Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jerome Simpson (left) is now the target of a massive drug investigation -- after police confiscated a mind-blowing 8.5 POUNDS of marijuana from his Kentucky home.

To put this in perspective -- casual pot smokers typically purchase by the gram ... and there are over 453 grams in a pound.

According to reports, cops searched Simpson's home after snagging a package that was shipped to his house -- containing 2.5 pounds of Mary Jane -- and then found another 6 pounds of weed, packaging materials, scales, and smoking devices.

A rep for the National Marijuana Initiative -- which coordinates marijuana enforcement operations around the country -- believes the house was set up as a "potential distribution network."

Bengals tackle Anthony Collins (right) was also present when police raided the home -- and he's being investigated as well. Police detained the two players during the search, but neither was arrested.

After throwing down 3 chicken wings, a waffle and some yams and greens on the side ... Ochocinco strutted out of the place and told us that his ribs are still "broken" from some brutal hits he took on the field.

FYI -- if you're wondering why Chad was in Los Angeles on his day off, dude tweeted earlier in the week that he was flying in to surprise his son.