Scrimmage notes: Henry stakes claim

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

GEORGETOWN, Ky. – Chris Henry made an early claim tonight to reclaim the No. 3 receiver job he might have lost with off-season legal issues.

The second-year receiver had four receptions for 80 yards and one touchdown in the team’s intra-squad scrimmage. He had one touchdown and a long reception of 44 yards., according to statistics provided by the Bengals' media relations department.

“Chris made a couple nice plays,” coach Marvin Lewis said after the offense defeated the defense, 41-25.

Quarterback Carson Palmer praised Henry’s performance.

“Very normal for Chris; you can throw the ball high to him. Randy Moss Jr.,” Palmer said.

Henry still faces judgment in three legal cases – one each in Ohio (DUI), Kentucky (providing alcohol to under-aged girls); and Florida (concealed weapon).

“I can’t tell you what goes on from the time he leaves me and goes on,” Bengals wide receivers coach Hue Jackson said of Henry after the scrimmage. “He’s a young man and has to learn to make better choices. He’s a heck of a football player. I’ve never had a problem with him.”

Tab Perry caught two touchdown passes, one from Palmer and another on a shovel pass from Anthony Wright.

DO IT NOW: After Perry’s second score, Henry, Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh lined up like bowling pins, and Perry rolled the ball into them for a strike. The celebration drew penalty flags from game officials for excessive celebration.

“I didn’t see it,” Lewis said, “but (referee) Ron (Winter) said it was good.”

Players know not to try such a stunt during the regular season.

INJURIES: Lewis said linebacker David Pollack (hamstring) and wide receiver Bennie Brazell (leg cramps) were the only two injured players.

Brazell had five receptions for 89 yards, including a long of 52 when he pulled away from defensive backs Herana-Daze Jones and Keiwan Ratliff. At about the 10-yard-line, Brazell pulled up and grabbed the back of his leg. He popped up after trainers came out and walked into the locker room.

Brazell told Jackson, his position coach, that the injury was just leg cramps.

BIG PLAYS: Linebacker Brian Simmons intercepted quarterback Doug Johnson on a pass tipped by safety Kevin Kaesviharn.

SIX PACK: Shayne Graham was 6 for 6 on field goals from 25 to 46 yards.

BIG LEG: Punter Kyle Larson kicked six times for an average of 56 yards.

POINTS OF EMPHASIS: Part of an NFL officiating crew has worked since Thursday at Bengals training camp. Officials are visiting every NFL team camp to explain rules changes and points of emphasis to players and coaches.

Winter, a 12th-year NFL official, made the presentation to the Bengals, and he and some members of his crew worked the Bengals’ intra-squad scrimmage Friday night.

One rule change is a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty for hitting a quarterback low. It is a penalty if the quarterback is in the pocket, has one or two feet on the ground and the defender has not been blocked or pushed into the quarterback.

“Each situation has to be ruled on its own merits,” Winter said when asked if Kimo von Oelhoffen’s low hit on Palmer in the playoff game would have been a penalty under the new rule.

“I can’t answer that,” he said. “We, as referees, didn’t look at that play.”

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com