The impending signing of Larry Johnson by the Bengals refreshes a familiar NFL topic – Mike Brown’s affinity for collecting castaways and taking chances on players lacking in off-field decision making skills.  Everyone knows the Chris Henry story and NFL fans weren’t surprised when the Bengals offered ex-inmate Michael Vick a contract.  But who else rounds out the Mike Brown stable of idiots?  Find out below.

Peter Warrick

Risk: LOW (SHOPLIFTING)
During his senior season at Florida State, Warrick ruined his Heisman chances by using the star athlete discount with (current Bengal) Laveranues Coles.  They bought over $400 worth of merchandise, but only paid $21.40, which is considered shoplifting.
Reward:  LOW (BUST)
He never became the electrifying playmaker he was in college, and a 2004 injury paved the way for unknown backup T.J. Houshmandzadeh to enter the starting lineup.  He played for the Bloomington Extreme of the Indoor Football League this season.

Corey Dillon

Risk: LOW (ATTITUDE)
After only one season at Washington and past that included getting kicked off a JUCO team, Dillon fell into the second round.
Reward: HIGH
Dillon had a tumultuous relationship with the Bengals for 7 years, but made it to 4 Pro Bowls and was the lone bright spot on many doormat Bengals teams.

Frostee Rucker

Risk: LOW (ANGER ISSUES)
The Bengals drafted Rucker knowing that he’d been charged with spousal battery.
Reward: TBD
Rucker has been used sparingly in his 3 years with the Bengals, but is making the most of his opportunity this year with Antwan Odom injured.

AJ Nicholson

Risk: MEDIUM (BURGLARY, DUMBASSERY)
Only the Bengals would draft a player that got caught stealing electronics from a teammate’s house.
Reward: NONE
He never played for the Bengals and has struggled to catch on in the arena league.

Ahmad Brooks

Risk: HIGH (DRUGS, SKIPPING CLASS, PUNCHING WOMEN, LACK OF FOCUS)
Brooks went from top linebacker in the country to kicked out of school in a matter of months.  The Bengals, always seeing potential, chose him in the 3rd round of the supplemental draft.
Reward: LOW
He played in a handful of games for the Bengals and started the 2007 season at middle linebacker, but a torn groin muscle ended his season.  He then went on to be accused of punching a woman in the offseason, which had to factor in being cut in August 2008.

Chris Henry

Risk:  HIGH (HEAD CASE)
Before leaving early for the NFL draft, Henry showed he was a poor member of society and was kicked out of multiple games for unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.
Reward: MEDIUM
His production as a #3 receiver has been good, but he’ll never top the amount of criminal headlines he has with football ones.

Jason Shirley

Risk: LOW (DUI INTO A HOUSE)
One would think that the Bengals wouldn’t spend a 2nd day draft pick on a guy with questionable character who sucks at drunk driving…
Reward: TBD
Who knows if he’ll ever pan out, but he’s been a good boy so far and was fun to watch on Hard Knocks.

Bernard Scott

Risk: HIGH (PUNCHING COACHES, KICKED OFF MULTIPLE TEAMS)
Even though he won what equates to the Heisman of DII, Scott showed serious problems with authority as he bounced from college to college.  His resume would allow him to skip initiation into Chris Henry’s gang.
Reward: TBD (SO FAR SO GOOD)
He quickly won the backup job in training camp and is a major reason for the Bengals victory over Pittsburgh last Sunday:

Drinking and driving is so common for Bengals players that it’s hardly worth mentioning in this post.  Leon Hall and Deltha O’Neal each were picked up for DUI, while Jonathan Joseph and Reggie McNeal both made booboos while boozin.  Can’t forget Eric Steinbach’s boating under the influence charge either.

Odell Thurman

Risk: HIGH (DUI, HANGING OUT WITH CHRIS HENRY, FIGHTING AT PARTIES, FAILING DRUG TESTS)
Thurman hit the ground running as a rookie, nearly winning Defensive Rookie of the Year.  His demons took over immediately after and he was given a 2-year suspension from the NFL.

Reward: NONE
Marvin Lewis and Mike Brown stuck by Thurman’s side as long as they could, but Thurman reportedly kept failing or skipping his drug tests.  He currently plays for the Florida Tuskers in the UFL.

Chris Henry

Risk: HIGH (EVERYTHING)
Henry has the special honor of landing in the Draft Risk and Rap Sheet sections of this post.  Mike Brown has an odd love for him, evidenced by the 3rd, 4th, and 5th chances that he’s received.

Reward: MEDIUM
Henry finally appeared to get his act together this season, but unfortunately fractured his wrist last week against the Ravens.

Cedric Benson

Risk: MEDIUM (BUI, DUI, ATTITUDE)
Every NFL fan knows the Cedric Benson story by now.

Reward: HIGH
He’s looked like the back that was a Top 5 pick and  deserves to win Comeback Player of the Year (yes, over Tom Brady).

Tank Johnson

Risk: MEDIUM (GUNS, MORE GUNS)
Tank had a fondness for guns and trouble when he was in Chicago, a lethal combination for the Cincinnati environment.

Reward: LOW
Tank has been a steady performer on the Bengals defensive line and provided comic relief on Hard Knocks.  He isn’t a difference-maker yet, but seems to have found a home in Cincinnati.

What will the Larry Johnson story be?  If he leaves the tweeting to Chad and learns some humility like Benson, the future could be bright.