The Ocho Cinco/Chris Henry strategy (1 Viewer)

[UFO]

OK so Chad Johnson fell to the me in the 5 th round in the first year of a very competetive 12 team 2 keeper league (points per rec league). I must say I did not do much research on him or the injury because quite honestly even with the injury I did not anticipate him falling this low. So it was probably my most hasty and uncalculated pick of the draft....needless to say I grabbed him! Everyone was saying man you stole him but I was less enthused, I really think he is a very very high risk player this year and having gone RB/RB/WR/RB i probably could have went with a safer WR pick but again just felt I had to grab him.

So my team at this point was LT/Bush/Edge/Andre Johnson/Chad Johnson...pretty solid on paper but still was not feeling great about CJ as my #2, also am not a super big beilever in Andre Johnson but when he was there at pick #25 I felt the value/upside was too great to pass up.

THEN it dawned on me, Chris Henry was just resigned. Now while he is suspended for 4 games he is an incredible insurance policy and could possibly have a tremendous opportunity to become the Bengals #1 WR (hear me out on that one). I grabbed him in the 10th, probably too early but certainly more valuable to me with Chad. I antcipate Chad playing maybe 50% of the games this year so Henry's return coincides perfectly with

1. He knows the system so missing camp is not a huge deal

2. He is definitely more of a talent then TJ, talking pure WR, maybe he will finally get his act together mentally. (If you disagree with this I am pretty sure you have never watched him play, he is also a monster in the red zone)

3. Johnson and TJ appear to both have one foot in the grave and the other on a banna peel when it comes to injuries. Chad has a shoulder that if pops out again will end his season and TJ has hammy issues that have presevented him from playing AT ALL in preseason...I personally don't like my WRs to start the season with hammy injuries

4. I have to think Henry is on a very very short leash with the organization. Heard this morning that Pac Man has constant security monitoring with regards to where he is and who he with at all times, Jerry Jones gets a daily report. I have to think the Bengals are doing the same with Henry.

5. Just days ago we all found out that the Bengals are trying to shop Rudi for a real WR....that speaks volumes about the concerns they must have about both CJ and TJ, becaus e as any Bengal fan can attest to there are much bigger needs than WR on this team.

All and all I think this strategy could pay the biggest dividends of the draft. For a 5th and a 10th you will have a pretty darn good chance of getting high WR#2s.

Would like to hear your thoughts. Hope this helps some people in upcoming drafts.

 

[David Yudkin]

Seems like a lot to invest to only get one slot providing WR2 production (as you put it). I understand Johnson is benaged up, but he hasn't missed a game in 6 years. Whether that makes any difference at this point who knows.

As far as Henry, in the 5 games he's filled in over his career for Housh, he's put up 13-251-2. Again, that means little moving forward, but that's his track record when given a chance to start all game.

And up until now Henry has not exactly been a model citizen. I don't think this is the worst strategy out there, but I'm not sure it's the most productive either . . .

 

[jon_mx]

I have both also. Could be the best WR2 is the league if all goes well. I personally think that CJ (or is it Ocho Cinco?) will be OK for the season, but most do not. I am more worried about Henry coming back and stealing TD's from CJ. Of course the worst case scenerio is Chad shoulder acts up and Henry can't stay out of trouble. On the plus side that opens up two rooster spots for Waiver pickups.

 

[jon_mx]

Seems like a lot to invest to only get one slot providing WR2 production (as you put it).

If they produce, it will be more like WR1 production from a 5th round pick, which does make them very valuable. There is definitely risk, but the potential scoring makes it worth it. No reason to pick up Henry until really late though. The 10th was too early. Not too many people standing in line for a head case third WR who can't play for 4 weeks.

 

[TheDemon]

I understand Johnson is benaged up

This is what happens when Bengals get banged up...

