Great article about Sunday's matchup

[JOZ21]

Respect for Bears 'D' is catchy

Bengals' standout Johnson says there's no one to talk trash to

Thursday, September 22, 2005

By Gene Chamberlain

Staff writer

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Last October, Cincinnati wide receiver Chad Johnson FedExed a bottle of Pepto-Bismol to four Cleveland defensive backs — to help settle what he figured would be queasy stomachs in advance of facing him.

There will be no taunting or inciting the Bears secondary this week, not after the controversial Bengals wideout viewed game film of his opponent in preparation for Sunday's game between Cincinnati (2-0) and the Bears (1-1) at Soldier Field.

"Now, off the record, from a personal standpoint, we all know I'm not coverable," Johnson joked via conference call Wednesday. "But looking at the film, that (Bears) defense is unbelievable. I'm not trying to be funny, but the defense is unbelievable.

"I've watched two games, Washington and Detroit. They fly all over the place, like bumblebees. They should be wearing yellow and black. Four people that stand out: Mike Brown, Lance Briggs, (Brian) Urlacher and the second-year DB — I can't remember his last name."

That would be cornerback Nate Vasher, who shares the NFL lead with three interceptions.

"He can just call me 'No. 31' or 'that second-year guy' or whoever," Vasher said. "I mean, I'm fine with it."

In Johnson, the Bears must try to shut down a deep threat who is tied for second in the league in catches (16) and is fourth in receiving yards (230). The 6-foot-1, fifth-year pro is coming off a nine-touchdown, 1,274-yard effort in 2004.

Johnson suspects the Bears' defense will have plenty of ideas how to silence him, especially after they had five interceptions against Detroit last week.

"I'm trying to think of who I could talk trash to this week, but I can't," Johnson said. "Scared? Respect? It's much respect, seriously. I never even talk like this, but man, film does not lie. Therefore (No.) 85 is going to keep his mouth shut this week."

So what brought on his sudden silence?

"Blame it on the 'D' coordinator over there; (he) has them the way they're playing," Johnson said of Ron Rivera.

Bears secondary players were skeptical about Johnson's newfound humility and respect.

"He's one of those guys that has a big personality," Vasher said. "So I'm sure if he doesn't say anything right now, once the game starts, I'm sure he'll have plenty to say."

Brown agreed, and matched Johnson's admiration.

"It's still early in the week," the Bears safety said. "They've still got a couple more days for him to say something. This is what the league's about — players like that that make a lot of plays and let people know about it, too.

"It's going to be fun. I'm excited to play against him because I always want to play against the best, and I feel like he is. His production has been one of the best in the league for the last couple years, so it's going to be a challenge. But I think we have some great corners and some guys that are physical, and we'll see if he likes that physicality."

The Bears had faced Randy Moss twice a year on a regular basis before he was dealt from Minnesota to Oakland, so dealing with trash talk is nothing new.

"I think that's part of his game," Brown said of Johnson. "That's the fun of the game. Most receivers do talk a little.

"He respects us, but the first catch he has, all that respect probably goes out the window."

Last week, the Bears secondary held the Detroit Lions' "big three" receiving corps of Roy Williams, Mike Williams and Charles Rogers to eight catches for 127 yards, even with rookie Chris Harris making his first start at free safety.

For all the talking Johnson does, it doesn't outdo his ability, in the Bears' eyes.

"Chad Johnson is a good football player," coach Lovie Smith said. "He talks a lot, but he backs it up.

"He comes to play each week. He plays hard. It's going to be a big challenge for us. Our defensive backs will have their work cut out for them."

Still, sending the Pepto-Bismol and the fact he held up a sign pleading for the NFL to stop fining him were a bit much for the tastes of some NFL observers. But a charity linked to Pepto-Bismol donated money as a result of his brash move.

Unfortunately for Johnson, the end result of his boasting ploy was a game in which the Browns held him to three catches for 37 yards and beat the Bengals 34-17.

Brown said the Bears will have to do something similar if they want to avoid becoming the butt of Johnson's jokes.

"If you don't want them to do all that, keep them out of the end zone, and that kills all that dancing and all that," Brown said. "If you want to stop them from doing that, don't let them get in the end zone, because if they get in the end zone, they're going to act the fool and try to embarrass you.

"That's our job, keep them out of the end zone, don't let them dance."

As I said before, I love Chad Johnson, and despite popular opinion, I think he is a class guy, and this proves it. It's going to be fun on Sunday. I think my Bears will keep it tight. Should be great.

