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Bengals Paid Chris Henry $2.5 Million, Now 'He's Broke ... He Has No Funds Whatsoever'

Michael David Smith — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:17:00 EST

Former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry made an estimated $2.5 million in his three seasons with the team. But he's now unemployed, and his lawyer says he's gone through every last penny of that $2.5 million -- to the point where he needs the taxpayers to aid in his legal defense in the assault charges he's currently facing:

"He's broke," said Perry Ancona, the former player's attorney. "He doesn't have any money to pay to pay for a transcript. ...

"He has no funds whatsoever and can't even meet his current obligations."

Henry's home has been foreclosed on and his car has been repossessed, and he's unlikely to find work again in the NFL. I would like to think that most people who threw away $2.5 million by their 25th birthdays would learn a lesson about living responsibly, but most people are not Chris Henry.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JULY 03: NFL player Randy Moss of the New England Patriots poses by the #81 Moss Motorsports truck prior to the start of practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 3, 2008 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR)

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JULY 03: NFL player Randy Moss of the New England Patriots and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team owner David Dollar speak to the media during a press conference prior to the start of practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 3, 2008 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JULY 03: NFL player Randy Moss of the New England Patriots speaks to the media during a press conference prior to the start of practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 3, 2008 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)

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NFL Football player Chad Johnson makes an appearance on MTV's "Total Request Live" at MTV Studios on Tuesday, July 1, 2008 in New York. The program will air on Thursday, July 3. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Actress-singer Vanessa Hudgens poses with NFL Football player Chad Johnson during an appearance on MTV's Total Request Live at MTV Studios on Tuesday, July 1, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

NFL Football player Chad Johnson talks with VJ Damien Fahey during an appearance on MTV's "Total Request Live" at MTV Studios on Tuesday, July 1, 2008 in New York. The program will air on Thursday, July 3. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Iowa Cubs pitcher Jeff Samardzija speaks to a reporter before his team's game against the Omaha Royals, Tuesday, July 1, 2008, in Des Moines, Iowa. Samardzija, who played wide receiver for Notre Dame, signed with the Chicago Cubs despite speculation that he could have been a first-round pick in the NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Bengals Paid Chris Henry $2.5 Million, Now 'He's Broke ... He Has No Funds Whatsoever' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:17:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While Chris Henry Was Inside a Courtroom ... His Car Was Being Repo'd Outside

Sportz Assassin — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:53:00 EST

Filed under: Bengals, AFC North, NFL Police Blotter, Cincinnati

This is both funny and tragic at the same time. Former Bengals' WR Chris Henry was in court during jury selection for his assault trial, his car was being repossessed right outside (you can see a picture of it being towed here).

The SUV was hooked to the tow truck, but didn't get towed because the lot's owners ordered the tow truck off the lot. The lot owners said that, since they didn't call the truck, it couldn't take the SUV.

Now, Henry is saying that it is all some sort of misunderstanding ... but this is just plain stupid. If you haven't been paying your car note for a while, why drive that car to the one place where everyone knows you will be.

"Let's see, I need to find Chris Henry's car to repo it. Hmmm. He's due to be in court today. I'll take the tow truck by the courthouse to see if he is dumb enough to drive it there."

In all seriousness, this cannot end well for Henry. He had his house, essentially, repo'd last month after just paying $800 in over two years on it. He doesn't seem to be that smart when it comes to managing money, he has no job, he has a lot of legal fees and it wasn't like he was a highly paid player when he was with the Bengals.

While Chris Henry Was Inside a Courtroom ... His Car Was Being Repo'd Outside originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Key to Bengals' 2008 Season Will Be Their Ability to Stop the Run: Pt II

Sportz Assassin — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:16:00 EST

Filed under: Bengals, AFC North, Cincinnati

Yesterday, I wrote that the key to the Bengals 2008 season will be their ability to stop the run. They will face an 1,000 yard rusher in 13 of their 16 games next season ... with the other three games against some damn good backs, too.

In that post, I focused on who Cincinnati would face. The names and stats of those backs that will be licking their chops at the Bengals maligned defense. Today, I'm looking at what the Bengals did against such backs last season.

Let me preface this by saying that Cincinnati's defense should be a bit improved this year. They added some free agents, a new defensive coordinator and the young guys are a year older. Still, I'm going to look back at what the Bengals defense ... with a lot of the same personnel ... did last year.

