Two receivers who want to play for the Dallas Cowboys will be on the opposing sideline tomorrow when the Cowboys host the Cincinnati Bengals. Chris Henry was added to the active roster today after serving a four-game suspension. He is eligible to play for the first time this season. And Chad Ocho Cinco Johnson, who spent most of his offseason blabbing about how he wanted to play for anyone except the Bengals (but especially the Cowboys), will get his chance to run around on the Texas Stadium turf. He even said he was going to kiss the star in the middle of the field:

“If I score Sunday, I love Dallas so much, I’m going to take my helmet off, get a fine and kiss the star ….. OK, when I score, I’m going to take my helmet off and kiss the star. Can I do that?”

I don’t know, can you? It’s certainly not a given. After four games, he only has 11 catches for 116 yards and one touchdown. The antics of Chad Johnson Ocho Cinco and Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens will probably be enough to satisfy the price of admission. But you also have a possible matchup between oft-troubled Dallas DB Adam Jones and the aforementioned oft-troubled Chris Henry (who used to be oft-troubled teammates at WVU). It should be an interesting day. I doubt it will be much of a game. But fun to watch.

Source: Bengals.com, Dallas Morning News

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Cincinnati Bengals Activate Chris Henry, Ocho Cinco Plans to ‘Kiss the Star’ in Dallas

It looks like wide receiver Chris Henry will be rejoining the Cincinnati Bengals after all. This cracks me up. Previously the team was adamant they were not interested in bringing Chris back, saying they were trying to be more conscientious of the guys they bring in. Well, this obviously only applies if they’re not going to be thin at a certain position. Receiver Chad Johnson is going to miss the rest of the preseason (at least) with a shoulder injury and even though Chris will have to serve a four game suspension to start the season, the Bengals know they need him to bolster their receiving corps.

Whatever. I don’t get it. I do think Chris deserves another chance, but I think his best ‘nother chance is somewhere other than Cincinnati. I think he needs a change of scenery, much like Adam Jones is getting with the Dallas Cowboys. Chris said before that he would be happy to return to Cincinnati, so he’s getting his wish. We’ll see what he does with this unprecedented opportunity.

Source: ESPN.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Chris Henry Returning to Cincinnati

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry may resume his NFL career, but not until he serves a four game suspension first. Considering his troubled past, he has to be pretty happy with the decision that was handed down by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell today. If a team signs him (and some team will), Chris may participate in training camp and preseason games with that team. Then he’ll have to take a seat before becoming eligible to play in the final 12 games of the regular season. Is he worth the risk? I think so.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Chris Henry to Serve Four Game Suspension

If former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry is reinstated, he’s open to a return to Cincinnati. Chris’ agent, Marvin Frazier, said his client was interested in several teams, including the Bengals. Chris added:

“Going back to the Bengals is possible. I wouldn’t mind it happening because I loved playing in Cincinnati. I got real close with all the guys out there and I planned on being out there for a long time. I really had a good time playing ball out there in Ohio.”

Maybe Chris wouldn’t mind playing for the Bengals, but it isn’t going to happen. The Bengals released him for a reason and I don’t expect them to change their minds if Chris is reinstated. Other than New Orleans or Dallas, I don’t know what Chris has in mind, but he’ll have to be on his best behavior wherever it is.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Chris Henry Open to Cincinnati Return

Image details: Cleveland Browns v Cincinnati Bengals served by picapp.com

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

The second assault trial for former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry ended today with prosecutors dropping the last remaining charge against him. Chris remains under suspension by the NFL but it’s likely he will be allowed to return to the game in light of this development. Chris’ agent, Perry Ancona, said his client would apply for reinstatement immediately.

It will be interesting to see what teams show an interest in Chris. The Dallas Cowboys could use another receiver and Chris has expressed an interest in playing in Dallas, but how many “troubled” players is Jerry Jones going to allow in one locker room? Over two months ago, ESPN.com reported the Cowboys were not interested. The other team Chris would like to play for (if he had his way) is the New Orleans Saints. I’m sure there are plenty of other interested teams because I don’t think there’s any limit to what this guy can do on the football field. Hopefully Chris wakes up and realizes his own potential before he runs out of opportunities.

