News feeds
E-mail alerts
Mobile
Text alerts
Twitter
Facebook
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 > July > 27 > Entry
Check-in day: Chad quiet, Rivers holds out, Whitworth deal ‘done’
PALMER STILL ‘HAVING FUN’
AT OHIO STATE’S EXPENSE
As expected, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson didn’t speak to the media on check-in day at training camp at Georgetown College on Sunday.
First-round draft pick Keith Rivers officially became a holdout; quarterback Carson Palmer got a couple more digs in on Ohio State; and left guard Andrew Whitworth confirmed he’s agreed to a contract extension.
Whitworth’s deal tops out at $30 million and keeps him with the club through 2013.
“It’s done. I just haven’t signed it yet,” Whitworth told the Dayton Daily News.
Extending Whitworth and DT Domata Peko ($30.3 million through 2014) are positive signs that the club is focused on keeping its nucleus of young, talented, good-character players intact.
“It’s great,” Whitworth said. “It’s a commitment on their part, and a commitment by me. It’s just a real exciting opportunity to be here even longer.
“Some of the young guys we’ve gotten here the last couple of years are really good guys on and off the field … exciting young talent. It’s really promising for what we have in our future.”
AND NOW … before I delve into the Alan Cutler Memorial Ice Box in the press box at Georgetown College for a refreshing bottle of Gatorade, here are some highlights from check-in day:
—-The only player who isn’t here is Rivers. Bengals negotiators put the finishing touches on a four-year deal with third-round pick Andre Caldwell, but couldn’t come to terms with Rivers by the 1 p.m. check-in time.
—-Wide receiver Chad Johnson breezed into his dorm room, carrying a pillow, Xbox 360 and a couple of plastic bags from K-mart … and didn’t utter a word to anybody.
—-Palmer had this message for Ohio State Buckeyes football fans: “Fight on!” That’s the USC Trojans’ rallying cry and the title of the school’s fight song. When Palmer arrived from California, a present was waiting for him: “The Winners Manual: For the Game of Life,” authored by Ohio State coach Jim Tressel.
“One of my neighbors left the book on my doorstep,” Palmer said. “I didn’t have a chance to read it. I don’t know if I’ll ever get around to it. but it was kind of a funny gesture.”
Palmer, who said he “cannot stand the Buckeyes” in a recent interview on an L.A. radio station, said he’s not worried about a few boos from Buckeyes fans at Paul Brown Stadium.
“I don’t care,” he said. “If people are going to take it that serious, that’s up to them. It was all in good fun. Like i said, I live in Ohio. It doesn’t mean I have to be a Buckeye fan. I went to the University of Southern California and I’m going to cheer for them. I have a lot of pride in that school just as they have pride in their school.
“People take a lot of things too seriously and it’s just another thing that kind of got blown out of proportion. I’m going to keep having fun with it. if people are going to be upset about it, that’s their decision. But I’m going to keep having fun with it and hopefully celebrate on the 13th (of September when the Buckeyes and Trojans collide).”
—-Does Carson have any pranks set up for his younger brother, Jordan, who is trying to make the squad as the third-string quarterback? Jordan was drafted last year by the Washington Redskins, but got released before the season opener.
“He doesn’t think he’s a rookie,” Carson said. “I’ve tried to stress to him that he is a rookie because he doesn’t have an accredited year yet. It’ll be interesting to see how it all unfolds. I’m going to figure out something to do. I’m not going to let you guys know because you guys will spoil the surprise. But they’ll be some good stuff going on in the quarterback room.”
—-A reporter told Palmer that Chris Perry — Bengals running back from Michigan — doesn’t like Ohio State either.
“I don’t blame him,” Palmer said.
—-T.J. Houshmandzadeh brought only the necessities. “A comforter, another pillow, toiletries and a change of clothes,” he said.
Any special shampoo for his long, black hair? Nope.
“Water comb and a brush is all I need,” he said.
—-Why is FOX Sports Net (FSN) following Bengals strong safety Chinedum Ndukwe around camp?
Well, FSN is televising four training camp shows, plus a season preview show.
“It’s called Bengals Camp ‘08 and one of our segments is with Chinedum as our host,” FSN producer Brian Hunterman said. “That’s what we’re doing today.”
—-Wide receiver Andre Caldwell was relieved to get his four-year contract done.
“I want to get here on time and get me a position,” Caldwell said.
How much did he sign for?
“Enough,” he said.
—-Defensive end Antwan Odom climbed out of his BMW and lugged a flat-screen TV into his dorm.
“I’ve got to have a TV to watch,” he said.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By NonFootballFan
July 27, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
You know, I don’t really follow football, but Carson Palmer has a point. Just because he plays for an Ohio team and lives in Ohio doesn’t mean he is bound or obligated to love OSU. I could care less about the Buckeyes, but then again, I don’t have a favored college team that I follow — my alma mater doesn’t even have a football program. I don’t think it’s fair to get on Palmer’s case about something like this. He’s entitled to his school pride and doesn’t even have to tip his hat to OSU if he doesn’t want to.By John
July 27, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this
Any chance some playbooks or maybe some notes on how to stop other teams offenses or beat other teams D’s were included with their X-Boxes and big screen TVs? Is this team serious about winning this year, or are they just their to collect a paycheck and buy toys?By Deviant
July 27, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
To John… Get over it… you want them to sit there 24 hours a day and meditate on football? My gues is you’ve never been through two a days… you need some time to relax and unwind after nothing but meetings, and hard hot practices. A little X-Box and some TV would do just the trick if you ask me. Oh wait, they had a losing season last year because all they cared about was how good their franchise was doing in Madden world… Do you hear yourself?By John
July 28, 2008 7:30 AM | Link to this
Yep Deviant, that’s what I expect. And if Marvin was a good coach, he’d demand it too. I’m tired of seeing this team get embarrassed year after year after year since 1990 (except for 2005). Time to put the work in and get serious about football. The off-season is over.By Shane
July 28, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this
Right on John! I could not have said it better myself.