Odell, Henry are History - time to move on

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Check out Lance's blog today for some updates, they are also severely discounting Odell's jersey in the pro shop - the Bengals' had no comment on that:

Observations from my Bengal Insider today

I have listed the various thoughts from my Bengal Insider this morning....not my words...but his.

Odell Thurman:

"Odell made a critical mistake in judgment and will pay the price for this.

I do believe he understand what he did and now knows he needs to move on. Although, he will move forward, I'm not so sure that Mike Brown can after Odell lied directly to his face about what occurred. Stay tuned I'm not sure how this will play out, but as of now Odell is not in good graces with ownership or the NFL."

Chris Henry:

"Where do I start on the charges?The bottom line is it doesn't matter as the Bengals do not see Chris Henry in the teams future and will rid them of him once they are free of any possibility of sanctions by the union."

Ahmad Brooks:

"Ahmad is a good young man who will prove his worth in the NFL. He is by far the most talented linebacker to come into the NFL in that last few years and is poised to be a Pro Bowler. Kudos to the Bengals for drafting him and shame on all the teams that are bad mouthing him now as most of these teams were the ones waiting for him to fall one more round to select him to save money."

What happens without Odell?

"I do not expect Bengal fans to see a let down as Brian Simmons moves to the inside and Landon Johnson moves to the weak side. Depth wise they have Rashad Jeanty who they plan to use as a rushing linebacker to spell Johnson on the weak side. Nicholson will develop as a middle linebacker, while Ahmad Brooks will be used at all three positions. Depth wise the team is in good shape. Worst case, you switch Simmons and Johnson and your fine. Johnson led the team in tackles while playing the middle, but the team would rather see him in coverage more to take advantage of his range."

What happens without Henry?

"The addition of Antonio Chatman and re-emergence of Kelly Washington will make Henry a memory. You will see more long balls to TJ to cover Chris, but don't discount Tab Perry either who has shown he can be a dependable receiver as well. The team is in sure hands without Chris Henry."

So the Bengals' have essentially thrown away their 2nd and 3rd round picks from the last two years, and their 3rd next year to make up for it with Brooks.

And people still wonder why "character matters?"

Wasting picks year after year takes it's toll - this team could be in better shape had they drafted players that are still on the roster and contributing, versus not having anyone at all now.

Enough said on this - just reporting it, I am ready to move on and just forget about Odell and Henry - I don't plan on them even contributing this year, or for the Bengals' again - sad but apparently true.

That said, if we're lucky, Odell will grow up and come back some time this coming season.

Meanwhile, I think they'll be ok at LB and WR as Lance's "insider" suggests - Brooks is a whale of a talent if he can stay in shape and keep his head straight - possibly better than Thurman. Nicholson makes for excellent depth if he's also ready to be a grown up and a professional and play ball. Along with Pollack, they'll be ok - but they will absolutely miss the speed and dynamic Odell gave that defense at times.

After all of my bitching and moaning, I am truly ready to put this negative garbage behind me and try to look at what's left and where the Bengals' go from here...and Carson's recovery - as this upcoming season will depend solely on that.

I hope Marvin learns from all of this too.

[Section 310]

Personally, I would not cut Odell. The guy has made two mistakes with banned subtances, but has not proven himself to be a complete jackass as of yet.

With respect to Henry, I would keep him around in camp and evaluate the position near cut-down time. Maybe he is suspended 4+ games this year. It won't cost the team a dime during his vacation. Perhaps put him on double secret probation and see if he can turn his life around, similar to Cris Carter. If you do cut the guy, make it after the suspension to reduce the risk that he will come back and haunt the team.

[ArmyBengal]

It baffles me that they say Odell won't be back and Brooks is the so-called answer to Odell being gone, but he did the same d*mn thing. This makes absolutely NO SENSE !!! I say Odell is back and the fans will be happy for that. Henry on the other hand, may be history, but I still believe the guy is a great talent and will get a chance somewhere else, if released. When he grows up, he'll be huge... If not, he'll be an afterthought...

