By now, you’ve probably read it. The Bengals have cut Chris Henry after he allegedly punched someone. A few thoughts about that:

1. I’m surprised that the Bengals cut him so quickly. When I first read that he had a warrant out for his arrest, I was thinking that I’d write a post about how we shouldn’t rush to judgment. I was going to say that someone in Henry’s position probably gets a lot of people coming up to him trying to start (stuff). I was going to make a Charles Barkeley comparison. I was going to remind everyone of the woman who lied about what did or didn’t happen with Henry in a hotel room 2 years ago. I was going to recommend that we wait until this works itself through the system.

I won’t bother now.

(I just found out that he pleaded not guilty. A little patience on the team's part wouldn't have been out of the question. Obviously, they were sick of the drama.)

2. This comes on top of the comments that Marvin Lewis and Chad Johnson are swapping through the media. Guys, can’t you just make a little facetime for each other?

Johnson, on ESPN, and Lewis, through Enquirer at the NFL’s annual meeting. Here’s the remix of their quotes:

Lewis: “It's unfortunate that Chad has put himself in that situation because a lot of people who really had affection for him now see him in a different light."

Johnson: "Affection? That's the problem right there. The player is not gonna change. Chad has to do what's right for Chad... That's why (Lewis) made the comment. He thinks I'm worried about people liking me. Those days are over. I'm not worried about them anymore, because I have to do what's right for me."

Lewis: "Hopefully some of the things he said, he's going to have to face one way or another. If he shows and does things, and does (them) the right way, I'm willing to take the bullets for him again and allow him to come back the right way."

Johnson: “Don't take any bullets for me. Don't take one bullet. Do I get in trouble? Do I do anything wrong off the field? Do I? What bullets? I'm not a player that comes with bullets. I'm no threat. I'm not a problem. OK, I celebrate. Whoop-de-do. You know what you get when I touch the field every Sunday."

Lewis: "We are prepared to move on."

Johnson: "My plans are to show up and embarrass everybody that tries to cover me. If they're satisfied with what we have, and think that's gonna get us where we need to go, then so be it."

3. What’s interesting to me is that some of these comments take on such a different meaning when held up next to the Henry arrest and release. Specifically, Johnson’s bullets remark and his statement about the team being “satisfied with what we have.”

This is like the perfect storm of crap for the wide receiver position. I felt more comfortable with Johnson’s situation knowing that Henry was around. I didn’t want the team to bend to his demands (and I’m pretty disappointed that he’s making these demands). But Henry was good protection in case he sat out. Now that’s gone.

4. It’s gotten me to thinking about what would happen if the team went forward without both Johnson and Henry. T.J.’s good. Chatman and Holt and whoever else don’t inspire confidence. But Carson Palmer’s supposed to be a great QB. Shouldn’t (couldn’t) he still do a great job with less than stellar WR cast?

5. Before I write Johnson off, though, he does say two things that are encouraging. One, obviously, is that he plans to show up. Two, and perhaps more telling, is that he refers to the team as “we,” as in “satisfied with what we have.” Obviously he hasn’t moved on yet.

6. If anyone can pull a 180 and come back to the team and be all hugs and kisses, it’s Ocho Cinco. If anyone will get lucky and get another chance with another team, then get arrested again, it's Henry.



Anyway, so long, Chris Henry. You leave in your wake unfulfilled promise and plenty of questions at the WR position. Oh, and don’t forget the regrettable decision by Mr. Showbiz to buy a #15 jersey (photo at the top of this post). At least he didn’t get Henry's name on it. For Showbiz’s sake, I hope the next #15 for the Bengals also keeps it real.