Was passing through the mall today and saw the blurb on ESPN. I didn't hear what was said, but I can imagine it would affect their strategy if he becomes a TO-type problem in the next month. If/when they do decide to get rid of him, they are suddenly an incident away from becoming a 1-WR show (Chris Henry would be suspended at least a year). The flip-side of this is asking if the Bungles brass is smart enough to recognize this situation and address it...history has shown them to be a rather questionable lot lately. Almost every mock draft out there right now has them going defense at the 9, with Dorsey and Ellis being the favorites. If you're the Bengals, do you take a page from the CamRaM playbook and go WR at 9 (or 46)?? Or do you stick with the 'evil you know'?? If I'm the Bengals, I trade him to Big D for one of their 1's and use it to go best WR available (Hardy, Caldwell or Jackson). But that's best-case scenario.
That 9 seems a bit high for any of the receivers in this draft. Its a good draft for solid guys, but maybe a bit weak at the top end, certainly no CJ type guy coming out this year. Honestly, its maybe 50/50 they drop him. It took them forever to ditch Corey Dillon after he started whining, so its not a certainty they will trade him. If so, it will force them to take a WR somewhere, but with TJ and Henry for a full year, it wont be a need to be #1.
If you were the GM, would you count on Henry for a full year? Right now, he's in the same situation Ricky is here. One slip-up conduct-wise , and he's out for a year, if not forever. Most here aren't willing to count on Ricky for RB#2 status... And I agree with you that 9 is definitely too high for any of the WR in this draft, but the Bengals aren't exactly the most draft savvy team out there...
I would be comfortable with him being my #2 reciever. I think he may have learned his lesson, but yes Id try and get some more depth at the position. And character aside, hes got some good talent. CJ will be missed, but it depends what kind of value they can get for him back that will really impact their draft. IMO hes not going anywhere though, thats one stubborn franchise.
