http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

 

MORE CORROBORATION OF JOHNSON FIGHT

 

 

 

As Bengals receiver Chad Johnson continues to deny that he engaged in a locker room brouhaha with receivers coach Hue Jackson and head coach Marvin Lewis during halftime of Sunday's home playoff loss, we continue to hear from new sources that the incident Johnson claims didn't happen in fact did.

 

 

 

This one came to us unsolicited (but second hand) from one of the many agents we've gotten to know over the past four-plus years. Said the source:

 

 

 

"I spoke to a player that I am very close to on the Bengals today and he confirmed the incident you have been reporting. He said that there was a 'swing' taken in Marvin's direction and that Marvin did nothing about it. My source also said that he felt like 'kicking Chad's ass' and that Marvin never stands up to Chad. He said that they allow him to act like a 12-year-old and that it definitely affected their play in the second half."

 

 

 

The problem, of course, is that no one has gone on the record to dispute Johnson's version of the events. Lewis has been conspicuously silent, as has been Hue Jackson.

 

 

 

But this isn't a game of rock-scissors-paper in which a public denial trumps the truth. The players understandably are reluctant to discuss the matter on the record, apparently because they believe that any public comment on the issue would not be appreciated by Coach Lewis.

 

 

 

There's also a general belief in locker rooms that, as Herm Edwards a/k/a Jackie Chiles said on Monday, "what stays in my house, stays in my house."

 

 

 

Also, let's consider for a moment the bass-ackward logic that was spawned by the Eephus pitches hoisted in Chad's direction during last night's press conference.

 

 

 

Softball #1: "Chad, if any of this stuff was true, wouldn't -- wouldn't Coach Lewis based on what we know about him have done something about it during the game?"

 

 

 

Johnson: "Probably so. Probably so."

 

 

 

Softball #2: "Do you think you would have played if you would've took a swung [sic] at him? Do you think you would have played?"

 

 

 

Johnson: "He would have sat me down."

 

 

 

But if Marvin Lewis had decided in the midst of the moment, only seconds before it was time to head back to the field and receive the kickoff to start the third quarter, that it was an emotional reaction by an emotional player in very emotional circumstances and that the team, already down Carson Palmer and Chris Henry, couldn't win with Chad Johnson out of action, Lewis would have done precisely what he did.

 

 

 

Nothing. Nothing at all.

 

 

 

And let's assume Lewis had benched Johnson for the second half of the franchise's first playoff game in 15 years at a time when the Bengals were clinging to a three-point lead and without their starting quarterback and their No. 3 receiver. With Kelley Washington inactive, the Bengals would have had three wideouts for the rest of the game -- T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Kevin Walter, and Tab Perry.

 

 

 

The post-game press conference would have been interesting, to say the least.

 

 

 

Hardball #1: "Coach Lewis, why didn't Chad Johnson play in the second half of the game?"

 

 

 

Lewis: "Coach's decision. Next question."

 

 

 

Hardball #2: "But what could have happened to cause you to bench one of the best receivers in the NFL during crunch time in the team's first playoff game in 15 years?"

 

 

 

Lewis: "As Herm Edwards might say tomorrow when addressing his exit from the Jets, what stays in my house, stays in my house."

 

 

 

Hardball #3: "What the hell does that mean?"

 

 

 

Lewis: "I don't know. Ask Herm tomorrow. But I think it means we don't talk about things that happen in the locker room."

 

 

 

Folks, there's no way Lewis would have been able to keep a lid on what had happened, if Johnson had been yanked from the game. Even if Lewis had refused to explain to the media why Johnson was benched, at least one of the other players would have viewed the benching as tacit approval to talk about what happened. Johnson, at a minimum, likely would have said that there was a confrontation in the locker room but that the punishment didn't fit the crime.

 

 

 

Bottom line -- Lewis made a snap decision to brush the whole thing under the rug, and everything that has happened since then was a natural consequence of the choice Lewis made.

 

 

 

Including the decision by multiple other players to talk privately about the matter. It's not an uncommon phenomenon when players believe that there is one set of rules for them, and another set of rules for the photogenic superstar who has the head coach and the media wrapped around his finger.

 

 

 

Human nature, under such circumstances, spawns resentment -- especially when there's reason to believe that the circumstances ultimately prevented the team from achieving its goal of advancing in the playoffs.

