http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburgh...s/s_520583.html</p> Another Bengals article from a Pittsburgh paper</p> </p><p class="headline">Bengals' Johnson goes beyond silly antics</p> </p> </p> <span class="boldgrey"> By John Harris TRIBUNE-REVIEW </span> <span class="greytext">Saturday, August 4, 2007</span> </p> GEORGETOWN, Ky. -- Come away from talking football with Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Johnson, and it's easy to think, "Wow, this guy knows his stuff. He's more than just a crazy sound bite." Johnson understands the game, the whole game. </p> The four-time Pro Bowler breaks down not only his game, but also his teammates' and his opponents'. He knows coverages and where the holes in the secondary are. </p> "I had a bad year last year," Johnson said the other day after practice at Georgetown College. "Regardless of the numbers I put up, I was inconsistent from Week 1 to 16." </p>This from the colorful playmaker who had 87 receptions and seven touchdowns and led the NFL with 1,369 receiving yards in 2006 -- following seasons of 97 catches and 1,432 yards in 2005, 95 catches and 1,274 yards in 2004, 90 catches and 1,355 yards in 2003 and 69 catches and 1,166 yards in 2002. Don't believe the hype, Johnson said. </p> "I didn't have a great season. If you dissect what I did, I really got lucky in a five-week period." </p> If you say so. </p> In consecutive games against San Diego, New Orleans, Cleveland, Baltimore and Oakland, Johnson had 37 receptions for 765 yards and five touchdowns. </p> He had 11 catches for 260 yards and two touchdowns against the Chargers and six catches for 190 yards and three touchdowns against the Saints. </p> Johnson, Mr. "Ocho-Cinco" -- the fellow who refers to himself in the third person and never met a catch he couldn't make unless he's playing the Steelers -- lucky? </p> "I put up abnormal numbers because of luck," Johnson said. "Busted coverages. Somebody slipping down. I'm being realistic." </p> Among the best interviews in the league, Johnson understands the value of self-promotion. </p> With Johnson, what you want to see is what you get. </p> It's a lot easier to believe in a created image than the person behind that image. </p> Some people refuse to look past Johnson's mouth filled with gold and look-at-me persona because he's cocky and rude, and that's more entertaining than informative and boring. </p> So when he calls out opponents and creates innovative end-zone dances after scoring touchdowns, consider the source. </p> It's all a ruse to hide the fact that he's a serious student who sees the game like a coach. </p> When discussing the necessity to become a more complete receiver this season, Johnson morphed into a different person. </p> He was soft-spoken, humble, introspective. </p> "I really want them to use me more so I can be more of a help inside so I don't have those slumps like I did within that five-week period," Johnson said. "More (catches) underneath." </p> Said Bengals coach Marvin Lewis: "I think he's practicing hard. I think he's stronger. I think he's very, very fast right now. He's doing a much better job of running (with) the football after he catches it. He's been working very, very good." </p> Who needs luck, when the only direction for Johnson to go is up? </p> </p>
Chad Johnson is such an awesome player. And I can say that even though I go to Oregon State where he led us to a great season in 2000. Most of his character that the media sees is just that, character. He's actually a really good nice guy.
