Chad to Play for Another Team... The AFC Pro Bowlers

Randy Moss' exit from the Pro Bowl is Chad Johnson's gain. Moss pulled out of the Pro Bowl from an injury sustained in the Super Bowl and Chad Johnson has been invited to take his place. Johnson has now made the Pro Bowl in 5 of the past 7 seasons. He will join fellow Bengals receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

Trading Chad Costly

If the Bengals decided to trade or release Chad Johnson, the Bengals would take an $8 million cap hit. With such a large number, trading Johnson seems unlikely.

Chad Will Not Sit Out

After an ESPN.com report that Chad Johnson was threatening to sit out the 2008 season, Johnson's agent Drew Rosenhaus said that "Chad Johnson will play football in 2008." Now if it will be for the Bengals... that's a different story. Especially after Chad's comments about feeling "betrayed" by Marvin Lewis.

Bengals Sign Another Palmer QB

The Bengals have signed quarterback Carson Palmer's younger brother, Jordan Palmer, to a two-year contract. Carson and Jordan are the first brothers to play on the same team in the Super Bowl era.

Chad Johnson on Jim Rome

Chad Johnson again expressed his displeasure with the organization, this time on Jim Rome. Chad mentioned that his experience with the Bengals has "been bad." Here's part of the interview.

Rome: Do you want to be traded?
Answer: I’m going to leave that to the Shark (Drew Rosenhaus, Johnson’s agent).

JR: Are you happy in Cincinnati?
CJ: I’m not allowed to say. I get the blame, the so-called best player, I’m the problem. Someone in-house is spreading this. Maybe they want me to quiet down (and) stop being me. That is not going to happen. I can’t function that way. I tried it. It sucked. There was no excitement.

JR: Can they make it right with you?
CJ: I think I could be here all season long, on your show.

JR: Is it blown up or fixable?
CJ: I’m leaving that to Drew. It’s been bad (with the Bengals). I’m the scapegoat. A lot of stuff in-house is happening I’m not fond of. It doesn’t sit well with me. I have fun. I’m a little outlandish. I produce. I do everything to help us win.

JR: Who does have your back?
CJ: T.J. (Houshmandzadeh) has my back. Carson (Palmer). That’s it. That’s really it.”

Chad to Dolphins?

Rumors have started concerning Chad Johnson to the Dolphins after Johnson said on Saturday, "Bill Parcells, call me."

Thurman Cleared to Workout

Suspended Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman has been cleared to return to his team to workout. This is a positive sign that he will soon be reinstated by Commissioner Roger Goddell.

Palmer Offers Help

In the aftermath of Carson Palmer's "coaches should be fired" rant, Palmer and offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski remain close. Bratkowski maintains that he and Palmer have "a very close relationship" and even mentioned that Palmer "is ready and willing to do anything in the draft and free agency" to help the team. Even find out about prospects from his alma mater of USC.

Running Game Missing

Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski said in a recent telephone interview that what lacked from Cincinnati's offense last year was the ability to run the football. Bratkowski said, "It's obvious. We have to generate more in the run game." The Bengals were ranked 24th last year with 97.3 rushing yards per game.

Bengals Hire Mike Zimmer

The Bengals have hired their third defensive coordinator under Marvin Lewis. Zimmer will replace Chuck Bresnahan, who was fired after leading the No. 27 defense in the NFL.

Zimmer has eight seasons of NFL experience as defensive coordinator. He coordinated the Atlanta Falcons defense in 2007 and the Dallas Cowboys defense from 2000-2006.

With the hire of Mike Zimmer, it is highly unlikely that the Bengals will make the rumored switch to a 3-4 Defense.

Bengals Make Offers to Linebackers

The Cincinnati Bengals have made two contract offers to linebackers Landon Johnson and Dhani Jones. Both are said to be the same contract offer. Johnson and Jones are eligible for free agency starting Feb. 29.

Landon Johnson is a fifth-year linebacker from Purdue who has led the team in tackles three out of his four years. Dhani Jones is an eight year veteran who was signed on Week 3 of the season and was forced to start the rest of the season because of injuries.

Chad Johnson Vents

After Chad Johnson's appearance on ESPN's "Mike & Mike in the Morning" the Bengals were left shaking their head.

Johnson proclaimed, "I've been labeled as selfish, as the reason we're losing. I've been told I've been a cancer to my team." Chad went on to say that if he is indeed a cancer, "then the team would need to get chemo. If I am a problem, the problem needs to be dealth with." Johnson went on to say, "Now the season is over, I was the problem, I have been a distraction. Chad Johnson, the fingers were pointed at me. My celebrations, all this stuff was the reason we were losing. The only thing for me to do or say now is, if you guys, as a team and organization, want to further yourself in the playoffs, I think you need to get rid of what the problem was during the seaosn."

Head Coach Marvin Lewis responded by nixing all trade rumors. "He's going to go back and be a pro and go forward and play. As I said then, there will be no trade of Chad Johnson. Repeat it again."

Johnson is the Bengals all-time leader in receptions (555) and receiving yards (8234).

Bengals Approach Free Agents

The Bengals have began to show who they are after. Cincinnati has spoken twice with Landon Johnson, one of the club's biggest free agents. Johnson has been the Bengal's leading tackler three of the past four years. The Bengals have also had talks with offensive lineman Stacy Andrews and safety Madieu Williams.

Bengals Free Agents

Now that the season is over, the Bengals must address which free agents to keep. In case any of you were wondering, here is a list of the free agents.

Unrestricted Free Agents
OL Stacy Andrews
WR Antonio Chatman
K Aaron Elling
MLB Landon Johnson
OLB Dhani Jones
P Kyle Larson
MLB Lemar Marshall
MLB Caleb Miller
DT Bryan Robinson
DE Justin Smith
C Alex Stepanovich
FS Madieu Williams

Restricted Free Agents
DE Jonathan Fanene
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
OT Adam Kieft
WR Tab Perry

Exclusive Rights Players
HB Dan Burks
WR Glenn Holt
OLB Rashad Jeanty
S Herana-Daze Jones
OLB Corey Mays

Bengals Fire Two Coaches

With the continued struggles for the Bengals defense, Cincinnati has fired defensive coordinator Chuck Brenahan and linebackers coach Ricky Hunley. The Bengals finished the year with a No. 27 ranking.

Thurman Applies for Reinstatement...... Again.

Suspended linebacker Odell Thurman has once again applied for reinstatement. Thurman should find out if he is allowed back this year in the second week of February.

Thurman was suspended for the 2006 season after he violated the NFL substance abuse policy. Thurman applied for reinstatement this year, but was denied by Commissioner Roger Goddell.

In Thurman's rookie season in 2005, he was in the Defensive Rookie of the Year conversation, but lost to Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman. Thurman led the team with 148 tackles and four forced fumbles.

Thurman's representative Safarrah Lawson described Thurman as "in great shape" and "fresh."

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Hello everyone! My name is Zach and I would like to officially welcome you to Bengal Battle Cry. Bengal Battle Cry is your best source for information on the Cincinnati Bengals. We will cover everything Bengals here, including the 2008 NFL Draft, personnel decisions, free agents, and upcoming opponents. Anything Bengals, this is your one stop source for information. I look forward to hearing from you all in the future and reading your thoughts about our Cincinnati Bengals.

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