Bengals Trade Rumors

"The Saints completed their visit with free-agent tailback Shaun Alexander on Wednesday, but he returned home to Seattle without a contract offer. It's unclear how serious the interest is from either side. Alexander, who was released by the Seahawks last month, has just started to test the market. He visited Cincinnati on Sunday and Monday before flying to New Orleans. Alexander's agent, Jim Steiner, said the former league MVP and three-time Pro Bowl player has not set a timetable for choosing a team. "

"Former Bengal Chris Henry will be allowed to travel to other cities in hopes of reviving his professional football career, a judge ruled Tuesday. The judge said Henry must present proof from other NFL clubs that he has a tryout before his electronic leash will be disconnected. Henry is currently on an ankle bracelet that monitors his whereabouts."

"The Saints will bring in free-agent tailback Shaun Alexander for a visit this week, a sign that they're still in the market for some insurance in case Deuce McAllister is unable to return to form. Alexander, 30, was released by the Seattle Seahawks last month after two disappointing, injury-plagued seasons. The former league MVP and three-time Pro Bowl player was scheduled to make his first free-agent visit with the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday. "

"Bengals coaches and executives wrapped up a two-day visit Monday with former NFL MVP Shaun Alexander. Alexander, a Boone County High School graduate from Florence, is scheduled to visit the New Orleans Saints on Wednesday, Alexander's agent Jim Steiner said. Alexander was released April 22 after eight seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. "I have talked to Shaun," Steiner said Monday afternoon. "I have not talked to (the Bengals). We don't even know if the Bengals are interested." Alexander grew up a Bengals fan."

"Running back Shaun Alexander, cut loose by Seattle less than two weeks ago, will be contacting his favorite boyhood team, the Bengals. "Making calls to teams. Bengals are on our list!" Jim Steiner, Alexander's agent, told The Enquirer in an e-mail Wednesday. The Bengals did not use any of their 10 picks in last weekend's NFL Draft on a running back."

"What are the chances off the Cowboys getting Roy Williams, Chad Johnson or Anquan Boldin in a trade?"

"Here's why: Chad Johnson is demanding a trade; T.J. Houshmandzadeh will command big money in 2009 when his contract expires at the end of this season; and Chris Henry is gone, released April 3."

"Chad Johnson's agent is imploring the Bengals to trade the disgruntled wide receiver. Appearing on YouTube, the video-sharing Web site, Drew Rosenhaus said he's "obviously hoping" Johnson gets shipped out of Cincinnati."

"For weeks now, the Bengals have said they won't give in to Chad Johnson's trade demand and deal the wide receiver. On Tuesday, they proved it. The Bengals turned down a confirmed offer from the Washington Redskins, who were willing to give up their first-round pick Saturday - the 21st overall - and a conditional third-round pick in 2009 that could have been elevated to a first-rounder based on Johnson's 2008 performance."

"Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis called out Chad Johnson on Tuesday, April 22, daring the disgruntled wide receiver to sit out the 2008 NFL season. Johnson has spent the offseason saying he wants out of Cincinnati. He demanded a trade last week, claiming he won't show up for the club's mandatory minicamp in June and training camp in July."

"Tuesday morning during a news conference, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said the team had received no trade offers for disgruntled wide receiver Chad Johnson. But after initially denying an ESPN report that the Redskins had made an offer for the wide receiver, Lewis confirmed the team had rejected an offer by Washington."

"The Washington Redskins, who repeatedly have said they want to emphasize the draft over acquiring high-profile stars, continue to pursue trading their first-round pick for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson, sources said yesterday."

"The Washington Redskins admitted yesterday they tried to trade for disgruntled Cincinnati receiver Chad Johnson — only to have the Bengals turn them down."

" The three names most linked of late to such talk have been Cincinnati's Chad Johnson, Detroit's Roy Williams and Arizona's Anquan Boldin. Adding intrigue is the fact that the three teams most mentioned as trade partners – the Cowboys, Eagles and Redskins – all play in the same division."

"The Dallas Cowboys have talked to a team, not the Cincinnati Bengals, about acquiring a veteran receiver. And that's about all Jerry Jones would say Tuesday, offering nothing more specific... The top veteran receiver candidates who might be available via trade remain the Arizona Cardinals' Anquan Boldin and the Detroit Lions' Roy Williams."