Over at The Cincy Jungle, they point out that the Bengals were pretty good against the 1,000 yd rushers they faced last year. Of the 12 games they faced 1,000 yd rushers ... only four topped the 100 yd mark against the Bengals. That's pretty good.

Except for one thing: why is 100 yards the bar set for these guys? I know that a 100-yd day is usually looked at as success for a running back, but how is holding a back to a little less that 100-yds looked at as a great game?

Only three players (Adrian Peterson, LaDainian Tomlinson and Brandon Jacobs) even averaged 90+ yards per game last season -- only 11 guys averaged 80 ypg. None averaged more than 95.8 yds a game. So I don't think stating that you held a guy under 100 yds means you did your job.

Instead, I'm going to look at these running backs' per game averages to see what Cincinnati did. In that light, it doesn't look to good.

On the 16 games the Bengals played last season, they held the leading opposing rusher under his average just four times (they also held Willie Parker to nearly exactly his average in one game). One of those times, against the Jets' Thomas Jones, they held him to just three yards under his average.

A look ...

Willis McGahee (75.4 ypg): 77 yds
Jamal Lewis (81 ypg): 216 yds
Shawn Alexander (55 ypg): 100 yds
Sammy Morris (64 ypg): 117 yds
Larry Johnson (69.8 ypg): 117 yds
Thomas Jones (69.9 ypg): 67 yds
Willie Parker (87 ypg): 126 yds
Marshawn Lynch (85.8 ypg): 153 yds
Willis McGahee (75.4 ypg): 60 yds
Edgerrin James (76.4 ypg): 52 yds
LenDale White (69.4 ypg): 27 yds
Willie Parker (87 ypg): 87 yds
Steven Jackson (83.5 ypg): 91 yds
Frank Gore (73.5 ypg): 138 yds
Jamal Lewis (81 ypg): 92 yds
Jesse Chatman (36.7 ypg): 42 yds

It is interesting to note of the four games they held the leading rusher under their average ... they won three of them. The one they lost ... to Arizona ... was the game which the Cards' Antrelle Rolle picked off two passes and returned both for TDs.

The Jungle did notice one promising trend: Cincy's defense didn't allow a TD to a running back in their final six games (they did give up rushing TDs to QBs Shaun Hill and Ben Roethlisberger during that stretch).

Key to Bengals' 2008 Season Will Be Their Ability to Stop the Run: Pt II originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:16:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Key to Bengals' 2008 Season Will Be Their Ability to Stop the Run: Pt I

Sportz Assassin — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:44:00 EST

Filed under: Bengals, AFC North, Cincinnati

There are a lot of reasons NFL teams win and lose football games. But failing to stop the opponent from running the ball equals a slow, painful demise.

The Cincinnati Bengals will have this theory tested quite a bit during the 2008 season. Cincy was just 21st against the run and had the 27th ranked overall defense last year. They have one hellacious schedule (8 games against playoff teams; 3 games against teams that just missed the playoffs; 4 games against teams with losing records).

As Chick Ludwig at the Ludwig at Large blog reminds us, the Bengals will also have 13 games against a guy that ran for over 1,000 yards last year.

They will face Willie Parker (Steelers-1,312), Willis McGahee (Ravens-1,207) and Jamal Lewis (Browns-1,304) twice this season. They will also see Brian Westbrook (Eagles-1,333), Clinton Portis (Redskins-1,262), Fred Taylor (Jaguars-1,202), Thomas Jones (Jets-1,119), LenDale White (Titans-1,110), Joseph Addai (Colts-1,072) and Brandon Jacobs (Giants-1,009).

And that didn't even mention Maurice Jones-Drew. Or Steelers rookie Rashard Mendenhall, Ravens rookie Ray Rice, Titans rookie Chris Johnson or Giants' playoff marvel Ahmad Bradshaw. There are also nice complementary backs like Ladell Betts, Correll Buckhalter, Leon Washington or Indy's stable of backs.

Oh, and the three games where they don't face a 1,000-yard rusher? One is against Larry Johnson's Kansas City Chiefs. Another is against the Dallas Cowboys ... who boast bruising runner Marion Barber (who finished with 975 rushing yards) and rookie speedster Felix Jones. LJ had injury issues all last year; Barber didn't start one game during the regular season for the 'Boys.

The only game remaining is against the Houston Texans. Ahman Green is still around, but they also added Chris Brown and drafted Steve Slaton. That's not a horrible committee there.

