Chad Johnson and the Ravens get an early start to trash talking

[BengalszoneBilly]

Oh, this is GOOD! From Yahoo.com.

Chad Johnson and the Ravens get an early start to trash talking

By DAVID GINSBURG, AP Sports Writer

September 6, 2007

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) -- Chad Johnson added Ed Reed to his "hit list," announced his intention of smacking Ray Lewis and Bart Scott in the mouth and promised a grandiose touchdown celebration.

Lewis laughingly insisted Johnson wouldn't score, and Scott said the standout wide receiver couldn't hit hard enough to bust a grape.

The Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens engaged in a war of the words Thursday, four days before the AFC North rivals meet Monday night in the opener for both teams.

Johnson didn't reach the end zone in two games against the Ravens last season, so the fleet-footed, wide-mouthed star will seek to amend that situation at Paul Brown Stadium. He's so confident of scoring that he's already devised a plan to mark the occasion.

"This will probably be one of the greatest celebrations of all time," Johnson told Cincinnati reporters. "It's more of a let-you-know ahead of time what will come in the future for 85. It's going to be a good one. You'll like it."

Johnson often speaks with Lewis on the phone, and this week was no exception.

This is how Lewis described part of the conversation: "He said, 'If I get in the end zone on Monday night ...' and I said, 'Stop, Chad, because that's what I want you to focus on: if.' Oh, he got mad."

It wasn't a typical exchange between Lewis and Johnson. Then again, it isn't often that the two AFC powers meet on Monday night.

"Ninety-five percent of it is not about football. That's what's funny. He just calls me to talk about whatever else," Lewis said. "But this time, we got on football and he said this crazy stuff and I said, 'Suppose you all don't score.' And I shouldn't have said that, because I didn't get off the phone with that guy for an hour-and-a-half."

Johnson, in a conference call with the Baltimore media, said, "I always get that good word from Ray before every game. Nothing is going to change. But, when that whistle does blow, I'm going to hit him in the mouth."

Johnson and the highly regarded Baltimore defense have exchanged trash-talk for years. Johnson insists it's good-natured fun -- except when Scott gets involved.

"I'm trying to talk to everybody, and Bart's cursing me out, telling me (to) get back in my huddle. I'm just trying to make friends, man. That's it. Serious. Bart is mean," Johnson said. "It's not funny. And if this year he tries that again, I'm going to hit him in the mouth."

Told of Johnson's assertion, Scott laughed.

"I'm a nice guy," he said. "Whenever I see Chad, I'm always shooting him comments like, 'Nice goat. Hey, you look good in blond. Cool mohawk. Gwen Stefani's mohawk is nothing compared to yours."'

Scott also shrugged off Johnson's threat of violence.

"Aw, that's Chad. He's such a nice guy," Scott said. "He wouldn't bust a grape in fruit fight. ... He's nonstop entertainment. I wish him the best in his career outside of football when he gets on the comedy stage."

Johnson kiddingly said he was going to seek out Reed, who scored a touchdown on an interception return against the Bengals last season.

"Ed is on my hit list," Johnson said. "Ed almost knocked me out last year on that first play of the game when they intercepted it and took it to the house, so I owe him one."

Johnson said his yapping on the field is all about having fun. His main focus is on making plays.

"My trash talking is not about your mamma, about your kids. It's not like that," he said. "I don't even know how to explain it. Whether I get in (your) head or not, you're not going to win the battle. That's my thought process, that's how I think -- period. Regardless of what I say, you're not going to stop me. One person, two people, three, I don't care."

On a more serious note, Ravens offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden practiced with the first-team offense in full gear Thursday but was not ready to declare himself ready to play Monday. The 10-time Pro Bowler missed the entire preseason with an hyperextended toe, an injury that dates back to last season.

"It's OK, not great," he said. "It's one of things where I have to feel my way through. I'm cautiously optimistic, I guess. I'm not going to say yea or nay."

Wide receiver Mark Clayton and cornerback Samari Rolle, who both sprained ankles in the second preseason game, are expected to play against the Bengals.

[ArmyBengal]

There was a comment from Billick stating something to the effect of, his players not paying attention to Chad anymore because it's always the same from him. I am getting to a point that I feel the same way. I could really care less what Chad has to say about who he's going up against this week. Not being pissed off here, but c'mon Chad, score a TD against these guys and then talk some sh*t. He couldn't do that once last year...

WHODEY !!!

[Kazkal]

I don't see what big deal is most of people chad talks trash too he's friendly with,I know he's close with rayray and look at him after we played falcons let chad have like marvin said keep smilin 85.

[agreen_112]

What do you think the TD celebration will be?

[BengalszoneBilly]

What do you think the TD celebration will be?

A take off on Ozzy, except Chad will bite the head off a live Raven. Or so I've heard.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

There was a comment from Billick stating something to the effect of, his players not paying attention to Chad anymore because it's always the same from him. I am getting to a point that I feel the same way. I could really care less what Chad has to say about who he's going up against this week. Not being pissed off here, but c'mon Chad, score a TD against these guys and then talk some sh*t. He couldn't do that once last year...

WHODEY !!!

If him having fun makes him do better, I say go for it.

