Embattled tailback Johnson aims to move forward with Bengals

CINCINNATI -- When Bengals coach Marvin Lewis doesn't want you around, he's not shy about making his feelings known -- even if team owner Mike Brown is intent on, in his own words, redeeming a fallen player. Ask wide receiver Chris Henry, who's stayed out of trouble since rejoining the team in Week 5 of 2008 but who often disappeared from the game plan this year before an arm injury ended his season. Ask fullback Jeremi Johnson, who was buried on the depth chart by Lewis to start this season after making a habit of showing up to training camp overweight.

Soft spoken and humble, Larry Johnson answers questions at a news conference as the newest member of the Bengals. (AP)

It's clear, though, that Lewis wants Larry Johnson, whose troubled past has weighed him down since the Chiefs released him last week and will continue to follow him until he can makes fans forget about the gay slurs and the insubordination. It's clear Lewis, who called Johnson last Thursday to discuss the possibility of signing him, thinks Johnson can help Cincinnati. Apparently, Lewis believes Johnson can be the next Bengals player to redeem himself.

"With Larry, we have a very accomplished player with great abilities and tools," Lewis said. "A very smart player and an opportunity for him to do what he can to help us win games over the next seven games if we give him the opportunity and get his career back on court."

Last season, when the Bengals re-signed Henry, Lewis sat next to the troubled wide receiver in the news conference and said it had been the owner's call and not his. He clearly wanted no part of Henry.

On Tuesday, though, Lewis was the father figure, protecting Johnson from a probing question.

"Do you have to be on your best behavior now?" somebody asked Johnson.

"I just have to be me," Johnson responded.

Lewis quickly interrupted.

"As I told Larry, he's starting from scratch," Lewis said. "He knows what's at stake and at risk. He gets an opportunity to start anew. He has paid a price for what's gone on, things he's said and done, and it came to finality in Kansas City.

"Now, it's a new start, new opportunity and that's something we're all excited about. He can't dwell on this, but this is a tough, physical game for tough, physical people. That's the way he's played the game, and he's not going to be tiptoeing around here. He's going to be the man that he is. But he's learned his lesson."

Johnson struck just the right tone Tuesday afternoon during his introductory news conference. He was humble and soft spoken. He had no grand opening statement; he just asked for questions while rubbing the bill of the Bengals hat in front of him.

No doubt it's been a tough two years for Johnson. Most of it has been of his own making. He was suspended for four games last season and later was sentenced to two years of probation after pleading guilty to disturbing the peace in Kansas City.

Three weeks ago, he verbally slammed Chiefs coach Todd Haley on a Twitter account and used a gay slur. The Chiefs suspended him for two weeks and then released him last week.

A TV reporter threw him a semi-softball Tuesday, asking if the gay slur Johnson used at least twice -- once online and once in front of reporters the next day -- had been blown out of proportion. To his credit, Johnson didn't take the bait.

"I wouldn't say it was blown out of proportion," Johnson said. "I mean, it was offensive to gay advocates around the world and shows me that not everything you say is meant to say in the open -- or even privately. Obviously you're hurting everyone's feelings when you do that, and it's a lesson learned."

Then, there are the questions of whether Johnson, who turns 30 on Thursday, is the same running back who combined for more than 3,500 rushing yards in 2005 and 2006. Most likely, he's not.

But that doesn't mean he won't find work with the Bengals. On Monday, when Lewis revealed he had spoken to Johnson, he was adamant in saying that the move meant nothing for the Bengals' three running backs -- starter Cedric Benson, rookie backup Bernard Scott and third-down specialist Brian Leonard -- and that Johnson would begin his tenure on the inactive list, helping with the scout team.

But with Benson questionable for Sunday's Oakland game because of a hip abductor strain, Lewis backed off that sentiment Tuesday. Apparently, it's not impossible for Johnson to play vs. the Raiders.

"I'm not saying that it can't happen," Lewis said. "I'm not saying that it will happen but stay tuned. He'd like to play, I know that."

Especially against the Chiefs when they visit Cincinnati on Dec. 27. Asked how much he looked forward to that contest, Johnson said it would be a very nice Christmas present if he could play in that game. He said it with a smile, and he said it with the timing of a comedian. On his Facebook account, he was a little more sinister. According to the Kansas City Star, he wrote the following as a status update Monday: "Gonna gallop all over the Chiefs. Cleat prints on the chest. Mud in the face mask."

Not a big deal, but it makes you wonder. He's come to Cincinnati to be redeemed, and Lewis clearly wants to help him in that quest. The question becomes: is it too late?