Bengals Draft Bernard Scott, Another Player With Extensive Legal Troubles

It's late in Day 2 of the NFL Draft, and it's at this point in the proceedings that teams take chances on high-risk, big-upside players. Or, if you're the Bengals, you draft the guy with the longest rap sheet. Cincy used their sixth-round compensatory pick on running back Bernard Scott, most recently of Abilene Christian.

This New York Times article from Nov. 28, 2008 paints a sobering picture of a 24-year-old who has struggled to say out of trouble his entire life. Scott has been arrested on five separate occasions, and was kicked off the University of Central Arkansas team for hitting a coach who tried to break up an on-field fight during spring practice in 2005. For what it's worth, Scott denied striking the coach.

Central Arkansas head coach Clint Conque told the Times:

"He's a tremendous, tremendous football player," Conque said by telephone. "He hates school, doesn't trust a lot of people and obviously has some anger issues. I'm hoping that he's matured some, but he maybe is one of the best pure running backs as far as balance, skills sets, vision and elusiveness."

Apparently, the Bengals are hoping for the same. Again.