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Chris Henry Applies for NFL Reinstatement

The eight-person jury in former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry’s assault case could not reach a verdict today (six voted for acquittal and two voted for conviction). Therefore, a mistrial was declared and Chris will have to go on trial again. A pre-trial hearing is now scheduled for July 8. Chris has been suspended from the National Football League pending the outcome of this trial, so he can’t be too happy that things are at a standstill. At least he can remove the ankle monitor he’s been wearing, but he has to stay away from the man he’s accused of punching and any other witnesses. I hope he can handle that much. Seriously, Chris has done nothing to prove he’s capable of behaving like a law-abiding citizen since he’s been in the NFL, so I hope he can deal appropriately with this small bit of freedom.

Source: Cincinnati.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Hung Jury Declared in Chris Henry Trial

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

Former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry wants to play for either the Dallas Cowboys or New Orleans Saints. And he’ll be released from court-ordered electronic monitoring and house arrest so he can audition. As he awaits trial for misdemeanor charges of assault and word from the NFL whether he will even play again in 2008, Chris will be lucky if any team is interested in him. He’s obviously a very talented athlete, but he can’t stay out of trouble — much like his former college teammate at West Virginia (and ironically now a Dallas Cowboy) Pacman Jones. In his first public comments since being released by the Bengals, Chris said:

“There are two teams that I would always love to play for: That’s New Orleans and Dallas ….. Dallas is a team that I’ve always looked up to as a kid and wanted to play for them.”

I don’t know where the Cowboys’ interest is in Chris Henry, but he would be an upgrade over Patrick Crayton as the #2 receiver behind Terrell Owens. This possibility has to intrigue owner Jerry Jones. That being said, putting Chris Henry in a Dallas Cowboys uniform would turn what is already a football sideshow into a full-blown carnival.

Source: ESPN.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Chris Henry Wants to be a Cowboy

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

The Cincinnati Bengals have lost their patience with wide receiver Chris Henry. Today, the team cut Chris loose while he was in jail awaiting arraignment on assault charges. He’s being accused of punching an 18-year-old man in the face and breaking his car window with a beer bottle. It was his fifth arrest since 2005. Municipal Court Judge Bernie Bouchard set bond at $51,000 on charges of misdemeanor assault and criminal damaging. Noting Chris’ previous arrests involving drugs, guns and alcohol, the judge called him “a one-man crime wave.” He ordered electronic monitoring if Chris makes bail.

What can I say? Between Chris Henry, Pacman Jones and Michael Vick, I get tired of writing about negative stuff like this. Here we have a 24-year-old with immense talent on the football field who for some reason can’t seem to stay out of trouble off it. It’s really a shame. When you think of the tremendous opportunity Chris is just throwing away, it’s almost hard to fathom what could be going through his mind. You know another team will take a chance on him (given he’s not suspended again), but soon enough he’ll run out of chances and have no one to blame but himself. I hope he figures it out.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Bengals Cut Chris Henry After Latest Arrest

Pacman Jones got a full season off for bad behavior. And Chris Henry received suspension for the first eight games of the upcoming 2007 season. These are harsh punishments to key players on their respective teams and it sends a very strong message to the rest of the league that delinquent off-field behavior will result in potentially career-threatening consequences. I was not surprised by either punishment. This new Personal Conduct Policy is a serious one and it shows the world that Commissioner Goodell means business when it comes to protecting the image of the league. In a letter to each player today, Commissioner Goodell stated:

“Your conduct has brought embarrassment and ridicule upon yourself, your club, and the NFL, and has damaged the reputation of players throughout the league. You have put in jeopardy an otherwise promising NFL career, and have risked both your own safety and the safety of others through your off-field actions. In each of these respects, you have engaged in conduct detrimental to the NFL and failed to live up to the standards expected of NFL players. Taken as a whole, this conduct warrants significant sanction.”