" Jones emphatically denied that he's talked to Cincinnati about the availability of disgruntled receiver Chad Johnson, who is threatening to sit out the season if he doesn't get a new contract. ESPN reported this week that the Bengals informed Washington, which was offering its first-round pick (No. 21) and a conditional third-rounder in 2009, that Johnson wasn't available. Arizona's Anquan Boldin and Detroit's Roy Williams are other veteran receivers the Cowboys could be eyeing. "

"How serious are the Cincinnati Bengals about not giving in to Chad Johnson's trade demands? Serious enough to swat away an offer from the Washington Redskins that could have netted the Bengals two first-round draft picks, team and league sources said. The Redskins offered its first-round pick, No. 21 overall, and a conditional third-rounder in 2009 that could escalate to a first rounder if Johnson and the Redskins hit certain performance levels, the sources said. "

"Bengals linebacker David Pollack has expressed to head coach Marvin Lewis that he is “headed to retirement,” Lewis said late this morning in a news conference. “He is not completely comfortable where he is medically,” Lewis said. “We know the quality of the person. We’re proceeding that he will not be part of the football team.”"

"T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Chad Johnson's confidant, said Thursday that if his fellow Bengals wide receiver isn't traded, Johnson's going to be a problem and a potential distraction to the team. Houshmandzadeh said it might be best, in spite of the salary cap hit, if the Bengals granted Johnson's wish to be traded. "If he's not traded, he's going to be a problem," Houshmandzadeh said. "

"Now the disgruntled Chad Johnson has crossed verbal swords with the one teammate most vital to his success as a Bengals wide receiver. And he says he doesn't plan on "reporting to anything." On Wednesday, the shrapnel from Johnson's offseason interviews that previously had hit the organization, its head coach, Marvin Lewis, and almost every player - save fellow receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh and quarterback Carson Palmer - struck Palmer."

"Asked if he would consider making a draft-day trade for a veteran receiver such as Cincinnati's Chad Johnson, Arizona's Anquan Boldin or Detroit's Roy Williams, Jerry Jones told reporters in Dallas, “Yes,” before punctuating his remark with a smile and a wink. The Cowboys own the 22nd and 28th picks in the April 26-27 draft."

"Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson left no room for doubt Wednesday: He wants out of Cincinnati as fast as possible and he doesn't plan on reporting for any future Bengal function -- mandatory or voluntary..."I want to be traded before the draft, and if that doesn't happen, I want to be traded as soon as possible,'' Johnson said. "I don't intend on reporting to anything.''"

""I want to make this very clear,'' Johnson told Clayton in a story now posted on the ESPN Web site. “I don't know where he got that. I made no assertion to Carson that I would do that. Nothing has changed from what I've been saying for three months that I don't want to play for the Bengals. … I want to be traded before the draft, and if that doesn't happen, I want to be traded as soon as possible. I don't intend on reporting to anything.”"

"If the Eagles really have "significant" offers for cornerback Lito Sheppard, as some suggest, then why haven't they made the trade? According to a very influential league source, who also knows the Eagles, there is no way they will get a No. 1 pick for Sheppard... Cincinnati, at No. 9 and New Orleans, at No. 10, are possibilities. "

"Marvin Lewis sharpened his comments about Chad Johnson to a razor's edge Tuesday, the coach saying the Bengals are "prepared to move on" if the all-star wide receiver decides to sit out the 2008 season."

"Hamlin's agent, Kennard McGuire, met with Cowboys officials Tuesday during the lunch break at the NFL owners meetings. A long-term deal could be nearing completion... Disgruntled Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Johnson isn't likely to be the receiver the Cowboys add, even though he has stated a desire to play in Dallas... The Cowboys could make a play for Arizona Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin or Detroit Lions receiver Roy Williams."

"The Packers have not ruled out adding a veteran unrestricted free agent such as Craig Nall or Tim Rattay or making a bid for restricted free agent Ryan Fitzpatrick of Cincinnati. But 36-year-old Gus Frerotte, who visited the Packers, is headed to Minnesota, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, and chances of acquiring Houston's Sage Rosenfels are minimal given the Texans' demands. There's still a possibility Buffalo's Losman will become available in a trade, but if the Packers were interested they would have made a move by now."

"A handful of Bengals players did not attend the first day of the team's offseason strength and conditioning program. But one player's absence, in particular, was noted. Wide receiver Chad Johnson, entering his eighth season with the Bengals, has said he is going to miss the program for the first time in his career."

"As expected, wide receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh were absent. Johnson wants to be traded, while "Housh" is working with a personal trainer in California — like last year."

""Chad Johnson? Traded to the Eagles for Lito Decorian Sheppard and a second-round draft pick. "T.J. Houshmandzadeh? He will play out the final year of his contract in 2008 and walk in free agency."

"Pacman Jones? Hold on to your stripper's pole. No doubt, the make-it-rain man is at least on the Cowboys radar screen. But there might be more. Don't rule out even the long-shot chance of acquiring the lovable Chad Johnson."

"Chad Johnson's offseason of discontent could be headed for its first showdown with the Bengals. The Bengals wide receiver, in a series of Los Angeles-based television appearances, said he would not participate in the team's offseason strength and conditioning program beginning Monday."

