The good news for Eagles fans is that Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson is at least thinking about wearing green.

The bad news is he's also thinking about life with a star on the side of his helmet.

"If I can get out of Cincinnati, the sky's the limit," Johnson told ESPN the Magazine. "What could I do in a place like Philadelphia or Dallas? It would be ridiculous. It's gonna be like a whole new me, like Ocho Cinco 2.0."

Johnson, who for some reason is serving as a guest editor for the magazine, said in the same story that he plans to play for the Bengals this season.

"Am I coming back?" he asked rhetorically. "Of course I am. I told my coaches I'm going to California to act, but the truth is I may come back to the Bengals as early as June. I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid."

Preaching turnovers

After finishing last season with a league-low 19 takeaways, Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson is stressing getting to the ball in these minicamps. In fact, the defensive players are required to pick up the football and sprint with it even after incomplete passes.

"I don't know who started that, but it's getting on my nerves," safety Brian Dawkins said. "No, I'm just kidding. It's different. To me, it's all a part of conditioning also. You get to the ball and you pick it up. It's about practicing turnovers and picking them up and scoring. At the same time, it's about having a good time. You're supposed to have a good time on the defensive side of the ball."

Extra points

Quarterback Donovan McNabb will be at Citizens Bank Park tonight because he wants to meet Cincinnati Reds star Ken Griffey Jr. McNabb also plans to meet with Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard and may even take some batting practice. . . . Rookie fullback Jed Collins did not practice yesterday; his appendix was recently removed. . . . The Eagles will practice in the morning today, then attend their 10th annual playground-building project at the William Bryant School in the Cobbs Creek section of the city. The players will be there from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

- Bob Brookover