Updated 8/31/2006 4:08 PM ET
Here's why the Bengals are holding onto troubled wide receiver Chris Henry. He can play, is clearly the team's third best receiver and has been the most impressive so far in the preseason.
In two stretches of live action — the team's scrimmage and preseason opener against the Redskins — Henry has come up big. He had five receptions for 117 yards and one touchdown in the scrimmage and six for 61 and one touchdown against Washington.
He did not play in the second preseason game at Buffalo because of a lingering hamstring injury.
Nobody has doubted the second-year receiver's talent on the field. But his off-field behavior and string of four arrests in seven months are what could derail — or at least detour — his football career.
"There is a lesson to be learned from all that," Henry said this week before a practice at Paul Brown Stadium. "But I just kind of want to put all that stuff behind me and move forward."
It's not that easy. Henry has a DUI case pending in Clermont County. He pleaded guilty to marijuana possession in Covington, stemming from a December arrest, and avoided jail time by completing a treatment program required by the NFL's substance abuse policy.
Once the DUI case is completed in Clermont County, Henry faces a likely four-game suspension for his second violation of league policy.
Beside the DUI, Henry still faces judgment in two other cases in two other states: Kentucky (providing alcohol to under-aged girls); and Florida (concealed weapon). Henry's trial on the latter is scheduled to begin Monday, Aug. 21, in Orlando; he is expected to miss some practices.
FULL STORY
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/footb...bears/home.htm
Bengals Chris Henry
Bengals Chris Henry
Linear Mode
