Season's at risk. Must cut losses!

[walzav29]

This season is going to be tough enough with Palmer's knee injury and their tough schedule. They do not need to be distracted with the constant talks of these guys law problems. Cut them now or the Bengals risk a season long talk of character and blah, blah, blah. If they get rid of them it nips it in the bud. Lesson learned and move on.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Yeah, and Baltimore should have cut the Lewis pair, after all one of them was accused of selling dope and the other accused of KILLING someone. We're worried about a dude too dumb to know not to point a firearm at someone and another guy who broke into his old pad and took his electronics back?

Come on dude, it's only a distraction if WE make it one.

[walzav29]

You'll see in the next few weeks. All you'll hear about is how this will affect the team. They'll ask every player all of the time. That's why it's a distraction.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

You'll see in the next few weeks. All you'll hear about is how this will affect the team. They'll ask every player all of the time. That's why it's a distraction.

They won't ask every player all the time because Marvin won't let them. He'll cut reporters off and tell them we aren't talking about that. If they don't want to respect his command, he will send them home and close the locker room. It won't be the first time.

[JaxonFord87]

We can't simply just cut Henry. If we do, we will have more problems to deal with. By NFL rules, a team can only cut a player for skill reasons, not character issues.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

We can't simply just cut Henry. If we do, we will have more problems to deal with. By NFL rules, a team can only cut a player for skill reasons, not character issues.

Actually a team can cut anyone for any reason. Ask Terrell Owens.

[AMC]

If the Bengals cut Henry, Gene Upshaw and the players union would be licking their chops, waiting to serve up a greivance, hoping to set a precedent with the league.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

We can't simply just cut Henry. If we do, we will have more problems to deal with. By NFL rules, a team can only cut a player for skill reasons, not character issues.

Actually a team can cut anyone for any reason. Ask Terrell Owens.

Uh, they inactivated Owens, they didn't cut him. They still had to pay him, but he didn't get those performance clauses (since he didn't play), and he wasn't able to sign with a different team. His contract expired at the end of the year when they declined to pick up his roster bonus.

Under the CBA, a team can't cut a guy for getting arrested. God knows why, I'm pretty sure I'd get fired from my job if I kept getting arrested, but then I'm not in a union. To get away with it, he needs to be a guy who was in danger of being cut anyway, and they need to wait a few weeks so it looks like a regular training camp roster slimming cut. Or if the idiot in question (Nicholson) is stupid enough to get arrested before signing his contract, they can just elect to not sign him. But none of that applies to Henry - he's obviously too good to get cut.

Not only that, but under the new CBA, teams can't write in "character" clauses into contracts anymore (though the old ones are still enforceable). So not only was TO not cut by the Eagles, under his new contract the Cowboys can't even recoup his signing bonus if/when he starts acting like a "turd" again (Thanks PFT).

[Stripes]

Unless one of these asshats ends up in prison eventually, they'll probably remain in stripes. It's not the Bengals' job to discipline players for non-team related offenses anyways... Let the law get them in line. If the law can't, then they WILL end up in jail sooner or later.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

A player can be cut by a team during training camp for any reason. All they have to say is you don't make the squad, this young guy is cheaper and we want him instead.

[Who Dey Time]

All this crap will be talked about until July 29. Once the Bengals report to camp we will talk about CP and which FA rookie looks good, etc.

BTW - This is professional football. If Chris Henry makes us a better team, then you keep him. I don't think we were saying how it was ok to having losing seasons as long as we had good guys.

Artrell Hawkins was a good guy - but he couldnt help a football team win squat.

The bottom line, right or wrong, is how many W's you put up. End of story.

WHO-DEY!

[bengalsfansince68]

This season is going to be tough enough with Palmer's knee injury and their tough schedule. They do not need to be distracted with the constant talks of these guys law problems. Cut them now or the Bengals risk a season long talk of character and blah, blah, blah. If they get rid of them it nips it in the bud. Lesson learned and move on.

Are we saying that no matter what the press is asking these guys that it somehow renders them incapable of concentrating on football? Distractions are highly over rated.

[BengalByTheBay]

Yep -- if the worst aspect of this stuff is that all the players get asked about it during camp that would be great with me. Who cares what people get asked in camp? If anything, I would welcome some questions to CP that don't involve his knee and a prediction of when he'll be back. We're not in the playoffs -- this is freaking camp we're talking about. Who cares if they get asked about the war in Iraq. I don't think there's any such thing as a distraction to a team at this time. Distraction from what - deciding which team to play on Madden after two-a-days?