"For his free-agent visit to the Bengals, Ben Utecht drove north from Nashville - where he was recoding a contemporary Christian album - with his wife, Karyn. Utecht, a Colts restricted free agent who signed an offer sheet with the Bengals Friday, had been in Cincinnati before, but he'd always come from the west, never from the south."

"The Cincinnati Bengals snared a pass-catching tight end Friday, March 14, but will they be able to hold onto him? Addressing one of their biggest needs, the Bengals signed Indianapolis Colts restricted free agent (RFA) Ben Utecht to a three-year offer sheet reportedly worth $9 million."

"Klecko, a backup defensive tackle the past two seasons who became an unrestricted free agent last month, agreed to a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday. Utecht, a veteran tight end and one of the Colts' restricted free agents, on Friday signed a multiyear offer sheet with the Cincinnati Bengals. "

"The Green Bay Packers made their first move in finding a backup for Aaron Rodgers, but it didn't involve a veteran who could tutor the young quarterback. In fact, Quinn Gray, an unrestricted free agent out of Jacksonville, has played in 11 games, only four more than Rodgers... In the meantime, Cincinnati free-agent receiver Tab Perry made an official visit Tuesday."

"So, again, Larry Fitzgerald, officially not coming. Now what? Detroit has said Roy Williams isn't coming, either. And unlike the Cards, who had a reason to want to trade Fitzgerald, the Lions have no strong reason to want to trade Williams. "

"The Bengals remain interested in the likes of former Buffalo defensive tackle Larry Tripplett, Arizona linebacker Darryl Blackstock, Indianapolis tight end Ben Utecht, Cleveland defensive tackle Ethan Kelley and New England safety Eugene Wilson - all various types of free agents."

"Don't look for the Bengals to do a lot more with veteran free agents, beyond possibly adding some role players. And though they've dangled two picks as trade bait to the Lions and Jets, the Bengals could have as many as 10 draft picks this year."

" Robertson, a former University of Kentucky star, visited the Bengals on Monday. A deal had been struck to tear up the final two years of Robertson's existing contract with New York - calling for more than $18 million in base salaries."

"Rumors swirl like March wind this time of year. But the Torry Holt trade rumors — to Philadelphia or Cincinnati, take your pick — are simply hot air, according to coach Scott Linehan. Linehan says the Rams aren't shopping their star wide receiver."

"The Carolina Panthers hosted a visit Thursday from Cincinnati free-agent linebacker Landon Johnson, one of the highest-rated players available at his position. Johnson (6-foot-2, 232 pounds) started all 32 regular-season games the past two seasons for the Bengals and has led the team in tackles three of the past four years."

"Former San Diego safety Marlon McCree remains in the mix as an outside player who could come in. Agent Gary Uberstine did not return a phone message and e-mail Wednesday."

"The Eagles came up short in their pursuit of Randy Moss and watched as Javon Walker signed Wednesday with Oakland. Now, the search for a wide receiver will likely turn to the name most frequently mentioned as their primary target -- Arizona Cardinals wideout Larry Fitzgerald, who remains in contract negotiations with the club that drafted him. Lions wideout Roy Williams, mercurial Bengals receiver Chad Johnson and Rams veteran Torry Holt are logical choices for the Eagles to pursue if they can't land Fitzgerald."

"A trade for another defensive tackle, Dewayne Robertson of the Jets, fell through Monday. But a day later, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said the swap of fourth- and fifth-round Bengals' draft picks for Robertson is not yet dead."

"Still, the team was believed to have entertained Tennessee free agent defensive end Antwan Odom and street free agent safety Marlon McCree, most recently a starter in San Diego before his contract was terminated last week."

"It is time for the Cincinnati Bengals to step up their game and make some things happen during free agency. The team could start by signing one of its own in LB Landon Johnson."

"In their search for a tight end who is a receiving threat, the Bengals are talking to agent Christopher Murray about setting up a visit for Colts backup Ben Utecht... Tennessee Titans defensive end Antwan Odom, who had a career-high eight sacks in 2007, will make his first free-agent visit today and Monday to Cincinnati."

"The reason wasn't clear, but the trade of defensive tackle Shaun Rogers from the Lions to the Bengals didn't happen Friday... In Williams' place, the Bengals plan to entertain former University of Kentucky safety Marlon McCree, who was released Thursday by the Chargers, on a visit this weekend, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune."

"Free agency started at midnight, and at least two Bengals defensive starters - end Justin Smith and safety Madieu Williams - are expected to be two of the most in-demand players on the market. Minnesota has the inside track on trying to lure Williams. Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier held the same job in Cincinnati when the Bengals drafted Williams in the second round in 2004."