[Full Cougar]

After getting past a string of off-field problems and several NFL suspensions, Chris Henry says he is a changed man and focused on playing the game he loves. In an interview with Sporting News Radio's Todd Wright, Henry discussed his off-field issues, Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson.

Q: Do you think you've stood out for all the right reasons this offseason?

A: Yeah, definitely. I've just been going to work every day and trying to help the team and step my game up big-time.

Q: Carson Palmer has talked about your commitment. What does it mean to have him say those things?

A: We talk every day about football, also about life. He's a great friend to have. He's been there through my tough times, and he's been there now while everything's good. I've got a lot of love for Carson. I think we're going to be ready for this season. We're going to make some noise this year.

Q: How focused are you on being a success on the field and quiet off of it?

A: I'm focused. I'm just blessed. I'm just so glad and thankful for still being able to play the game I love to play. It's been a total 360 lately in my life. I'm just happy. I'm smiling every day, I don't have any problems. I'm looking so forward to this season. I'm planning on coming in and dominating this season and really show all my fans in the world I'm a ballplayer and I belong in the NFL.

Q: Did you always think you were a good guy and just made bad decisions?

A: My mom told me I had the wrong people around me. I came out of college early, and I still had that college mentality. I wasn't carrying myself and handling myself like a professional is supposed to. It took some bad things to happen to me for me to learn my lesson. I can tell you now that I've learned my lesson and I'm changed.

Q: How important is it to have a great relationship with Marvin Lewis?

A: It's very important. You're supposed to have a great relationship with your head coach, and to tell you the truth I like Marvin a lot. We haven't always seen eye to eye, but he's always stuck with me. He always tells me, 'I'm only on you because I know you can be a special player.' I've got a lot of love for Marvin, too, because he's always stuck with me even though I've let him down a few times. Our relationship has gotten stronger because of that.

Q: What makes you confident this team can win this season?

A: My first year we had a really good team, but it was even different then. It's a different atmosphere in there. You've got guys in there that are working so hard. You can tell guys are ready, pumped up and they want to win some games. I really think this is going to be a big year for us.

Q: What is it like being a teammate of Chad Johnson? What is the misconception about him?

A: He's a good guy, but he talks a lot, so people might take it the wrong way about him. But he's definitely a great teammate. All the guys love having him around. He kind of keeps the team going. I've got a lot of respect for Chad; I look up to Chad. He's been doing this a long time, and I've learned a lot from him.

[Bette]

Yeesh, I dont know. I had heard that supposedly he has changed his life around. Just not sure yet.
This season will tell.