Warrant is out for the arrest of Nicholson...

[andybren]

No charges filed? I guess he wasn't trying hard enough.

Me? I would've given up after the first try. I guess that's why I'll never make it to the bigs.

This will get reduced to some misdemeanor charge -- one count of being a complete dumbs**t or something like that -- to which he'll plead no contest. He'll get a fine and by September this will all be a distant memory.

Okay, so he'll plead to vandalism, trespassing, whatever. Still won't make him a good lockerroom presence. How exactly do you welcome a guy to your team when you can't trust him not to break in to your home and steal your stuff? I've had my home broken into --- it's not about the property you lose. Or at least, not entirely.

Wasn't there a baseball player a few years ago who got cut for stealing from his teammates' lockers? Whatever happened to him?

[HoTbOy]

I don't know if any of you have read this, a guy named John Czarnecki or Czar as he is known on FOXSports... Bengals owner Mike Brown and his family ranked among the NFL's most profitable teams last season despite a lack of marketing and a refusal to rename Paul Brown Stadium and collect millions in Cincinnati naming rights. Both of those issues irritate many NFL owners whose marketing departments often rival their personnel departments when it comes to the number of employees.

Linebacker A.J. Nicholson is already causing headaches for the Bengals with his legal troubles. But what should anger Bengals' fans is that Brown continues to employ the smallest personnel department in the NFL. The Bengals continue to prepare for the draft the old-fashioned way. The coaching staff ends up doing much of the college scouting. Granted, coaches like to be involved in checking out prospective players, but few have the time to do the necessary background checks. These checks are necessary in order to form an opinion of a player's character.

Last season, the Bengals' third-round pick, receiver Chris Henry of West Virginia, was ordered to spend 28 days in a drug treatment center after being stopped for speeding. And just this week, fifth-round pick A.J. Nicholson, a Florida State linebacker, has a warrant out for his arrest for burglarizing a former college teammate's apartment. In his final college season, Nicholson was sent home from a bowl game while under suspicion of sexual assault. He also had a DUI charge against him.

The problem in Cincinnati is that head coach Marvin Lewis may not have all the facts on a specific player prior to the draft. If the Bengals had an ample supply of college scouts, I'm sure players like Nicholson would have a red flag next to their names.

[Stripes]

The problem in Cincinnati is that head coach Marvin Lewis may not have all the facts on a specific player prior to the draft. If the Bengals had an ample supply of college scouts, I'm sure players like Nicholson would have a red flag next to their names.

John Czarnecki, if YOU, a complete and total nobody in the NFL world, knew about Nicholson's shortcomings before the draft, then so did Marvin. Giving him a hard time because of the number of people in his scouting crew is rediculous.

Writers need to get off of their high horses sometimes.

[HoosierCat]

Okay, so he'll plead to vandalism, trespassing, whatever. Still won't make him a good lockerroom presence. How exactly do you welcome a guy to your team when you can't trust him not to break in to your home and steal your stuff?

There's nothing about this that suggests he's a danger to rob anyone's home or locker. It's a rent dispute of the "I'm keeping your stereo until you pay up variety," at least as far as I can tell. Stupid, immature, and worthy of 40 whacks behind the woodshed? Yep. But talk of throwing him overboard over this seems overblown right now, IMHO.

[walshfan]

Yeah lets get rid of a player when noone knows exactly what transpirred yet... so quick to judge...so sad

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Here is your pattern. What more do you want....convicted or not...explainable or not...this is a pattern. This is not the kind of person I'd Draft/Hire...no matter the ability to contribute when just as viable options were available.

