NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Chad Johnson is a talkative two-time Pro
Bowl receiver known for his touchdown celebrations. Adam "Pacman"
Jones is a brash rookie cornerback with plans on how he'll
commemorate his first NFL touchdown.
It's a matchup seemingly tailor-made for lots of trash-talking.
But not until kickoff.
In the past, Johnson has called some of his upcoming opponents
and even sent boxes of Pepto-Bismol to pump them up, but he only
had praise for Tennessee's top draft pick Wednesday.
"I talked with Pacman during the offseason and let him know I
couldn't wait for this challenge and this opportunity to play
against him. I'm really looking forward to it. He is a good friend
of mine," Johnson said in a conference call.
"Rookie or not, he is a good player. First-round pick, sixth
player taken overall, there is a reason he was taken that high,
because he is a ballplayer. There is no licking your chops. I've
got to go out and play him the same way I would play any 10-year
veteran."
High praise indeed for a cornerback who'll make only his third
start Sunday when the Bengals (4-1) visit the Titans (2-3). Jones
was deactivated for the season opener, then alternated with Tony
Beckham for two games before moving into the starting lineup on
Oct. 2.
Jones has 16 tackles and has defensed only two passes
officially. Still, Johnson piled on the praise.
"He is lightning-quick, and he is fast," he said. "That is a
hard combination to find."
Johnson, who has led the AFC in yards receiving in each of the
last two seasons, currently leads the AFC with 31 receptions and
ranks second with 426 yards receiving. On Sunday, he'll be going
for his 50th consecutive game with at least one reception.
Titans coach Jeff Fisher said Jones has a good chance of lining
up across from Johnson with the Bengals moving the receiver around
the field. Fisher personally thinks Johnson puts more pressure on a
defense's safeties than on cornerbacks because of his vertical
speed.
Fisher isn't worried about Jones, quite a talker himself,
getting caught up in a trash-fest with Johnson.
"He knows that he has got to do the best he can, stay focused
and concentrate. Chad sometimes thinks he gets in people's heads.
But most of the time, defensive players around this league line up
and play," Fisher said.
Jones and Johnson became almost instant friends about a year ago
after meeting in Atlanta. The rookie considers Johnson a big
brother figure and expects a phone call from the receiver before
Sunday's game.
He isn't worried about getting a "No" check on Johnson's list
of opposing cornerbacks this season for failing to make a play
against the receiver. But Jones sounds as if he's learned something
from watching Johnson's TD celebrations because he said he has
something planned for his first touchdown.
"I can't tell you, but it's going to be very, very, very
entertaining," Jones promised.
And lots of talking is guaranteed.
"He is going to talk, and I am going to talk right with him,"
Johnson said.
Added Jones: "Oh, I can't wait."