BENGALS
Chad's mouth hits full throttle over cornerback
Johnson says Falcons' Pro Bowl corner DeAngelo Hall won't stop him on Sunday.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
CINCINNATI — Chad Johnson is celebrating the NFL's Hispanic Heritage Month by referring to himself as "Ocho Cinco."
The Spanish translation for his uniform number (85) is actually "ochenta cinco."
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The Bengals wide receiver struggles in Spanish, but is fluent in trash talk. And he lit up Atlanta Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall on Wednesday.
"It's going down this Sunday," Johnson said. "I guarantee he won't stop me. This week, DeAngelo falls."
"Why does he want me so bad?" Hall said. "Because I'm the best corner in the league."
Johnson and Hall have been feuding since February when they met at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. Hall did more than win the "NFL's Fastest Man" competition.
"He told me he was the best defensive back ever," Johnson said. "I said, 'How can you proclaim yourself the best ever when you haven't been against the best?'
"Hey, I'm a man who takes risk. Coach (Marvin) Lewis has told me to tone it down. He's told me to be quiet. I've been quiet all year. I haven't said much. I'm back. I'm going to let it rip.
"I'm celebrating. I'm going to score. I'm going to score more than once. I'm tired of being quiet. I ain't had no motivation. I ain't had no energy. I ain't had no drive. Nothing to look forward to on Sunday. I don't care if they put five people on me. I'm going to get it done this week."
Johnson said Hall can have a job flippin' burgers at Willie Anderson's Fatburger restaurant in Atlanta.
"That's what you're going to do when I'm done with you," Johnson told Hall through the media.
"I'm a Pro Bowl player," Hall countered. "I'm not too worried about finding a job. I can always find a job. I'm 22 years old, I'm considered one of the best if not the best corner in the league already."
Hall said the week at the Pro Bowl "was filled with great sound bites. Just a little sparring of words, back and forth, all in good fun. Chad actually pulled me aside and said I was the first guy to say something back to him in two years. I guess I earned some respect."
That respect turned to wrath. On Johnson's list — "Who Covered 85 in 2006?" — every opposing team is printed in black type except one. The Falcons are in red. Next to every opponent is a "yes" and "no" box to be checked.
The game is four days away, but ...
"I'm checking 'no' already," Johnson said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@daytondailynews.com