1. DUI Arrest - convicted (plead no contest)... http://www.fanblogs.com/florida_state/005435.php

2. Resisting an Officer Arrest (then tasered) - charges dropped... http://www.fanblogs.com/florida_state/005220.php

3. Accused of Sexual Assault...Suspended from Team/Sent home from Orange Bowl.... no charges filed... http://www.fanblogs.com/florida_state/006312.php

4. Warrant Issued for Arrest...due to 2 pending Felony charges for theft... http://www.fanblogs.com/florida_state/006511.php

1. DUI - Do you realize just how many NFL players have been arrested for DUI? Oh, and were you not one of the people supporting Bob Huggins when he was busted for being so wasted he couldn't SPELL DUI? It's a big deal, but not out of the ordinary for someone of his age.

2. Resisting an Officer Arrest - THERE IS A REASON THE CHARGES WERE DROPPED! Sorry, like I said, this doesn't count because it's an accusation that did not hold up.

3. ACCUSED of Sexual Assault - NO CHARGES FILED! If there were evidence, he would have been at LEAST charged, not just accused. Can't hold this one against him. Unless we hold it against you that I am now going to say that you attempted to rape my grandmother while she was in the morgue. You sicko! You must of course have this held against you!

4. Warrant issued for arrest - based on a guy who confessed dropping his old teammate's name, who he is jealous of seeing go into the NFL and live his dream. You can't hold this against him until there is EVIDENCE presented, CHARGES filed, and a CONVICTION or even a SETTLEMENT handed down.

PS: Kingwilly didn't really rape my granny, so no charges were filed.

Of all people, I am most suprised to see you defending a criminal. Completely shocked

See, that's just it. He's NOT A CRIMINAL, YET. If anything sticks, trade him to Oakland for Shab, Shawn, or Cole. However, it's too soon to lay down judgement. Something about this one just stinks to me right now and I'm not exactly sure why.

[walshfan]

Or better yet lets get all the choir boys we can ..Maybe they could trade him for a decent backup QB like Jon Kitna.. Oh wait we had him ..Isnt he the sqeakly clean guy that rats about what happens behind closed door?

Image isnt everything...

[kingwilly]

The issue at hand is character not criminality. Criminal acts, whether charged, convicted, dismissed, etc., illustrate an underlying character issue. Nicholson's behovior and choices illustrate a pattern of underlying POOR CHARACTER, of whihc ML said was now so, so important.

I think we can all agree that TO does not necessarily break the law but possesses poor character. His team-crushing issues are well chronicled. Many on this board hammered the idea of Arrington coming here because of the issues (non-criminal) he may bring. Now, many of you are blinded by the idea that ML knows-all and is infallible and choose to simply look past AJ's transgressions because he hasn;t been charged, found guilty, etc, etc. The guy is a black-hole of trouble who even after he was drafted contintues to exhibit anti-social behavior that, to most people, would raise a red flag of trouble and indicate his attitude, maturity, committment and decision-making is that of a 13-year old, not an NFL Draft pick with a bright future.

This is the court of public opinion, not the Hamilton COunty courthouse. Managing an NFL team does not and should not start with whether or not a guy is "Guilty" of a crime. NFL/Team rules, policies, common sense, character be damned.

When the milk goes bad in your house, you don't keep it around thinking it might "get better"...take out the trash.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

The issue at hand is character not criminality. Criminal acts, whether charged, convicted, dismissed, etc., illustrate an underlying character issue. Nicholson's behovior and choices illustrate a pattern of underlying POOR CHARACTER, of whihc ML said was now so, so important.

I think we can all agree that TO does not necessarily break the law but possesses poor character. His team-crushing issues are well chronicled. Many on this board hammered the idea of Arrington coming here because of the issues (non-criminal) he may bring. Now, many of you are blinded by the idea that ML knows-all and is infallible and choose to simply look past AJ's transgressions because he hasn;t been charged, found guilty, etc, etc. The guy is a black-hole of trouble who even after he was drafted contintues to exhibit anti-social behavior that, to most people, would raise a red flag of trouble and indicate his attitude, maturity, committment and decision-making is that of a 13-year old, not an NFL Draft pick with a bright future.

