The way Bengals defensive tackle Tank Johnson sees it, Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco just didn’t fit in with the 2010 Bengals.
“When we got Chad and T.O. coming off their TV circuit right into our training camp, I mean, that just put a big cloud over a bunch of humble guys,” Johnson said on Sirius XM NFL Radio, via NFL.com. “And I’m not saying anything to take away from Chad and T.O.'s offseason adventures, because, hey, if they want you on TV, be on TV, but it just really clouded a bunch of humble guys.”
While Carson Palmer isn’t taping any shows on VH1 this offseason, Johnson worries that Palmer’s retirement drama could have a similar affect on the squad. If Palmer isn’t all in, Johnson wants him out.
“There’s no way that you can bring that kind of energy into the locker room. I mean, if a guy doesn’t want to be there, let him go,” Johnson said.
Those words echoed similar statements from Cedric Benson. In the war of wills between Palmer and Bengals owner Mike Brown, it’s worth noting that Palmer’s return to the team will only get more awkward the longer he stays away after the lockout ends.