That means the Bengals face four of the top six rushers from last year (two of them they face twice). Of the top 18 rushers in 2007, the Bengals face 11 of them -- three of them the get twice.

That's quite a daunting task for a team that isn't known for winning too many battles in the trenches on the defensive side of the ball.

Key to Bengals' 2008 Season Will Be Their Ability to Stop the Run: Pt I originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:44:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chad Johnson Settles in 'Bogus Raffle' Suit

Sportz Assassin — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:37:00 EST

Filed under: Bengals, AFC North, Cincinnati

Bengals WR Chad Johnson has settled in the class action suit against him regarding a bogus raffle.

To get you up to speed, Ocho Cinco and the Funny Bone Comedy Club were sued because there was a raffle held at the club in which Chad Johnson was giving away a Lexus. Well, the Lexus was instead given to Chad's girlfriend as the raffle ticket buyers stood by and watched.

Come to find out that there were other prizes that Chad agreed to raffle off (trips, tickets) that winners were stiffed on, too. Hence the class action suit.

Well, Chad and the club have agreed to pay $100,000 to the 30 people involved in the suit. The case was set to go to trial next Monday.

So, what does this mean? Well, that payment equals out to $3,333 per person ... and that is before legal fees and all that kind of stuff comes out. At best, the patrons will receive much more than their money back, justice was served (I guess) and we can freeze frame out into the credits.

Chad Johnson Settles in 'Bogus Raffle' Suit originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:37:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chris Henry's Former Kentucky Home Trashed

Sportz Assassin — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:47:00 EST

Filed under: Bengals, AFC North, NFL Police Blotter, Cincinnati

The (former) house that (former) Bengals WR Chris Henry lived in was trashed over the weekend. Cincinnati's ABC affiliate WCPO is reporting that vandals broke in during the night hours of Sunday night/Monday morning and tore up the place.

Glass was broken, a staircase was smashed and paint was thrown everywhere.

Above is a picture of Henry's home that I took just days before it was foreclosed on and auctioned off. The neighborhood he lives in ... in Union, KY ... is a pretty nice area. It isn't über-wealthy, but the people who live in that area are well-to-do. Homes in the $200,000 and up range with many condos surround the neighboring area.

Also, there really isn't much land between the houses. It looks like any other subdivision.

What I'm saying is that it is shocking that (a) anyone did this and (b) no one heard anything. His home is on the corner (just as you turn onto his street) so it is would be easy to break into his house undetected. The day I took the picture, he had many of his neighbors outside doing things, so I know those houses are occupied. With all the windows being smashed, you'd think someone who have heard something.

Henry's house was appraised for $365,000. It sold to the company that held the mortage at the auction for $240,000.

Chris Henry's Former Kentucky Home Trashed originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:47:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chad Johnson Had 'Wonderful' Conversation With Carson Palmer, Now Loves Bengals

Michael David Smith — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:11:00 EST

Filed under: Bengals, Cincinnati

In case you're having a hard time keeping track of the many moods of Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson, the team's official web site has a story in which he's quoted extensively, saying nothing but good things about the team and especially quarterback Carson Palmer.

Johnson said he had a "wonderful" conversation with Palmer at this week's minicamp, and then added:

"He looked at film and looked at the things we missed on from Week 1 to Week 16 and he said 1,800 (yards) was reachable if we're perfect," Johnson said. "Of course, Carson and I were off on plays we usually clicked. We left a lot of plays on the field. We talked about what he and I need to do starting in July. We have a lot of work to do."

What, you have a lot of work to do starting in July? What happened to being adamant that you wouldn't report to camp? I guess that went out the window when you realized you had no leverage at all in seeking a new contract, eh Ocho?

Chad Johnson Had 'Wonderful' Conversation With Carson Palmer, Now Loves Bengals originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:11:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chad Johnson to Have Ankle Surgery Tomorrow; Will Be Back By Training Camp

Sportz Assassin — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Bengals, AFC North, NFL Injuries, Cincinnati

NFL.com's Adam Schefter is reporting that Bengals WR Chad Johnson will have surgery tomorrow on his ankle to remove bone chips.

Johnson is expected to be ready for training camp. Last week, Johnson and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, pointed out that the receiver had bone chips in his ankle that required surgery. Now Johnson is scheduled to have it.

