Brown says off-field woes will alter Bengals draft

[Dawg BpG]

Brown says off-field woes will alter Bengals draft

CINCINNATI — After watching nine of his players get arrested in the past 13 months, Cincinnati Bengals president Mike Brown said Friday that the team would change its approach on draft day.

"There may be some gifted athletes we won't pick that we might have picked a year ago," Brown said on Friday, a day that one of Brown's players, wide receiver Chris Henry, spent in jail in Kentucky.

Kenton County Judge Douglas Grothaus sentenced Henry to two days in jail for giving alcohol to minors in a Covington hotel room last year. The judge called Henry a "cancer."

Henry's sentencing came three days after cornerback Johnathan Joseph, the team's No. 1 draft pick in 2006, was arrested in Boone County for marijuana possession.

In all, six of the Bengals' 16 draft picks in the 2005 and 2006 classes have been arrested since the start of the 2006 calendar year.

"I've never thought the word 'cancer' was appropriate for a human being," Brown told Bronson.

"People aren't cancerous. They misbehave. I would not use that word. But he deserved to be scolded and it did not displease me that the judge did that. We're trying to do the same thing with Chris, to send a message to other players."

Brown and his head coach, Marvin Lewis, have declined to be interviewed this week about Joseph's arrest, Henry's sentencing or the trend of off-field trouble. In fact, since Lewis' hiring in January 2003, Brown no longer grants interview requests except in rare occasions.

The Bengals now have a 24-hour line that their players can call for a ride, he said.

Brown also said the league and players union limit team discipline.

"There's only so much we can do in these situations," Brown said. Because of NFL and players union rules, "We can't act as forcefully as we did in the past. ... Our hands are tied. We can't fine, sanction or fire a player."

Lewis, like other NFL head coaches, does have disciplinary powers with players available under the heading "Conduct detrimental to club," as spelled out in the league's collective bargaining agreement with the players union.

Clubs may suspend a player for a period up to four weeks but not to exceed four weeks, according to the binding agreement. A club/coach also can fine a player "an amount equal to one week's salary."

Henry had a base salary of $310,000 in 2006, and each of his 17 weekly game checks was worth $18,235.

Lewis disciplined starting tailback Rudi Johnson and linebacker Odell Thurman in separate games in 2005. Lewis made the players sit out the first series for breaking unspecific team rules. Lewis repeated the move for Johnson this past season, not starting him in the San Diego game.

In terms of possible NFL discipline, Henry could be suspended for four games in the 2007 season for a second violation of the league's substance abuse policy. Henry already has one strike against him for a guilty plea in a marijuana possession case in 2005 in Kenton County. If NFL commissioner Roger Goodell decides that Henry's latest plea in Kenton County on Thursday is a second violation of the policy, he gets the four-game vacation without pay.

Still, Brown anticipates that Henry will be back for a third season with the Bengals in 2007.

"I don't think it's wrong to give people a chance and that includes Chris Henry," Brown said. "He has paid a real price for it in his personal life and for us, and I don't abandon hope for him at all."

Thurman is serving a one-year suspension for a third violation of the substance abuse policy. Brown referred to Thurman and Henry as "broken records" in his interview with Bronson.

"Everyone here is fed up with this including Marvin and me, and we want it to stop," Brown said.

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[schroomytunes]

Ill admit, I used to dispise Mike Brown but not as a person, but I blamed him for not doing enough to get this franchise out of the ruins. His ways were not working and as a fan that is frustrating. I do feel that he is a decent owner(not great) he does care about the city and this franchise, and he is moving the team in a winning environment. Although, when you draft players with character issues then this is what happens, you put the possibility of bad publicity into your team chemistry. I think that you will see more character kids drafted from now on instead of the high profile athlete with a checkered past.

So with that in mind I think we draft Paul Pozluzney in the 1st round this year.

[Dawg BpG]

***In no way is this meant to be smack***

I find it funny that last year around this time, Bengal fans (on our board, not you all) talked so much trash about us drafting "Character guys".

Saying things like "you keep drafting character bumbs and we will keep winning"...yaddy yadda

Ya, your winning, but at what cost?

[HairOnFire]

Ya, your winning, but at what cost?

That's big talk coming from a fan of a team that finishes in last place every year. No matter. Take whatever comfort you can in losing the right way.

[Dawg BpG]

How is that "Big talk" ya we suck, so what does that have to do with disgracing your organization?

