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PALM BEACH, Fla. - Marvin Lewis sharpened his comments about Chad Johnson to a razor's edge Tuesday, the coach saying the Bengals are "prepared to move on" if the all-star wide receiver decides to sit out the 2008 season.
Speaking during the AFC coaches' breakfast at the annual NFL meeting, Lewis talked openly and passionately about Johnson and challenged his team to rise above one player's squabble with the club.
Johnson, a five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, has made a series of comments about the Bengals - most of them negative - over the past three months. He has threatened to sit out, though he remains under contract through 2010 with the Bengals holding an option for 2011.
"It's unfortunate that Chad has put himself in that situation, because a lot of people who really had affection for him now see him in a different light," Lewis said. "Hopefully some of the things he said, he's going to have to face one way or another. If he shows and does things, and does (them) the right way, I'm willing to take the bullets for him again and allow him to come back the right way."
The Bengals will not trade Johnson, Lewis reiterated. The team would take an $8.03 million hit on its salary cap if it traded Johnson or terminated his contract before June 1.
If he sits out, Johnson forfeits his salary.
Johnson said two weeks ago that he would skip the team's voluntary offseason strength and conditioning program, which began March 24. He forfeits a $250,000 workout bonus. Johnson will be required to attend the team's mandatory full-squad minicamp in mid-June.
"The rest of the team has to grow up and understand, whether it (is) your first-round pick or a guy coming into the last year of his contract, sometimes these things happen," Lewis said.
Rumors persist that Johnson could be traded to Philadelphia or Dallas. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones - though not mentioning Johnson by name, which would violate NFL tampering rules - said he is interested in acquiring a veteran wide receiver.
"Picks for players get good value," Jones said. "Players are depreciated right now right before the draft. Picks are premium."
Word around the league meeting is the Eagles would be interested in trading cornerback Lito Sheppard for Johnson.
Speaking during the AFC coaches' breakfast at the annual NFL meeting, Lewis talked openly and passionately about Johnson and challenged his team to rise above one player's squabble with the club.
Johnson, a five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, has made a series of comments about the Bengals - most of them negative - over the past three months. He has threatened to sit out, though he remains under contract through 2010 with the Bengals holding an option for 2011.
"It's unfortunate that Chad has put himself in that situation, because a lot of people who really had affection for him now see him in a different light," Lewis said. "Hopefully some of the things he said, he's going to have to face one way or another. If he shows and does things, and does (them) the right way, I'm willing to take the bullets for him again and allow him to come back the right way."
The Bengals will not trade Johnson, Lewis reiterated. The team would take an $8.03 million hit on its salary cap if it traded Johnson or terminated his contract before June 1.
If he sits out, Johnson forfeits his salary.
Johnson said two weeks ago that he would skip the team's voluntary offseason strength and conditioning program, which began March 24. He forfeits a $250,000 workout bonus. Johnson will be required to attend the team's mandatory full-squad minicamp in mid-June.
"The rest of the team has to grow up and understand, whether it (is) your first-round pick or a guy coming into the last year of his contract, sometimes these things happen," Lewis said.
Rumors persist that Johnson could be traded to Philadelphia or Dallas. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones - though not mentioning Johnson by name, which would violate NFL tampering rules - said he is interested in acquiring a veteran wide receiver.
"Picks for players get good value," Jones said. "Players are depreciated right now right before the draft. Picks are premium."
Word around the league meeting is the Eagles would be interested in trading cornerback Lito Sheppard for Johnson.