. That's all you can ask."