The re-emergence of Washington ?? Laughable at this point, as he was inactive for the majority of the season due to Henry !!!

WHODEY !!!

[TJJackson]

It won't cost the team a dime during his vacation.

Really? You do know his signing bonus is pro-rated, right? If the Bengals knew in advance he'd have these troubles, do you think his signign bonus would have been as high?

What about the cost to the team of the question of his return? what is the effect on the morale of the receiver core knowing one of them might be cut when he comes off suspension? what is the cost of not beign able to trade away a troubled but talented receiver like Kelly Wahington - ie you could have traded him but can't because of the probable loss of henry? and what of all the late draft picks we also squandered o wideouts rather than on players at other more important positions because we could not count on Henry being around?

What an uninformed shortsighted comment.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

To address your posts - I agree with both of you - ideally we all want both of them back - they are too damn talented and aren't "Evil" - just stupid, immature and not dependable.

The league is going to come down harshly on both of them though either way, no matter how we feel about them.

It wouldn't suprise me that if they didn't cut them - that the Bengals' kept them inactive the entire year and hired babysitters for them.

All that said, again, time to move on and figure on winning this season without either of them. Probably time to make them an afterthought.

If they do pop up at some point - it'll just be a huge bonus. But I'm not counting on it, and won't let them hinder my enthusiasm any longer.

Cheer for the good guys on the field - they're going to need it this year.

[HairOnFire]

Here's what I think.

I think Odell Thurman was so good that even the Chicken Littles don't want him to be cut.

And I think Ahmad Brooks represents such a bargain that those same Chicken Littles are secretly excited that he's in stripes.

And finally, I think the Bengals depth at WR is so great that the Bengals can toss away Chris Henry without so much as a burp. And if that doesn't put the Bengals level of risk into proper perspective then nothing will.

what is the cost of not beign able to trade away a troubled but talented receiver like Kelly Wahington - ie you could have traded him but can't because of the probable loss of henry?

K-dub is troubled?

Did he pee like Peko?

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Odell will be back.

Henry will be back.

[ArmyBengal]

Cheer for the good guys on the field - they're going to need it this year.

I'll be cheering for all the Bengals that get on the field, even the immature, idiot, childish, f*ck ups !!! They'll need it to !!!

Sorry, I just don't buy into all this crap !!!

WHODEY !!!

[TJJackson]

Odell will be back.

Henry will be back.

....after his costly (to the team and to him personally) suspension

....after his even more costly suspension

[GROIIIDayton]

Lance is full of s**t they will be back next year. If we let them go we would see them in Ravens jerseys next year and I don't want that.

[TJJackson]

K-dub is troubled?

Did he pee like Peko?

No, KW thinks he is the second coming of Jesus Christ, or at last the second coming of Jerry Rice.

[ArmyBengal]

Lance is full of s**t they will be back next year. If we let them go we would see them in Ravens jerseys next year and I don't want that.

Agree... Like I said before, if let go, they will be given a shot by someone else (and probably succeed).

Funny part about it is, no one would give the team giving them a shot as much heat as we are getting now. They would be applauded for giving them a second chance and give the media another reason to bash the Bengals for letting them go...

WHODEY !!!

[ChadJohnson-85]

Odell will be back.

Henry will be back.

If Henry comes back then that means more trouble. Odell will definitely be back but Henry is a big ?.

[markymark69]

IMO, I think Odell will be back, but with a very short leash and Henry will be gone as soon the Bengals can drop him without facing repercussions from the player's union.

[TJJackson]

....Chicken Littles....

You know your bird metaphors well, it seems. I'll be sure to refer to your ilk as Ostriches, for their noted tendency to stick their head in the sand when trouble arises. The ostrich is not known for it's intellect or ability to reason, it seems.

The beak fits nicely on you.

