The Ticket Chest

Another Bengals Tragedy – Chris Henry Dead at 26

Friday, December 18th, 2009 | Cincinnati Bengals, NFL, Sports | No Comments

Tragedy struck the Cincinnati Bengals family again as Chris Henry died on Thursday at the age of 26.  While details are still being sorted out, Henry died from injuries sustained when he fell out of the rear of a pick up truck in a accident on Wednesday afternoon.  Henry left behind 3 children and his fiancee – Loleini Tonga – with whom he was having a dispute right before the accident.

Henry had been one of the biggest surprises both on and off the field in the NFL this season.  After multiple arrests during his career and being penalized for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy,Henry rebounded in 2009 with 12 catches for 236 yards and 2 TD’s.  He was placed on injured reserve in November with a broken left forearm.

The Bengals overcame earlier tragedy this season when Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer’s wife Vikki suddenly past away in October.

Tags: Chris Henry, Mike Zimmer

Bengals Crush Bears 45-10; Worst Loss During Lovie Smith Era

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 | Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, NFL, Sports | No Comments

Ouch – the Bears took it on the chin on Sunday, losing to the Bengals 45-10 in Cincinnati.  Right from the get-go, it looked like the Bears players wanted to be anyplace but Paul Brown Stadium.  It was clearly the worst loss during Lovie Smith’s tenure as Head Coach of the Chicago Bears.  Since their 2006 Super Bowl appearance, the Bears have been a .500 team.  They went 7-9 in 2007, 9-7 in 2008 and are currently 3-3 during 2009.  This is not good news if you are a Bears fan or if you’re Lovie Smith.

In Sunday’s demoralizing 45-10 loss, the Bears scored on each their 5 drives in the 1st half and on their 1st 2 drives of the 2nd half.  The Bengals led 31-0 and then 45-3.  It was the classic home team beat down.  Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer threw 5 touchdown passes, going 20 of 24 for 233 yards.  Former Bears cast-off Cedric Benson rushed 37 times for 189 yards and 1 touchdown, making it look easy against his former team.  Cad Ochocinco caught 10 passes for 118 yards and 2 scores.  Anyway who played for the Bengals on the offensive side of the ball had a field day against the Bears defense on Sunday.

The best side story was Benson.  In 3 seasons with the Bears, he frustrated Bears management and fans with his lack of dedication.  2 brushes with the law ultimately forced the Bears to cut ties with Benson.

Benson’s Bears stats – in 3 seasons, 35 games, 420 rushes, 1,593 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 3 lost fumbles.

Benson’s Bengals stats – in 1+ seasons, 19 games, 378 rushes, 1,467 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 1 lost fumble.  Benson is averaging over 100 yards per game in 2009 and he looks focused and ready like never before.

Another interesting look is Jay Cutler v. former Bears QB Kyle Orton (now with the Denver Broncos).

Cutler’s 2009 Bears (3-3 team record) stats – 6 games, 82.9 passer rating, 65% completion percentage, 1,452 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and 7 fumbles with 1 lost fumble.

Orton’s 2009 Broncos (6-0 team record) stats – 6 games, 100.1 passer rating, 63.9% completion percentage, 1,465 passing yards, 9 touchdowns, 1 interception, and 1 fumble with zero lost fumbles.

Crazy crazy stuff…  The Bears are tied for 9th in the NFC while the Broncos are tied for 1st in the AFC.

There’s still time for this 2009 Bears club, but if they continue to play the way they did against the Falcons and Bengals instead of the way they played against the Steelers and Lions, it could be another frustrating season for Lovie Smith, Smith’s staff and Bears fans all over the country.

Tags: Carson Palemer, Cedric Benson, Chad Ochocinco, Jay Cutler, Kyle Orton