Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker
On the same day Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer said receiver Chad Johnson would show up for the team's mandatory sessions, Johnson told ESPN.com's John Clayton that is not the case.
In addition, Johnson hastened his efforts to get out of Cincinnati by demanding a trade within the next 10 days.
"I want to be traded before the draft, and if that doesn't happen, I want to be traded as soon as possible,'' Johnson told Clayton. "I don't intend on reporting to anything.''
It is ironic that Johnson and Palmer are not on the same page. They have been one of the most productive quarterback-receiver tandems in football the past several years on the field, and by all accounts they have a good relationship off the field as well.
Still, Johnson told Clayton today that "I wish he would stay out of my business,'' which could be a sign that Johnson's frustration is reaching new levels. In fact, Johnson said during a recent interview on ESPN's Sportscenter that he would attend mandatory activities.
The Bengals have been firm in saying that trading Johnson is not an option. They would take an $8 million cap hit this season, lose one of their best players and likely would not get equal value in return.
Johnson is signed through 2010 with a team option for 2011.
