Thought I'd go ahead and start the thread for the 2008-2009 NFL season with some rather unsurprising news from the Bengals...

Bengals Cut Henry, Say They'll No Longer Tolerate His Conduct
The Cincinnati Bengals, deciding they have had enough of wide receiver Chris Henry's run-ins with the law, released him on Thursday, hours after he surrendered to police to face assault and criminal damaging charges.

Henry, 24, was being held in the Hamilton County jail, pending a court appearance Thursday, after being charged with misdemeanor assault and criminal damaging. He is accused of punching an 18-year-old man in the face and breaking a window in the man's car. A warrant for Henry's arrest was issued Wednesday and he surrendered, a police spokesman said.

"Chris Henry has forfeited his opportunity to pursue a career with the Bengals. His conduct can no longer be tolerated," Bengals president Mike Brown said in a statement.

Henry, arrested five times since December 2005, was suspended by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for the first half of last season for repeatedly violating the league's conduct policy.

"The Bengals tried for an extended period of time to support Chris and his potentially bright career. We had hoped to guide him toward an appropriate standard of personal responsibility that this community would support and that would allow him to play in the NFL," Brown said. "We acknowledge those fans who had concerns about Chris; at the same time we tried to help a young man.

"But those efforts end today, as we move on with what is best for our team."

Court records do not indicate if Henry has hired an attorney in the new case.

The player's agent, Marvin Frazier, said Henry gave him a different version of events but declined to elaborate.

"I was told it didn't happen that way," Frazier said.

According to an affidavit filed in Hamilton County, Henry was identified by Gregory Meyer, whose hometown was not listed, and an eyewitness. The eyewitness claimed Henry punched Meyer on Monday, causing "visible injury." Henry then threw a beer bottle at Meyer's car, breaking the rear passenger window, according to the affidavit.

Henry has had a string of problems with police. He most recently was in court last week after being ticketed for driving with expired Kentucky license plates. He paid $149, according to the Hamilton County Municipal Court records.

Henry also pleaded guilty to letting minors drink alcohol in a hotel room he had rented. He served two days in a northern Kentucky jail.
Again, not really surprised this is happening. As hard as it is to see the Bengals lose such a talented player especially when they need all the talent they can get, I support them doing this. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Goodell toss him from the league given his ample number of chances. His talent is constantly being overshadowed by his misconduct and that is not conducive to a well oiled machine, it's more like having a gear with a few broken teeth. It is really too bad to see such a talented guy throw it all away just so he can go out and "have some fun".