Johnson fully participated in drills for the first time Saturday as the Bengals wrapped up their minicamp. He limited himself to a few drills during workouts on Thursday and Friday, complaining through Rosenhaus that he had a bad ankle.

The article goes on to say that Chad had this injury last season and the team asked him to have the surgery then (he declined). Upon reporting to minicamp last week, Ocho Cinco claimed he was injured and was the reason he didn't participate in drills. And now ... in mid-June ... he is deciding to finally get it looked at.

As FanHouse-r Ryan Wilson laid out in his Four Easy Steps to Get Traded, I'm sure this is in there somewhere. I think it is in the Shaquille O'Neal chapter of "I got hurt on company time so I'm having surgery on company time".

Chad Johnson to Have Ankle Surgery Tomorrow; Will Be Back By Training Camp originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:58:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chad Johnson Gives Strange Walk-and-Talk Interview to TV Reporter

Michael David Smith — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:49:00 EST

Filed under: Bengals, Cincinnati

Just about everything that has happened surrounding Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson has been strange, and this interview, via The Big Lead, is no exception:

"Who said I was upset?" Johnson demanded to know, after he was asked about an off-season in which he repeatedly stated that he wants to be traded.

Johnson then turned the tables on his interviewer, demanding to know what the reporter did during the off-season. Maybe Johnson doesn't realize this, but the reporters who cover him don't stop working when the Bengals' season ends.

Chad Johnson Gives Strange Walk-and-Talk Interview to TV Reporter originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:49:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chad Johnson Practices With Bengals, Endorses Barack Obama

Michael David Smith — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 18:34:00 EST

Filed under: Bengals, Cincinnati

Disgruntled Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson participated, for the first time this off-season, in a full team practice.

Maybe that means Johnson is starting to accept the fact that he signed a contract with the Bengals and he's going to have to abide by it. Or maybe it means nothing at all. After all, the only thing Johnson would say to reporters afterward is "Vote for Obama."

Ordinarily I'd say picking up the endorsement of a high-profile athlete in what might be the most important swing state would have to be a major coup for Barack Obama. But considering how many Cincinnati fans Johnson has alienated recently, John McCain might be pleased to hear this news.

So how did Johnson look on the field? "He's rusty," offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski said of Johnson. "I told him he looked rusty. Nobody likes to hear that. He's going against guys who have been out here for 14, 16 practices, you know. You're going to look that way."

Chad Johnson Practices With Bengals, Endorses Barack Obama originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 14 Jun 2008 18:34:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ESPNews Reports that NFL Suspends Chris Henry for the 2008 Season

Sportz Assassin — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:25:00 EST

Filed under: Bengals, AFC North, NFL Police Blotter, Cincinnati

ESPNews is reporting that former Bengals WR Chris Henry will be suspended for the 2008 season. Henry, who currently isn't on anyone's roster, was suspended for the first eight games of 2007 due to a variety of off-field incidents.

This is the second Bengals player that had been suspended in the past ... then let go from the team after the suspension was lifted ... to be suspended for the upcoming season. Odell Thurman got the same treatment when he was given a season-long suspension earlier this week.

Henry is currently on house arrest, even though he has lost his home. He was cut by the Bengals two months ago after a week-long run of weirdness ... which included assault, getting unruly in a club and getting arrested.

Again, Henry isn't signed with any team, so all this announcement does is keep any team from going after him. He is still "free" to sign with any team, but both parties will know that he cannot suit up until, at least, the 2009 season. Even then, you run the risk of his suspension getting extended and/or him getting into more trouble.

UPDATE: Word is that Henry's suspension could be lifted if he is acquitted of his latest run-in with the law, an assault of a Cincinnati man.

ESPNews Reports that NFL Suspends Chris Henry for the 2008 Season originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chad Johnson Reports to Bengals' Practice, Brings Bad Attitude With Him

Michael David Smith — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:06:00 EST

Filed under: Bengals, Cincinnati

Cincinnati wide receiver Chad Johnson, who has avoided all voluntary off-season workouts and repeatedly expressed his displeasure with the team this off-season, reported for duty to the Bengals' mandatory minicamp this morning.

But that doesn't mean he's cheerily doing what's asked of him. Johnson apparently claimed he was hurt, got on the practice field 10 minutes late, and stood off to the sideline while the rest of the wide receivers went through their drills.

