Bengals 2005 third-round draft pick Chris Henry conducted a conference call with local Cincinnati media following his selection. The transcript follows:
WIDE RECEIVER CHRIS HENRY
Q: What's your reaction to being taken in the third round by Cincinnati?
CH:
"I'm just excited to get picked. I'm ready to get started and ready to get to Cincinnati."
Q: You'll be here with Chad Johnson. What do you think of him, and is he one of your favorite players?
CH:
"I really look up to Chad and think he's one of the best receivers in the league right now. On my visit, I hung out with Chad and I like him a lot."
Q: What did you do on your visit?
CH:
"We went to dinner one night, and went to a comedy club."
Q: Was it just you and Chad, or were others with you?
CH:
"It was myself, Chad, T.J. (Houshmandzadeh) and coach Hue Jackson."
Q: Did you get the sense that the Bengals were really hoping to get you?
CH:
"I pretty much figured they wanted me because they were the only team to bring me in on a visit."
Q: There was some controversy last year and other things you had to deal with. Do you think some teams shied away from you because of that, where as the Bengals took the time to find out the real story?
CH:
"I think that had a part to do with it. I had some good times at West Virginia. The past is something I'm trying to put behind me and start fresh with the Bengals."
Q: Do you think you had to sell the Bengals on the fact you are a good guy?
CH:
"Yeah, I figured I had to sell myself to them. I had to let them know my side of the story. Coach really understood and said he was trying to help me out and mature me a little bit more. I learned from my mistakes."
Q: What is your side of the story?
CH:
"I'm really not a bad guy like they make me out to be. I don't have an attitude problem. When I'm playing ball, I'm really into the game. Sometimes I just might be a little too much into the game. I learned from my mistakes."
Q: One of the criticisms of you is that you're not coachable. Is that a fair criticism?
CH:
"No. I'm very coachable. I love learning new things. I just try to do whatever the coaches want me to do. I don't even really know how I got that reputation."
Q: Marvin has gotten on Chad Johnson about some of the same types of things and trying to be a little less emotional. Did you talk to Marvin or Chad about that at all?
CH:
" I talked to coach about that a little and he explained to me that sometimes you just have to hold that stuff inside — let it all work out for the good and not the bad."
Q: It seems like the Bengals were the only team that was really serious, right?
CH:
"I was a little surprised, but it doesn't bother me. I'm just happy to be picked up and get started on my new team."
Q: Did you get a chance to meet Carson Palmer?
CH:
"I talked to him on my visit. The guys were out exercising and conditioning. I talked to him for a minute."
Q: What did you think of him?
CH:
"I think he's a nice guy. He said he needs guys like me — guys who want to go out and help the program, and that's all I'm trying to do."
Q: Did you get the chance to see him throw?
CH:
"I've never seen him throw in person. I have seen him throw in games, though."
Q: In what areas do you think you can get better in being around Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh?
CH:
"I think I can get better in every aspect of the game. I'm just trying to elevate my game a little bit more."
Do you feel like there's still a lot to learn?
CH:
"There's always stuff to still learn."
Q: Did Chad Johnson give you any advice to try and help you out?
CH:
"Yeah, actually he did. He said things don't always work out like playing all the time. He told me keep my head up and keep working hard."
Q: Is there anybody you style your game after?
CH:
"Not really. When I was younger, I tried to be like Jerry Rice, probably because he's one of the best receivers ever. Everybody tells me my game is similar to Randy Moss."
Q: What do you think of that?
CH:
"I think that's an amazing compliment."
