Notes: Bengals' Lewis: Snitch 'already gone'

[oldschooler]

Notes: Bengals' Lewis: Snitch 'already gone'

By Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY

At least one player from the Cincinnati Bengals squad that claimed the franchise's first divisional title since 1990 won't be back:

The player who leaked a description of a halftime tirade by receiver Chad Johnson during the Bengals' 31-17 playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers — and according to coach Marvin Lewis, embellished events to cause a controversy.

"It's already taken care of," Lewis said Monday, as the NFL's scouting combine in Indianapolis concluded. "He's already gone."

Lewis would not reveal the identity of the player that he believes spread the story — which originated on an Internet site and maintained that Johnson placed receivers coach Hue Jackson in a headlock during a confrontation. Lewis said punches were never thrown during the incident, and Johnson didn't accost Jackson.

Since the alleged incident, the Bengals have not released any players. But Lewis was likely referring to one of the 11 veterans due to become free agents on Friday.

"It's always a player that doesn't matter, who's trying to improve their lot in life," Lewis said. "It's not a big deal."

Johnson admits he blew up in the locker room, but as he did in the immediate aftermath, denied any physical confrontation with Jackson — whom he flew to Hawaii at his expense for the Pro Bowl.

"I was going off at halftime, there's no doubt," Johnson said Monday. "You know how I am and how I want to win. But it was more than the fact that I had one catch at halftime. I thought I could help us win. I was mad as heck. All that work I put in all week?"

On Friday, Lewis called the player who leaked the story "selfish" and unworthy of remaining on the team "for embellishing it and not really telling the truth."

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nf...-27-notes_x.htm

Must have been Kitna...

Here is the list of players...

Player Position Type 2006 Team

Rashad Bauman CB UFA

Anthony Mitchell S UFA

Carl Powell DE UFA

Hannibal Navies LB UFA

Ifeanyi Ohalete S UFA

Jon Kitna QB UFA

Kenny Watson RB UFA

Marcus Wilkins LB UFA

Matt Schobel TE UFA

Nate Webster LB UFA

Nick Luchey FB UFA

Reggie Myles CB UFA

Tony Stewart TE UFA

http://www.theredzone.org/2006/freeagents/...sp?Team=Bengals

[bengalboomer7]

I think it was K-Wash and he won't be tendered now

[Whur CHad At?]

I think it was K-Wash and he won't be tendered now

I agree, I thought he would of been tendered already

[kingwilly]

$50 bucks on Ohalete...remember his emotional blow-ups on the sideline? Finger pointing and such....he came on late and struggled himself.

[Whur CHad At?]

What if it was Kitna? I would be suprised

[ArmyBengal]

Of the players listed, I'd go with Powell. Of the players not listed, as I've stated in another thread and others have here, Kelly Washington...

An interesting quote by Marvin from the above article:

"It's always a player that DOESN"T MATTER"

I know there is more to the quote, but that seems like an odd thing to say about your players to the media. Not that I care mind you, just found it interesting...

WHODEY !!!

[BengalChamps]

If it was Kitna, I would really be surprised. He's a respected leader. I would have to change my avatar.

[kingwilly]

...going by the "doesn't matter" statement...you could deduce it was Luchey as he barely got activated for a game..or...Watson otr Webster, as they were hurt and "didn't matter".

hmm...

[benglsdrumr]

I just have a strong feeling that its Ohalete. It can't be Kitna cuz he's very spiritual and the Lord would smite him if he went and snitched on someone.

[DontPushMe]

$50 bucks on Ohalete...remember his emotional blow-ups on the sideline? Finger pointing and such....he came on late and struggled himself.

Yeah thats my guess. He was pissed on the sidelines in that game.

K-Wash is another option for that, we will know its him if hes not tendered. My guess is its one of these 2.

[Stripes]

Does this mean it wasn't John Thornton?

[TJJackson]

'Gone' might well be figurative, as in "i told the management team to release or trade him prior to the beginning of next season, as dictated by best cap management practice.

'Gone' as in he will be specifically told not to attend camp if he hasn't been granted his outright release yet (June 1 cap thing and all that

'Gone' as in "I've already told him he's not in our plans any longer, and his actual trade or release is a mere formality"

and so forth

I think Duane Clemons fits this mold

[Kazkal]

it was Ifeanyi Ohalete were rid of him @ last

[Kirkendall]

Alright guys, I admit it, it was me.

[Ox]

Damn you Kirk!!!!!!

[Stripes]

We should've known it all along.... the Bengalszone senior writer has contacts with PFT...

[HairOnFire]

I'm no good at playing detective, but I wouldn't rule out Kitna. Remember, the source of the rumor was someone that Boomer Esiason claimed to be close to.

BTW, Dan Pomeii at the Sportin' News wrote an article recently claiming the Bengals had just lowered their contract offer to Kitna, and were no longer willing to pay as much as they had on the table in October. Frankly, I found that pretty interesting since Kitna claimed only a week or two ago that the Bengals have never had an offer on the table.

[kentjett]

It was Ohalete. K-Dub wouldn't have said something like that. He wasn't even active for that game.

[BengalsMan3203]

My vote goes to Ohalete.

[GROIIIDayton]

Washington wasn't even in the locker room at half time. How could it be him?

[bengalindian]

You all must realize that it can't be Ohalete because he was never on the team to start with. I don't you know about you guys, but I've never seen him play one second of football.

[Stripes]

Looks like he had tackling issues as a 'Skin too...

[derekshank]

I'm no good at playing detective, but I wouldn't rule out Kitna. Remember, the source of the rumor was someone that Boomer Esiason claimed to be close to.

BTW, Dan Pomeii at the Sportin' News wrote an article recently claiming the Bengals had just lowered their contract offer to Kitna, and were no longer willing to pay as much as they had on the table in October. Frankly, I found that pretty interesting since Kitna claimed only a week or two ago that the Bengals have never had an offer on the table.

If it was Kitna, I have to believe that the story just gained some credibility. I don't see him as the type to lie about it. I just don't think it was him though. He doesn't match the description of being a player that "doesn't matter." I very much doubt that Marvin Lewis views him this way, since he was the QB that playing in the playoff game, and is our only decent backup. Especially given Marvin's comments earlier last month about Kitna's status effecting Brad Johnson's on the team much more than the other way around.

[Spain]

It wasnt Kitna because we want him back. Think about this for a while they all of a sudden dont want Redgie Kelley back. Thats the guy. the guy had a good year a great blocker then all of a sudeen we dont want him back? that makes me think!

[TJJackson]

They've always wanted Reggie Kelly back.

God only knows how you decided that they did not.