I have a feeling that this simply isn't going to work out: Johnson doesn't like the Bengals, the Bengals don't like Johnson, and eventually they're going to have to go their separate ways. Johnson is a talented player who can make some team better, but if he stays with the Bengals, his bad attitude is going to make them worse.

Chad Johnson Reports to Bengals' Practice, Brings Bad Attitude With Him originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:06:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Odell Thurman's Suspension: One Year

Sportz Assassin — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 03:05:00 EST

Filed under: Bengals, AFC North, Cincinnati

Last week, it was revealed that ex-Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman violated the NFL's substance abuse policy and would be suspended indefinitely. Word has come down that the suspension will be for at least one season, causing him to miss the entire 2008 season.

This will be the third straight season that Thurman will miss. He was suspended for the 2006 season after violation the league's substance abuse policy (plus a drunk driving charge); the suspension was extended for the entire 2007 season after commish Roger Goodell gave Thurman's reinstatement the thumbs down.

He eventually was granted reinstatement this past April and seemed ready to get on with his football career. Less than a month later, however, the Bengals cut Thurman as he was mourning the loss of his grandmother.

At that time, the timing seemed a bit off. The team claimed that they had asked Thurman to be at a workout (he wasn't there) and they let him go. With him burying his grandmother, it did seem like a cold move. However, maybe the team knew about this missed test or positive test and went ahead and cut ties with him.

That could be the case since Thurman's agent seemed content with the Bengals explaination to releasing Thurman (most people felt that he had a good cause to file a greivance with the players association). Speculation grew that there may have been some you-don't-file-a-grievance-and-we-won't-rat-you-out-so-you-can-find-a-new-team agreement between the sides.

Odell Thurman's Suspension: One Year originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 09 Jun 2008 03:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ocho Cinco is Bukked Nekked in the Upcoming 'ESPN The Mag'

Sportz Assassin — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:09:00 EST

Filed under: Bengals, AFC North, NFL Media Watch, Cincinnati, ESPN

Just what I needed to see: Chad Johnson in all his glory. And that's what you get when you open up your mailbox (or hit the newsstand) this week and see the newest ESPN the Magazine.

Yep, Ocho Cinco will be naked. Naked with no clothes on (see the pic for yourself here). In his birthday suit ... give or take a ton of tatts since then.

The only thing separating us from his junk is the book The Chad Way. At least coach Marvin Lewis can tell if Chad is in good shape.

ESPN is letting Chad be the guest editor-in-chief for the newest Mag ... which is the second annual "Revenge of the Jocks" issue. And he has no problem going Janet Jackson on us:

Anything that's against what's right and normal and traditional but not over the top? Do it. Always. They won't admit it, but that's what everybody wants. Me editing a magazine? Why not? Taking over the NFL? Posing nude for the cover? Pushing the envelope? Why not? It's a whole new me. I'm free. Free as a bird. So why not? ...

People want to call me controversial. Okay, yeah, I celebrate. I've voiced a strong opinion about my team and wanting out of Cincinnati. Whoop-de-do. No DUIs. No arrests. No domestic violence. No nothing. Except a goddamn Hall of Fame jacket and a couple of dances.

Ocho Cinco is Bukked Nekked in the Upcoming 'ESPN The Mag' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:09:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bengals' Shirley to Miss Minicamp to Tend to Legal Matters

Sportz Assassin — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:53:00 EST

Filed under: Bengals, AFC North, NFL Police Blotter, Cincinnati

Bengals rookie Jason Shirley will likely miss the Bengals' minicamp in order to tend to some legal issues. Shirley has been on trial for a drunk driving incident which saw him plow his car into an apartment complex.

Well, a mistrial was declared after the jury couldn't reach a verdict ... meaning the case will be re-tried at the end of the month. Jury motions begin next week (and so does the Bengals' minicamp).

Shirley faces three misdemeanor counts: DUI, driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 or higher and hit and run. He also has a hearing on a fourth charge of driving on a suspended license.

This is a shame because the Bengals really need their new guys in this camp (especially the defensive ones). Also, the purge of the bad apples in the offseason was supposed to signify a new way in Cincinnati. Of course, Shirley was still in college when this happened so the team must be understanding with this situation since they knew of it when they drafted him.

