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Bengals notes: Chad needs consistency
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
For the Cincinnati Bengals to finish the season strong, wide receiver Chad Johnson needs to maintain his consistency and not tail off.
That was head coach Marvin Lewis' message on Monday.
Extras
Lewis wants to build on the momentum of Sunday's 35-6 victory over the Tennessee Titans. In order for that to happen, the Bengals must defeat the Steelers in Pittsburgh.
"We've got to go out and finish strong," Lewis said. "That has to be a big emphasis. Obviously, if we don't finish strong, we're finished. We have no margin of error. We need a little help. We've got to go make hay ourselves. Each and every week is a big game for us."
Mirror image
Johnson became the first Bengal to win an NFL receiving yards title when he totaled 1,369 in 2006.
But his three-game swoon at the end of the season (10 catches, 122 yards, no TDs) mirrored the club's 0-3 finish for an 8-8 record.
Johnson snatched a career-high 12 receptions for 103 yards and three TDs against the Tennessee Titans to push his season totals to 71 catches for 1,041 yards and six TDs. Can he maintain?
"It's important for him to keep his focus," Lewis said. "It would be good to see him finish the season strong, and see if he can outdo what he did in the first part."
Injury report
Lewis said the club "should be pretty close to full strength" when practice resumes Wednesday.
"T.J. Houshmandzadeh (bruised back) seemed to get through the game fine," Lewis said. "Landon Johnson has a laceration of the arm, and he should be fine. Dexter Jackson has a bruise on the wrist. Other than that, we should be in pretty good shape."
Perry update
Wednesday is the deadline for the Bengals to make a move regarding tailback Chris Perry, who has been practicing for three weeks on a roster exemption as a member of the Physically Unable to Perform list.
Perry fractured his right ankle at Cleveland on Nov. 26, 2006.
The club has three options: Activate him to the 53-man roster, place him on season-ending injured reserve or release him.
Now that Rudi Johnson is healthy, and both Kenny Watson and DeDe Dorsey continue to excel, look for the Bengals to place Perry on IR so that he can be completely healthy for the 2008 season.
