A.J.

Nicholson

Nicholson faces charges of allegedly stealing about $1700 worth of electronic equipment from a former teammate. With a lengthy prior history, we wonder how leniant the Bengals would be. He was part of voluntary workouts Wednesday.

Speaking of Chris Henry and Nicholson, Lewis said, “They’re not necessarily part of the team.” Even if Lewis wanted to discipline or cut one of the players, he couldn’t at this point until the legal process ran it’s course.

He faces felony burglary. The Bengals were roundly criticized for drafting questionable players like Nicholson, a fifth-round pick who was already kicked off his team at Florida St. for sexual assault chargers and has plead no contest to a DUI arrest. With Chris Henry heading to court, the Bengals may consider releasing Nicholson to escape the P.R. hit.

The former FSU star linebacker is accused, along with ex-teammate Fred Rouse, of burglarizing the apartment of Seminoles RB Lorenzo Booker. In an affidavit, Rouse confessed to the crime and “said he heard glass break and a short time later A.J. Nicholson returned carrying two portable stereos, a DVD player, and a pair of headphones.”

The Bengals fifth-round pick was charged with grand theft and vandalism. Along with former teammate Fred Rouse, Nicholson allegedly burglarized the apartment of running back Lorenzo Booker at Florida State in May.

The woman says she left an embarrassing message on Nicholson’s cell phone, was attempting to pry the phone out of his hand, and hit herself in the eye. Nicholson was in court on Monday when the girlfriend changed her story.

Nicholson commited two crimes: being in the police blotter and not being a difference-maker on the field. If Nicholson had a better rookie year, the Bengals may not have taken such a hard stance after his recent arrest.

A woman at Nicholson’s apartment told police the Bengals’ second-year linebacker punched her in the eye. Nicholson, who had off-field issues at Florida State, has been charged with misdemeanor fourth-degree assault but had already been on probation. He’s likely subject to disciplinary action from the league and seems highly unlikely to be a Bengal in 2007.

He violated the terms of his probation and will be held until a revocation hearing can be set up. We’re not seeing Nicholson getting another shot in the NFL anytime soon.

The girl first claimed he assaulted her, then rescinded the claim. Nicholson was subsequently cut by the Bengals, although his odds of making the 53-man roster in the first place were pretty slim. He’ll struggle to find work again.