October 13, 200422 yr ESPN.com BEREA, Ohio -- Chad Johnson played his idea of a sick joke on the Cleveland Browns. The Cincinnati Bengals' wide receiver, known for his quick feet and bold predictions, sent each of Cleveland's four defensive backs a package containing a handwritten note and a bottle of medicine to settle an upset stomach. "I think some of the guys are taking it personal," said Browns cornerback Daylon McCutcheon, who got a good laugh out of Johnson's gesture. "But I think for the most part, he is not an in-your-face guy. He just likes to have fun. He enjoys playing football. He's a jokester." At 2-3 and coming off a 34-23 loss to Pittsburgh, the Browns already are feeling queasy enough about their season. They host Cincinnati on Sunday and might not find the joke especially funny. But that wasn't going to stop Johnson, who smiled when asked about his prank on the Browns. He said he simply wanted to "cure them of their sickness" and suggested "they're going to get tired of covering me." Inside McCutcheon's box, Johnson tossed in a note that said: "Daylon, Just wanted to add a little color and relief to your week. All the best, Chad." Anthony Henry, Robert Griffith and Earl Little also received FedEx deliveries from Johnson. The fourth-year wideout personalized each package, signing the notes and including his No. 85 next to his signature. As if the Browns needed the reminder. Two years ago, Johnson guaranteed a win over Cleveland and nearly backed it up before the Bengals lost 27-20. Johnson had four catches for 103 yards, including a 72-yard TD. Last season, Johnson had the first two-touchdown game of his career in which the Bengals defeated the Browns 21-14. This season, Johnson has just one TD catch -- in the season opener -- but has been double-covered more than before and opposing secondaries have made sure he doesn't get behind them deep. Johnson, who led the AFC with 1,355 yards last season, says the Browns tend to isolate their cornerbacks, and he's hoping they try to cover him with just one defender. "I see a lot of man-to-man on all the film I've watched this year, then every time I get out there, it's something different," he said. "Hopefully I will get what I'm seeing on the film and be able to expose that." McCutcheon is keeping this whole episode in perspective. "He's a good guy," McCutcheon said. "We have a good relationship off the football field. He's a character. He likes to keep the game fun, and that's the way it should be. It's about competition, but he likes to express themselves." So, will McCutcheon be sending anything to Cincinnati the next few days labeled: Chad Johnson, One Paul Brown Drive, Cincinnati? "Nah," he said. "I'm just going to go play on Sunday." Bengals.com Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis has warned Chad Johnson about making any more guarantees. So his fun-loving Pro Bowl wide receiver tried a new tact. In anticipation of Sunday?s game at Cleveland, he sent each of the Browns? four starting defensive backs a bottle of Pepto Bismol and a handwritten note that arrived Wednesday. ?Just to add a little color and relief to your week ? Chad.? The idea: ?They?re going to get sick to their stomachs trying to cover me,? Johnson said after Wednesday?s practice. ?Just short of a guarantee.? Johnson said he?s just having fun and ?trying to get the spark going,? as he looks to break out of a mini long-ball slump in which he hasn?t caught a pass longer than 24 yards or a touchdown in the past three games. Plus, he?s trying to give a plug to his charity. Johnson says for every touchdown he scores in the month of October, Pepto is going to donate money to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. ?All those guys know me. They know my personality. They?re not going to take it personally,? Johnson said. According to reports out of the Browns locker room, Johnson drew laughs instead of blood. Free safety Earl Little, who comes from Johnson?s part of Miami, Fla., has heard it before. ?I know Chad,? Little said. ?That?s just his personality. But it?s going to be all serious on Sunday. . . Right now it?s all fun and games, but once we play in between those lines and the clock is running, I have to have him.? Which is what Johnson is saying back in Cincinnati. ?Just trying to get a little something going, that?s all. Competition is fun,? he said. ?But those guys know it?s going to be all business on Sunday.? Johnson made one of the biggest plays of the Bengals season last year in the fourth game of the year at Cleveland when he beat strong safety Robert Griffith for a 55-yard touchdown pass with 20 seconds left in the half to tie the game at 14 and ignite the Bengals? 21-14 win for their first victory of the year. Griffith is back, but there was no word about is take on a package that included an autograph under the message. ?The other guys got (their packages) before I got mine,? said cornerback Daylon McCutcheon. ?And I didn?t believe them. But when I actually saw it, it was hilarious. . .Without or without the (Pepto), he?s one of the best receivers in the league. We?re going to go out there and answer the challenge. ?Honestly, I don?t take it personal. I met him before. We?ve talked during the offseason ? he?s a cool guy. I think he likes to have fun. I think he enjoys the game, and that?s what it?s all about.? Johnson drew the ire of not only the 9-0 Chiefs last year, but his coach and some of his teammates were less than pleased when he guaranteed a victory a few days before the Bengals pulled off the 24-19 stunner. ?No, no, get it straight,? Johnson said. ?This is not a guarantee.? Then he laughed and said, ?That?s only for undefeated teams. Hey, what about New England? No, I?m just fooling around. No guarantees.? The Bengals play the 19-0 Patriots in Foxboro Dec. 12. I posted this just for you Phulb. :cool
October 14, 200422 yr In honor of this message I have added a Pepto Bismol label to my authentic Chad Johnson jersey. That being said, I have a message of my own... WHO DEY!?
October 17, 200422 yr Author Too bad his team is losing, and 0 TDs for Chad. 594366[/snapback] Yeah, he got totally owned. :banghead
October 17, 200422 yr Too bad his team is losing, and 0 TDs for Chad. 594366[/snapback] Yeah, he got totally owned. :banghead 594397[/snapback] now maybe if Kitna was his QB.... :shifty :mischief2
October 17, 200422 yr Author Too bad his team is losing, and 0 TDs for Chad. 594366[/snapback] Yeah, he got totally owned. :banghead 594397[/snapback] now maybe if Kitna was his QB.... :shifty :mischief2 594399[/snapback] We'd probably be 2-3 and still going nowhere. He dropped 3 balls today and let a corner steal one from him as well. He has no one to blame but himself.
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