[DesperateDerelict]

Good post . . . I find it hard to believe that #85 is keeping quiet . . . the only thing faster than his feet is his tongue!

[schweinhart]

Chad ain't talking trash about CBs matchups this week cause there's no one worth talking trash with.

Total Access had him w/ Azumah on his list but he only mentions Vasher (and not even by name) in this article. He's no doubt mindful of where Mike Brown and the LBs will be whenever he runs a quick slant into the middle of the field and there's rightfully a ton of respect for those players -- especially Brown.

But these CBs are not covering Chad one-on-one anywhere. He'll be shadowed weherever he goes by a safety and could be tripled deep, provided Palmer gets time to throw long for a couple shots. When Chad says he's uncoverable -- he's not joking.

For all the fanfare last week about Chad and Fred Smoot jawing w/ each other, it needs to be pointed out that Chad spent most of the game on the other side of the line scorching Antoine Winfield. Another dimension of the Bengals air attack is the ability for the #1 and #2 WRs to switch sides seamlessly to make coverages even more complicated for defenses to prepare for.

[jjakq27]

I look for TJ and Walter to be the targets of a lot of short stuff if they are taking Chad away.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Palmer is going to give the highly touted Bears defense a look at their first good offense on Sunday I feel. I simply don't think it's that tough to look like a bad ass defense when the only two offenses you've seen were Brunell's 1st start in Washington, and Joey Harrington with the Lions. Let's see how "bad-ass" they're considered come Monday!

[HairOnFire]

For all the fanfare last week about Chad and Fred Smoot jawing w/ each other, it needs to be pointed out that Chad spent most of the game on the other side of the line scorching Antoine Winfield. Another dimension of the Bengals air attack is the ability for the #1 and #2 WRs to switch sides seamlessly to make coverages even more complicated for defenses to prepare for.

Agreed. One of the things that stood out when watching the Viking game was how often the Bengals targeted Winfield regardless of who he was covering. Chad burned him twice early, then TJ got him, then Henry dinged him. All game long the passing gameplan seemed centered on finding Winfield and exploiting whatever player he was matched up with. They abused him.

As for Chad's list, it's odd how often it names a defender that isn't likely to be the primary matchup.

[andybren]

As for Chad's list, it's odd how often it names a defender that isn't likely to be the primary matchup.

I think he just listed the best CB on the opposing team, figuring that's who would be covering him. Why the Vikings didn't put Smoot on him more, who knows.

Any word on who's dressing Sunday, Washington or Henry?

[volcom69]

As for Chad's list, it's odd how often it names a defender that isn't likely to be the primary matchup.

I think he just listed the best CB on the opposing team, figuring that's who would be covering him. Why the Vikings didn't put Smoot on him more, who knows.

Any word on who's dressing Sunday, Washington or Henry?

[OrangeStripes]

begals are going to get smoked and cad johnson well blow his knee out and jonathen wells is going to run all over the bengels and palmer is going to throw 3int and no tds he sucks he has the hiesman curse.

[turningpoint]

You knows what';s funny is.

TJ nor walter or even a te caught a pass from this game.

Only Chad and Henry and Chris perry were his 16 completions.

That's quite crazy considering there D was good at apperently stopping the midrange to over the top type pass.

When ever one of those weren;t an ooption Carson hit his dump off perry.

But when they were open Carson never missed an opportunity and thet's how he threw those 3 tds.

[JPW]

You knows what';s funny is.

TJ nor walter or even a te caught a pass from this game.

Only Chad and Henry and Chris perry were his 16 completions.

Huh ?

RECEIVING

........................................REC YDS TD LG

• C. Johnson................3 77 2 40
  
• C. Henry...................4 51 1 36
  
• C. Perry....................3 20 0 10
  
• T. Houshmandzadeh.2 13 0 12
  
• T. Stewart.................1 06 0 06
  
• M. Schobel.................1 04 0 04
  
• R. Johnson.................2 -02 0 -01
  

Palmer threw to seven different receivers.

[Ox]

begals are going to get smoked and cad johnson well blow his knee out and jonathen wells is going to run all over the bengels and palmer is going to throw 3int and no tds he sucks he has the hiesman curse.

Huh?

[Stripes]

begals are going to get smoked and cad johnson well blow his knee out and jonathen wells is going to run all over the bengels and palmer is going to throw 3int and no tds he sucks he has the hiesman curse.

Huh?

I believe he said, "Hello, Bengals fans. Wow, that was quite a whoopin' y'all put on us Sunday! Golly! Next time, we will know better than to call a win when Cincy rolls into town..."