by Alex Marvez

"What is called resignation is confirmed desperation."

Cincinnati's re-signing of wide receiver Chris Henry has confirmed two things:

1. This organization is desperate. Really, really desperate.

2. These Bengals are never going to change their stripes with Mike Brown as owner.

It was quite the scene Tuesday night at Bengals headquarters inside Paul Brown Stadium. Henry made yet another mea culpa for his off-field problems. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis had to distance himself from previous comments swearing off the possibility of Henry's return. And Brown was conspicuously absent as Lewis wiped egg from his face.

Almost a month ago, Lewis said he wasn't interested in giving Henry yet another chance. "I don't think it would be productive for our team," Lewis said. "There are responsibilities to being an NFL player. It's a privilege, not a right. There is a lot that comes with being an NFL player."

Like not being what a local judge described as a "one-man crime wave" following Henry's fifth arrest since 2005.

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But what does a legal history involving alcohol, drugs and guns matter when Chad Johnson might be hindered this season by a bum shoulder, right?

At least that's Brown's philosophy. Lewis admitted the decision to re-sign Henry was beyond his control.

"At the end of the day, the owner has the final say of whether he wants to give the guy an opportunity," Lewis said.

Brown didn't make himself available to the media Tuesday to explain why he is giving Henry yet another chance. While not addressing the Henry situation on Monday either, Brown told FOXSports.com that quarterback Carson Palmer needed some offensive help.

Johnson's sprained shoulder suffered during Sunday night's preseason loss to Detroit could linger throughout 2008 and will likely sideline him the rest of the preseason. Rookies Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell aren't ready to replace Henry as the third receiver next to Johnson and fellow Pro Bowl pick T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who is out with a sore hamstring. Caldwell also hurt his toe against the Lions.

"We are handicapped because we have lost too many key people," Brown said. "It has been difficult to replace them."

So the Bengals again turned to Henry, whose apologetic comments Tuesday seem far too similar to those he's made before. Just as disturbing, Henry claimed "nothing is different about me since my last suspension" and that the public doesn't "actually know everything that happened" with his prior transgressions.

Just south of where Henry spoke is the Kentucky border, which scores of Ohio residents cross to purchase low-cost cigarettes. Brown has just as strong an addiction to talented-but-troubled players who can be acquired on the cheap, especially through the draft.

Eight of the 10 Bengals arrested in a 14-month span in 2006 and 2007 were chosen by the team. There is a reason promising prospects like Henry and linebacker Odell Thurman kept sliding until landing in Cincinnati: Bad character.

The news release announcing Henry's re-signing reads like a court document. Detailed is the March assault accusation that finally led Cincinnati to release Henry because — as Brown said then in a statement — "his conduct can no longer be tolerated." A hung jury led to charges being dropped. But the NFL still suspended Henry for this season's first four games, bringing his overall total to 14 missed contests since 2006.

From an Xs and Os standpoint, Henry was a logical option for Cincinnati after Johnson was hurt. Not only does he already know the offense, the 6-foot-4 Henry has the rare combination of size, speed and receiving skills to rank among the NFL's top deep threats.

That still doesn't make Henry's return any more palatable.

For a time, it appeared the Bengals had gotten NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's message about wanting to improve the league's image. Cincinnati didn't draft any knuckleheads in 2007, then released Henry and Thurman this off-season following further incidents. But in April came the third- and fifth-round selections of defensive tackles Pat Sims and Jason Shirley. Sims failed a drug test during his time at Auburn; Shirley was charged with three misdemeanors at Fresno State and faces a drunk-driving trial in September.

Marvin Lewis says the Henry signing was out of his control. (Rick Stewart / Getty Images)

These are more examples why Cincinnati is regarded as an NFL halfway house where it's easy to forget that high-quality individuals like Palmer and defensive tackle John Thornton occupy some of the rooms.

There is a faction of Bengals supporters and players who welcome Henry's return because it provides a troubled 25-year-old another shot at redemption or simply makes the team better. Heck, some would probably champion the signing of Rae Carruth if it meant ending Cincinnati's 17-season drought without a playoff victory.

"I think [Henry] realizes what he has at stake," Bengals right guard Bobbie Williams said. "It's kind of a do-or-die situation. If not now, it's definitely going to be never."

But judging by comments made on local radio and Bengals internet message boards, most Bengals fans feel like the young man working Tuesday afternoon behind the counter at a nearby Skyline Chili. Dismayed by the team's actions, he offered an unsolicited opinion that raises an interesting question.

"If they're going to re-sign Chris Henry," he said, "Why not give Odell Thurman another chance?"

Just wait.