Chad Johnson doesn't intend to be a return man next season.
Responding to a statement made by Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer that suggested the receiver told Palmer he would be at the team's minicamp in mid-June, Johnson told ESPN.com he didn't and he wouldn't.
"I want to make this very clear," Johnson said yesterday. "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," Johnson said. "I don't intend on reporting to anything."
In February, Johnson said he felt he was being blamed for the Bengals' problems and poor showing last season, ESPN reported. Coach Marvin Lewis has said the team doesn't plan to deal Johnson.
Playing Pacman?
A potential trade of Adam "Pacman" Jones from the Titans to the Cowboys wouldn't affect the suspended cornerback's suspension, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said. "If he continues to conduct himself in a way that I think represents the NFL positively, I will consider reinstating him before the season," Goodell said. "Whether he is going to be traded or not doesn't impact on my decision, on that basis. His representatives know that."Jones was suspended for the 2007 season because of problems that include six arrests since being drafted. Goodell rejected appeals that would've let Jones take part in '07 training camp and to return 10 games into last season. Instead, he's set a midsummer, pre-training camp timeframe for the two to discuss whether the cornerback is ready to return. Goodell said he's "encouraged, to some extent" by the things Jones has done and said lately.
No deal for Losman
J.P. Losman doesn't appear to be going anywhere despite his request that the Buffalo Bills trade him. "J.P.'s on this roster and he's a part of this organization. And we anticipate J.P.'s going to be on this team," said Bills chief operating officer Russ Brandon. Losman has one year left on his contract, but wants out of Buffalo after losing the starting quarterback job to rookie third-round pick Trent Edwards last season . . . Edward P. Roski Jr., a part-owner of the Kings and Lakers who has spent several years trying to lure the NFL back to the Los Angeles area, will unveil today his idea for a stadium in Industry, Calif., near the southern intersection of the 57 and 60 freeways approximately 20 miles east of Los Angeles . . . The Eagles signed punter/kicker Richmond McGee to a three-year contract . . . Receiver Nate Washington, a restricted free agent, accepted his tender offer from the Steelers and will make $1,417,000 this season.
