Bengals CB Joseph suspended
WR Henry ruled not to be in violation of probation
The Bengals will be without another key player Sunday for their game at Kansas City: cornerback Johnathan Joseph, who was suspended.
The NFL Tuesday suspended Joseph, a second-year player, for one game because he violated the league's substance-abuse policy. It stems from his marijuana possession arrest in January in Northern Kentucky. Without Joseph, rookie cornerback Leon Hall is expected to start opposite Deltha O'Neal.
Meanwhile Tuesday, a judge in Orange County, Fla., ruled that suspended Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry did not violate terms of his probation related to a weapons charge in January 2006.
The State of Florida Department of Corrections said that Henry had committed eight violations, including failure to complete 100 hours of community service and to apply for a travel permit to attend training camp in Georgetown, Ky., in July and August. Henry's residence is listed as Kenton County.
Judge Bob LeBlanc of Orange County Circuit Court gave Henry two weeks to complete the 21/2 missing hours of community service time and waived the requirement for the travel permit as it relates to his employment.
Henry is serving an eight-game suspension because of violations of the NFL's personal conduct policy. He must apply for reinstatement to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who will decide whether Henry will be allowed to play this season.
The league does not comment on personnel matters involving its players. The Bengals also had no comment Tuesday.
Joseph has played in all four games this season and started the last three for the Bengals (1-3). He has 16 total tackles and has broken up two passes.
The one-game suspension is without pay. With a base salary of $360,000 this season, Joseph earns about $21,176 for each of his 17 game checks. The league also fined Joseph an additional game check, upping his fine to more than $42,000.
The Bengals had no direct comment on Joseph's suspension, other than to announce the league's decision.
After the arrest for marijuana possession, Joseph accepted a diversionary arrangement. He completed all of the league- and court-ordered obligations. The case was dismissed by authorities in Kentucky.
Joseph is not allowed to attend practices but can go to meetings and work out individually in the team's weight room during his suspension. He can rejoin all team activities Monday.
Joseph was taken into custody at 2:15 a.m. on Jan. 22 after a car in which he was a passenger was stopped at U.S. 42 and Braxton Road. A Boone County sheriff's deputy said he stopped the 1999 gold Ford vehicle for weaving in and out of lanes at a slow rate of speed. A police report states the vehicle crossed the center line three times.
The driver, Kelsy Glover of Fairfield, was charged with careless driving and operating on a suspended license. Glover told the deputy she was eating food and reaching for Joseph's juice when she was stopped, according to the report.
The police report states the deputy searched a Super Bowl XL backpack Joseph was holding after smelling a strong odor of marijuana during the traffic stop. Marijuana was found in the backpack, deputies said.
Joseph, of Union, was released from the Boone County jail later that morning.
Joseph and Henry are two of three Bengals players out because of league suspensions. Linebacker Odell Thurman's application for reinstatement was denied by the NFL in July. He had been suspended for one season for a third violation of the league's substance-abuse policy and now cannot apply for reinstatement until the end of the season.
Henry was arrested Jan. 28, 2006, in Orlando and initially was charged with possession of a concealed weapon. According to the police report, Henry stepped out of a limousine and pointed a 9 mm Luger at a group of people he had been arguing with earlier.
He was sentenced to two years probation, 100 hours of community service and charged $516.21 in court and investigative fees.
In April, Goodell suspended Henry for eight games because he violated the league's personal conduct policy. With the league operating under an unofficial zero-tolerance policy for off-field incidents, Henry cannot be helping his chances of reinstatement by having to appear in court to answer allegations that he violated probation.
In April, Goodell wrote that Henry may be reinstated after the Bengals' eighth regular-season game if he meets certain conditions during his suspension. He must:
Have no further adverse involvement with law enforcement officials.
Cooperate with all required counseling, education and treatment assigned to him under league programs.
Meet weekly with Bengals player development director Eric Ball.
Comply with all conditions imposed on him by any court, including requirements of community service. Failure to comply will result in additional discipline, including possible banishment from the league.
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071010/SPT02/710100370
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Good point.