Posts tagged ChrisHenry at FanHouse

Now a quarter-deep into the season, it's easy to forget that it wasn't that long ago that Pacman Adam Pacman Jones' eligibility status for this year (and beyond) was in doubt. At the same time, Chris Henry was pretty much a goner, released by the Bengals after his 27th or so legal transgression as a professional football player.

So it's a bit odd that the two biggest deviants in recent NFL history, and former West Virginia teammates, will probably be lining up across from one another this Sunday when the Cowboys play the Bengals.

The Cowboys have had to tuck Pacman away in a panic room in order to keep his last NFL chance in tact, but it's worked. And with Henry done serving the four-game suspension that was put into effect when the Bengals inexplicably re-signed him earlier this summer, well, the total number of arrests between the two will most likely outnumber the Bengals' scoring output.

"We're best of friends," Pacman said. "He made some bad decisions and he has to deal with consequences, same way I did. He manned it up and he took all the responsibilities and now he's ready to play."

But how ready? Ready enough that he won't waste yet another chance? And about Pacman? Is he ready enough to stay out of trouble without the Cowboys stashing him away like Bin Laden? I doubt it. Sadly, I don't expect either to exhibit the behavior required to stay in the NFL long enough for the duo to meet again. Frankly, it's miracle enough that they're both playing on Sunday.

I've probably seen 10 minutes of "The Two Coreys," and it's about what you would expect: two former washed-up, teenage actors who have spent most of the 20s and 30s looking up from rock bottom. Feldman is in much better shape than Haim, but that's sorta like saying the Bengals are closer to winning the Super Bowl than the Rams.

I mention this because the Dallas Morning News' Tim MacMahon writes that "Adam" Pacman Jones has been serving as Chris Henry's life coach. Why this isn't a reality series defies logic; I mean, two guys who were last relevant in 1988 are somehow more compelling than listening to Jones wax philosophical? Um, okay, whatever you say high-powered teevee executive.

Whether there's video evidence or not, it's still going down, however:

There was a touching moment in the Valley Ranch locker room today when Adam "Pacman" Jones was asked about his ex-West Virginia running buddy Chris Henry, the Bengals WR who happens to be making his return from suspension against the Cowboys this week.

"That's my boy," Pacman said.

Pacman added that he talks to Henry often, offering wisdom gained by coming back from an unpaid, involuntary, season-long vacation. Henry had the first half of last season off, too, but apparently needed another four-week session in Sheriff Goodell's Scared Straight program.

The Bengals are 0-4, which isn't totally shocking given how the organization has been slowly devolving into a caricature of itself in recent seasons. Some of that is head coach Marvin Lewis' doing, but there's enough blame to go around for owner Mike Brown to get a heaping serving.

Whatever, it is, as they say, what it is. And today, in an effort to help turn things around, the team signed Cedric Benson. Hip Hop Hurray.

Benson, the Bears former 2005 first-round pick, was cut during preseason for not being very good, and for various off-field legal entanglements. So with Chris Henry fully operational after serving a four-game suspension, this seemed like the perfect time to introduce Benson to the fold.

The club also placed running back DeDe Dorsey on injured reserved, which probably also had something to do with the timing of the move. Of course, the Bengals could've just kept Rudi Johnson and there wouldn't be a need for Benson, but, honestly, unless Johnson can pass block and stuff the run on defense, Cincy would still be 0-4.

I'm sorta surprised it took Benson this long to get an opportunity -- he's just 25 years old and has played in just 35 NFL games. But questionable work habits and doubts about his ability to play nice with others scared teams off, apparently. On the upside, at least he isn't a thief, so there's that.

Meanwhile, Shaun Alexander continues to wait.

The Bengals game against the Browns this Sunday will mark the final game of Chris Henry's suspension. Henry was suspended for the first four games of the regular season due for violating the NFL's conduct policy.

However, don't expect Henry to be back for Week 5's game against the Dallas Cowboys:

The team plans to apply to the league office for a roster exemption on Henry so he won't count against the 53-man roster when he returns to practice next week.