Every team in the nfl goes through periods of being bad. It's cyclical.

and actually that is big talk from you, from a team who was known as the Bungals for 15 years. Made the playoffs once since then (same as us, since we LOST OUR ORGANIZATION) and walk around like they are the best team in the nfl because they FINALLY picked a 1st overall stud.

[NJ29]

Ya, your winning, but at what cost?

We haven't done enough yet to say that we're winning. We've been 8-8 three out of the past four years, interrupted by a playoff season where we didn't advance. We can't say that we're winning yet. You have to earn stufff like that with consistent winning seasons and playoff victories.

As far as character concerns affecting the draft, I hope they do. I see us giving chances to overacheivers, as opposed to second-chances to guys with character concerns.

[Kazkal]

Ya, your winning, but at what cost?

Besides henry whos really a bad seed on our team? plenty of players smoke pot in the NFL it's just a matter of them being smart enough to stay home the only Player I would say has been bad is henry 4 arrests with a gun charge.

Odell? Really stupid but has he killed someone has he hurt someone?

Frostee? what has he done besides not play? he was charged but never found guilty if i'm not mistaken

Aj:He's not a thief and hasen't gotten in trouble since he's been here he was just stupid and broke in his old apartment to get his own stuff back...charges were either taken care of or dropped?

Mcneal:Drank with henry and odell

Askew:got the stun gun for parking.

Steinbach:Drinking well fishing who doesn't?

Oneal:Was barley over the limit drank what 2 beers?

Really woulden't say any of those guys are bad characters.stupid yes learn to party at home but still not bad guys...henry on the other hand is very questionable and should be labled as a character concern.

[HairOnFire]

How is that "Big talk" ya we suck, so what does that have to do with disgracing your organization?

Every team in the nfl goes through periods of being bad. It's cyclical.

and actually that is big talk from you, from a team who was known as the Bungals for 15 years. Made the playoffs once since then (same as us, since we LOST OUR ORGANIZATION) and walk around like they are the best team in the nfl because they FINALLY picked a 1st overall stud.

Browns fans would kill for a franchise that could somehow manage to be miserable only in natural cycles. And before you mock a team whose success you claim is the result of picking one player first overall...consider the cautionary tale of Tim Couch.

Finally, any talk about draft picks disgracing an organization has to include the Cleveland Browns. Best, that talk can include numerous examples of 1st round picks being used on players who fail the character sniff test. So, do you really want to have this conversation? And if you do, start by explaining why you've expressed a desire for the Browns to sign FA Eric Steinbach, Cincinnati's most famous beer boater and a proud member of the Bengal Nine?

[Dawg BpG]

Browns fans would kill for a franchise that could somehow manage to be miserable only in natural cycles.

Well there certainly is nothing natural about your whole organization moving to Baltimore

Having to start fresh with new coaches, front office people, owner (who knew nothing about football), scouts...etc.

Something Bengals fans would know nothing about.

And before you mock a team whose success you claim is the result of picking one player first overall...consider the cautionary tale of Tim Couch

Please, you can talk all the trash about Couch you want, the fact is, he had all of the skillsets to acheive in the NFL, an none of the help. How would Carson Palmer do behind that patchwork O-line, and his best WR be KEVIN FRICKING JOHNSON.

He would be alright, with no-one to throw to and get hurt. Play hurt, and ruin his career because he was trying to play through it. Carson Palmer also had Kitna to teach him, and let him sit for a year. Tim was FORCED into the lineup his first year. Who did TC have, Ty Detmer?

Finally, any talk about draft picks disgracing an organization has to include the Cleveland Browns. Best, that talk can include numerous examples of 1st round picks being used on players who fail the character sniff test.

Right, we learned our lesson, but I wouldn't expect Marvin with his cinci God complex to learn from our mistakes. William Green, and G-money were both lowlifes drafted by Botch who in turn was fired for it.

And if you do, start by explaining why you've expressed a desire for the Browns to sign FA Eric Steinbach, Cincinnati's most famous beer boater and a proud member of the Bengal Nine?

Why?

Because he is probably THE best guard (if he doesn't get franchised) to hit the market. A team can have one or two "bad seeds" and be just fine, because the Veterans and character players no matter what you like to think do rub off on them.

he isn't out shooting guns, and drinking until he pukes out of a car window. So what if he likes woman and boats???

