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Cincy hurting for reliable WRs
Bengals need a No. 3 receiver to replace Chris Henry
Friday, April 04, 2008
CINCINNATI — Now that Chris Henry is history, the Cincinnati Bengals need Pro Bowl wide receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh more than ever.
They also need a No. 3 receiver to replace Henry, and they'll likely grab a couple among their 10 picks in the April 26-27 NFL draft because the position suddenly is a higher priority.
Former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry is led away after appearing in Hamilton County Municipal Court for his arraignment Thursday, April 3, 2008 in Cincinnati. The Bengals released Henry on Thursday, shortly before he pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and criminal damaging.The Bengals on Thursday, April 3, terminated Henry, who had two years remaining on his original five-year contract, after two recent brushes with the law. His four arrests from December 2005 to June 2006 triggered his eight-game suspension in 2007.
"Chris Henry has forfeited his opportunity to pursue a career with the Bengals," Bengals President Mike Brown said. "His conduct can no longer be tolerated.
"The Bengals tried for an extended period of time to support Chris and his potentially bright career. We had hoped to guide him toward an appropriate standard of personal responsibility that this community would support and that would allow him to play in the NFL. We acknowledge those fans who had concerns about Chris; at the same time, we tried to help a young man.
"But those efforts end today, as we move on with what is best for our team."
With Houshmandzadeh entering the final year of his contract and Johnson frustrating coaches and management with trade requests, the once-deep receiver corps needs strengthening.
Neither Johnson nor Houshmandzadeh are participating in the club's voluntary offseason workout program, choosing instead to work on their own with personal trainers.
Their absence, coupled with Henry's exit, leaves three backup receivers — Antonio Chatman, Glenn Holt and Marcus Maxwell — training in Cincinnati.
Maxwell, a 6-foot-4, 205-pounder, is similar in size to Henry.
"Marcus is a guy we haven't really seen much," quarterback Carson Palmer said. "But he's shown some really great things, working with the practice squad against our defense."
Henry's termination came nearly a year to the day (April 10, 2007) NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended him for eight games for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy and "engaging in conduct detrimental to the league on numerous occasions."
Goodell warned Henry in a letter that day: "This is your last opportunity to salvage your NFL career."
Henry couldn't stay out of trouble.
Days after he paid a fine for driving with expired Kentucky license plates, a warrant for Henry's arrest was issued in a Hamilton County court after he allegedly punched an 18-year-old man in the face and broke his car window with a beer bottle. Henry was charged with misdemeanor assault and criminal damaging.
Henry's final interview as a Bengal came March 24. During an open locker-room period, he claimed he was a changed man.
"While I sat out, I had a lot of time to sit back and think about everything," he said. "This is what I'm supposed to be doing. This is my career, and I can't take that for granted. I've just got to be smarter with all the decisions I make and just focus on my career."
Latest developments
April 1: Hamilton County Municipal Court records show Henry paid a $149 fine after being ticketed for driving with expired Kentucky license plates.
April 2: A warrant for Henry's arrest was issued in Hamilton County Municipal Court after he allegedly punched an 18-year-old man in the face and broke his car window with a beer bottle. Henry was charged with misdemeanor assault and criminal damaging in the April 1 incident in Cincinnati.
April 3: Henry is waived by the Bengals. "Chris Henry has forfeited his opportunity to pursue a career with the Bengals. His conduct can no longer be tolerated," Bengals President Mike Brown said.
