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Bengals Sever Ties With Veterans Anderson, Johnson

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The Associated Press

Published: August 31, 2008

CINCINNATI - Offensive tackle Willie Anderson and running back Rudi Johnson lost their starting jobs with the Cincinnati Bengals during training camp. Now, they've lost their roster spots, too.

The Bengals released Anderson and Johnson on Saturday as part of their moves to get to the 53-man roster limit.

The 33-year-old Anderson was the most-tenured Bengal, having played 12 seasons in Cincinnati. Injuries limited him to seven games last season, ending his streak of four consecutive Pro Bowl appearances. He became a backup to Stacy Andrews in training camp, and declined to take a pay cut Saturday to stay with the team.

Johnson, 28, missed most of camp because of a hamstring injury, making him expendable. Chris Perry, a first-round pick in 2004, moves into the starting job after having a healthy preseason.

Johnson ran for a club-record 1,458 yards in 2005. Hamstring problems limited him to nine starts and a 2.9-yard average last season.

Many of the players cut were undrafted rookies, many free agents. But Atlanta released quarterback Joey Harrington, the third overall pick in the 2002 draft by the Lions and a starter in 10 games for the Falcons last season. Harrington had been third on the depth chart behind rookie Matt Ryan, the third overall choice this year, and Chris Redman.

And there were actions in addition to the cuts.

Kevin Faulk, the veteran third-down back for the Patriots, was suspended for one game and will forfeit two paychecks, the result of a no-contest plea in July to misdemeanor marijuana charges in Lafayette, La.

And veteran running back Jesse Chatman, now with the New York Jets, was suspended for four games for violating the league's steroid policy.

The New York Giants signed 44-year-old John Carney while Lawrence Tynes recovers from a knee injury. They also kept just two quarterbacks, Eli Manning and David Carr, placing Anthony Wright (back) on injured reserve and cutting rookie Andre Woodson.

Jags' Taylor Arrested Outside Nightclub

JACKSONVILLE - Jacksonville's career rushing and receiving leaders were arrested in a span of about five hours.

Running back Fred Taylor was arrested outside a Miami Beach nightclub early Saturday and charged with disorderly conduct. Former receiver Jimmy Smith was arrested Friday night on a drunken driving charge in Jacksonville.

Taylor was released on his own recognizance and agreed to appear in court at a future date, according to Miami Beach Police Department spokesman Juan Sanchez. Taylor was not taken to jail.

Sanchez told the Florida Times-Union that Taylor was arrested about 4 a.m. outside Club Cristal, but said he had no other details.

Smith was arrested after he tried to drive around a DUI checkpoint about 10:45 p.m. Friday. Sheriff's officers searched the car and found marijuana and an open container of beer.

Smith failed a field sobriety test and was charged with open container and possession of marijuana less than 20 grams, both misdemeanors.

CARDINALS: Kurt Warner will be Arizona's starting quarterback for the season opener at San Francisco.

PANTHERS: Cornerback Ricardo Colclough was arrested Saturday and charged with driving while impaired.

SEAHAWKS: Wide receiver Ben Obomanu broke his clavicle in Seattle's victory against Oakland on Friday night.

OCHO CINCO: Cincinnati wide receiver Chad Johnson has legally changed his name to Chad Javon Ocho Cinco in Broward County, a switch that became official this week, according to several media reports. Two years ago, Johnson gave himself the moniker - a reference in Spanish to his No. 85 - and put it on the back of his uniform.

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