This is the court of public opinion, not the Hamilton COunty courthouse. Managing an NFL team does not and should not start with whether or not a guy is "Guilty" of a crime. NFL/Team rules, policies, common sense, character be damned.

When the milk goes bad in your house, you don't keep it around thinking it might "get better"...take out the trash.

Sorry, I've been on the accused end of a false allegation not that long ago. I was fired for sexual harrassment when the incident I was accused of was not only totally out of character, but it would also have been totally detrimental to my income had I done so, AND it was an accusation by someone I had never met. BUT, the court of opinion (a simple lie) took away my income for a short time, and I had to find new employment. After all, noone would lie about such a thing, right? And a year prior to that, I was investigated to make sure I wasn't involved with the robbery of the store I managed, because everyone wants to have some guys grab them at their home, put guns to their head and screw with their minds. So really, that's two strikes, right? After all, the police questioned me twice over the incident where I was the victim. So I guess I have bad character too. HORSECRAP!

YOU SHOULD NEVER PUNISH SOMEONE FOR HAVING SOMEONE ACCUSE THEM OF SOMETHING UNLESS THERE IS PROOF!

PS: The company that fired me for sexual harassment called three months later and asked if I would come back since they found out I was telling the truth when I said the alleged incident was an obvious attempt by a coworker to get me fired, since I was demanding that she actually do her job instead of just collecting a paycheck. She had her friend make the accusation, told her who and what to say happened, and when she quit, since our boss continued to tell her to work instead of watch, she laughed and told the truth before leaving.

You are correct, however, that when the milk goes bad, you throw out the trash. HOWEVER, just because the date says it's expired doesn't make it bad. You have to verify that it's no good unless you want to waste good milk.

[bengalboomer7]

Sometimes when the date is overdue you still have to give it a test sip

Wait

What are we talking about?

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Sometimes when the date is overdue you still have to give it a test sip

Wait

What are we talking about?

At minimum you need to see if it smells right. Something about this AJ thing just doesn't smell right to me.

[HairOnFire]

Hey Nicholson, get you butt up to Marvin's office...and bring your playbook. The man says your milk doesn't smell right.

[andybren]

Yeah lets get rid of a player when noone knows exactly what transpirred yet... so quick to judge...so sad

Just curious, but how many times have you been arrested?

[HoosierCat]

Update from Hobson...

Bengals rookie linebacker A.J. Nicholson met with authorities in Tallahassee, Fla., on Saturday, where he posted a $15,500 bond and was expected to be released, according to John Newland, public information officer for the Tallahassee Police.

Newland said Nicholson chose not to be interviewed by the police.

"It's now in the hands of the state attorney and he'll decide where it goes," Newland said Saturday afternoon of when charges would be formally brought.

NIcholson has now met the warrant that was issued Wednesday charging him with two felonies in helping to rob the home of a former Florida State teammate where he used to live.

[cincy9275]

I have one final thing I want you to consider. Ladies and gentlemen, this is Chewbacca. Chewbacca is a Wookiee from the planet Kashyyyk. But Chewbacca lives on the planet Endor. Now think about it; that does not make sense!

Why would a Wookiee, an eight-foot tall Wookiee, want to live on Endor, with a bunch of two-foot tall Ewoks? That does not make sense! But more important, you have to ask yourself: What does this have to do with this case? Nothing. Ladies and gentlemen, it has nothing to do with this case! It does not make sense! Look at me. I'm a lawyer defending a major record company, and I'm talkin' about Chewbacca! Does that make sense? Ladies and gentlemen, I am not making any sense! None of this makes sense! And so you have to remember, when you're in that jury room deliberatin' and conjugatin' the Emancipation Proclamation, [approaches and softens] does it make sense? No! Ladies and gentlemen of this supposed jury, it does not make sense! If Chewbacca lives on Endor, you must acquit! The defense rests.

lmao that's great you can't get a better defense than that

[cincy9275]

the bottom line with these guys and other athletes in every sport is can they help you win games . as much as people want players to have morals some do but for the most part they don't . i mean does this really surprise anyone ? morals went out the window when players salaries sky rocketed and they became in there minds and some fans more than just sports athletes . so until sports leagues start to have morals and put a foot down on players conduct you will see more and more of this. but in the sports world it doesn't matter if a guys slaps his wife around or pulls a gun on someone as long as he can help you win games this kind of conduct will be sweep under the rug and the players will continue to get slapped on the hand and allowed to play . so all we can do as fans is call them jackasses and move on .

