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Disgruntled Bengals WR Johnson makes waves

Nov 7, 2006 - 9:21 PM San Diego (6-2) at Cincinnati (4-4) Sunday 1:00 pm EST

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- The San Diego Chargers' offense revolves around Pro Bowl running back LaDainian Tomlinson. Pro Bowl wide receiver Chad Johnson wants to become more involved for the Cincinnati Bengals.

In what amounts to a critical game for them, the Bengals host the Chargers on Sunday.

Coming off their first division title since 1990, the Bengals won their first three games to start this season. But they have gone just 1-4 since, falling two games behind Baltimore in the AFC North.

The Bengals have struggled to find consistency on offense, leading to frustration for Johnson, who has 40 catches for 483 yards and two touchdowns in eight games. He is well behind last season's pace of 97 receptions for 1,432 yards and nine scores.

Johnson had just four catches for 32 yards in last week's 26-20 loss at Baltimore. His frustration boiled over afterwards.

"Four (receptions) for 32 (yards) that's (bleeping) ridiculous," Johnson said. "You've got to be (bleeping) kidding me. When Christmas comes around, I might as well be a hood ornament. Because all I've been so far is a decoration."

Johnson should have some chances this week against the Chargers, who are banged up defensively. Shawne Merriman, the NFL's reigining Defensive Rookie of the Year, is serving the second game of a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy, and fellow linebacker Shaun Phillips (calf) also is sidelined.

Tomlinson is having far fewer problems for the Chargers, who are tied with Denver for first place in the AFC West.

Tomlinson leads the league with 14 total touchdowns, 12 of which have come on the ground. He is second in the league with 828 rushing yards, putting him 172 away from his sixth straight 1,000-yard season to start his career.

In wins over St. Louis and Cleveland the last weeks, Tomlinson has rushed for 183 and 172 yards and five touchdowns. He rushed for 129 yards and three touchdowns in the second half of last week's 32-25 win over Cleveland.

Now Tomlinson gets to a face a Bengals team that ranks 24th against the run, allowing 129.3 yards per game.

After facing Cincinnati, San Diego travels to Denver next Sunday night.