 

 

 

"The special treatment program is a dangerous path," one league insider told us on Wednesday morning. In this specific case, it's possible that one or more of the players will fink on Chad publicly, turn on Lewis for allowing Johnson to misrepresent what occurred, or want out of Cincinnati.

 

 

 

As we've learned too many times in matters of politics, the cover up is often worse than the crime. In this case, the cover up is in full gear. The only thing that remains to be seen is whether one of Johnson's teammates will stand up and expose the truth.

 

 

more

 

POSTED 7:15 p.m. EST, January 10, 2006

 

 

 

JOHNSON REITERATES DENIAL OF FIGHT

 

 

 

In a Tuesday evening press conference, Bengals receiver Chad Johnson denied, again, reports of a halftime altercation occurring in the team's locker room.

 

 

 

"Nothing happened," he said on Tuesday night.

 

 

 

But even as Johnson continues to insist that nothing happened, we're hearing of more players who privately concede that something did indeed happen between Johnson, receivers coach Hue Jackson, and head coach Marvin Lewis.

 

 

 

Here's hoping that one of Johnson's teammates will go on the record to dispute his denials. At a minimum, we hope that the players will continue to talk off the record about the issue -- and that the media will listen and report on it.

 

 

 

The video of Johnson's press conference is available at Bengals.com.

 

 

 

POSTED 5:54 p.m. EST, January 10, 2006

 

 

 

TRUTH COMING OUT ON JOHNSON FIGHT

 

 

 

1360 WSAI in Cincinnati corroborates our report regarding the halftime locker room fight involving Bengals receiver Chad Johnson and receivers coach Hue Jackson and head coach Marvin Lewis.

 

 

 

At the radio station's blog is the following entry, posted at 3:48 p.m. EST on January 10:

 

 

 

"David Lapham confirms that after talking to various Bengals players, there was an incident coming out of the lockerroom Sunday..........and 'something did happen' that included a scuffle between Chad Johnson and WR Coach Hue Jackson. TJ did jump in to seperate [sic] .... followed by Marvin jumping in. Lap cannot confirm a punch was thrown. Lap was told by defensive players that they heard it. And an offensive player did confirm what went down to Lap. Lap did indicate that Anthony Mitchell and Madeiu Williams did nudge and kick each other last night on Bengals Line....in an effort to not talk about it on the air. Mitchell did say, 'there were fireworks' at halftime."

 

 

 

The station also reports on its blog that Chad Johnson will conduct a press conference at 7:00 p.m. EST from Paul Brown Stadium to address the situation.

 

 

 

Maybe it's just us, but wasn't it enough for him to deny it on the record earlier in the day on Tuesday?

 

 

 

Unless, of course, our report was on the money.

 

 

POSTED 3:25 p.m. EST, January 10, 2006

 

 

 

JOHNSON "TOO EMBARRASSED" TO ADMIT FIGHT

 

 

 

In response to the denial by Bengals receiver Chad Johnson of a halftime altercation with receivers coach Hue Jackson and head coach Marvin Lewis, our original source on the story says us that, in his opinion, Johnson likely is "too embarrassed" to admit to his behavior.

 

 

 

"Nothing happened," Johnson told The Cincinnati Enquirer on Tuesday.

 

 

 

But happen it did, insists our source, who has requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.

 

 

 

The incident was "ridiculous," the source said, adding that he believes the actions of Johnson directly contributed to the outcome of the game. The Bengals led 17-14 at the break, ultimately lost to the Steelers by the score of 31-17. It was the Bengals' first playoff game in 15 years.

 

 

 

It remains to be seen whether Lewis, Jackson, or any other members of the coaching staff or team will be asked to comment on the record regarding the incident.

 

 

 

POSTED 1:45 p.m. EST, January 10, 2006

 

 

 

BENGALS WON'T COMMENT ON FIGHT

 

 

 

According to The Cincinnati Enquirer, the Bengals officially have declined to comment on our report of a halftime skirmish involving receiver Chad Johnson and receivers coach Hue Jackson and head coach Marvin Lewis during Sunday's playoff loss to the Steelers.

 

 

 

"We don't comment on rumors," said public relations direction Jack Brennan. (Editor's note: But do you comment on, you know, facts?)

 

 

 

For his part, Chad Johnson denies that a fight occurred.

