Well, I guess he really messed up this time.  Just about 12 hours after Chris Henry turned himself in on assault charges, the Bengals released him.  Henry came to the Bengals in the 2005 NFL Draft and just didn't stay out of trouble the entire time he was here.  A list of his infractions include:

December 2005 - Speeding, No auto insurance, No valid license, Drug Possession

January 2006 - Concealment and aggravated assault with a firearm while wearing his jersey

June 2006 - DUI, thrown out due to faulty breathalyzer

September 2006 - Drunk in the back of Odell Thurman's truck  

January 2007 - Providing alcohol to minors

There are more, but I don't have the time nor the effort to put them on here.  I think the Bengals made the right move.  There is no way they could have kept any sense of respect around the league if Henry would have been allowed to continue. He was given his ultimatum by Roger Goddell and it seems Henry is just too young or stupid or whatever to try and stay clean. 

The problem now becomes the receiving corps.  Behind T.J Houshmanzedeh you have a disgruntled Chad Johnson and an oft-injured Antonio Chatman.  I guess we may see a receiver or two in the draft. 

************
Official statement from Bengals' owner Mike Brown:

"Chris Henry has forfeited his opportunity to pursue a career with the Bengals. His conduct can no longer be tolerated."

"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. 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."

NFL chris henry, bengals

ESPN.com is reporting this morning that Brett Favre has decided to retire. 

"I know I can still play, but it's like I told my wife, I'm just tired mentally. I'm just tired," Favre, a 17-year veteran and three-time NFL MVP, told ESPN's Chris Mortensen in a voice mail message.

"If I felt like coming back -- and Deanna [his wife] and I talked about this -- the only way for me to be successful would be to win a Super Bowl. To go to the Super Bowl and lose, would almost be worse than anything else. Anything less than a Super Bowl win would be unsuccessful," Favre said in the message.

I personally am so happy to know early this year so I don't have to put up with months and months of banter about it.  Thankfully we can be worried about more important issues like whether or not Roger Clemens lied to Congress or who will win "Dancing With the Stars" the season (I am going for Steve Guttenberg personally).

Well, well.  It's about time.   Not that I don't appreciate what Favre has done for the NFL and the Packers, but you have to admit - other than last year, his recent play has been rather painful to watch.   Well, anyway.  There's the story link at the top.  I'm just glad we can all move on with the important things in our lives.

THE NUMBERS
Favre leaves the NFL with his name atop several career passing categories. In 2007, he set the record for passing TDs (442), passing yards (61,655) and wins by a starting QB (160) and interceptions (288). Including the playoffs, he played in 275 consecutive games.  He retires with 5,377 career completions in 8,758 attempts for 61,655 yards, 442 touchdowns and 288 interceptions, passing Dan Marino's touchdown mark last season.

Brett Favre started in the NFL for 16 of his 17 career seasons:
Reg season W-L: 160-93
Losing Seasons: 1
Playoff Appearances: 11
Playoff W-L: 12-10
Division Titles: 7
Super Bowls 2 (one win)

NFL brett favre, packers

OK.  Now Chad is shoving journalists and going down the wrong path.  I remember listening to Jim Rome last week after Chad said he was thinking about sitting out the season.  Romey said that Chad could choose two paths - chill out and keep his mouth shut or keep talking and further alienate himself.  Well, it seems as if he's chosen the latter. 

I have been a staunch Chad supporter and have loved his celebrations, pepto-bismol sending, and definitely his touchdowns, but not any longer.  I'll drive him to Miami, Oakland, or where ever else he wants to go.  I've had enough, and if you haven't - why the heck not?  For the good of this franchise, we've got to let him go.  Yes, his talent will be missed, but to be honest, aren't wide receivers a dime a dozen in the NFL?  Shoot, if Wes Welker can have the season he had, can't Glen Holt do the same? 

 Another question that I have is the fact that the Bengals are refusing to say anything.  Yeah, I know they are usually tight-lipped about everything, but for their most well-known player to publicly say he wants to play elsewhere is just another reason to be the butt of more jokes.  Of course, it's probably for the best because we would just hear Marvin's nervous laugh over and over again anyway.

 I do know the salary cap hit would be huge, and I understand that it doesn't make any sense to move Chad in any way, but something has to change.  Fines, benchings, gag orders, muzzles, something has to be done.  To sit around and do nothing is more embarassing than what has already happened.

NFL chad johnson, bengals, ocho cinco

I realize that there are those of you out there that love Bob Huggins and hate Nancy Zimpher. In actuality, I guess I am one of you, but there is a huge difference. I have stayed a fan of the University of Cincinnati Men's Basketball team.

When Huggy-Bear was ousted, I was just as mad as the rest of you. When Nancy had that press conference in her fishnet stockings, I was just as disgusted as the rest of you. But when so many of you jumped ship, so many of us have stayed on.

The year Andy Kennedy took over, I was at every home NIT game, cheering and screaming for my team.

Last year, when Mick took over, it was difficult and when they were losing, it would have been easy to say "so long". But no, we tried and true Bearcat fans stuck it out.

And now, after the second upset of a top 20 team in a week, we are basking in the future - and it is bright.

Not only are the guys winning, but they are doing so in fine fashion. It has been a long time since I have seen a Bearcats' team run an offense. They are patient, they let the game come to them, they don't force three-pointers and bad shots. They work the ball low, throw it back out, and work for a good shot. Man, it's pretty - so pretty. Kudos to Mick Cronin and what he has done for this program. Keep it up Mick!!

And to all of you that want to hop on the bandwagon - you better hurry because it's filling up. But don't wear your Kansas State garbage to my team's game. That ugly purple hurts my eyes.

To those of you that would like to whine and cry about Huggins and Zimpher - please continue, but don't talk to me. It's been a long time since that whole thing went down, and we have a new era now. Huggins is gone, long gone, and quite honestly, the program is better off. Get over it.

In the meantime, I'll grab up those tickets that you all don't buy and watch an improving team play better and better every game and think of you every time Kansas State loses and when we beat West Virginia.

College Hoops bearcats, huggins, university of cincinnati, college basketball