If you haven't seen this, then perhaps it might strike a dreadful trend. The Cincinnati Bengals have threatened another Cincinnati Bengals blog with a lawsuit because the site was using copyrighted photos and logos on their site.

We can't say we're surprised. The NFL in the past year have issued warnings and tightened policies about using their material. It was a basis of a post we wrote a few weeks back. And we're hardly surprised that the team would make an enemy of a fan-run site that, for the most part, promotes the team based on fanaticism -- which is in itself crazy because this team isn't all that successful (embarrassing and shaming would be better words). Though we'd advise to stripe hype that they shouldn't take it too personally. It's simply a nature of the business and we know that the Brown family is all about business -- not the actual game.

The Enquirer is reporting that a woman is making claim that Bengals middle linebacker, Ahmad Brooks punched her in the face. Brooks is summoned answer the allegations in Boone District Court on June 6. (hat tip, Beer Run). Apparently, Brooks was having an argument with a neighbor when:

Brooks told the neighbor that he was going to “split his head open,” Rosich wrote in her statement.

That when she “nicely approached” Brooks and asked him to stop and “take it somewhere else,” according to the statement.

“He then pulled back his fist and struck (punched) me in the left eye,” Rosich wrote. “I then fell and blacked out.”

This will be interesting to see if the Bengals follow their self-imposed zero tolerance policy after a draft that was praised for high character (yet, questioned for taking Jason Shirley). This comes after the Bengals cut two linebackers -- not related to character issues -- and Chris Henry (related to character issues).

Last year, an assault claim was made against Odell Thurman and Chris Henry on separate incidents that were later dropped.

It was first reported on July 13, 2006, that Bengals middle linebacker, Odell Thurman would miss the season's first four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy. On September 25, Odell Thurman was pulled over and charged with a DUI extending his four game suspension to a full season (the irony here is that he was pulled over driving Chris Henry's SUV). It was reported on July 26, 2007, that Odell wouldn't be reinstated and thus spending another full season suspended -- thus the name was born, Chancellor Goodell.

649 days and a 15-17 record later (three times the losses than Thurman has experienced in his NFL career, ironically), Odell Thurman is officially reinstated into the NFL.

As for the draft, this could be the curve ball the team needs to draft other positions -- provided that either Brooks or Thurman can transition to outside linebacker, or use both over the middle for 3-4 sets. An imposing, and exciting as hell, thought. However, until Odell can prove that he's able to come back at the level he played his rookie season, and Brooks can stop disappointing EVERYONE and stay on the field, it's just as likely that the tandem could crumble. Wait and see. But I'm a bright ray of sunshine. With Thurman returning, this could give the team a better shot at drafting a wide receiver earlier in the draft -- which was presumed anyway. It's all about comfort, yo. And perhaps soon, we can drop the Chancellor title. Not just yet, though.

When you saw the story about Bengals players escorted out of the Bang nightclub, were you like me in that you were shocked to see Domata Peko's name attached to it? Apparently, not only was he not unruly, but assisted in "resolving" the matter, as per a release by the nightclub. Now, that sounds like the Peko we know.

As for Perry and Henry (like we care now about Henry), who knows?

In every sense of the word, this week was a disaster for the Jack Brennan PR machine. Chris Henry was arrested and subsequently waived. After spending two nights in jail, with a $51,000 bond, Henry was released to house arrest -- only work allowance to leave is word (ironically).

Then Chad Johnson spoke -- in what has to be the most embarrassing SportsCenter interview in recent memory. Even Drew Rosenhaus shakes his head -- though most of us suspect "Oil Slick" is the architect to Chad's self-imposed character suicide.

Then it was reported that Domata Peko and Chris Perry, along with Henry, caused a ruckus at a nightclub called Bang. Word has it that the players were buying expensive hundred-dollar bottles of alcohol (not sure exactly what) and breaking them over their own knees in an effort to "show off". Of course, guys like Peko and Perry must recognize that showing off on the field has rewarded few impressions. So this is how they get their cheers, I suppose. Keep in mind though, this is unsubstantiated heard from people that claim were there. Take it for what it is. Whatever they were doing, they were quickly escorted out with the help of local police. There won't be any likely legal action so it's a closed case -- even through the Chancellor's office.