 

 

 

"That sounds like drama," Johnson said. "At halftime, I was getting an IV. Nothing happened. Why don?t you talk to the coaches, they?re all down there today."

 

 

 

However, Johnson's admission to getting an IV places him in the training room at the time of the incident, which is where (per our report) the incident took place.

 

 

 

Mark Curnutte and Paul Daugherty of The Enquirer also asked defensive tackle John Thornton about the incident, and Thornton told them, "I can't confirm or deny anything that happened in the locker room."

 

 

 

Hmmmmmm.

 

 

 

Curnutte and Daugherty explain that after Sunday's game several members of the team made comments hinting at team turmoil. Said Lewis at the time: "We came in here as a football team and we need to leave out of here as a football team and understand that it's about working through the tough times. You work through the critical points in the game and do you [sic] job."

meh, didnt happen

meh, didnt happen

 

 

Pretty much sums it up.

 

Chad swung at Marvin and then got to play in the 2nd half.

 

And right after that, I took my leer jet to the bahamas for a beach party.

 

Please.

Chad Johnson called a press conference Tuesday night to counter a report of a halftime confrontation involving Johnson, Bengals wide receivers coach Hue Jackson and head coach Marvin Lewis during Sunday's playoff loss against Pittsburgh.

 

Some 1,100 miles away in Houston, quarterback Carson Palmer underwent surgery to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in his left knee.

 

The Bengals offseason has gotten under way with anonymous speculation, denials, no comments and some medical hope for next season.

 

The office of David Dunn, Palmer's agent, confirmed Tuesday night that Palmer had undergone surgery in Houston. While the quarterback and Lewis both declined comment regarding the specifics of the surgery when they spoke to the media on Monday, Palmer did talk teammates, including Johnson.

 

"He let me know he was going into surgery," said Johnson. "We work together in Los Angeles, somewhere in June or July when we're not here, and he promised me he'd be up and ready to throw by that time so that put a smile on my face. I can't wait. It's unfortunate what happened but I think we're going to come back even stronger next year."

 

The Bengals' season ended with a 31-17 loss to the Steelers, a game in which they lost Palmer on their second offensive play of the game but still led 17-14 at halftime. It was at that time, according to an unnamed source speaking to profootballtalk.com, that Johnson got into a confrontation with first Jackson and then Lewis. According to the report, other players heard and saw a helmet crashing up against the glass door of the training room and that Johnson had Jackson in a headlock at one point.

 

When Lewis entered the room to intervene, according to the report, Johnson allegedly took a swing at the head coach.

 

The report did not have an author's name attached to it. The Web site suggests visitors to contact TacoBill for any comments.

 

Neither Lewis nor Jackson attended the press conference. The Bengals official response, from public relations director Jack Brennan, was: "We don't comment on rumors."

 

Johnson said he first heard of the report Tuesday afternoon and that his first reaction was to call Jackson and then Lewis. He called the report ridiculous, that nothing had happened and that he wanted to dispute the report. He did not ask Lewis or Jackson to accompany him to the press conference but he did inform the coaches of his desire to talk to the media.

 

"I can handle this on my own," said Johnson. "(Lewis) laughed about it. I told him I would take care of the situation myself since I was the one who was taking the blame and the heat. I just wanted to clear the air."

 

Johnson has been known to have emotional outbursts in the past. Last season against Dallas, in a game the Bengals won 26-3, Johnson was seen on the sideline having to be calmed down by Lewis and Jackson as his frustration grew with the physical play of Cowboys cornerback Lance Frazier. Against Jacksonville this season in a nationally televised game, Johnson was caught on camera hollering at Palmer on the sideline, with Palmer talking back at Johnson in an apparently heated tone.

 

"I am very emotional and you guys saw that after Jacksonville," said Johnson. "I think that's something that I can work on myself this offseason, not really wearing my emotions on my sleeve like I do. Sometimes the love for the game, the passion for the game takes over and I lose it. Maybe that's something I can get better at."

 

Bengals radio analyst Dave Lapham, speaking on WLW-AM's SportsTalk show Tuesday night, said he heard from several players after the game that an incident involving Johnson, Jackson and Lewis did take place at halftime but that there was no confirmation of a punch being thrown.