[Wraith]

TO was cut after the end of last year, he signed a contract for 7 years 49 million 2 seasons ago, when he was cut he still had five years under contract. The fact that he had signed his deal only two years ago was the reason why it was so ridiculous that he wanted to renegotiate.

[Stripes]

I'm thinking everyone wants Henry dumped because of his affect on public perception of our Bengals... He may be an asshat, and an embarassing one, but tell me that when he's in the endzone this season.

We have a better chance at a Superbowl with Henry on the team, and no amount of Florio B/S is going to change that.

[BengalByTheBay]

I'm thinking everyone wants Henry dumped because of his affect on public perception of our Bengals... He may be an asshat, and an embarassing one, but tell me that when he's in the endzone this season.

We have a better chance at a Superbowl with Henry on the team, and no amount of Florio B/S is going to change that.

That's not giving the whole argument. You also have to consider that any suspension served by Henry is a game that the Bengals don't get any benefit from having him on the team and the uncertainty surrounding his legal status (and the high likelihood that he's going to continue to be getting into trouble) make it very difficult to incorporate him into the game plan.

EDIT: I mean think about it this way -- is there anybody who would currently be more likely to go Stanley Wilson if the Bengals do make the SuperBowl???

[Stripes]

I'm thinking everyone wants Henry dumped because of his affect on public perception of our Bengals... He may be an asshat, and an embarassing one, but tell me that when he's in the endzone this season.

We have a better chance at a Superbowl with Henry on the team, and no amount of Florio B/S is going to change that.

That's not giving the whole argument. You also have to consider that any suspension served by Henry is a game that the Bengals don't get any benefit from having him on the team and the uncertainty surrounding his legal status (and the high likelihood that he's going to continue to be getting into trouble) make it very difficult to incorporate him into the game plan.

True enough. Still, even if he were to get suspended for the entire season (which is highly unlikely), I don't see the Bengals dropping him. He is simply too talented and too much potential to toss out for the future of this team, beyond 2006, regardless of his moronic off-the-field doings. As a Bengal fan, I care first and foremost about winning the Superbowl, and I think the chances that Henry would be an integral part of making that happen are too great to worry about the risk of his further idiocy not related to football.

EDIT: I mean think about it this way -- is there anybody who would currently be more likely to go Stanley Wilson if the Bengals do make the SuperBowl???

Well that's a scary thought.

There has only been one Stanley Wilson though, after 40 Superbowls... I'll take my chances with Cheech.

[Wraith]

Eugene Robinson? remember him?

This guy has developed a history of piss poor decision making. I am quite sure that after the gun incident in Orlando Marvin told him, "last chance". Henry will be off the team which is why we just drafted McNeal and Brazell those guys have all the ability to make us say "Chris who?"

As to all the blowhards who say Marvin is turning this team into a bunch of thugs, Chad Johnson was a charater gamble (yes I know that wasn't a Marvin pick) it seemed to work out ok and what about the drafting of David "The Choirboy" Pollack? Carson "Goody two-shoes" Palmer?

Has Odell been anything but a model citizen off-the-field?

We have two guys Cheech and AJ who are having some problems both were very talented risks taken significantly lower than their talent grades and game film warrented. As for Odell? we had alot of information on Odell from Geathers and the connections with the Bulldogs coaching staff.

Cheech will be gone, and AJ will either be gone or exhonerated and we will forget all about this nonsense by gametime week one. After all we are talking about a 3rd round and a 5th round selection here.

[BengalByTheBay]

EDIT: I mean think about it this way -- is there anybody who would currently be more likely to go Stanley Wilson if the Bengals do make the SuperBowl???

Well that's a scary thought.

There has only been one Stanley Wilson though, after 40 Superbowls... I'll take my chances with Cheech.

Barrett Robbins anybody??

[TJJackson]

Is there some kind of "reserve while he straightens out his life" list we could put him on wherein we keep his rights (hopefully he manages to get through the next 12 months without any issues, yeah, like that'll happen) but don't have to pay him and also then we don't have his cap hit or have to tie up a roster spot for him while he sits (probably in jail) ?

[walshfan]

lets look at some points fans have brought up..

1. Team Chemistry....Maybe the players like Chris.. Maybe they'll rally around the kid ...

2. Reputation...what team built their reputation on misfits? Oakland Raiders won and sold more merchandise than any team for years.

Why? because they won Baby!

3. Suspension .. maybe a couple games gut they have depth and whats wrong with letting the other wideouts show their stuff IF we are as deep as everyone seems to believe?

