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Sports TwitterBENGALS Q&A | CHAD JOHNSON
Ocho Cinco plans to 'put up,' not 'shut up'
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
CINCINNATI — The wide receiver formerly known as Chad Johnson said he wants to be called by "what's been documented." So, it's officially Chad Ocho Cinco, and Monday, Sept. 1, marked the first time since December 2007 that quarterback Carson Palmer and his Pro Bowl wideouts, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Ocho Cinco, practiced together.
Ocho Cinco claims his sprained left shoulder is healed, and he's able to lift weights and run normally. His name has changed, but he wants to take his game to an even higher level.
Q. Do you, Carson and T.J. have enough time to get in sync for Baltimore?
A. For us to get on the same page, it'll be pretty easy. But it's not really helpful going against a defense like that to start a season. For T.J. and Carson, with the things they do, it's a lot easier. They'll be fine. But Carson and I have a lot of work to do with the deep throws and the special plays they have for me. I don't want to say my stuff is a lot more difficult, but it's a lot more complicated.
Q. What's your mindset after a turbulent offseason in which you demanded a trade and didn't get it?
A. I've got a lot of making up to do to a lot of people. Not only to my teammates and coaches, but from the top all the way down. I upset a lot of people. So I've got to be completely focused. No distractions. I have to stay an attraction. I can't be arrogant. I have to be extraordinary at what I do. I've got to make sure I walk a straight line.
Q. How have fans reacted to you?
A. Love. A lot of love. I've been a lot of places since training camp, and for those who might have booed me on the side or might've said something, I've told 'em: "You've got to understand where I'm coming from. You're hearing one side, but you've got to hear my side. It is a business."
Q. Were lessons learned? Are you more mature?
A. No lessons. No maturity. I'm still the same. If we lose, I'm going to be upset. I'm going to fuss. Nothing has changed. But I'm here. So my motive and my focus has to change. I said what I said. I said my piece. Now I'm here. I'm not going to shut up, but I'm going to put up. That's what I mean for (everyone) that I upset. Now I have to give y'all a treat. The fans are going to get a boat load of (fun) stuff this year.
Q. You set a club record for receiving yards (1,440) in 2007, but didn't seem happy. Why?
A. Every week, it just seemed like something went wrong. I would ask coach Brat (offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski), "Is it me, or am I playing that bad?" I remember him telling me: "To be a seventh-year player, you're not as consistent as you should be." I made plays, but I was nowhere near the level I should've been.
Q. What's Carson telling you?
A. He adds up all the drops and the yardage, plays I should've made and the throws he could've made, and he puts it all together. He said we left 1,800 yards out there, easy. It's just about being consistent.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com.
