Cincinnati Bengals' wide receiver Chad Johnson has long captured the headlines with his sometimes crazy touchdown celebrations. Now, he is taking over the headlines again by agreeing on an extension to stay with the Bengals to 2010 with an option for 2011. Head Coach Marvin Lewis said this was a key development for the Bengals in the future. Johnson has burst onto the scene in past years to become one of the most dominant wide receivers in the league and compile four straight 1,000 yards seasons.

The Bengals, Green Bay, Miami, Jacksonville and New York Giants are in the running for outside linebacker LaVar Arrington, who was scheduled to have a $12.045 million salary cap number before being released by Washington. He paid back $4.4 million to the Redskins in order to get his release and become a free agent, then reportedly asked for a seven-year, $54 million contract from the Giants. "We have an interest in LaVar," Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said.

Bengals owner Mike Brown went out of his way to defend Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson, who contends that the NFL's new collective-bargaining agreement hurts small-market clubs. Brown set up a meeting with reporters and said he was upset with the personal attacks on Wilson, who is a close friend. Critics have called Wilson out of touch for voting against the agreement because he didn't fully understand it. "If they want to debate him on the issue, fine," said Brown, the only other owner to vote "no." "But I don't buy into this stuff where they want to undercut his opinion with fallacious, ad hominem attacks.

The Cincinnati Bengals on Friday re-signed Jeremi Johnson to a six-year contract through the 2001 season. The deal comes one day after the fullback signed a one-year tender offer with the Bengals. Johnson, who is entering his fourth NFL season, had a career-high three touchdowns in 2005, all receptions. He is a key blocker for running back Rudi Johnson, and his pass protection helped the Bengals set a club record for fewest sacks allowed (21). "The negotiations still had some momentum (after the tender signing), and I'm very excited we've been able to secure Jeremi for the long term," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "He's a fantastic blocker, and also a threat as a receiver. Jeremi wanted to get this deal done, he wants to be a part of what's happening here, and that's a big plus for our team."

While the Dolphins and Bengals wait for the Lions to agree to either of their trade demands for the services of quarterback Joey Harrington, their respective contingency plans may be falling through. Rams veteran quarterback Jamie Martin, who has spoken to the Bengals and Dolphins, visited the Seahawks on Tuesday. "Miami is still waiting on Harrington," said Tom Mills, Martin's agent. "There may be something to report [today], if the visit in Seattle goes well." The Lions reportedly are seeking a fourth-round pick for Harrington, who also is planning to visit the Broncos.

The Bengals and Dolphins remain in the Joey Harrington sweepstakes but both are balking at the Lions' price. The Bengals have offered Harrington a one-year contract but are refusing to agree to the Lions' demand for a third- or fourth-round pick. The Dolphins have a two-year deal that is agreeable to Harrington but also are refusing to give Detroit what it's demanding.

The Bengals made their three-year deal with Sam Adams official Monday. Unofficially, it was a popular locker room move. Especially along the defensive line. Particularly with one of the tackles with which he?ll be rotating. ?Cleveland went and got Ted Washington. We all know about Casey Hampton in Pittsburgh and Kelly Gregg and all those guys in Baltimore. We needed a big body,? Bryan Robinson said. ?We needed somebody to kind of complement and that?s what Sam does.?

Offensive tackle is fast emerging as a major priority because the incumbent starters ? left tackle Levi Jones and right tackle Willie Anderson ? can become unrestricted free agents after the season. The Bengals are feverishly trying to extend the contracts of Jones and Anderson before the draft. If neither deal gets done by April 29, the team should consider drafting an OT in the first or second round. With Virginia's D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Auburn's Marcus McNeill poised to fly off the draft board early, the Bengals will still have plenty of quality to choose from later in the first round.