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Tuesday, April 22, 2008
CINCINNATI — Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis called out Chad Johnson on Tuesday, April 22, daring the disgruntled wide receiver to sit out the 2008 NFL season.
Johnson has spent the offseason saying he wants out of Cincinnati. He demanded a trade last week, claiming he won't show up for the club's mandatory minicamp in June and training camp in July.
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"He's made a statement he's not going to play and that's the consideration I've been aware of since the end of last season. It's time just to do what you say you're going to do, and we'll move forward," Lewis said in his strongest statement to date on the issue.
"I've stated our case with Chad. He has a contract through 2011. He's stated without an opportunity to go to a different team and a new contract, he wasn't going to play. I think he's a man of his word. He says he's not going to play, so don't play."
Lewis was asked: "Have you received any trade offers for Chad?"
"No," he said.
Lewis was then asked about ESPN's report that the Redskins had offered two first-round draft picks for Johnson.
"I think (ESPN reporter) Chris (Mortensen) is probably a little errant in his thing," Lewis said. "I don't think (Bengals president) Mike Brown received a call."
Mortensen actually reported that the Redskins had offered the Bengals a first-round draft pick this year and a third-rounder in 2009 that could turn into a first-rounder if Johnson reaches certain performance levels.
Lewis later confirmed that the Bengals rejected a trade offer from the Redskins.
Bengals public relations director Jack Brennan attempted to straighten out the miscommunication.
"A questioner (in the news conference) said ESPN had reported a Redskins trade offer of two first-round picks," Brennan said. "Coach Lewis denied such an offer had been made.
"But ESPN, in fact, did not report an offer of two first-round picks. Coach Lewis later confirmed that the ESPN story, as actually written, was accurate. Coach Lewis says he personally told the Redskins that we were not interested in trading Chad."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com.