How does that effect FOOTBALL...shooting guns, weed, and drinking do, but how do woman and boats?

There is a huge difference between taking a franchise type lineman with some possible character issues, and taking a 3rd YES 3rd WR who has more than his share. Or a rookie LB, how is totally off the deep end.

[HairOnFire]

Because he is probably THE best guard (if he doesn't get franchised) to hit the market. A team can have one or two "bad seeds" and be just fine, because the Veterans and character players no matter what you like to think do rub off on them.

he isn't out shooting guns, and drinking until he pukes out of a car window. So what if he likes woman and boats???

How does that effect FOOTBALL...shooting guns, weed, and drinking do, but how do woman and boats?

There is a huge difference between taking a franchise type lineman with some possible character issues, and taking a 3rd YES 3rd WR who has more than his share. Or a rookie LB, how is totally off the deep end.

And there it is. A Cleveland fan making excuses for one of the Bengal Nine simply because he's heard rumors that the Browns are interested in signing Eric Steinbach.

I guess you don't even have to be a Brown player before Clevelanders will ignore an arrest record, so badly does that team need help on it's miserable offensive line.

Knowing the above to be true, why should a Bengal fan listen to a Clevelander talk about the high cost of adding talent that comes with questionable character. Aren't Clown fans busy falling all over themselves to do exactly the same thing?

Bottom Line: I think our visiting Brownie fan just fell of of his high horse with a mighty thud. But fear not, for the deep mud of last place cushioned his fall.

[Dawg BpG]

Images and smack won't prove your weak point for you.

I already said that you can have a few "bad seeds" on your team and get away with it, if you have leadership, namely veterans.

I have no clue what he did or didn't do. We will draft character guys, so we can afford to take on questionable character, epsecially because he fits a large need that doesn't come through free agency often.

Unless you are willing to overpay, which is why eventually I think he won't come here because Phil Savage is probably done with his Offensive linemen splurge.

Just because your organization chooses to draft idiots doesn't mean ours can't take a gamble on a proven young guard when it fits a huge need. It is so bad that *back to the topic* your owner has to come out in public and proclaim how they will do better!

[HairOnFire]

I already said that you can have a few "bad seeds" on your team and get away with it, if you have leadership, namely veterans.

I have no clue what he did or didn't do. We will draft character guys, so we can afford to take on questionable character, epsecially because he fits a large need that doesn't come through free agency often.

If you weren't so intent on talking smack you'd see that you're agreeing without argument that talent trumps character. Using nothing but your own words it's become all too clear that you're willing to ignore Steinbach's arrest because he's supposedly got enough talent for you to look the other way.

Well, who am I to argue that point?

Frankly, I think we're done here. But if it helps you sleep at night I'd say you can honestly tell yourself that you kicked your own ass. (And in record time.)

[Dawg BpG]

No, your are attempting (poorly) to put words in my mouth. Talent does not trump character.

He isn't smoking weed, toting guns, puking out of car windows...not matter how much you would like to paint him in that light.

[Bobcat Bengal]

How is that "Big talk" ya we suck, so what does that have to do with disgracing your organization?

Every team in the nfl goes through periods of being bad. It's cyclical.

and actually that is big talk from you, from a team who was known as the Bungals for 15 years. Made the playoffs once since then (same as us, since we LOST OUR ORGANIZATION) and walk around like they are the best team in the nfl because they FINALLY picked a 1st overall stud.

the Browns fan does have a point, though.

You really can't front.

[HairOnFire]

He isn't smoking weed, toting guns, puking out of car windows...not matter how much you would like to paint him in that light.

True. All he did is operate a vehicle while drunk, and if you're willing to dismiss that then you have to toss away half of the arrests involving Bengal players this past year. And if you do that the Bengals arrest record becomes something that wouldn't raise an eyebrow...and would eliminate your ability to come here talking smack.

And I'm not guilty of twisting your words. Without any prompting from me you came here weeks ago and tried to start a fuss by claiming the Browns were going to steal Steinbach from the Bengals....completely ignoring the fact that he had already been arrested for drunken behavior.

In short, examples of poor character don't matter to you....unless you think you can help you talk weak smack. And that makes you a hypocrite...among other things.

[Dawg BpG]

True. All he did is operate a vehicle while drunk, and if you're willing to dismiss that then you have to toss away half of the arrests involving Bengal players this past year. And if you do that the Bengals arrest record becomes something that wouldn't raise an eyebrow...and would eliminate your ability to come here talking smack.