Bengals' Shirley to Miss Minicamp to Tend to Legal Matters originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Former Bengal Convicted of Writing a Bad Check for a Pickup Truck

Sportz Assassin — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:07:00 EST

Filed under: Bengals, AFC North, NFL Police Blotter, Cincinnati

We all know about the Bengals recent woes involving the police blotter. Well, one of their better players from the past decides to get in on the action.

Former Cincinnati Bengal great, Pete Johnson, was found guilty for writing a bad check to buy a pickup truck. He was acquitted of another charge for grand theft auto.

Johnson, 53, faces up to one year in prison and a fine of $2,500 following his conviction Monday in Champaign County Common Pleas Court. He will be sentenced July 21.

Johnson played for Ohio State from 1973-1976 and then with the Bengals until 1983. He was indicted by a grand jury in December after an auto dealer told police in Mechanicsburg that Johnson bought a 2001 Dodge Ram truck at auction in September for $13,300 and paid for it with a bad check.

Johnson's defense was that he thought he had sufficient funds to back the check and testimony shows that he was since paid the full balance.

Johnson led the Bengals in rushing in all seven of his seasons in Cincinnati. In 1984, he was dealt to the Chargers for RB James Brooks, who went onto his own nice career in the orange and black.

Currently, Pete is fourth on the franchise's all-time rushing list -- trailing only Corey Dillon, Brooks and current Bengal Rudi Johnson. He also owns the franchise record for most TDs scored and is the Bengals all-time leading scorer among non-kickers.

Former Bengal Convicted of Writing a Bad Check for a Pickup Truck originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:07:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Expect Chad Johnson to Show Up to Minicamp

Michael David Smith — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Bengals, Cincinnati

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson is unhappy and would love to be traded. But he's under contract, the Bengals say they're not planning to trade him, and that makes his options very limited.

That's why, as PFT reports, Johnson is likely to show up to the team's mandatory minicamp on June 12. His options -- like the options of all players under contract -- are fairly limited. If the team simply refuses to get rid of him, he can basically choose to either end his football career or to suck it up and play under the terms of the contract he signed.

The one complicating factor is that Johnson could play under the terms of his contract -- but not play his hardest. If Johnson is giving up on routes, refusing to cooperate with his coaches and teammates, and so on, the team and the player could be headed on a collision course. If Johnson really is that unhappy, the smart move for the Bengals would be to trade Johnson. But the Bengals don't always make the smart move.

Expect Chad Johnson to Show Up to Minicamp originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 01 Jun 2008 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lawyer Says Chad Johnson Has the 'Mental Agility of a Small Soap Dish'

Sportz Assassin — Fri, 30 May 2008 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Bengals, AFC North, NFL Media Watch, Cincinnati

On Cincinnati's local radio station 1530AM Homer this morning, host Alan Cutler had on attorney Eric Deters. Deters is representing a class action suit against Bengals WR Chad Johnson over a raffle that winners didn't receive their prizes.

When asked about Ocho Cinco not being very bright, Deters responded:

"No not at all. Mental agility of a small soap dish."

"It's a Greek tragedy. It's a Shakespearean tragedy. It's all the talent, all the fun, the city loves him, and he just ... for no good reason at all ... turns against the entire city."

The interview starts at the 3:15 mark with Reds talk, and then it moves into the Chad Johnson trial at 7:30. Deters even speculated that he's heard rumors that Chad Johnson won't even show up for the trial and even suggested that he is struggling financially after failing to pay property taxes.

He also touches on the possibility Johnson may have perjured himself in his deposition. He also got off this blast:

"The intellectual capacity there is lacking ... I don't understand how he can understand a playbook."

The trial is set for June 30th.

Previously at FanHouse:
Chad Johnson Sued for Bogus Raffle
Chad Johnson Doesn't Pay Property Taxes

Lawyer Says Chad Johnson Has the 'Mental Agility of a Small Soap Dish' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 30 May 2008 12:31:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Chad Johnson Doesn't Pay Property Taxes, Owes Hamilton County $13,000

Michael David Smith — Wed, 28 May 2008 09:02:00 EST

Filed under: Bengals, Cincinnati

Has Ocho Cinco paid cero in taxes?

Local 12 News in Cincinnati is reporting that Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson has never paid property taxes on his condo and owes $13,000:

The Hamilton County Auditor's Office says the NFL star hasn't paid a dime on his condo since he bought it four years ago. ...

The auditor's office says Johnson owes more than $13,000 in taxes for his condo. He's delinquent $12,780.
$8,000 of it would've gone to Cincinnati schools.

