Chris Henry blocks on passing play

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 26, 2008 10:40 PM EDT in Analysis

When Chris Henry returned against the Dallas Cowboys, there was a hope that he would spark this offensive engine, creating match up problems. He was shutout in that game with limited playing time. Since then, he's caught five receptions for 60 yards since. Against the Texans, Henry ran a slant route a bit too short leaving him a yard shy of a first down on his three yard third down receptions.

Then on Second-and-Three, at the Cincinnati 49-yard line to start the second quarter, Henry ran directly to Jacques Reeves and blocked him for Cedric Benson. The problem is the Bengals were passing, and Ryan Fitzpatrick intended his pass for Henry. We're not sure what the deal is, or who we should make fun of more; Henry blocking on a passing play, or Fitzpatrick watching Henry prepare for a block and throwing the ball his way. Though since most passing plays are based on timing, we'll assume Henry on this one.

We figure there would be some time to re-learn the playbook against Dallas and the Jets. But if you don't know if the play called is a pass or a run, then you're totally useless to this team.

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Come on Kirk, Out of Everything that happened you talk about this play

thats just stupid, when the Bengals suck and are at the bottom barrel we blame Chris Henry? He didnt do anything as bad as Jonathan Joseph, Henry missed all of offseason and has been back just as long as Cedric Benson, cant argue rhythm cause this is his first time really practicing with Fitzpatrick… so come on I could see you calling him out in an article, but front page headline is a little ridiculous in my mind, im sure many will disagree but thats whatever, keep up the good work but picking on Chris Henry I think is just punching on the easy target, he had an amazing game last weekend but agreed his head wasnt in it today, but neither was our entire team (other than maybe cedric benson and dexter jackson)

by UnoCinco on Oct 27, 2008 2:18 AM EDT reply actions

RE:

“Chris Henry I think is just punching on the easy target”

Maybe so, but like the collective, he’s really done nothing since his return. Then you have to ask yourself, was bringing him back, against Lewis wishes that everyone concluded was a slap on our head coach because he clearly lost personnel decisions without Mike Brown’s influence, worth it? To those that make different conclusions, this isn’t so much an argument against Henry’s performance as it is Mike Brown. I didn’t clarify that.

“we blame Chris Henry?”

No, we’ve discussed many things. This is the first we’ve spoken of Henry exclusively. I’ve always said that blame goes around collectively, but that play was just awful.

“He didnt do anything as bad as Jonathan Joseph”

We talked about that too. But I’d argue not knowing the play is pretty bad.

“but front page headline is a little ridiculous in my mind”

All posts are “front page” headlines. The top is simply the latest — and by 11pm, I was done talking about them. :)

"he had an amazing game last weekend "

I don’t agree there. He caught three passes for 44 yards in a 38-10 losing effort.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 27, 2008 9:08 AM EDT reply actions

My only question regarding Henry is why play him if you’re not going to use him? Yesterday, somebody- Brat or Fitz I suppose, had the bright idea to throw up a deep jumpball to the height challenged Antonio Chatman for chrissakes. WTF? With Henry active, we’ve thrown corner routes to Ben Utecht and Chad, who just doesn’t seem able to stretch out like he used to. Some of it early was the line not protecting Carson and some of it is Fitz, either dancing out of the pocket early or unable to see over the line but I wonder whether Marvin hasn’t instructed Brat not to dial up Henry much, which would be tantamount to taking a partial dive. Either play him or don’t but if you play him, use him.

As for the play in question, with the amount of mistakes Fitz makes on a game by game basis, it’s equally likely that he screwed up as it is Slim did.

by IgnatiusJReilly on Oct 27, 2008 4:15 PM EDT reply actions