Chad to NFL TV: I'll sit out

In an interview with NFL Network, Chad Johnson said he is prepared not to play in 2008.

"I will take the criticism," Johnson said. "I will stick by my guns, and I will not be there. I feel things need to be done to make this team better. I don't blame Marvin Lewis. I love him. You have never heard me say one bad thing about my coaches or teammates. I know it's not up to Coach Lewis. Whether I'm traded, or if we get better players, is not up to him. If it was up to Coach Lewis, then he would do it."

Johnson is demanding a trade. Once a face of the Bengals, Johnson wants out of Cincinnati.

"What's changed for me is that I don't feel that we can compete," Johnson told the league-owned TV channel. "Look at Cleveland and what they are doing to win. The Patriots and Indianapolis are going for a ring every year. When going for a ring, it all starts at the top. We need to do more and bring in more. We're staying the same. Yes, we have good players, but we need great players. We need defense. They say the money is tied up on offense; I'm not buying it. Look at others teams who are doing it, like Cleveland."