And finally, I think the Bengals depth at WR is so great that the Bengals can toss away Chris Henry without so much as a burp

The "burp" you missed occurred in the final three picks of the most recent NFL draft, as well as in the fact that Kelly Washington remains a Bengal. I'd be happy to detail this for you, if you can pull your head out of the sand (or whatever other sunless place you may have stuck it) to listen.

[HairOnFire]

....Chicken Littles....

You know your bird metaphors well, it seems. I'll be sure to refer to your ilk as Ostriches, for their noted tendency to stick their head in the sand when trouble arises. The ostrich is not known for it's intellect or ability to reason, it seems.

Ostriches are also known for their impressive size, remarkable speed, devastating kicking ability, and last but not least.....delicous tasting meat.

Want some?

[ArmyBengal]

Ostriches are also known for their impressive size, remarkable speed, devastating kicking ability, and last but not least.....delicous tasting meat.

Want some?

HOLY SH*T !!!

WHODEY !!!

[HairOnFire]

The "burp" you missed occurred in the final three picks of the most recent NFL draft, as well as in the fact that Kelly Washington remains a Bengal.

You don't have to remind me that Kelley Washington is still a Bengal. I've always been in favor of keeping him, even before Henry melted down. So save your rantings and bleatings for those of you who have been unwisely calling for Washington's head due to your anger over his silly but harmless dance, and who now find themselves hoping he can adequately replace Henry.

[ArmyBengal]

I don't care for Washington, but it has very little to do with the dance and more to do with the fact, he has done nothing... Yes, I hope he or anyone else can adequately replace Henry, but I don't see anyone (at this point) that can bring to the table what Henry did with his combination of size and speed.

WHODEY !!!

[Stripes]

Odell will be back.

Henry will be back.

Agreed.

Agreed.

[TJJackson]

.....delicous tasting meat.

Want some?

No, I think I have bitten off a big enough chunk out of your hindquarters already, and I can't imagine anything ever tasting fowler......err fouler

Well, then again, no, I forgot briefly about Don'tListenToMe.....sorry.....you're number 2 on my list. Of course, as every husky knows, if you're not the lead dog, the view never changes

more to do with the fact, he has done nothing...

Now now now....you know damn well he (KW) has done each of the following (some many times over)

1) occupied space

2) metabolized

3) cashed his game checks

4) taken a spot on the inactive list nearly every week, right next to Mr Inactive himself (Askew)

5) told the world at every given opportunity how he's the best receiver in the NFL

6) occupied a locker

7) refused to play special teams

8) refused to try out as a receiving tight end despite having the approximate size for it

etc etc etc

That isn't "nothing", right?

[Kazkal]

Odell deserves a 2nd chance and hopfully unlike chris he doesn't blow it....I love chris henrys talent I love how much he makes our team better but 3 strikes and your out and hopfully hes out to make a example to the other players....inless he gets a major contract from the redskins then screw you NFL

PS,discounted odell jerseys? I'm getting me one lol.

[Kazkal]

K-dub is troubled?

Did he pee like Peko?

No, KW thinks he is the second coming of Jesus Christ, or at last the second coming of Jerry Rice.

Thats because he does the squirrel dance just as good as jesus.

[HairOnFire]

.....delicous tasting meat.

Want some?

No, I think I have bitten off a big enough chunk out of your hindquarters already, and I can't imagine anything ever tasting fowler......err fouler

TJ, are you chewing on my azz? Because without you mentioning it I doubt I would have noticed.

Hey, have your fun. I won't mind a bit.

[schweinhart]

Wow it's an azz chewing contest

But as for Shula's point, I do hear him...it's more satisfying to root for players who you trust have the team's best interest at heart, especially when they also manage to do well on the field . But it is a team we're pulling for and the nature of the league that the team finds itself in is that talent usually trumps even if that talent often comes with character that seems as appealing as a warty ostrich that's had half it's azz chewed off.

Just be ready, folks, for more azz chewing cause come the season the fans from every team that show up here are not going to let this offseason die easy.