 

[UFO]

I agree that 10th is too high but I did not want to risk the plan not working

Some saavy owner may be thinking "Let's see CJ is one hit away from being done and TJ has a hammy injury before the season has started and the Bengals are desperate for a WR. I mean even if he stays the #3 the guy is a TD machine and probably worth the 10th. I will just sleep alot better at night knowing I have at very least the #2 WR in Cincy wrapped up. Plus our league allows us to keep one additional player who we draft in the 10th or lower so who knows what is in store for Henry next year

 

[Diamond]

I'd be wary of Chris Henry. The owner signed him a week after the coach emphatically said he didn't want him. Does the owner have a say as to who plays in Cincy? Or does Marvin call the shots? I'm not sure, but I don't think it's an Al Davis situation there. So you've got a coach that has to be holding a grudge that also holds the reins to PT. Let's just say, I'm not convinced that Jerome Simpson as the #3WR is as temporary a situation as you are assuming.

 

[UFO]

Marvin needs to win THIS YEAR period to stay employed and will most likely need Henry to help him do so. He took the high road releasing Henry when he thought he had two wide receivers to help him win, now he knows he probably does not. The fact is that Henry is probably more talented than TJ or CJ at this point of their careers, like I said for those that have watched Bengal games can tell you he is an absolute stud management won't let Marvin hold the grudge in lieu of winning.

 

[I Am Rick James]

I have both also. Could be the best WR2 is the league if all goes well. I personally think that CJ (or is it Ocho Cinco?) will be OK for the season, but most do not. I am more worried about Henry coming back and stealing TD's from CJ. Of course the worst case scenerio is Chad shoulder acts up and Henry can't stay out of trouble. On the plus side that opens up two rooster spots for Waiver pickups.

Not CJ, but COC

 

[North]

If Henry stays out of trouble he could have a big impact on this team, if not this year, next year.

Housh is a free agent after this year and I don't see the Bengals keeping both of them, which means that Henry would slide into the #2 receiver position on that team if he stays out of trouble. Having him this year could pay off b/c Housh and CJ have been injuried in the preseason and Cincy will be a passing team again this year as their D stinks and they lack a good running game.

In short, if CJ and Housh are healthy I don't expect big #'s from Henry but if one of them goes down Henry's stock rises considerably. Next year henry could be a big player in the Cincy offense if he's still in the league!

 

[stevegamer]

I think you likely could've gotten Henry off waivers - he's out for at least 4 games, hasn't been that productive as a starter and is a complete & utter headcase who could do something to get another suspension before he's eligible to play.

I'm more interested in the Bengals rookie WR Jerome Simpson, he's looked good.

 

[I Am Rick James]

Henry off waiver in week 3 might fly. That would be the shark move. WR insurance can work, look what happened to Wayne owners last year when Marv got hurt.

Maybe, we might consider Housh around 30, COC around 50 if he falls, and Henry off waivers. If COC gets hurt and Henry stays clean, both Housh and Henry skyrocket. Shark move or not?

 

[DaWidowMaker]

I don't have CJ but I decided to pick up Henry as a WR#5 at 15.11 in a 12 teamer redraft...if he keeps his head on straight he could be a steal and a possible weekly flex option but he has to keep focused. Losing your house, getting embarrassed in front of the whole country and being broke should be more than enough motivation for him to take his last chance seriously. He can look at what happened with Pacman and maybe get some inspiration and to top it off if CJ does indeed go down for an extended period of time..well!! Blam you might have a steal, so I thought the risk was worth a 15 rounder. Hope it plans out.

 

[Frank Black]

I drafted TJ and spent a late pick on Henry. I wouldn't count on Henry being available on WWs for too long. If he is, jettison a useless K, D, or TE for him at least until we know how things shake out with The Chad.

 

[MSULions]

i see henry as a good 16th round flyer that could end up a solid WR3 and maybe even WR2 by week 10. but i won't take him before the 15th round...he's also a big risk.

 

[notdarkyet]

Marvin needs to win THIS YEAR period to stay employed

Three words: Shula, Coslet, LeBeauMarvin is not in danger of losing his job. He will sooner quit than get fired.

 

[GridironMenace]

How does Andre Johnson last until the 4th round in a very competitive 12 team league?

Secondly, COC is a fine WR2, shoot a lot of teams have COC as their WR1. We all know what Chris Henry is- he's essentially the WR version of Maurice Morris. He looks great sitting on the bench, barely playing, but when given the change to play they are both inconsistent and highly uninspiring. I'll nab Henry in the last round, but not much before that.