[The PatternMaster]

Bart Scott said Chad wouldn't bust a grape in a fruit fight, that was funny. Chad is a funny guy..

[Bobcat Bengal]

Bart Scott said Chad wouldn't bust a grape in a fruit fight, that was funny.

Bart Scott should credit Jay-Z for that witty one-liner.

[jjakq27]

Chad was on during ESPN's braodcast of the UC-Oregon State game last night from Nippert Stadium. TJ was there too butwasn't interviewed by the TV crew. Chad made a funny comment saying that President Bush will stop running the world for three hours on Monday night just to see what he was going to do. Pretty good stuff.

He also mentioned that he has come up to UC a few times to work withtheir WRs which is a pretty cool thing to do.

[BengalByTheBay]

Why would any Bengals fan be surprised by this story? Seriously, if you're waiting for CJ to shut his mouth and pretend he's Marvin Harrison, fageddaboudit. Some people really like CJ running his mouth -- for some it smacks of bad sportsmanship. For me, it's kinda boring at this point. It doesn't bother me, but it doesn't do much for me either. I am resigned to it continuing forever. In a sense, CJ is smart to create a personality about himself if he wants to do something public after his playing days are over -- and does anyone think that's not going to be the case?

[HairOnFire]

I'm starting to believe that Ray Lewis spends 20 hours a day talking on the phone...and probably has to because he repeats everything he says three times.

"Hello, I'm Ray Lewis and you'all need to know that Ray Lewis would like to order an large pizza with extra cheese. Yeah, extra cheese. Ray Lewis wants extra cheese. And cut the pie Chicago style. Ray Lewis likes his pie cut Chicago style. Better cut the pie Chicago style or you'll make Ray Lewis mad. Wouldn't want to make Ray Lewis mad, would you? Don't make Ray mad, no sir. Whoop-whoop-whoop. So, you'll got my address already, right? Right? RIGHT? Now, gotta go, as Ray Lewis has Deion and TO on hold. Dem' boys coming over to eat pie with Reverend Ray.

Ray Lewis is hanging up now."

Click.

Click.

Click.

[The PatternMaster]

I'm starting to believe that Ray Lewis spends 20 hours a day talking on the phone...and probably has to because he repeats everything he says three times.

"Hello, I'm Ray Lewis and you'all need to know that Ray Lewis would like to order an large pizza with extra cheese. Yeah, extra cheese. Ray Lewis wants extra cheese. And cut the pie Chicago style. Ray Lewis likes his pie cut Chicago style. Better cut the pie Chicago style or you'll make Ray Lewis mad. Wouldn't want to make Ray Lewis mad, would you? Don't make Ray mad, no sir. Whoop-whoop-whoop. So, you'll got my address already, right? Right? RIGHT? Now, gotta go, as Ray Lewis has Deion and TO on hold. Dem' boys coming over to eat pie with Reverend Ray.

Ray Lewis is hanging up now."

Click.

Click.

Click.

Ray Lewis likes this, Ray Lewis thinks your funny...Ha Ha Ha..you hear that, that's Ray Lewis laughing.

Not for nothing I wouldn't mind if Goodell started suspending guys for referring to themselves in 3rd person.

[kenyon1977]

I'm starting to believe that Ray Lewis spends 20 hours a day talking on the phone...and probably has to because he repeats everything he says three times.

"Hello, I'm Ray Lewis and you'all need to know that Ray Lewis would like to order an large pizza with extra cheese. Yeah, extra cheese. Ray Lewis wants extra cheese. And cut the pie Chicago style. Ray Lewis likes his pie cut Chicago style. Better cut the pie Chicago style or you'll make Ray Lewis mad. Wouldn't want to make Ray Lewis mad, would you? Don't make Ray mad, no sir. Whoop-whoop-whoop. So, you'll got my address already, right? Right? RIGHT? Now, gotta go, as Ray Lewis has Deion and TO on hold. Dem' boys coming over to eat pie with Reverend Ray.

Ray Lewis is hanging up now."

Click.

Click.

Click.

Yeah and if he's roid ragin he'll stab the delivery guy 3 times.

[Riagogogoindanati]

??

[Riagogogoindanati]

I'm starting to believe that Ray Lewis spends 20 hours a day talking on the phone...and probably has to because he repeats everything he says three times.

"Hello, I'm Ray Lewis and you'all need to know that Ray Lewis would like to order an large pizza with extra cheese. Yeah, extra cheese. Ray Lewis wants extra cheese. And cut the pie Chicago style. Ray Lewis likes his pie cut Chicago style. Better cut the pie Chicago style or you'll make Ray Lewis mad. Wouldn't want to make Ray Lewis mad, would you? Don't make Ray mad, no sir. Whoop-whoop-whoop. So, you'll got my address already, right? Right? RIGHT? Now, gotta go, as Ray Lewis has Deion and TO on hold. Dem' boys coming over to eat pie with Reverend Ray.

Ray Lewis is hanging up now."

Click.

Click.

Click.

Is this Ray Lewis or Mr. T?

[HairOnFire]

Is this Ray Lewis or Mr. T?

Obviously it's Ray Lewis....as everyone knows Mr.T hates it when his pizza is cut Chicago style.