Whaaaat? So no upstanding citizen has ever had a DUI??? You're calling that a character flaw? LMFAO Where did YOU go to college? LOL

You have never heard me talk trash about him for being a "bungal 9". It isn't that the bengals player got arrested, it isn't that the bengals players hang out with woman who are MURDERERS, it's HOW MANY TIMES it kept happening that prompted the trash talk with no repercussions, Chris Henry wlaks around like he ownes the place....who is he answering to? He messes up, he plays....he does the right thing, he plays....why would he change???

Without any prompting from me you came here weeks ago and tried to start a fuss by claiming the Browns were going to steal Steinbach from the Bengals

If you call me saying...

"Your boy Steinbach, you better resign him, or we are gonna snatch him up...."

a "fuss" you have a comprehension problem. ONE POST is a fuss??? LOL

....completely ignoring the fact that he had already been arrested for drunken behavior.

Would you stop beating that horse already....I have already explained this, but then again your comprehension is obviously on a level with a child's with ADD.

In short, examples of poor character don't matter to you....

Nooo, you're not putting words in my mouth...not at all....your a joke. COMPREHEND YOUR OWN WORDS

unless you think you can help you talk weak smack

WHAT!?????? YOU started the smack on this thread....not me

. And that makes you a hypocrite...among other things.

umm, i don't think so, you trying to put words in my mouth does not make me a hypocrite, and since you have NOTHING usefull to add you keep running in cricles trying to get me to backdown. The funny part is YOUR the hypocrite, bad mouthing Steinbach, while poorly attempting to defend the rest of your crew of flunkies.

I can't keep saying the same things to you, if you just don't get it. .....but I am not going to keep attempting to get you to understand anything.....

[Kazkal]

wrong post

[HairOnFire]

True. All he did is operate a vehicle while drunk, and if you're willing to dismiss that then you have to toss away half of the arrests involving Bengal players this past year. And if you do that the Bengals arrest record becomes something that wouldn't raise an eyebrow...and would eliminate your ability to come here talking smack.

Whaaaat? So no upstanding citizen has ever had a DUI??? You're calling that a character flaw? LMFAO Where did YOU go to college? LOL

You have never heard me talk trash about him for being a "bungal 9". It isn't that the bengals player got arrested, it isn't that the bengals players hang out with woman who are MURDERERS, it's HOW MANY TIMES it kept happening that prompted the trash talk....

You keep agreeing with me, but you're too stupid to realize it. I've repeatedly claimed that it isn't the seriousness of most of the Bengal arrests that gets the attention of fugtards like yourself. It's the number of arrests. So off you quickly go claiming that Steinbach hasn't really done anything wrong...yet you still want to bust a Bengal fans chops because of..."HOW MANY TIMES" those types of things have happened. Well forgive for pointing out the obvious, but if I do exactly as you've done...and I have...then I can very easily dismiss almost all of the arrests of Bengal players. Thus, the numbers become almost meaningless.

Frankly, your willingness to dismiss the poor behavior of players you desire, while also attempting to pull weak smack talk out of your ass, makes you the perfect poster child for the type of hypocritical fan that I've been mocking for months.

[Dawg BpG]

and there you go again, putting words in my mouth. I never said I was dismissing what he did. I was saying what he did isn't a character flaw to be concerned about, but once again you can't understand anything I am posting. I can forgive a poor choise, I can't forgive a poor attitude and lifestyle.

I am not trying to talk smack here, but defending myself from your attack on me. You cannot call me a hipocrite because you don't know my veiws on football, have never seen them, and therfor have no frame of refference to call me a hypocrite. You can mock me all you want, that won't change the fact that you can't stand me not backing down. I could care less if your a mod or whatever. Trying to prove me wrong by avoiding issues, and dismissing me as a hipocrite isn't proving your point, it is only showing me your maturiy level.

If you cannot speak on the subject at hand without reverting to a twelve year old, you'll never win. I will admitt when I am wrong, but you haven't proved jack here, but your acting like you already proved something.

You keep acting like this is a Bengals Browns issue, and I assure you it isn't, only your defensive homerism won't let you get it through your head. This is a PURE FOOTBALL issue, otherwise I would have put this in the smack shack to begin with, or can you not comprehend that? I posed serious questions and opened them for discussion and you IMMEDIATLY resonded with something smartased and thought it was profound.

