"I'm not interested.""I don't think it would be productive for our football team. You have to be a productive part to be an NFL player, and there's responsibilities to being an NFL player. It's a privilege, it's not a right. There's a lot that comes with being an NFL football player."
Those were the words of Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis when asked if he'd entertain the thought of re-signing troubled wide receiver Chris Henry earlier this summer.
One disappointing training camp of developing an additional receiving threat beyond Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh later, Lewis is willing to reconsider. Bobby Bowden is impressed.
One of the reasons Lewis has struggled in Cincinnati is his inability to draw a line in the sand with his troubled players. Year after year, day after day, Bengals were getting arrested two seasons ago. It was an embarrassment to a proud city and fan base. Even more embarrassing were the shallow words repeated by Lewis, arrest after arrest.
"This type of behavior will not be tolerated ... blah, blah, blah ... "
Just when I thought he'd finally figured it out, the Bengals are about to give Henry yet another chance. Sure, he deserves one, just not in the 'Nati. What message does this send the younger plays Lewis has drafted, guys he's assured us are of the highest character?
It says, 'So long as you're talented, we'll give you as many breaks as you need.' That might as well be the new tagline of the National Football League.
Bengals might re-sign Henry [Enquirer]
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