With the Bengals’ tragic loss of wide receiver Chris Henry, the rest of the team certainly knew that they’d have to step up their production on the police blotter for the upcoming offseason, and step up they have. Linebacker Rey Maualuga, having just completed his rookie season, is already showing the leadership that made him such a standout at Southern Cal with a charge of drunken and careless driving. Roll the blockquote:

Covington police spokesman Spike Jones says Maualuga hit a parking meter and two parked cars early Friday with his 2003 Pontiac. There was minor damage.

The 23-year-old was held about seven hours at the Kenton County jail before being released on his own recognizance. Court records show he entered a plea and was ordered to return next month for a hearing. –Y! Sports.

Wow, Kenton County is really turning into an athlete hotspot. First Chris Jericho and now Maualuga. It’s like a regular redneck Vegas down there. Time will tell if the Bengals can follow Rey’s lead and put together another offseason to remember.

Two weeks after USC coach Pete Carroll was surrounded by excited, shirtless young men, USC linebacker Rey Maualuga went through a Trojans practice wearing this thong.  At least, I'm assuming it was a Trojans practice.  I guess it could have been something less gay and sweaty, like rehearsal for Cats, or moving antique furniture to sponge-paint the foyer in a cooler shade of lavender, or anonymous truck stop sex with another man.

[More pics at Banned in Hollywood]