Fan Pulse: Bengals bringing back a familiar suspended player

By Neal Coolong  |   Tuesday, August 19, 2008  |  Comments( 5 )

Cincinnati Bengals
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Let it be known in Cincinnati, unlawful acts by members of its football team will not be tolerated any longer unless the club suffers a rash of injuries to its wide receiving unit.

According to sources close to Cincinnati Enquirer reporter Mark Curnette, the Bengals will announce the re-signing of troubled receiver Chris Henry today, pending a physical. Henry has been on house arrest in his Cincinnati apartment, writes Curnette, and is still under a four-game NFL-mandated suspension to be served at the start of this season.

Bengals WR Chad Johnson sprained his shoulder in the team's preseason loss to Detroit on Aug. 17, and T.J. Houshmandzadeh is having hamstring problems. Rookie Andre Caldwell missed the Aug. 17 game with a toe injury.

Of the 64 voters on the Bengals Official Message Board who have participated thus far in a poll asking if fans agree with the signing of Henry, 38 say they do, while 26 don't.

One poster under a thread welcoming Henry back to the team, justifies the controversial move with a "if-you-can't-beat-'em, join-'em" attitude.

"Back in the day a players personal life wasn't any of our business and we didn't know anything about it. It "should" still be that way unless it's murder, rape, ect.. The media hasn't been kind before, during, and after Henry's release. They haven't been kind since the 1980s. As far as I'm concerned, we have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Teams like the Cowboys can run around and pick these guys back up and nothing is said. They remain media darlings. Their SB teams of the 90's were full of arrests. Michael Irvin had prostitution, cocaine , and separate crack charges. Yet, he is an ESPN analyst. A network that has led the way in criticizing the Bengals."

Another poster highlights the unavoidable comedic potshots that will be taken at this situation for a while.

"I think Chris has grown up to being a man now...So I expect his next arrest to be grand theft auto."

Henry can't drive a car, though, after having had his license suspended for a variety of violations. He can't play in the first four games this season, either, which doesn't seem to provide the Bengals with any immediate help at their depleted receiver position. But in a league where second chances are given out like free bottles of Gatorade, it justifies the Bengals' move to bring him back. Had Henry not have been suspended for four games, he likely wouldn't have been cut at all, let alone still be available this late in the preseason.

All he needs to do to be accepted by Bengals and NFL fans is to live in the absence of arrest and catch a few touchdowns. One poster defines it simply for Henry and for the optimism of Bengals fans.

"Getting an NFL paycheck is a nice thing. Not getting an NFL paycheck means things ain't so nice. Never doubted Henry's ability on the field from the day we drafted him. Full of doubt's about him as a person, being able to stay out of trouble. He should change his number and hopefully change his life. This is it Chris, please dont' let us, the team and yourself down."
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About Neal Coolong

Neal Coolong is a freelance sports writer with contributions to Scout.com, AOL and Steelers Live. He lives with his fiance in St. Paul, Minn., and saves every dime (that she knows about) for their wedding next June. He's already made the prediction that the Steelers 2007 draft class will be one ...
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