Prosecutors have dropped an assault charge against former Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry, which should clear the way for him to apply for reinstatement by the NFL.

Isn't it nice when good things happen to good people?

Henry, 25, was accused of punching an 18-year-old University of Cincinnati student in March and smashing a beer bottle through his car window. A jury couldn't reach a verdict on the assault charge, and a judge dismissed the misdemeanor charge of criminal damaging.

What about the fact that the guy was carrying an open container in public - and allegedly using it to shatter a car window?

Now prosecutors dropped the assault charge after a judge ruled against them on several motions before the retrial was set to begin, so Henry is free to continue his professional career and reign of terror.

Henry's lawyer, Perry Ancona, said the receiver was "humble and very thankful," which is a nice change from armed and dangerous.

Henry has been arrested five times since joining the Bengals in 2005, which apparently is one over the limit, because they finally released him in April. Hopefully, his going-away party wasn't a kegger.

Imagine the damage he could do with one of those.

"Lose your keys? Not a problem. Just help me lift this thing!"

At least Henry is versatile when it comes to his transgressions. He has been arrested in connection with possession of marijuana and providing alcohol to minors in Kentucky, carrying a concealed weapon in Florida and drunken driving in Ohio. Next, he'll be busted for feeding the animals at the San Diego Zoo.

At press time, no team had signed Henry, which is a shame. He could use the money. His house in Florence, Ky., was auctioned in May when he failed to pay the mortgage, and his sport utility vehicle was repossessed last month.

If there's any justice, the repo man used a beer bottle.