Chad Johnson

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http://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/cont...223bengals.html

Johnson assures Bengals fans he's staying put

Hiring of new agent not a ploy to leave Cincinnati

By Chick Ludwig

Dayton Daily News

CINCINNATI | Pro Bowl wide receiver Chad Johnson has one word for Bengals fans panicking over his recent alliance with agent Drew Rosenhaus.

Johnson said he's content with his contract, but wants to increase his off-the-field exposure and earning power, which in turn will give the Bengals more notoriety. He hired Rosenhaus, the high-profile agent from Miami Beach, Fla., to accomplish those goals.

Fans calling in to radio talk shows have expressed concern, even fear, that Johnson could hold out for a new contract. But Johnson said that's not the case.

He originally signed a four-year, $3.1 million deal after the Bengals made him their second-round draft pick in 2001. But Johnson agreed to a five-year, $25 million extension on Nov. 12, 2003, that keeps him in Cincinnati through the 2009 season.

Bengals fans ought to be more worried about losing wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh to free agency when he goes on the open market on March 2. Houshmandzadeh recently hired agent David Dunn. According to Sports Illustrated senior writer Peter King, the New York Giants are interested in signing Houshmandzadeh as a weapon for quarterback Eli Manning.

"I'm just looking for a fresh start and to get some more things done," Johnson said. "Football-wise, I'm satisfied. But I'm looking to expand and be able to touch on more things than just on the field.

"As I continue to grow as a player, I want our organization and city to grow also. We're in a small market and I want us to be right along with the New Englands and the New Yorks. I want to be out there like that. I'm going to do everything I can to make sure we do.

"The more I do off the field, the more exposure we get as a team because every time I do anything, it represents those stripes. That's where I'm coming from. It's not just about me. It's about the ballclub. So it's a good thing all the way around."

Just one problem. Jerome Stanley, the Los Angeles-based agent who negotiated Johnson's two contracts with the Bengals, still counts himself as Johnson's agent, even though he's aware of Rosenhaus' involvement.

"We still do a lot of work for Chad, so I don't really consider it a goodbye," Stanley said. "I just think we're in a process of trying to configure how we'll all move forward. I wouldn't write anything in stone with a hammer and a chisel. No one's quite sure exactly who's doing what."

The Bengals aren't sure who is Johnson's chief representative — Rosenhaus, Stanley or a combination of both.

"I've heard the same thing (about Johnson teaming with Rosenhaus), but I've gotten no formal paperwork from Chad and I really don't know," said Troy Blackburn, the Bengals director of business development. "I wish I knew more."

Johnson is coming off three straight 1,000-yard seasons (1,166 in 2002, 1,355 in 2003 and 1,274 in 2004), including two straight Pro Bowl trips. He said he didn't catch a pass in Honolulu on Feb. 13 because he suffered a sprained left ankle "playing around out there on the beach."

However, Johnson won the "Best Hands" competition at the Pro Bowl Skills Challenge and said his ankle injury has completely healed.

"Chad's not only a great player, but a great person," Rosenhaus said. "He's got a lot of charisma. He's almost electric. In terms of increasing his marketability, he's just a phenomenal personality as well as one of the great talents in the game. We're going to do our very best to get him involved in terms of increasing his exposure whether it's TV, radio or print.

"He's a businessman first, meaning he's committed to his game. His No. 1 priority is always football. But whenever we can work in some of these things, we will because he's a workaholic. He's so dedicated to football. He's got a chance to be one of the premier stars in the game without a doubt. So we're going to do our best to help him with that."