The Chad Watch continues!
http://www.profootballtalk.com/category/rumor-mill/In an interview on the team’s official web site, Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer vowed that no matter what happens, he will not allow wide receiver Chad Johnson to become a distraction.
Asked whether the team could deal with it if Johnson created a media circus, Palmer answered, “You know what? I have no idea what’s going to happen. What he’s not going to do is come in and break apart what we have going right now. That sure as hell is not going to happen. I don’t know how big of a circus, how little of a circus. I like where we’re at. Hopefully he comes in and fits in with what we’ve created here.”
Johnson, who has stayed away from the team all off-season, has given conflicting statements about whether he intends to show up to the mandatory minicamp that begins Thursday. But he has been consistent in saying that he’s unhappy with the team and his contract.
For his part, Palmer doesn’t sound sympathetic. Explaining that he thinks the team has been fair with its players in contract negotiations, Palmer said, “They re-paid Chad a top deal. … They rewarded guys. Guys signed contracts, so they obviously thought it was a good enough deal to sign.”
And Palmer also hinted that he has enjoyed working with the younger receivers — and without Johnson — during voluntary off-season workouts.
“There is no selfishness whatsoever and that’s what we haven’t had in a long time and it’s great to be a part of this,” Palmer said.
