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Sports TwitterBengals' top receivers have very different styles
While Johnson wants to be the center of attention, Houshmandzadeh says Chad's flamboyant ways just aren't his style.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
CINCINNATI — Chad Johnson wore a fake Hall of Fame sport coat during Monday night's 27-20 win over Baltimore. T.J. Houshmandzadeh wore a cut on his chin.
They are the yin and the yang of the Bengals receiving corps.
Extras
Johnson had the pretty 39-yard touchdown catch among his five catches for 95 yards. Houshmandzadeh's best move was popping up off the turf after vicious hits — some after Carson Palmer passes led him into traffic.
"I tell Carson, 'I'll take any hit for a catch,' " said Houshmandzadeh, who added nine grabs for 50 yards and a 7-yard, game-winning TD. "He took that to heart."
Johnson is a tireless self-promoter whose "Ocho Cinco" nickname isn't even correct in Spanish. To be fair, Johnson's www.trashtalk85.com Web site does help raise awareness and money for worthy causes. But his gold teeth and look-at-me persona are that of a showman.
"He can do that," Houshmandzadeh said of his good friend Johnson. "That's not my style. That ain't how I get down, so I don't do it."
Houshmandzadeh fights the perception battle, even on his own team.
"He looks soft and fuzzy and fragile — I love saying that — but he's not fragile at all," linebacker Caleb Miller joked. "When he gets hit, he's going to get back up."
Like a hit from Ray Lewis, Houshmandzadeh takes it all in stride.
"Looks can be deceiving," said Houshmandzadeh, who is emotional on the field but calm off it. "You can judge me by my looks if you want, it doesn't matter. I'm going to go out and play football and let's see what happens."
Notes
• Cincinnati re-signed receiver Antonio Chatman to a one-year deal. Chatman (hamstring) didn't play during the preseason and was released Sept. 7.
• The Bengals waived tight end Nate Lawrie and placed receiver Bennie Brazell (knee) on the practice squad/injured list.
• Defensive end Robert Geathers is among five players nominated for the GMC defensive player of the week. Fans can vote at www.NFL.com.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6951 or mgokavi@DaytonDailyNews.com.