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar.../601110308/1022

 

If a punch was thrown, Chad would not have been back in the game...yet he was. I believe it may have been heated in there but Chad doesn't seem like the type of guy to throw a punch at a coach and a man he seems to respect and like, no matter the situation.

Very classy.

Chad's Press Conference on the Matter

 

I love how this thread is set up in a way to blast Chad Johnson.

 

And it's started by the guy calling for TO in his sig.

I don't care who the player is, no player would be still playing in the 2nd half if he took a swing at a coach. Story = BS

Boomer Esiason said from what he heard, he thought it was true... atleast thats what he said on PTI.

Chad's Press Conference on the Matter

 

I love how this thread is set up in a way to blast Chad Johnson.

 

And it's started by the guy calling for TO in his sig.

 

 

 

Oh, so that must mean the story can't be true! :plain

I have little doubt that Chad probably got in a shouting match with Jackson or Lewis. Little to no doubt about that.

 

But that happens all the friggin time all over the league.

 

It's the taking a swing at Coach Lewis and having Jackson in a headlock, come on. I mean, seriously...come on.

Chad's Press Conference on the Matter

 

I love how this thread is set up in a way to blast Chad Johnson.

 

And it's started by the guy calling for TO in his sig.

 

 

I read something on the internet in more then one place, I hear about it on the radio, am I supposed to assume "wow Chad Johnson wouldn't do that"?

 

Okay he didn't throw a punch, well T.O. didn't throw punches at his coaches either. Let's give Chad a gold star because he didn't throw a punch at his coach.

 

My 1st reaction was that this was bull too, but ovbiously something happend.

 

 

Chad's Press Conference on the Matter

 

I love how this thread is set up in a way to blast Chad Johnson.

 

And it's started by the guy calling for TO in his sig.

 

 

 

Oh, so that must mean the story can't be true! :plain

 

T.O. isn't in my sig anymore. :hat

 

And who cares if he is, not sure what that has to do with Chad Johnson. I would still take both of them on my team.

Boomer Esiason said from what he heard, he thought it was true... atleast thats what he said on PTI.

 

 

 

So Boomer is Connie Chung now?

Boomer Esiason said from what he heard, he thought it was true... atleast thats what he said on PTI.

 

He said the same thing on Rome is Burning.

 

But it can't be true because I had a picture of T.O. on my sig.

 

Boomer Esiason said from what he heard, he thought it was true... atleast thats what he said on PTI.

 

He said the same thing on Rome is Burning.

 

But it can't be true becaue I had a picture of T.O. on my sig.

 

I agree.

Boomer Esiason said from what he heard, he thought it was true... atleast thats what he said on PTI.

 

 

 

So Boomer is Connie Chung now?

Good one.

 

Just saying what I heard ponch.

Here is an example of a complete media bias agaisnt T.O. and for Chad Johnson.

 

T.O. whips a sharpie out of his sock, signs, the ball, and gives it to a fan.

Media reaction= :o How could T.O. do such a thing? Just trying to get himself attention.

 

Chad whips out a big of gifts and starts throwing them into the crowd

Media reaction= that Chad is such a nice guy!

Everyone enjoys tearing someone else down.

 

I love how the place this report began consists of 75% of garbage trying to tear players down. With awesome headlines like "(Player A) needs to shut up" etc. etc.

 

Chad Johnson plays for my favorite team, he sleeps in the stadium, he busts his ass on the field every week. He's not a hired gun who had issues somewhere else, he's been a Bengal since day 1. He's spoken at great lengths about how Marvin Lewis is a father figure to him. He takes road trips with his QB to better further their relationship. Simply put, he's earned my benefit of the doubt.

 

Unless someone or something proves this happened, it didn't happen in my book. If I turn out to be wrong, so be it.

 

Here is an example of a complete media bias agaisnt T.O. and for Chad Johnson.

 

T.O. whips a sharpie out of his sock, signs, the ball, and gives it to a fan.

Media reaction= :o How could T.O. do such a thing? Just trying to get himself attention.

 

Chad whips out a big of gifts and starts throwing them into the crowd

Media reaction= that Chad is such a nice guy!

 

 

I don't disagree with you there.

 

But the major difference that I think a lot of the media have talked about is Chad Johnson always talks about how he loves to play the game, etc. Whereas TO has basically said he doesn't really like football and would rather be playing hoops. So it's much easier to interpret Chad's stuff as him having fun.

