SAN FRANCISCO _ There were 12 Bengals Pro Bowls lined up Wednesday here at the Super Bowl when Ja'Marr Chase (five) and Tee Higgins (one) visited Chad "Ocho Cinco," Johnson (six) on the set of "Nightcap," the podcast Johnson hosts with the former great tight end Shannon Sharpe.
"One thing about Cincinnati," Johnson said. "We keep some elite receivers every time. Every time."
Another thing about Bengals wide receivers. They embrace the limelight and like true descendants of "The Ocho," Chase and Higgins toured Radio Row Wednesday to announce a spring debut of their podcast "Chasing No. 1," on Overtime.
"I like it. I like it," said Johnson, after taking the headsets off and offering a seat for a quick interview as he spends his retirement working at just being Ocho.
"What they've been able to accomplish as one is cool, and they understand they're doing it on their days off, or when they have time away from the game of football. They'll be able to talk about some things and allow the fans to see a different side of it like the things that are going on in their personal life. I think it's a great idea."
It's another glimpse into why Chase and Higgins are best friends and why Higgins is so comfortable being on that rare team with two No. 1 receivers.
It's also a reminder that if it wasn't for The Ocho, Wednesday's announcement wouldn't have been so ho-hum. He's the Neil Armstrong of athlete podcasts, the guy who took those first steps with another Bengals wide receiver and teammate, Terrell Owens.
According to Wikipedia, linebacker A.J. Hawk is the first athlete to have a regular podcast in 2014, a year before the Centerville, Ohio product became a Bengal. But, technically, the Ocho beat him by four years with the "The T.Ocho Show," that debuted during their one season with the Bengals on Versus.
"I did something similar. Every Tuesday during the season," said Johnson, emphasizing that it was the day off.
The Godfather of Gab predicts success for this latest duo of podcasting Bengals receivers.
"Absolutely. You're talking about the best duo in the NFL. Two of the best receivers," Johnson said. "They're allowing fans, not just Cincinnati fans, but fans around the world that love the game of football to see the different aspects of how players think. Reacting to games and games that are going to be played and other aspects of their lives."
Slants And Screens
Johnson, who played back in the day when they tried to play the Pro Bowl like a real game, didn't watch Tuesday's game.
"It's not the same anymore. It's not as exciting as what it was." …
But The Ocho has one idea to make it better.
"You want to make the Pro Bowl exciting again?" Johnson asked. "Take the older player that are still in shape and allow them to go against the younger players."
Of course, the Ocho says he would dominate the best,
"The way the game is now, I'd ride everybody's ass up," said Johnson, who says the best cornerback in the league is between the Browns' Denzel Ward and the Broncos' Patrick Surtain II. "And you've got (the Texans' Derek) Stingley in there. So it depends on your style."
Johnson thinks he's got them figured out: "Easy. I've studied these dudes to a tee, and I'd beat them right now at 58 years old. Don't I look great for 58?"
For the record, Johnson turned 48 last month …
He puts Bengals Pro Bowl alternate cornerback DJ Turner II on a big list.
"He's already arrived," Johnson said. "He's just good all around, good off man, he can man up, and he'll come up and bleeping tackle you."
He thinks that's a good place to start building the Bengals defense, but, just in case you forgot, Turner couldn't defend him, either: "I'm unstoppable." …
When it comes to the NFL's best wide receiver, no debate for him like there is at cornerback.
"Ja'Marr Chase. He just is," Ocho said. "I can't put it into words. Turn on the film. That explains it all. Maybe the only other team that has two true No. 1s are the Cowboys. Maybe Philly." …
