Cincinnati Bengals: The new Trailblazers?

Portland fans can breathe a sigh of relief. There is a new team dominating bad headlines: the Cincinnati Bengals. While it has not become a team epidemic quite like the Trailblazers, Wide Reciever Chris Henry and recently drafted Linebacker AJ Nicholson have caught the ire of head coach Marvin Lewis and media outlets across the country. Henry showed great promise in his rookie year a season ago hauling in six touchdowns as a number three receiver. Standing at six feet four inches, he provided a large target in the red zone and change of pace from starting receivers Chad Johnson and TJ Houshmandzadeh. However, he's been the main culprit in the offseason, registering four criminal offenses ranging in severity. In comparison, their recent draftee Nicholson has been brought up on charges stemming from a robbery involving a former teammate. That news must be resonating well in his new locker room. His future teammates must as anxious to see him as the Yankees would be to welcome back Ruben Rivera. The Bengals used their 4th round selection in this year's draft on Nicholson, a promising linebacker out of Florida State.

Being a fourth round selection, there's no guarantee Nicholson will be on the final roster following a turbulent offseason. The bigger question will be whether Henry's future with the team is in jeopardy. His blend of size and speed makes him a very special wide receiver and a perfect third option in the passing game. However, Marvin Lewis is a hard-nosed coach with very little tolerance for troublemakers. Although Henry has been involved in several different criminal acts, the nature of Nicholson's crime will make his path to the NFL very difficult. It is unfathomable to steal from a teammate and certainly grounds for an immediate release (as the Yankees did with Rivera). Unfortunately, Henry's year-one success and great potential will keep him on the field despite an array of infractions. Although he should face punishments for the leauge for his four indictments since December, it is likely those will be focused on getting him in to rehabilitation groups as opposed to costing him paychecks or playing time. His rap sheet since December reads like a laundry list of typical "thug" behavior. He's been charged with marijuana possession, speeding and drunken driving, weapon possession, and most recently supplying alcohol to minors. One of the minors also alleged she was the victim of rape, but holes in her story led to the dismissal of those charges. Although they have been dropped, there seems to be at least a very likely chance of consensual sex with the minor, which is also known as statutory rape. Henry still stands trial for some of these charges, but likely will get off with fines. Hopefully the league and Bengals will take a firm stance with both of these players. The Bengals finally removed themselves as the doormats of the National Football League, if they tolerate such heinous crimes from their players, they will certainly return to that status.