Here is an example of a complete media bias agaisnt T.O. and for Chad Johnson.

 

T.O. whips a sharpie out of his sock, signs, the ball, and gives it to a fan.

Media reaction= :o How could T.O. do such a thing? Just trying to get himself attention.

 

Chad whips out a big of gifts and starts throwing them into the crowd

Media reaction= that Chad is such a nice guy!

 

Neither is bad....but why would someone be down on Chad for throwing free merch into the stands around Christmas?

 

Also, you need to get this T.O fantasy out of your head. This team is in a cap hell. I know Allen has been good working around and with the cap in the past, but he has his work cut out for him. The last thing this team needs moneywise and chemistry wise is Owens.

Here is an example of a complete media bias agaisnt T.O. and for Chad Johnson.

 

T.O. whips a sharpie out of his sock, signs, the ball, and gives it to a fan.

Media reaction= :o How could T.O. do such a thing? Just trying to get himself attention.

 

Chad whips out a big of gifts and starts throwing them into the crowd

Media reaction= that Chad is such a nice guy!

 

Neither is bad....but why would someone be down on Chad for throwing free merch into the stands around Christmas?

 

Also, you need to get this T.O fantasy out of your head. This team is in a cap hell. I know Allen has been good working around and with the cap in the past, but he has his work cut out for him. The last thing this team needs moneywise and chemistry wise is Owens.

I am not sayign they should be down on him for throwing gifts into the stands. Why would someone be down on T.O. for signing a ball and giving it to a fan? And yes Passion, I know your thoughts on T.O., but I will take the best reciever in the NFL on my team any day.

 

Let me say this, I have no problem at all with Chad Johnson. I love how he plays, and I love seeing the dances. However the media has just taken it way to far. They act like Chad can do know wrong and everything that he does is right. Hugg you were right on with your last post about Chad, and what he does. I have seen the stories about him sleeping in the stadium, and his road trip with Carson to Indy. It is just annoying how the media can change perceptions of a player.

To be fair, T.O. gave that ball to his financial advisor.

To be fair, T.O. gave that ball to his financial advisor.

 

:lol

 

I knew someone was going to bring that up.

Here is an example of a complete media bias agaisnt T.O. and for Chad Johnson.

 

T.O. whips a sharpie out of his sock, signs, the ball, and gives it to a fan.

Media reaction= :o How could T.O. do such a thing? Just trying to get himself attention.

 

Chad whips out a big of gifts and starts throwing them into the crowd

Media reaction= that Chad is such a nice guy!

 

Neither is bad....but why would someone be down on Chad for throwing free merch into the stands around Christmas?

 

Also, you need to get this T.O fantasy out of your head. This team is in a cap hell. I know Allen has been good working around and with the cap in the past, but he has his work cut out for him. The last thing this team needs moneywise and chemistry wise is Owens.

 

 

According to the ESPN Insider, the Bucs are one of two known teams (ny jets) to have shown any interest in a potential TO trade for what its worth.

To be fair, T.O. gave that ball to his financial advisor.

 

:lol

 

I knew someone was going to bring that up.

 

:lol

 

Anyway, I still thought it was awesome.

Here is an example of a complete media bias agaisnt T.O. and for Chad Johnson.

 

T.O. whips a sharpie out of his sock, signs, the ball, and gives it to a fan.

Media reaction= :o How could T.O. do such a thing? Just trying to get himself attention.

 

Chad whips out a big of gifts and starts throwing them into the crowd

Media reaction= that Chad is such a nice guy!

 

Neither is bad....but why would someone be down on Chad for throwing free merch into the stands around Christmas?

 

Also, you need to get this T.O fantasy out of your head. This team is in a cap hell. I know Allen has been good working around and with the cap in the past, but he has his work cut out for him. The last thing this team needs moneywise and chemistry wise is Owens.

 

 

According to the ESPN Insider, the Bucs are one of two known teams (ny jets) to have shown any interest in a potential TO trade for what its worth.

 

Yep, but it is just a fantasy of mine.

No one really hated on T.O that much until this past season.

 

T.O had never been higher in the public's eye as he was with his performance in the Super Bowl, but he f***ed that up by himself.

 

I still dont think you get my point on T.O the Bucs dont have the cap room to really keep their defense together...how would they add T.O, who still wants a new deal. It's. Not. Gonna. Happen.