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Score one for the Cincinnati Bengals. I told you they held the cards in the Chad Johnson saga. Apparently, Chad Johnson just got the message. That's why he showed up. at Thursday's mandatory mini-camp. He showed up because he HAD to show up and because he doesn't have a lot of options here. Staying away from camp would've done nothing for him other than run up a bill for fines. The Bengals are clear what they intend to do with him, and what they intend to do is nothing. Why? BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE TO, THAT'S WHY! Johnson is under contract with the club, and he can't force his way out. So he shows up and does nothing. Terrific. I like what a GM told me this week, and that was this: The Bengals are watching the guy closely, compiling a list of complaints so that, if necessary, they can bring charges of "conduct detrimental to the club" against him. Then he's in deep kimchi. I'd be careful if I were Chad. He better understand he doesn't have much wiggle room here. Carson Palmer speaks for the majority when he says people are tired of talking about the guy. In fact, they're just tired, period. It's up to Johnson to make something positive happen here. Then, perhaps, the club can engage in a dialogue with him. Until then, it's not willing to listen. Johnson has said he'd consider sitting out the season, but you have to love the Bengals' response: In essence, they told him to, go ahead, make their day. So he's been challenged. On Thursday he blinked. Get used to it.

There are some NFL teams that talk tough. Then there are the Chicago Bears. They are tough, and if you don't believe it then you didn't follow the team's general manager, Jerry Angelo, today. First, he fired running back Cedric Benson. Then, he explained why. "Cedric displayed a pattern of behavior we will not tolerate," said Angelo. "Everyone in this organization is held accountable for their actions." Attaboy, Jerry. I don't know if Benson was reckless, luckless or just downright stupid with two alcohol-related arrests, but I do know he's accountable for his actions. Angelo made that clear a year ago when he released Tank Johnson after the defensive tackle ran afoul of the law after the Bears pledged allegiance to him.  And he just did it with Benson. It makes no difference that the Bears are vulnerable at running back or that they were counting on Benson to produce the season in 2008 he did not in 2007. He failed to make a commitment to them after the Bears made a commitment to him. So Chicago waived him and will find a replacement. I don't care if it's Tulane's Matt Forte or veteran Adrian Peterson. Someone will step in for Benson, and the Bears will be better for it. Angelo's point is this: If you can't be trusted off the field, you can't be trusted on it. So go somewhere where that's not important and have the time of your life because it's not happening in Chicago. And you know something? I love it. The Bears stood by Benson once. In fact, at the league meetings this spring coach Lovie Smith backed him when reporters asked if the club considered cutting the guy. Benson would get his chance, Smith said. Well, he got it all right. And he blew it. Hasta la vista, baby. If it wasn't clear before, Angelo's message should be loud and clear to those Cedric Benson leaves behind: Shape up or ship out. Congratulations, Jerry, on dropping us a reminder of how to run a club.

Let's hear it for the NFL. Owners did the right thing by awarding Indianapolis the 2012 Super Bowl. First, the city has a gorgeous new park. Second, it has a zillion hotels in the downtown district, so that there would be a consolidation that there wasn't, say, a year ago in Miami. Third, it's a beautiful downtown, full of plenty of friendly and helpful people. Fourth, Shapiro's is within walking distance of all the downtown hotels. If they were going to put a Super Bowl in a cold-weather city Indianapolis should have been first in line. The city does a great job with the combine every year. Glad to see Indy get a chance to host the NFL championship game. The league will not regret this decision.