When it came to talking trash about who's faster, NFL rushing leader Chris Johnson didn't slow down yesterday.
Johnson said speedy Miami Dolphins receiver Ted Ginn Jr. stood him up when they agreed to a foot race during a summer pool party on Miami Beach.
"We were going to race down Ocean Drive," said Johnson, who considers himself the league's fastest player. "I walked down to the street, and he never showed up."
Johnson made the claim during a conference call with South Florida media. Johnson and his Tennessee Titans play the Dolphins Sunday.
Johnson said the race was arranged at a party last off-season attended by Ginn, Dolphins teammate Joey Porter and other NFL players.
"Him and Joey Porter were talking about how he could beat me," Johnson said. "When it came down to it, he was a no-show."
Ginn said the idea for the race didn't come from him or Johnson.
"It wasn't anything like I didn't show up," Ginn said. "It wasn't like I went to him to say, 'Let's race.' There were some guys at the party who wanted to say who was faster, so they started the rumour. It's not like I'm denying it or I'm scared of him."
So who's faster?
"That's not even a legitimate question," Johnson said.
What about Johnson vs. Olympic champ Usain Bolt?
"That's a better question," Johnson said. "I think I would beat him like in the 50."
Surprisingly, Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder declined to side with his teammate. He said Johnson would beat Ginn -- and perhaps Bolt, too.
"He might roll Bolt in the 100," Crowder said. "Y'all don't know how fast that boy is. He is fast, fast, fast. Flat-out FAST -- capital letters."
Bengal seriously injured
Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry suffered serious injuries after falling out of the back of a pickup truck yesterday during a domestic dispute with his fiancee.
According to police, Henry was found in the road in Charlotte, N.C., "apparently suffering life-threatening injuries."
Police indicated Henry jumped into the bed of the pickup truck as his unidentified fiancee was driving away from a home just before noon. At some point, he fell out of the back of the vehicle.
Team spokesman Jack Brennan said he had little information other than "we are aware he was in an accident and that his injuries are very serious."
Them's fighting words
Chad Ochocinco wants to fight Shawne Merriman.
The Cincinnati Bengals receiver told reporters yesterday he has a personal beef with the San Diego Chargers outside linebacker, which apparently was flamed by a Twitter exchange the two had earlier in the year.
Ochocinco said he wants to "beat Shawne's head in."
The Chargers (10-3) play the Bengals (9-4) Sunday in San Diego, with the winner getting a playoff spot.
Merriman brushed off Ochocinco's off-side comments, saying if he gets a chance to get in a good hit Sunday, he'll keep it legal.
Raiders switch pivots
Charlie Frye will start at quarterback when the Oakland Raiders visit the rival Denver Broncos Sunday.
Raiders coach Tom Cable confirmed former starter JaMarcus Russell will be his No. 2 pivot, with the newly signed J.P. Losman third.
"As the coach I want to do what I think is best for this team, and that's Charlie Frye," Cable said. "It gives us the best opportunity to win."
After getting skipped over in favour of Frye, there's increasing speculation Oakland may be looking to sever ties with former No.-1 pick Russell.