Johnson has a reputation as a cheapskate, from his failure to reimburse Saints coach Sean Payton after Payton got him extra tickets to a Saints-Bengals game, to his failure to give away a prize he had offered as part of a charity raffle. But failure to pay taxes? I have a feeling that's one he won't get away with.

Report: Chad Johnson Doesn't Pay Property Taxes, Owes Hamilton County $13,000 originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 28 May 2008 09:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bengals THEN Certainly Affects the NOW

Sportz Assassin — Sat, 24 May 2008 02:52:00 EST

Filed under: Bengals, AFC North, Cincinnati

Head coach Marvin Lewis passed out t-shirts to his Bengals team with the word NOW plastered across the back. It is the latest in a line of slogans Lewis' brings out to try to unite his team. I'm not as giddy about these things as the next guy, but I do like the sentiment.

However, to even attempt to deal with the NOW, you must remember the THEN because, of course, it is greatly affecting the NOW.

THEN: Chad Johnson's spring of chatting his way out of Cincinnati has been a blackest cloud over the organization. He's threatened not to show up to anything and has spent his time being a horrible teammate. NOW: Well, he is eating up a lot of cap space, is a huge part of what the Bengals want to do on offense and will be a huge distraction if he is or isn't in camp.

THEN: TJ Houshmandzadeh tied for the NFL lead in receptions last season. NOW: He wants to get paid like it. This story goes almost hand-in-hand with the Chad Johnson one. Housh deserves to get his raise ... but how much? And will it drive a bigger wedge between the team and Ocho Cinco?

THEN: The 2005 Draft. NOW: Only one guy remains from that draft class after Odell Thurman and Chris Henry were shown the door this offseason and David Pollack retired. This was supposed to be Year 4 for those players in which they'd become key members of Cincy's success. Instead, they are talented, yet troubled (aside from Pollack), ex-Bengals who turned into nothing for the team.

THEN: Young Carson Palmer. NOW: Veteran Carson Palmer. Palmer is one of the better QBs in this league. Now it is time for Palmer to go from Franchise QB to a QB that defines the franchise. I love Palmer's skill set ... but I hate his leadership skills thus far. I must admit that I don't know what he's like in the locker room (where rumors are that he will rip into a teammate), but publicly he's a bore. Despite having ample opportunities to try to reel his team in this spring, he really hasn't. At least, not yet. Hopefully Palmer becomes that kind of guy that will truly become the face of this franchise ... instead of the Chris Henrys, Chad Johnsons and Odell Thurmans. Palmer has a great opportunity to become this great leader if he wants it.

THEN: Drafting Kenny Irons and Chris Perry. NOW: A stable of unstable backs. Last year I wrote that Rudi Johnson's job was is jeopardy and I still believe that. I thought that Irons would be that guy to supplant him, but the same bad luck that has hit Perry bit him as well. Kenny Watson and DeDe Dorsey came out of the blue to do some nice things for the Bengals ... but the inactivity of the Bengals this offseason in the backfield shows us that they still believe in Rudi. I'm not saying Rudi is a bad player, it is just that workhorse backs tend to flame out. We all know that backs tend to go downhill once they hit 30 and Rudi turns 29 in October.

THEN: Expectations. NOW: Malaise. Fans have dealt with a lot of crap since the early 1990s. Hope was found only in a few late season runs that many felt was a sign of turning the corner. That 2005 season where the Bengals won the AFC North gave Cincy fans a taste of the good life. I mean, everyone was having fun. Now, the team hovers around mediocrity (which was a decent thing before) and embarrasses with their off-field headlines. Players are bitching, fans are turning and nothing is fun anymore. It happened that quick. It's one thing when a bad team has a bad season ... but the Bengals have left a golden opportunity on the table.

THEN: Nonsense. NOW: A new beginning.

This is where I hope this franchise is heading. Up to this point, there has been a lot of noise and very little substance coming from this team. You can point fingers, but everyone involved with the Bengals are at fault. This organization was/is spinning out of control and needs a point where it gets righted. Hopefully Marvin Lewis is fed up and feels the pressure to get this thing back on track. Dumping Henry and Thurman seems like a good start and standing up to Chad Johnson was quite a surprise.

Hopefully NOW the Bengals can finally realize some potential.

Bengals THEN Certainly Affects the NOW originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 24 May 2008 02:52:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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