4. Marvin's leadership.. You dont think the players know what type of leader Marvin in by now? Please... be real... I dont think he's a Cowher get in your face but I dont think he's a crybaby daddy like Vermeil either. I think they Respect him and thats all you can ask for.. One thing he Wont put up with is dogging it gametime.. I think we can agree that the players put out a solid effort for him week after week..

thoughts???

[Spor_tees]

lets look at some points fans have brought up..

1. Team Chemistry....Maybe the players like Chris.. Maybe they'll rally around the kid ...

2. Reputation...what team built their reputation on misfits? Oakland Raiders won and sold more merchandise than any team for years.

Why? because they won Baby!

3. Suspension .. maybe a couple games gut they have depth and whats wrong with letting the other wideouts show their stuff IF we are as deep as everyone seems to believe?

4. Marvin's leadership.. You dont think the players know what type of leader Marvin in by now? Please... be real... I dont think he's a Cowher get in your face but I dont think he's a crybaby daddy like Vermeil either. I think they Respect him and thats all you can ask for.. One thing he Wont put up with is dogging it gametime.. I think we can agree that the players put out a solid effort for him week after week..

thoughts???

1. Unless other players on the team need the hook up on some stanky weed, why would the other players like Henry? Maybe they want to keep him around just to laugh at his dumbass...who knows.

2. Reputation? The Oakland Raiders sold so much damn stuff because they are in California and have a team emblem that is used by a gang on the streets...that is why they sell so much merchandise...not because of how many games they have won. The Patriots have won a lot of Superbowls in recent years and they still can't compete with the amount of merchandise the Cowboys and Raiders sell.

3. Why keep a player on your roster and let another player go, when the player you keep won't be able to play a good portion of the time because of suspensions & ect.? Would you rather keep Henry and take a chance if he will be able to play from week to week and cut a young player that could develope into an even better player than Henry, or cut lose a bad apple and keep your young talent and watch them develope into fine football players and role models. (An Olympian - Brazzell)

4. Marvin's leadership doesn't come into question right here because this is a situation where Marvin's hands become tied. The longer you keep Henry the deeper you get mired in his situation and the more difficult it becomes to get rid of him. No matter what kind of leader Marvin is, he isn't the leader of the NFLPA, Gene Upshaw is. Ultimately, they are going to be the ones that are going to make life harder on the Bengals.

So lets get rid of Henry while the problems are still fresh in everyone's minds and not wait til we become entrenched in more of his asshattedness. Yes, in honor of Chris...I have created a new word...ASSHATTEDNESS.

[jditty47]

henry's doing dumb stuff punk kids do. how old is he...22?

and the guy that said all i care about is winning a superbowl and who cares how we get it....i pretty much agree. winning is #1 and if u have to take some hits in the media to do it, then whatever. Henry is a damn good football player and the best compliment receiver we've had to chad since he broke on the scene in '01. hopefully he gets a 4 game suspension...and be back in time to push for the playoffs and contribute.

this happened during the wake of his last incident...he hasnt even been punished yet so he doesnt even know how it feels to lose HIS MONEY or lose out on games. wait till the verdicts are handed out...then we'll see if he gets into more trouble.

[rcarpenter62]

I don't think any of this crap matters at all. All of this stuff in the media w/ these 2 idiots is all you see b/c we are in the middle of the offseason. As soon as camp opens, it doesn't matter b/c neither of these 2 are irreplacable parts of the team. Granted, Henry adds an a great deal to the O, but he is at best the # 3 receiver. I don't really care if he returns or not. If this was happening at the NCAA level, then it would be a huge deal, but this is pro sports and W's are all that matters. Here's looking to camp, with or without the knuckleheads.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Is there some kind of "reserve while he straightens out his life" list we could put him on wherein we keep his rights (hopefully he manages to get through the next 12 months without any issues, yeah, like that'll happen) but don't have to pay him and also then we don't have his cap hit or have to tie up a roster spot for him while he sits (probably in jail) ?

Leage/commissioner suspension is what you are referring to. (and it'll happen to some extent, if not the entire season)

And if his salary has a lot of bonus incentives, he'll obviously lose those regardless if he's inactive.

Judging from the Bengals' inquiry to the league office about their options with him, I'd say they are ready to cut bait.

And for those clamoring for turning the other cheek, the fact is he won't be there for how many games this season? 4? 8? All of them? How many did he miss last season? 2? When does it end? Use that $ on a FA who can help you for 16 games and not kill your team's image.

He's promising and a good young player, but he aint' THAT good. He is a luxury item for this team.

This is also Cincinnati, a small midwestern, conservative city where this kind of thing is magnified.