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Published on: 8/9/2008
Last Visited: 8/10/2008
Chad Johnson in camp, but not talking
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GEORGETOWN, Ky. (AP) - About the time Brett Favre retired from football this spring, Chad Johnson was claiming he'd never play for the Cincinnati Bengals again.
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Johnson, a five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver who has Bengals records for most catches and yards, believed he was taking too much criticism for the team's disappointing 7-9 season.
He let it be known that he thought he and the Bengals needed to part ways.
That didn't happen, and as the Bengals go through their second week of training camp workouts, it is hard to tell that any discontent ever existed.
That is, other than the silence Johnson keeps with hometown media.
Johnson was kept out of practice the first week of camp as he continued to recover from arthroscopic surgery in June on his right ankle, but started practicing at full speed this week.
If there are any signs of lingering resentment from teammates or coaches, they are well hidden.Fans still wear his No. 85 jersey and call out his name for autographs, and Johnson has obliged.
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During one practice, Johnson ran a 12-yard comeback route, stopped and turned suddenly to catch a pass from Carson Palmer.
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A couple of plays later, Johnson beat a defender off of the line of scrimmage and ran by him down the sideline.
He clapped his hands when the ball didn't come his way and he believed he was open; Johnson always believes he is open.
"With Chad, you always know what you're going to get on the field, not just on Sundays but also in the work week," said cornerback Leon Hall, the team's top draft pick in 2007.
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Johnson broke his own club record for yards receiving in a season in 2007 by catching 93 passes for 1,440 yards and eight touchdowns.
During the offseason, Johnson decided not to attend the voluntary conditioning program and on-field workouts for the first time in his eight-year career.His only visit to Paul Brown Stadium was for the mandatory three-day minicamp in June.
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Despite all the distractions during the offseason, Bratkowski maintained contact with Johnson.
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Johnson still is not talking to beat reporters, a practice he started in 2007.
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Chad Johnson in camp, but not talking