Chad takes field, watches
By GEOFF HOBSON
June 12, 2008
http://www.bengals.com/media/index.asp?multimedia_id=1848
Updated: 11:05 a.m.
Johnson (left) watches with rookies Mario Urrutia (18) and Jerome Simpson as the wide receivers run a drill. (Bengals photo)
The Bengals confirmed Thursday morning that Chad Johnson was at Paul Brown Stadium as the Bengals prepared for the first practice of their mandatory minicamp, but he didn't go on the field until 10 minutes after the practice was to begin at 9:45 a.m.
After Bengals public relations director Jack Brennan said there was no indication Johnson was coming out of the locker room, he emerged about 10 minutes later carrying his helmet and uniform jersey.
He gave ESPN's Bob Holtzman no answers as he made the walk, saying only he was hurt. But as he neared the field, he put on his jersey as he jogged to the practice.
Once on the field, Johnson watched his wide receiver teammates run a receiving drill, but he stood on the side and did not participate. It did not appear that he interacted with any of his teammates during the drill.
Later in practice as the receivers ran routes Johnson pretty much watched on one knee or stood off by himself. He occasionally chatted with fellow Pro Bowl wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, had a few words for second-round pick Jerome Simpson and came over to say hello to cornerback Leon Hall. He also greeted backup quarterback Jeff Rowe at one point.
During the special teams session Johnson chatted on the sideline with cornerback Johnathan Joseph and had some interplay with tight ends coach Jon Hayes.
The Bengals had no explanation why Johnson was not practicing.
The camp ends with a Saturday morning workout after two more on Friday and a Thursday afternoon session.
The other players that missed all of the voluntary workouts, Houshmandzadeh, left tackle Levi Jones and cornerback Deltha O'Neal, walked on to the field.
Also headed to the field were rookie defensive tackle Jason Shirley and running back Kenny Irons. Shirley's DUI trial in Fresno, Calif., ended in a mistrial last week and Irons' appearance was a surprise. He had his helmet and was in uniform after not participating in the voluntary camps and head coach Marvin Lewis saying he didn't expect him on the field in May and June as he recovers from a torn ACL.
Irons stretched with the team prior ro practice but did not take part in drills with the running backs.
Also on the field working with the coaches was Charles Collins, Johnson's closest mentor and junior college position coach.
At the Pro Bowl back in February, Johnson said he had planned to get a minor procedure on his ankle during the offseason. The offensive line came out with Jones running with the first team at left tackle and Willie Anderson running second team behind Stacy Andrews at right tackle.
