FanNation

They still call me Ocho Cinco.

Bengals personality, Chad Johnson, received word from the NFL late Thursday. His legal name change has been approved for National Football League jersey usage by the NFL. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said, "It's his legal surname." Ocho Cinco will be on his jersey during the 2008 season.

No offical word yet, from the No Fun League, concerning plans to disallow legal name changes from appearing on future jerseys. One has to wonder if the NFL's Uniform Police aren't already chafing, asking for a policy that would allow only birth certificate names to be used on NFL jerseys. Imagine how long it will be before the fringe players start selling personal naming rights to their own jerseys. "Coke" & "Pepsi" fighting it out on special teams. Ah the NFL in all its corporate glory.

Daunte Culpepper announces his NFL retirement today.

Culpepper found himself unable to land a starter's job on any NFL team's roster this past off-season. Instead, turning down 3 contract offers as a backup QB. He choose to call it a career eariler this afternoon.

 "I would rather shut the door to such 'opportunity' than continue to wait for one of my fellow quarterbacks to suffer a serious injury. Since I was not given a fair chance to come in and compete for a job, I would rather move on and win in other arenas of life"

Are the Steelers going backwards this season?

Profootballtalk's editor, Mike Florio, apparently doesn't believe the AFC North belongs to the Steelers in 2008. Calling their lack of off-season moves on the offensive line, "nothing." The loss of Faneca and the retention of Starks, regrettable. The aging defense, with 6 starters over the age of 30, compounded by the problem of signing a 35 year old DE, and Hampton's lingering weight issue. Toss in the Rooney family's ongoing ownership feud, which might be considered a distraction within the team as the season plays out.

Player formally known as Chad Johnson seeks spirtual advice.

From none other than long time divisional rival and notable player, Ray Lewis. "He's my spiritual father when I'm having problems," Ocho Cinco said to reporters in Baltimore, on Wednesday. "Ray has been there for me through everything. Ray is really the only reason I've somewhat shut up and calmed down and came back and refocused my energy on helping my team get to the playoffs and all my energy being positive. So, Ray is really the reason I'm back here happy, smiling and ready to go again."

Jeremi Johnson's streak of 81 starts, ends. Placed on IR.

There's one less Johnson starting on Sundays for the Bengals. During Monday's practice, starting fullback Jeremi Johnson sustained a serious knee injury. Johnson has since been placed on the IR, ending his season. On Wensday, Marvin Lewis confirmed that converted TE Ben Coats is now the starting FB in Cincinnati.