It was even reported for a time that Chad Johnson was apart of the Bang group. However, Jack Brennan -- the hardest working staff member with the Bengals organization -- said that Chad wasn't around. Though Brennan is mostly telling us this because Chad said he wasn't there. Believe him? I don't know. Seems to me that the one way Chad could get his way out of Cincinnati is doing whatever it takes to embarrass the team so Marvin Lewis and the front office completely lose their patience.

Pro Football Talk found this WLWT blurb about an incident involving Henry, Chris Perry and Domata Peko at a night club called "BANG".

More Trouble for Bengals [Pro Football Talk]

It took some time, with the unquestionable aggravation that the Bengals front office and coaching staff must have, the Bengals finally released Chris Henry. Mike Brown, typically a behind the scenes guy anymore, released the following statement:

All I have to say is:

GOOD

When you see an article that's headlined "Henry in trouble again" you're thinking that he was arrested. Perhaps he waved a lugar. Perhaps he picked up a DUI. Perhaps he had a pipe hanging out of his mouth as he made a visit to the police station to visit some friends. Personally, I thought he was playing real life Grand Theft Auto. All of this is ridiculous assumptions. I'll bet, however, that it didn't escape your mind. I'll bet that you thought the same thing I did, "well, there goes his career."

Then you actually read the article and see that USA Today -- one of thousands of publications in the mainstream media that's suffocating from the presence of blogs and thrashing about like children because of the blog presence -- tells the entire world (by way of the AP) that Chris Henry had expired plates. Yes. Expired plates. After paying a $149 fine, the issue, from the eyes of the court, is resolved. It's done. Finished. That didn't stop the actual article from having two paragraphs about the expired plates and three regarding his history. Henry's expired plates even prompted the Associated Press to leave a message to Henry's agent asking for comment.

Good lord. Henry never helped his own cause by doing the things he's done. In a way, it's his own bed. But does anyone truly give two damns if Henry has expired plates. Perhaps he was three miles over the speed limit. Will that prompt a front page headline on ESPN.com?

And the sad part is that I wouldn't be surprised if Goodell suspends Henry for having expired plates. Though I don't anticipate it.

The problem with a stigma is that they don't go away. Often, these days, the Bengals are still the poster children for for an incredible stretch of misconduct -- in 2006. The last Bengals player arrested was Quincy Wilson on June 18, 2007, charged with disorderly conduct for refusing to disperse among a large crowd. Before that, Johnathan Joseph was arrested for possession of marijuana on January 22, 2007. In between Henry failed to use his turn signal. Levi Jones was jumped by Joey Porter and his posse -- who never received a suspension, by the way. The remaining arrests, against Bengals players, occurred before 2007.

To say it's been a long time, in comparison to the conduct of other team's players, becomes a mild understatement.

I took Mark Madden's piece comparing the Steelers and Bengals for their respective conduct issues. The context of the title "Steelers no different than Bengals" jacks an assortment of extreme debates. Many of which resemble the Bengals as the typical conduct benchmark. Madden makes the point, which is partly my own assumption, that there's little noise from the league, media or even the fans regarding Steelers players getting arrested.

I have a theory. Fans and media expect it. It's even defining NFL Chancellor Roger Goodell's legacy. You might get a blurb on the headlines of ESPN.com's home page, but that's the brightest the spotlight shines. NFL player arrested? What's new? Sad.

So the NFL beat rolls on.

In other topics, Chad is confirming what we already knew; he went apeshit during half time of the 2005 Wild Card game and that he had to be restrained. Actually, do we really care what Chad says or doesn't say anymore? Should we boycott all Chad Johnson related items outside of actual football?