The Bengals are calling Chad Johnson's bluff. Tired of the receiver's posturing for a trade, coach Marvin Lewis said Tuesday that Johnson should keep his word and sit out the season - the strongest comment yet from an organization that is reluctant to let him go. Lewis also said that linebacker David Pollack is leaning toward retirement. The former first-round draft pick broke a bone in his neck while making a tackle during the 2006 season and went through months of difficult healing and rehabilitation. Pollack's decision isn't a surprise. He has said all along that he doubted he would return if there was a chance he could injure his neck again.

Lewis was pointed in his comments about Johnson. The Pro Bowl receiver has been disgruntled since the middle of last season, when his look-at-me antics came under criticism.

He became the epitome of Cincinnati's 7-9 season when he sniped at quarterback Carson Palmer during a loss to New England. Johnson ran the wrong route on a pass play, resulting in a game-turning interception. He initially blamed Palmer for the problem.

Since the end of last season, Johnson has been lobbying for a trade even though he agreed to a long-term deal with the Bengals two years ago. Johnson's contract would pay him $3 million next season and extends through 2010, with a club option for 2011.

Although Johnson stopped talking to reporters in Cincinnati, he has done numerous national interviews during which he threatened to sit out the season if he's not traded. Lewis responded Tuesday by saying he should follow through with his threat.

"I've stated our case with Chad," Lewis said. "He has a contract through 2011. He's stated without an opportunity to go to a different team and a new contract, he wasn't going to play. I think he's a man of his word and says he's not going to play, so don't play."

Lewis said the Bengals haven't received a trade offer for Johnson. The club has been consistent in saying it won't trade him.

Lewis said an ESPN report that Washington had offered draft picks for Johnson was "a little errant."

Other teams have traded away stars when they started becoming divisive. Bengals owner Mike Brown has a history of refusing to give in to player demands. When running back Corey Dillon tried to force the team to trade him in 2003, the Bengals waited until after the season to send him to New England.

In that case, it was more about getting rid of a player they no longer needed - Rudi Johnson had emerged as the starter - than it was about satisfying Dillon.

The Bengals need Johnson in the short-term. No. 3 receiver Chris Henry was released after yet another arrest earlier this month, leaving the Bengals with little depth at the position. They might take a receiver high in the draft this weekend.

Johnson didn't return a phone message Tuesday. Last week, when Palmer told reporters that Johnson had assured him he would show up for mandatory team activities, the receiver took issue with him.

On Tuesday, Palmer declined to discuss it further.

"I take it with a grain of salt," said Palmer, who is working out with the team in Cincinnati. "I've moved on and I'm over it. I'm not really going to comment on it much more."

Asked if the two could get along if Johnson stays, Palmer said, "I've always been a forgiving guy, and I hope he's here because he's a good player, and I hope to see him here."

It's been an eventful month for the Bengals. Besides getting rid of Henry, they had linebacker Odell Thurman reinstated by the NFL on Monday. Thurman was suspended for the last two seasons after skipping a drug test and getting arrested for drunken driving.

Lewis said Thurman still must prove he can stay out of trouble.

"There's an opportunity, possibly, if we want, to keep him on the football team and have the opportunity for him to compete for a roster spot," Lewis said. "He's got to do things the right way constantly. That still remains to be seen, whether he can handle that kind of scrutiny day-in and day-out."

Pollack, a first-round pick out of Georgia in 2005, hurt his neck in the second game of the 2006 season. He had surgery and has made a full recovery from the injury, but doesn't want to take the risk of hurting the neck again.

Lewis talked to Pollack earlier this month to get an idea of his plans.

"David has expressed to me: Where he's headed is retirement," Lewis said. "He is not completely comfortable (with) where he is medically."

Written By JOE KAY

Email To A Friend