Cincinnati Bengals: Jerome Simpson Arrest Proves Team Is NFL's Worst Franchise

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jerome Simpson and offensive lineman Anthony Collins were detained on Tuesday after 2.5 pounds of marijuana arrived at Simpson's home. Authorities suspect that Simpson's house was used as a "potential distribution network" and that marijuana was being sent out from the house.

Is anyone really shocked that the Bengals were somehow involved in this story?

From Cedric Benson's multiple arrests and recent jail stint, to the Pacman Jones debacle and the Chris Henry drama that played out until he tragically passed away, Cincinnati just seems to attract players on the wrong side of the law.

The Bengals looked to be headed in the right direction a few seasons ago. Head coach Marvin Lewis attempted to instill a new level of discipline. In 2005, behind quarterback Carson Palmer, they won the AFC North and went to the playoffs. Over the next three years, Cincinnati went 19-28-1 as the team struggled to regain form.

In 2009, the Bengals won the AFC North with a 10-6 record, only to fall to the New York Jets in the first round of the playoffs. They followed that up with a 4-12 season last year.

The Bengals have also managed to run off Palmer, their franchise quarterback. After years of failing to protect him by investing in quality offensive linemen, the USC product has finally had enough and is currently sitting out rather than playing for the team.

Owner Mike Brown has steadfastly refused to hire a general manager and instead handles all personnel decisions himself. The results speak for themselves.

Thanks to Brown's failure to understand that he must invest in guys who are quality people in addition to being quality players, the Bengals have become a joke in the NFL. Over the years, Cincinnati seems to grab more headlines for the wrong reasons than any team in football.

Right now, it's hard to find a way in which the Bengals aren't the worst franchise in football. The drafting of Andy Dalton and A.J. Green were steps in the right direction, but Brown's organization still has a long way to go.