[HairOnFire]

I am not trying to talk smack here, but defending myself from your attack on me. You cannot call me a hipocrite because you don't know my veiws on football, have never seen them, and therfor have no frame of refference to call me a hypocrite. You can mock me all you want, that won't change the fact that you can't stand me not backing down. I could care less if your a mod or whatever.

Relax, I'm not a mod. I'm just some guy who likes bitch slapping you.

Here's the deal. I'm not putting words in your mouth. Far from it, in fact. I asked for your opinion, you gave it, and your opinion was exactly what I predicted.

In short, because you'd like to see Steinbach in a Browns uniform...something I already knew...I assumed you'd be very willing to dismiss his arrest as no big deal. And that's exactly what you did. So I do know your views on football, at least in the sense of what is relevant to this rant.

The idea that Steinbach has talent and you'd like to see in a Brown uniform is fine if that's as far as you go. We're actually in agreement on that point. However, when you admit that you believe that way yet still feel compelled to talk smack about "disgrace" and "winning, but at what cost"...well, that's the type of thing that makes you a raging hypocrite.

Last, I don't really care if you back down or not.

It's simply not relevant.

[Dawg BpG]

However, when you admit that you believe that way yet still feel compelled to talk smack about "disgrace" and "winning, but at what cost"...well, that's the type of thing that makes you a raging hypocrite.

It is a legit question that other people answered, yet you found the need to talk smack, in a non smack thread. Which is a blindside/low blow.

Ya,you are winning, but at what cost. I bet if I asked, "How does all of this effect your organization?" you would have a different attitude.

How has Steinbach disgraced YOUR organization? I am a hypocrite because your team can't keep out of the news, and making your organization look bad.

No i am not, Steinbach isn't the on making your organization look like said disgrace, so I do not see the correlation between me wanting steinbach, the organization being a disgrace, and me being a hipocrite.

THIS is what makes your team look stupid...NOT steinbach....

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MIAMI -- Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson was

questioned by Miami police regarding an investigation into the

shooting death of a man.

Johnson, a Miami native who played his college ball at Oregon

State, spoke with detectives Monday at police headquarters,

according to The Miami Herald.

"Chad has confirmed to the club that he cooperated with the

Miami Police earlier this week as part of an investigation," the

team said in a statement released Friday to The Associated Press.

"Police have characterized this as a routine procedure and have

stressed that Chad is not a suspect or even a person of interest in

this case."

Authorities have not said why Johnson was questioned or what

connection he may have had in the death of Curtis Tavares Dopson

last Friday.

The 27-year-old Dopson was shot near the doorway of a duplex he

moved into about four months ago, the newspaper said. No arrests

have been made.

NOT steinbach...Get it?

[HairOnFire]

No i am not, Steinbach isn't the on making your organization look like said disgrace, so I do not see the correlation between me wanting steinbach, the organization being a disgrace, and me being a hipocrite.

Your opinion of yourself isn't relevant because it's entirely self serving. The fact that you openly covet a Bengal player who was arrested for being drunk would be perfectly understandable if you didn't start the debate by engaging in a little smack talk regarding morality. Thus, you're a walking & talking example of blatant hypocrisy.

But don't let it bug you because it's what I expected.

And again, the fact that you don't see yourself that way is irrelevant.

For example, if you fell into a hole too deep to crawl out of, but you refused to acknowledge that you were in a hole....you'd still be in a hole, right?

[Dawg BpG]

Dude you are such a Liar, you started this debate with smack, not I.

*once again* I asked a question which other memebrs took no offense to, but you felt the need to try and smack me.

That's big talk coming from a fan of a team that finishes in last place every year. No matter. Take whatever comfort you can in losing the right way.

or did you forget?

You are the hipocrite, for calling me one because I started the debate with smack.

Morality? I don't beleive I ever mentioned morality. Keep making stuff up for your self serving argument, it's not working. But that's what I have come to expect from you...round and round in circles with your lies, making things up, changing contexts, and putting words in my mouth.

You telling me what you think I look like means nothing because I have proven your comprehension dull.

[HairOnFire]

You telling me what you think I look like means nothing because I have proven your comprehension dull.

All you've proven in this thread is that you can't spell. Well, that and the fact that anyone who starts a thread claiming they're not trying to talk smack is probably a liar.