Bengals notes

Chad spices minicamp with talk of playoffs

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By Chick Ludwig, Staff Writer Updated 12:21 AM Friday, June 19, 2009

Minicamp kicked off at Paul Brown Stadium on Thursday, June 18, with wide receiver Chad Ochocinco predicting a playoff season.

“It’s going to be scary,” he said. “I’m trying to surpass what I’ve already accomplished. No point in going back to that.”

The five-time Pro Bowler (2003-07) struggled in 2008, turning in the worst season (53 catches, 540 yards, 4 TDs) since his 2001 rookie year.

After training at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, Calif., Ochocinco claims he’s in the best shape of his life, and proved it by running 28 40-yard dashes in conditioning drills Wednesday. Separate groups ran 14 sprints each. He competed in both groups.

“I’m in stupid shape,” he said. “I wasn’t just running. I’m talking about pushing full-speed. I wanted to make sure I was in rare form when I got here.”

Nothing short of a playoff run will do for the flamboyant nine-year veteran.

“Winning is what it’s all about,” Ochocinco said.

Head hunting

Strong safety Roy Williams and free safety Chris Crocker can’t wait to inflict some pain on enemy wide receivers.

“If anything, we’re going to be a physical secondary,” Crocker said.

Said Williams: “We bring a presence that we’re not backing down from anyone and we’re going to hit you. We’ll be able to let receivers know that we’re back there and we’re head hunting.”

‘Sting’ Rey

Rookie second-round draft pick Rey Maualuga is on a swift learning curve at strong-side linebacker as he gains ground on starter Rashad Jeanty and backup Darryl Blackstock.

“I’ve adjusted very well and I’m doing pretty good as far as the whole mental part,” Maualuga said. “Once I get the whole defense packed down, it’s going to make me play a lot faster.”

Signing in

Rookie seventh-round wide receiver Freddie Brown got a $37,600 bonus as part of the four-year, $1.787 million contract he signed Thursday. Brown is the second draft pick to sign, joining sixth-round cornerback Morgan Trent.

Quote machine

“A lot of people are going to make magic around here. It’s going to be fun.” — Andre Caldwell, second-year wide receiver and kickoff returner.

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