June 20, 2008

One of the more interesting developments from the Bengals’ latest minicamp, the way we hear it, was the presence of Charles Collins, who coached Chad Johnson and Panthers WR Steve Smith at Santa Monica Junior College. Collins is working with the Bengals through training camp thanks to the NFL’s Minority Coaching Fellowship Program. Collins has worked with all of the Bengals’ receivers, but the way we hear it, his strong relationship with Johnson is seen as a major benefit to the club, which is determined to make things work with the mercurial wide receiver. Johnson had surgery to remove bone spurs from his right ankle this week, but he reportedly is expected to be ready for the start of training camp.