Significant sanction indeed. But, Pacman Jones can make the best of a bad situation and return to the playing field in 2007 if he keeps himself in-line. He will be strictly monitored by the Titans and the NFL during the suspension as part of his opportunity to earn reinstatement through adherence to a set of conditions. His status will be reviewed after the Titans’ 10th regular-season game to determine the extent to which he has complied with the conditions and whether the suspension should be affected by the disposition of any pending or prospective charges. The specific conditions that apply to Jones’ suspension include the following:

• He must have no further adverse involvement with law enforcement.
• He must fully cooperate with all required counseling, education, and treatment assigned under league or court-ordered programs.
• He must adhere to the restrictions on his activities that have been agreed to by he and the Titans.
• He may not be at the Titans’ facility through May 31 and may not participate in any practices or organized workouts during the term of the suspension. Beginning June 1, he must visit the team facility once each week to meet with the team’s player development director. Also, beginning June 1, he is permitted to spend one day a week at the team facility for conditioning, film study, and other similar activities.
• In conjunction with the team’s player development director and other professionals working with him, Jones must develop with the Titans a structured program of community service or other activity. This program must be submitted to the league office for review and approval.

In Chris Henry’s case, he must serve the complete eight-game suspension and can only return if he meets certain conditions during his suspension that will be monitored closely by the Bengals and the NFL. Those conditions are:

• He must have no further adverse involvement with law enforcement.
• He must fully cooperate with all required counseling, education, and treatment assigned to him under league programs.
• He is eligible to be at the Bengals’ facilities during the rest of the offseason for customary activities and he must meet weekly with the team’s player development director.
• If he fully complies with all other conditions, he may participate in the Bengals’ training camp and preseason games.
• During the regular season, he is permitted to be at the Bengals’ facility for team meetings and must meet weekly with the team’s player development director, but he may not attend or participate in practice.
• He must fully comply with all conditions imposed on him by any court, including requirements of community service.

Jones and Henry were told that any failure to comply with these conditions will result in additional discipline, including possible banishment from the league. It’s very clear-cut for Pacman Jones and Chris Henry. They’re getting a second chance and I hope they look at it that way. They’re both very young players and can still salvage long and prosperous careers by staying out of trouble.

I have a copy of the Personal Conduct Policy in my hands, provided to me by the league office today. It’s a four-page document that can be summed up in the opening paragraph:

“All persons associated with the NFL are required to avoid ‘conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the National Football League.’ This requirement applies to players, coaches, other team employees, owners, game officials, and all others privileged to work in the National Football League.”

It goes on to discuss, in detail, a Standard of Conduct; Evaluation, Counseling and Treatment; Discipline; Hearing Rights; Reinstatement; and Other Provisions. Nothing really surprised me about the Policy. But one part that really stood out to me was the following statement:

“It is not enough simply to avoid being found guilty of a crime. Instead, as an employee of the NFL or a member club, you are held to a higher standard and expected to conduct yourself in a way that is responsible, promotes the values upon which the League is based, and is lawful.”

It’s very clear what message is being sent here and it will be interesting to see how many times the League needs to refer to this policy in the future. I know it’s wishful thinking, but hopefully not very often. In the case of Pacman Jones and Chris Henry, hopefully never again. It will take some time to properly measure, but we’ll find out how effective the existence of this document and the subsequent suspensions that resulted from it are.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

NFL Personal Conduct Policy Announced, Pacman Jones and Chris Henry Suspended

It’s a good idea to form such a committee because both sides are looking out for the betterment of the game. The Commissioner will get a clear-cut picture of where the players are coming from. And the players will get the Commissioner’s point-of-view. Will it work? I think by simply forming the committee, it brings more noticeability to the fact that the league won’t tolerate unruly behavior among its players. The formation of this committee, along with the upcoming Player Conduct Policy (and most likely the punishment handed down to Pacman Jones) demonstrates the league’s commitment to making the NFL a top-notch organization with a heightened awareness of its social responsibility.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Player Advisory Committee Forming