[ShulaSteakhouse]

So AJ used to live at the place they broke into???

Hmm, sounds like some roommates quabbling over ownership of material items and going to extremes to get them back.

Weird.

[andybren]

So AJ used to live at the place they broke into???

Hmm, sounds like some roommates quabbling over ownership of material items and going to extremes to get them back.

Weird.

He had been evicted for not paying rent. Now I know as a poor college student, sometimes it's tough to make ends meet, but I wonder if this shouldn't have been addressed in pre-draft interviews.

I'm sure it will be next year.

[Dadraftnick]

To everyone that has said that character does not matter ----WRONG----

To everyone that thought Rucker and Nicholson were nice picks -- maybe you need to re-evaluate your assesments of them.

Look for the two women that accused Rucker and Nicholson of attempeted rape to file civil suits,now that they have the big bucks, which if it happens will no doubt be carried on ESPN and court TV and make the Bengals the laughing stock of the league and be a major distraction for the team.

Not to mention Nicholson will no doubt be suspended if he is convicted.

We are still waiting to see how long Henry will get suspended--if he doesn't do something (stupid)to get even more time off while he is waiting for his numerous cases to run their course.

CHARACTER MATTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Does this seem prophetic to anyone????????? It was posted before the new Henry trouble.

The part that says" IF HENRY DOEN'T DO SOMETHING STUPID TO GET EVEN MORE TIME OFF WHILE HE IS WAITING FOR HIS NUMEROUS CASES TO RUN THEIR COURSE"

How did I know that am I the amazing Kreskin?? Am I Henry's lawyer?? Am I Henry's bartender??

No! I realize Henry is an idiot! So is Rucker.So is Nicholson.--

Nicholson,Henry,and Rucker--The three stooges.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

What's Rucker done? Oh wait, NOTHING.

The Bengals will never be the laughing stock of the NFL when Oakland and Baltimore are around. Every team in the league is having these kinds of problems. These young kids are under the microscope and they get caught bigtime.

PS: Now that AJ has officially been charged, I'm all for dumping him and telling him to have fun in Baltimore replacing Mr. "didn't see nuttin"

[Spor_tees]

I wonder if AJ can hook me up on a good deal on a larger Tv...

[BengalByTheBay]

To everyone that has said that character does not matter ----WRONG----

To everyone that thought Rucker and Nicholson were nice picks -- maybe you need to re-evaluate your assesments of them.

Look for the two women that accused Rucker and Nicholson of attempeted rape to file civil suits,now that they have the big bucks, which if it happens will no doubt be carried on ESPN and court TV and make the Bengals the laughing stock of the league and be a major distraction for the team.

Not to mention Nicholson will no doubt be suspended if he is convicted.

We are still waiting to see how long Henry will get suspended--if he doesn't do something (stupid)to get even more time off while he is waiting for his numerous cases to run their course.

CHARACTER MATTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Does this seem prophetic to anyone????????? It was posted before the new Henry trouble.

The part that says" IF HENRY DOEN'T DO SOMETHING STUPID TO GET EVEN MORE TIME OFF WHILE HE IS WAITING FOR HIS NUMEROUS CASES TO RUN THEIR COURSE"

How did I know that am I the amazing Kreskin?? Am I Henry's lawyer?? Am I Henry's bartender??

