Chad Ochocinco was Unocinco for a day, wearing Chris Henry's No. 15 for Thursday's practice in honor of his former teammate.
Although Ochocinco didn't say anything about wanting to wear 15 on Sunday, Joe Reedy of the Enquirer and I asked if he would be allowed to wear it. Jack Brennan checked with the NFL and they said he would not be allowed to do so. Still, he could and get fined. Fines don't seem to matter to him, and this is one I think others would help chip in to cover.
* One thing that struck me on Thursday was when Mike Brown was asked if he had one moment that would stick in his mind about Henry.
Brown said among other things, "I'll think of him catching the pass against Pittsburgh."
And that catch against Pittsburgh may be the perfect image and encapsulate Henry's career with the Bengals. It was a spectacular play -- it was one only Henry could make with his size and speed and it showed he was a premiere athlete. It also ended horribly, not only was Henry hurt on the play, so was Carson Palmer and it dashed the hopes and dreams of Bengals fans. It was a triumphant moment, a moment of great promise and also a sad moment. In the end, the question about that game, that catch and Henry's career will be "what if?"
* The Bengals will be wearing a decal on their helmet and the coaches will be wearing a pin honoring Henry on Sunday:
* Carson Palmer spoke on behalf of the players following the press conference with Mike Brown and Marvin Lewis. Palmer made just a statement and said he wouldn't take questions.
Palmer and Henry were very close. Henry called Palmer for a ride to Georgetown before training camp because he was having car issues. The two had a good rapport and enjoyed each other's company.
After talking with the media and while we were still in a very stunned and silent locker room, Palmer, Andrew Whitworth and Bobbie Williams sat in the corner where Palmer's locker is. That's pretty much the team's leadership committee, and I'm guessing they were talking about how to keep the team together.
* The pure emotion shown by Chad was moving. Chad's not one to hide his emotions, and you could tell he really, really hurt today.
* I'm not sure people understand just how popular Henry was among his teammates.
* NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has asked every team to have a moment of silence for Henry before games this week.
* I'm bad with mortality -- I'm actually fine with my own, it's other people's that freak me out. The last time I talked to Chris Henry I started talking to him about how he was doing and other reporters joined in. Near the end, someone said in a manner of asking a question, something along the lines of "some would worry about you and if you'll get in trouble again without the structure of the team..." Henry looked at him and said, "who says that?" and to his credit, it was Geoff Hobson, and Butchie said, "well, I guess me." Chris smiled and said he'd be fine. Chris wanted to know, Butchie didn't back down and Chris respected that he stood up for it. I thought it was an interesting give and take.
I can't say I knew Chris Henry well, and I sure didn't think it was a good move to bring him back, but he was a talented football player and every interaction I had with him he was polite and thoughtful.
CTrent, Isn't it interesting that in the picture you have posted is Jerome Simpson, who really is going to have to try to fill the shoes of Chris Henry. Sad, but ironic.