Chad Johnson still 'really good'

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DAVIE, Fla. -- Chad Johnson understands many were writing him off after his forgettable 2011 season with the New England Patriots. He even acknowledged questioning himself.

But less than a week into training camp with the Miami Dolphins, Johnson said he has no doubt he can recapture the form that made him a six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver with the Cincinnati Bengals.

"Why? Because I'm good," Johnson said Wednesday. "I'm really good. The odds have been stacked against me since 1978. I had a bad year. Finally. I handled my business for a decade straight. I hit an obstacle. I didn't complain. I didn't become a distraction. I took a bullet, worked this offseason, I'm here, still working. I'm not complaining. I'll be back to normal. I don't have a choice."

Johnson, signed by the Dolphins in June four days after he was released by New England, spoke to reporters for the first time since the start of training camp.

But Johnson, with painted black fingernails minus the gold shoes he had worn at practice, made it worth the wait.

"I've always been humble, but when it's time to play the game and I cross the line, I've got to be me," Johnson said. "That's what made me, me. I'm not a bad guy at all. I have fun. I give you guys things to write about and I'll do the same this year also. I've got to make up a year's worth of work, so you guys are going to be working double time."

It's an entirely different atmosphere this summer for Johnson, who has been allowed to be his outlandish self.

That wasn't the case last year in New England.

"It feels good to be able to breathe again," Johnson said. "Without getting into it, you should know what I mean. It feels good to be able to breathe. What you're seeing now, what you're hearing as far as how I'm doing in camp, that's the way it used to be for 10 years straight. That's me. That's always been me, keeping everybody loose, including in the locker room, outside, bringing a different type of energy. But when it's time to play, I always show up and I play."

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Steve Mitchell/US PresswireNew Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chad Johnson says "it's good to be home" after a lost year in New England.

After averaging 76 catches the previous nine years, Johnson caught only 15 passes in 15 games in 2011 after the Patriots acquired him in a trade with Cincinnati for a pair of draft picks.

Johnson, though, said he didn't regret his one season in New England.

He said he learned a lot, including discipline and how to shut up for an entire year.

"I never thought I could do it, but I did it," Johnson said. "I didn't do one interview that entire season. Even though I wasn't able to produce, wasn't able to play like I wanted to, I learned a lot of things there. It's made me a better player."

Needing help at wide receiver after trading talented yet controversial Brandon Marshall to Chicago in the offseason, the Dolphins signed Johnson after giving him a workout.

First-year coach Joe Philbin said no promises were made to Johnson, only that he'd be given the opportunity to compete.

Philbin said Johnson has caught the ball well in training camp and also has impressed with his work ethic.

"This guy likes football a lot," Philbin said. "He comes up to our meetings sometimes and just wants to hang around. He's a little bit of a gym rat in that regard, which is good. You like players that like the game and he wants to know. He's not afraid of being coached."

Even though his 766 career receptions are 276 more than the other 11 wide receivers on the Miami roster combined, Johnson isn't taking anything for granted.

He said he is approaching camp with the mindset he has to earn a spot and prove himself after last year.

"That was horrible," Johnson said. "I mean, 15 catches? Come on.

"I'm working. I'm working like a rookie again. I'm flying around. I'm running around like a young dude, just having fun, being detailed, being consistent and working on my one weakness, which has always been blocking. It's no secret. Getting open, never been a problem."

“

It feels good to be able to breathe. What you're seeing now, what you're hearing as far as how I'm doing in camp, that's the way it used to be for 10 years straight. That's me.

” -- Dolphins wide receiver Chad Johnson

Johnson never has been shy about talking to his quarterbacks, and that clearly hasn't changed.

"The other night we were walking out, we had the (next) day off and I said, 'Chad, what are you going to do on your break?' " Matt Moore said. "He said, 'I don't know, but I'll probably be open.'

"I love it. That's the kind of guy he is. He keeps everything light. He's been a pleasure to work with so far."

Johnson, who recently changed his name back from Ochocinco after his Fourth of July wedding to reality television star Evelyn Lozada, is serious when it comes to re-establishing himself as an elite wide receiver.

Especially now that he's playing in his hometown.

"Being here is awesome," Johnson said. "I'm home. It's good to be home and I don't have a choice but succeed. There are a lot of eyes watching in general, but being here, I've got to, bro. Really. Can't fail. Not home."

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

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