Bengals Draft DT with Criminal Record

Clearly disturbed by the Miami Dolphins infringing upon their reputation as the most delinquent team in football, the Bengals responded in the only way they knew how: they used the NFL draft to stockpile on questionable character characters. That’s right, the team with more jail birds than Pro Bowlers added yet another bad dude, drafting DT Jason Shirley from Fresno State in the 5th round. And whatever the Bengals lost from their criminal record when they cut Chris Henry, they certainly got back with Shirley:

The 6-foot-5, 330-pound former Bulldog was suspended for Fresno State’s first two games for conduct detrimental to the team.
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Shirley was then arrested after crashing his car into an apartment building Oct. 8.

He was charged with three misdemeanors: hit-and-run, driving under the influence, and driving with a blood-alcohol content of .08 percent or higher, according to The Fresno Bee.

Shirley was suspended from the team for the season, but returned four weeks later when athletic director Thomas Boeh reversed his decision. Shirley had medical documents that showed a concussion he received days before the crash, the Fresno Bee said.

His reprieve didn’t last long: Shirley was dismissed from the team almost one month later. He was cited on suspicion of driving with a suspended license and expired tags.

I do have to say it is reassuring that Marvin Lewis says the Bengals did their homework on Shirley before taking him. Clearly he fits right in with the team concept. Give him one or two years in the league, that rap sheet will take up half the page here at LBS. I sure am looking forward to his time in Cincy. Carry on Bengals, carry on.