Henry was suspended the first four games of the regular season for violating the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy. His suspension ends Monday, Sept. 29, when he resumes full team activities.

Henry has had barely any time with the team since the Bengals resigned him late in the preseason. Of course, this is the same offense and nearly identical personnel as he has been with during his entire NFL career.

Some perceive this as head coach Marvin Lewis' way of handling Henry. Remember that Lewis cut Henry for his off-field issues and fought team owner Mike Brown from bringing him back. Brown wanted him back and won that battle. The fact that Lewis may take his sweet time bringing Henry back could be a sore spot between he and Brown.

As we get ready for week one matchup of the Bengals and Browns, Ace Davis from his own Ace Davis Cleveland Browns Blog was nice enough to offer some insights on the Browns for this week's Behind Enemy Lines feature.

Sportz Assassin: The Battle Of Ohio. Can we still say "throw the records out the window when these two get together?"

Ace Davis: Definitely. Several of the most entertaining games in Browns history have been against the Bengals, whatever their records at the time. The Browns have deep-seated rivalries against each of the teams in their division, and whenever Paul Brown's two babies do battle, there's a special energy in the air.

Sportz: The Browns offense has looked horrible thus far. Is it the underachieving offense line, injuries to Braylon Edwards or is it mainly Derek Anderson's fault.

Ace: It's been a team-wide disappointment, but no doubt Big Three is rattled and way off his game. The Donte Stallworth leg injury that came up just before the Dallas opener and has now kept him out of three games has had a cascading effect on this unit. Without that viable deep threat to complement Edwards, Winslow and Lewis, defenses have keyed on the remaining playmakers and jammed the line. The Browns have been slow to adjust.

Sportz: How short of a leash do you think Anderson will be on.

Ace: As I write this, he hasn't even been confirmed as Sunday's starter. Even if he does start, I doubt that the Browns will let him lose this game. If he's not sharp, the Brady Quinn era will begin, midgame if necessary.

Sportz: Here in Cincinnati, fans are looking forward to playing the 0-3 Browns and (maybe) finally getting into the win column. Is the feeling mutual up in Cleveland?

Road Chalk and Alaskan Pipelines is Will Brinson's weekly NFL gambling column at FanHouse. Because everyone loves a loser.

I don't expect to be perfect every week. In fact, I rarely expect to be good. But Ed Hochuli ... you are killing me, sir. Anyway. We've chatted enough about that little debacle enough already, haven't we?

Besides, it's more fun to talk about things that are positive in nature ... like me being 3-0 this week on the STONE COLD TUNGSTEN PIPERS (shown with asterisks). That's right, Brandon Lang (*cough*0-3*cough*), bring it.

Overall, however, not as well, only going 8-7. But hey, we're slowly climbing back up the ladder of mediocrity, checking in with a season record of: 14-17. Woo.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Atlanta Falcons (-6)
I feel like the "Loser Bowl" starts us off every week, for whatever reason. Might wanna work on that, BoDog. The beauty of this FAIL-fest, is that the freaking Falcons are going to be 2-1 once it's all said and done. Additionally, we should be just about finished writing up the eulogy for Larry Johnson's fantasy career by the time the 4:15 games kick off.

Falcons -7

It was kind of obvious when the Seahawks inked Koren Robinson that people would start asking about things like "character" and "crazy" and "policemen". And, sure enough, reporters wanted to get GM Tim Ruskell's take on K-Rob's return to the great northwest.

Sure. There's risk. Obviously I feel better about it now [than] when I first heard about [it] or thought about the idea. We did a lot of research. We didn't just do this haphazardly or spur-of-the-moment. A lot of people in the organization were involved. Initially when I heard, or Coach [Holmgren] had brought it up, I was against it, just because everybody knows what our commitment is philosophically in terms of character. My first involvement with Koren, he was going through some tough things and some bad incidents that had gotten public.

My whole deal was, we just can't have knuckleheads around here. That can't happen. That's not how you win. So we got rid of several players that, I felt, fell under that umbrella, and I thought that would be the end of it. Obviously this little crisis we're going through with the receivers made a lot of names come up and I really wasn't even thinking of Koren.

