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StumbleuponBengals' Williams on the return of Chad to practice: 'Ocho time'
Bengals wide receiver solid in one-on-one drills, catches everything thrown at him.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Practice began with Chad Johnson stretching his muscles and loosening his motor mouth on Monday, Aug. 4.
It ended with Johnson hugging safety Marvin White, giving safety Kyries Hebert a high-five and saying, "Eighty-five is back!"
The Bengals receiver gave fans a thrill when he practiced for the first time since undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle June 18.
"It's good for him to get back and immerse himself in the team," Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said. "He's always raring to go. Our biggest challenge is to ease him back slowly and don't allow him to do more than he should."
Johnson looked sharp in one-on-one drills in the morning, finishing all eight routes with a catch. He came up limping once, then worked on a stationary bicycle before rejoining the team drills.
He looked refreshed in the evening practice when he caught a 50-yard TD pass from Palmer on a post pattern against cornerback Leon Hall, a sign he could see limited action in the preseason opener at Green Bay on Aug. 11.
"It takes a certain amount of time to get back in football shape," offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski said. "But he got a good start at it. (The doctors) told us he'll be better than he was last year physically. As soon as he gets all his strength and flexibility back, he'll be fine."
Teammates embraced Johnson's return. "Two words: 'Ocho time!' " guard Bobbie Williams said. "It's just like old times. We're family."
First-round draft pick Keith Rivers is the only one missing. His holdout is at nine days and counting. "I keep saying he'll be here any second," Bengals Executive Vice President Katie Blackburn said. "I was optimistic two weeks ago."