No! I realize Henry is an idiot! So is Rucker.So is Nicholson.--

Nicholson,Henry,and Rucker--The three stooges.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, yes, you are a genius. Thank you for pointing out your genius. You may now join the approximately half of registered members of this site who also predicted that Henry would continue to murder his career. My question is...what is the basis of your hatred of Rucker? Are you predicting that he will do something stupid and get arrested soon? If so, please let us all know so that we can handicap your prediction and wager on it. If not, please back away from Rucker until there is a reason. He was accused of sexual assault lke 3 years ago. I don't see the connection with Henry or Nicholson who have each been charged with a crime since they were Bengals. I'm just askin....

[Dadraftnick]

When the Bengals drafted Henry I was one of the few that hated the pick because I knew what a reputation he had at WVU plus I wanted the pick to be used for a S or DE.

Every thing I have seen on Rucker and Nicholson says that were taken off of most teams board because character.

Other teams who investigated the case (rape accusation)against Rucker thought that there was something to the story more than an accusation (ex.sometimes women dont press charges because they dont want their name dragged through the mud) and most teams took him off their board.Period!!

The rape thing was not the only character issue for Rucker there was attitude and how he practiced ect.

I guess if he played like Reggie White and had a few character flaws I would be more inclined to give him a chance---But he has serious character flaws and at least so far,has done nothing to get excited about.

If he matches his USC numbers- 6 sacks is not going to be worth the trouble that he may cause the team when you can an undrafted free agent off the street to come with those kind of numbers with out the baggage.

I have to ask you why you so high on the guy because if he had the character of a saint I dont see much in his play.I hope he is the next Reggie White but I do not see anything in his play at USC.

[bengalboomer7]

When the Bengals drafted Henry I was one of the few that hated the pick because I knew what a reputation he had at WVU plus I wanted the pick to be used for a S or DE.

Every thing I have seen on Rucker and Nicholson says that were taken off of most teams board because character.

Other teams who investigated the case (rape accusation)against Rucker thought that there was something to the story more than an accusation (ex.sometimes women dont press charges because they dont want their name dragged through the mud) and most teams took him off their board.Period!!

The rape thing was not the only character issue for Rucker there was attitude and how he practiced ect.

I guess if he played like Reggie White and had a few character flaws I would be more inclined to give him a chance---But he has serious character flaws and at least so far,has done nothing to get excited about.

If he matches his USC numbers- 6 sacks is not going to be worth the trouble that he may cause the team when you can an undrafted free agent off the street to come with those kind of numbers with out the baggage.

I have to ask you why you so high on the guy because if he had the character of a saint I dont see much in his play.I hope he is the next Reggie White but I do not see anything in his play at USC.

Do you have sources for all that. Sounds like you got an awful lot of "draft day war room" access?

[BengalByTheBay]

When the Bengals drafted Henry I was one of the few that hated the pick because I knew what a reputation he had at WVU plus I wanted the pick to be used for a S or DE.

* * *

I have to ask you why you so high on the guy because if he had the character of a saint I dont see much in his play.I hope he is the next Reggie White but I do not see anything in his play at USC.

1. Did you also hate the Odell pick? He was a 2nd round pick also with "character" issues. If not, why not? What was the difference based on what you knew then? If anything, most of the draft dorks had more to say about how much of a problem Odell was going to be than Henry.

2. Not "so high" on Rucker at all. In fact, I don't know much about him. But you've lumped him in with 2 players who both had recent actual arrests after being drafted by the Bengals. You basically said -- get rid of all 3. I see a big difference between guys who are arrested after they become "professionals" than guys who have problems while in college. If you don't, as you seem not to, and if you're saying Rucker absolutely will end up being a detriment to the team -- make your call right now. If you're not ready to say that, then why be so on Rucker's jock. If he turns out to be more Odell than Henry, are you going to admit you were wrong?

EDIT: Oh yeah, and I would venture to say that if Rucker puts up 6 sacks for the Bengals as a rookie -- that would be considered to be pretty damn good production with the relative lack of QB pressure we've gotten the last 2 seasons.