Lots of research, huh? Was this before or after both Logan Payne and Seneca Wallace both got hurt?

It's entirely conceivable that Ruskell and the Seahawks management have been talking about K-Rob for a while, but to imply that there is anything that relates to character here seems a little disingenuous. I don't expect them to go out and ink Chris Henry or anything ridiculous like that, but this signing is obviously fueled by desperation, not some long thought-out process re: quality of character. Also, great to have you here, Koren! Really looking forward to working with you.

The Bengals have had another busy offseason, and, as usual, it's primarily been dealing with various off-field issues. Chad Ocho Cinco and Chris Henry spent much of the spring and summer in the news, and right before the season, the team released running back Rudi Johnson and offensive tackle Willie Anderson, two guys they certainly could've used during last week's dreadful effort against the Bengals.

For all the distractions, Michael Lombardi writes on SI.com that the Bengals should be more concerned about quarterback Carson Palmer, who had one of the worst outings of his football career -- at any level -- last week. He was 9 of 24 for 94 yards, 0 TDs, and 1 pick against Baltimore. Lombardi wonders if Palmer's mediocre play -- not just last Sunday, but the past few seasons -- are tied to the devastating knee injury he suffered during the 2005 wild card loss to the Steelers.

If I were the Cincinnati Bengals, I would be worried about the play of quarterback Carson Palmer. He has not been the same since the knee injury two years ago and neither has the Bengals offense.

The Bengals are perceived as being an explosive offense, but in reality there is nothing explosive about them. The Bengals need to find some answers for their lackluster offense. They need to get more production from their running game when teams play coverage on them, which is what Baltimore did last week.

You've got questions. I've got answers. If not, I'll make them up. Each Thursday at 1 p.m. EST, I answer your queries on all things related to the NFL. If you have a question, send it over to NFLMailbag@aol.com. Don't forget to include your name and location. Click here for the archives. Rock'n'roll.

How will the Jacksonvile offensive be affected by the loss of both starting offensive guards? Is the running force with Freddie and MJD gonna be slowed down?
- Michael Gus, Kissimmee, FL

It, um, doesn't really look good now that Vince Manuwai and Maurice Williams have both been placed on the IR. I really like Fred Taylor, and was glad to see him get the recognition he's deserved last year, but he is 32, and he and Maurice Jones-Drew really struggled against a physical Titans team. Which is a troublesome sign, as the Jaguars have built an identity on being a physical team on both sides of the ball. But if you take away that dimension to their offense, things don't look very good, especially if Jerry Porter's bum hammy keeps rearing its ugly head. Do you really trust David Garrard to carry a team for an entire season if the Jaguars can't get their run game figured out? I certainly don't. And the Jags face some physical defenses this year in Buffalo, Tennessee again, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Chicago, Green Bay, and Baltimore.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh (he's the smart Bengals wide receiver) gets points for frankness, although, unfortunately, that doesn't do much to change the sorry state of Cincinnati's offense. It's all very confusing, really, since this group has been routinely been one of the most explosive unit's in the league in three of the last four seasons.

Following yesterday's totally uninspiring effort against the Ravens, Houshmazilly lost it:

"We just suck on offense right now. That's terrible. We can't move the ball. We can't get a first down. We can't run. We can't throw. The defense played great, and we just didn't play good on offense, bottom line."

A quick look at the numbers confirms that the Bengals offense was indeed sucky. Carson Palmer finished 10 of 25 for 99 yards and a pick, and Chris Perry, allegedly the key to this offense, managed just 37 yards on 18 carries.

As for Houshmandzadeh's contention that "the defense played great," I can only assume he was being a smart-ass since that outfit allowed the Ravens to rush for 229 yards, including a 38-yard Joe Flacco touchdown scamper. And that's rookie Joe Flacco, who was making his first NFL start and runs like he's wearing cement moon boots.

I understand why Cincy's front office cut ties with Rudi Johnson and Willie Anderson (to save a few buck) but they could've used both of them yesterday. Luckily, Chris Henry made an immediate impact: he didn't register a catch despite being on the game-day roster, which is what happens when you're serving a league-mandated suspension.