Cincinnati Bengals
Notes: Johnson comfortable at practice
By C. Trent Rosecrans, CNATI.com Posted November 19, 2009 3:53 PM ET
Larry Johnson said his first practice as a Bengal on Wednesday went smoothly, and he's just happy to be practicing.
Larry Johnson
"It felt good to go out there and run and where you're going with the football," Johnson said. "It's just fun to go out there and practice moved really, really quick. There was no lag between plays, we were firing off. It was great to go out there and doing drills and being back in a jersey and practicing."
Johnson was the third running back through most of the drills, he said, but added that it helped to get a chance to see others do the drill first.
"It's been a little weird trying to adjust to it all really fast, but you stay in there and stay focused and see what's going to happen," Johnson said.
Some things haven't been too different - like this week's opponent. After spending his entire career with Kansas City, Johnson's had plenty of opportunities to face off against AFC West foe Oakland. Earlier this season he had 24 carries for 78 yards and three catches for 41 yards in a 13-10 Chiefs loss.
"As many times as I've played them, their philosophy and mentality never changes," Johnson said. "They've always been real, real tough up front. In the end, the Raiders are the Raiders. ... Their defense is really talented, that's what's keeping them in games. They play tough and that keeps them in games."
Johnson said he's hoping to pass on some of his knowledge of Oakland to his new teammates. In 10 career games against Oakland, Johnson has 222 carries for 936 yards and 11 touchdowns.
"I've played them so many times that I know what each guy does, what he's able to do to and not able to do," Johnson said.
Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha said despite not having the same production he had in the past, Johnson is still a player the Raiders repsect.
"He's been the same guy. He's still that patient runner; if you give him an inch, he'll take a mile," Asomugha said. "You can't let him breathe really when he gets the ball he's been a good player the last few years, just as much as he was in '05."
The Raiders won't be the only familiar faces Johnson sees this week. He said Bengals running back coach Jim Anderson ran him through his drills at his pro day at Penn State when he was coming out of college.
"It's funny, when I came here, it was the same exact drills that I did when I was in college. I told (Anderson) he hadn't changed nothing," Johnson said. "It was nice to know he's going to be my coach."
BENSON SITS -- More eyes are on Johnson as starter Cedric Benson missed another practice on Thursday with his hip injury.
Also out on Thursday were safety Chris Crocker (calf), linebacker Keith Rivers (calf). Limited in practice were Evan Mathis (ankle), Johnathan Joseph (foot) and Laveranues Coles (head).
Mathis had not practiced since suffering a sprained ankle against Baltimore on Nov. 8.
If Crocker is unable to play, the Bengals would be thin at safety after losing Roy Williams to a season-ending forearm injury. Chinedum Ndukwe has been moved in to the starting spot next to Crocker, with those two backed up only by special teams specialist Kyries Hebert and rookie Tom Nelson, who has played in five games for the Bengals.
NO TRASHTALK -- Chad Ochocinco's quieted his antics this week and instead of talking trash about the opposing cornerback in his standard weekly media session, he instead praised Asomugha, calling him the best cornerback in the league.
Asomugha had nothing but kind words for Ochocinco, too.
"He's a good player. They've got a lot of talent," Asomugha said. "Their run game has helped them in their pass; their pass game has helped them in the run. So, that's going to be something we have to key on. And Carson Palmer's been doing a great job of spreading the ball around. It's always a threat when they drop back to pass."
Palmer also called Asomugha the best cornerback in the NFL and talked up the Raiders' defense.
"From the offensive side of the ball, looking at these guys, they're a sleeping giant," Palmer said. "They're a very good defensive football team. Very good players all over the place, the best corner in the game. They've got Richard Seymour and fast linebackers, fast safeties, a powerful, fast defense. I mean, it's a very good defense. So we've got our hands full on offense."
Categories: Cincinnati Bengals, Featured Stories, News
Tags: Carson Palmer, Chad Ochocinco, Chris Crocker, Evan Mathis, Jim Anderson, Keith Rivers, Larry Johnson, Nnamdi Asomugha
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