Cincinnati Bengals: The Portland Trail Blazers of the NFL (or worse?) (draft, pro)

[nl2134]

Apparently, on the eve of Chris Henry's reinstatement back into the NFL, he gets into yet ANOTHER altercation (source: ESPN - Reinstated Bengals' Henry allegedly in altercation - NFL). Now briefly, let's comb over the history of Chris Henry:

West Virginia University - Suspended and ejected during sophomore year, other off field troubles.
Cincinnati Bengals - Speeding, possession of firearms and marijuana, sex crime, dismissed DUI, undismissed DUI, providing alcohol to minors, suspended for violating NFL's substance abuse policy and failed a court mandated drug test.

Then there's others...

Odell Thurman - Tons of potential to become a perennial Pro Bowler, yet has been suspended twice by the NFL and is currently not on the Bengals active roster.

AJ Nicholson - He was a star linebacker at FSU, and got kicked off the team the night of their BCS game. Bengals still draft him. Gets arrested for burglary, and now is out of the league

Reggie McNeal - In the same incident with Henry and Thurman (drunk driving)

Frostee Rucker - Star recruit for Colorado State, but gets arrested for sexually assulting an 11 year old (when he was 13), and for indecent exposure. Despite this, the Bengals STILL draft him. Arrested in 2006 for spousal abuse and vandalism.

They also seem to have a reputation as a safe-haven for those who have been arrested in the past (Chad Johnson and his assault at Santa Monica CC and Ahmad Brooks after his expulsion from the University of Virginia)

I mean I understand the franchise wanting to offer second chances to those who have screwed up (Johnson and Brooks have flourished), but after seeing what happened with Eric Steinbach (DUI), Rucker, McNeal and now Henry, you figure they'd change their ways. But I'm not so sure they will...

I don't know if I even have a point...just kind of a rant. I saw the Henry story and couldn't believe it.