Poised to Breakout: Chris Henry Turns Pro

Bengals offseason 2009, Southern California.  Carson warms up his throwing arm with his elbow at the forefront of his mind until he glances down field at a streak running a long post route. He grabs a ball and yells, "Slim" then throws a dart into the chest of his new-found teammate.

It's Chris Henry.

This is the first offseason that No. 15 and No. 9 have worked out together outside of Cincy, and it's just another check mark on a laundry list of positives that Henry has been accumulating like an Eagle Scout collects merit badges, and now he's looking to pull rank.

In a recent interview, Palmer spoke a gallant tone when asked about Henry, responding that he feels he's just as talented as Chad OchoCinco, and just as big of a game breaker.  He reiterated that he thinks he'll make a real nice X receiver. 

Carsonalso said that Henry is hungry and not likely to just roll over and give up the X spot once OchoCinco finally decides to join the team.

This all goes in stride with how Chris Henry has conducted himself since being given his last chance with NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell.  His last conviction was over three years ago, and those charges were dropped in what seemed to be a bogus case.

What many outsiders don't know is that Henry has always had the support of the locker room.  His teammates love him, always have.  His off-field problems marred outside perception as to what kind of character he has, but everyone in-house has always known...he's a team player and a good guy.

And now that Henry has recommitted himself to football he has more than raised a few eyebrows.  His teammates are buzzing with how explosive he looks in and out of his cuts and he's making all the right reads and adjustments, but this shouldn't come as a surprise.

Numbers don't lie, especially when being posted in limited play.  Henry's 107 career receptions aren't especially impressive, but what are is his 19 TD's.  That's a TD ever 5.6th catch, not too shabby for a guy that had been spoiled with off-field issues.

But this is not the case anymore.

Chris Henry is committed to not only the game of football, but his family and making sure he surrounds himself with the right type of people, and it's just this type of attitude that will allow him to remain focused on the game of football, and not have to wrestle with the game of life.

This new mind-set will only cause problems for his opponents and not for himself, something that has to have his coaches and colleagues smiling and not shaking their heads.

Yes, it appears Mr. Henry has finally grown-up, turned pro, and is poised to breakout.