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Lewis puts an end to talk of Henry returning to team
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
CINCINNATI — Whatever door Chris Henry left open for a possible return to the Cincinnati Bengals has been slammed shut by head coach Marvin Lewis.
Henry, who has been arrested five times since 2005, was released by the team in April but recently said the Bengals were interested in re-signing him if he is reinstated by the NFL.
Lewis, at a Paul Brown Stadium pre-training camp luncheon Tuesday, July, 22, said Henry's return is not an option.
"I'm not interested in bringing him back," Lewis said. "I don't think (it would be) productive for our football team. You have to be a productive part to be an NFL player. There's responsibilities to being an NFL player. It's a privilege, not a right."
Punt returner sought
When special teams coach Darrin Simmons arrived in Cincinnati six years ago, he had one of the more explosive punt returners in the NFL in Peter Warrick. Warrick got hurt and was never the same. And neither was the Bengals' return game.
The Bengals ranked 14th in the league in kickoff-return yardage (22.8) last season, but they were last in punt-return average (4.9).
Wide receiver Antonio Chatman is the player to beat at the position this year, but he battled a hamstring injury for much of 2007 and averaged a career-low 5.2 yards on 18 returns. Cornerback Deltha O'Neal also is being considered.
Receiver Glenn Holt is expected to be pushed at kickoff returner by third-round pick Andre Caldwell, Simmons said.
No defensive switch
New defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said that although there are some areas that need improvement, he doesn't plan to change from a 4-3 defense.
Instead of completely overhauling a defense that recorded a league-low 22 sacks, he's just going to tinker with it.
"We just have to be a little bit more creative and inventive without changing everything else," Zimmer said.
Healthier than ever
Lewis said the team is the healthiest it's been heading into training camp.
Tailbacks Kenny Irons and DeDe Dorsey are the only players expected to be held out of practice when training camp opens Monday, July 28 at Georgetown (Ky.) College.
Draft pick signed
Wide receiver Mario Urrutia, a seventh-round pick out of Louisville, signed a four-year deal Tuesday. He's the fourth of 10 Bengals draft picks to sign.
Quote of the day
Lewis, reflecting on the disappointing 2007 season: "We have to take something from losing because it sure does hurt."
