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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > March > 24 > Entry
NFLPA: Chad not ‘tampering’ when he speaks out
NO HARM, NO FOUL FOR CHAD
Despite being under contract to the Cincinnati Bengals through the 2011 NFL season, Chad Johnson doesn’t face a fine or any other sanctions for speaking out about wanting to play for Dallas or Miami or any team because it’s not considered tampering, according to the NFL Players Association.
Carl Francis, communications director for the NFLPA, told me today that Chad is free to speak his mind.
“He can have open discussion about who his favorite teams are and who he’d like to play for one day,” Francis said. “It doesn’t have anything to do with tampering.”
Francis said there’s “no fallout” from Chad asking Bill Parcells — the Miami Dolphins’ executive vice president of football operations — to dial him up.
FIRST OPEN LOCKER ROOM OF 2008
First things first. Head coach Marvin Lewis addressed the team on “The Chad Johnson Situation” as the Bengals kicked off their 13-week offseason workout program on Monday morning, March 24.
Chad has been trumpeting the fact he wants out of Cincinnati. As expected, Chad was a no-show for the start of the workouts.
Lewis’ message: Don’t worry about Chad. Worry about yourselves. Control what you can control. And that’s improving your core strength and flexibility, and bonding with your teammates in your attempt to make the roster.
“There are a lot of different things and variables that occur (with players),” Lewis said. “Whatever occurs, this is professional football. You’ve got to deal with it in your way. They’re all in little different situations. So they have to make sure that this time is utilized in the correct way for them to prosper.”
Lewis said, “Yes, I’ve talked to Chad a few times. I don’t need to weigh in on what my conversations with Chad are. My conversations with Chad this year have been no different than they were a year ago.
“Our football team will be fine, one way or another. We’ll be put together correctly in the way we need to be (in order) to be productive and prosperous.”
ODELL THURMAN UPDATE
Linebacker Odell Thurman has been working out at Paul Brown Stadium in an attempt to be reinstated after a two-year suspension for violating the league’s Substance Abuse Policy.
“He’s been working with the strength staff and doing what he’s supposed to do, and that’s what he needs to do,” Lewis said. “I don’t evaluate how he looks. That’s got nothing to do with … he’s doing what he needs to do.”
IN THE FOLD
Wide receiver Glenn Holt and linebackers Rashad Jeanty and Corey Mays signed one-year contracts as “exclusive rights free agents.”
The Bengals held the exclusive rights of all three players, whose contracts expired after two seasons.
Additionally, the club waived cornerback Brandon Williams.
QUICK HITTERS
—-CARSON PALMER: “I’m very excited to be back; excited to get going. You don’t really get that last season’s bad taste out of our mouth really until the first win of this upcoming year.”
—-OH, HENRY: In speaking at length with wide receiver Chris Henry, I was struck by his demeanor. He seems more mature and committed to being a successful player. With a girlfriend and two children at home, Henry has “settled down.” He knows if he has one more scrape with the law, he’s out of the NFL for good.
—-SAMOAN CONNECTION: It’s official: Jonathan Fanene is a defensive tackle. He’s beefed up to 300 pounds, and he’s ready to be a force in the middle of the defensive line. “If they put me and Domata (Peko) inside, I’m telling you, it’s over.”
Email cludwig@daytondailynews.com
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Phillip
March 29, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
Do the right thing Brown family - get what you can for Chad now and cut your losses. Hook up with Daniel Snyder. The Reds - who have excellent ownership - just ate $3.5 million in an attempt to compete this year. Be smart. Don’t be cheap. $8 million saved by keeping Chad might end up costing much more than that if Chad becomes a disruption and causes the team to underachieve this year.