Is the Bengals offense shifting to a spread-like offense?

by Josh Kirkendall on May 2, 2008 2:04 PM EDT

An interesting observation made in a recent Chick Ludwig piece suggests that the Bengals might be shifting their offense to a spread-like offense (while Palmer remains under center instead of shotgun) to help open up the running game.

Lewis' hope is that, by spreading the field with three and four wide receivers, running lanes will be created for tailbacks Rudi Johnson, Kenny Watson, Chris Perry and DeDe Dorsey; and maybe, just maybe, Seattle Seahawks' career rushing leader Shaun Alexander

Andre Caldwell came from a similar, multiple wide receiver formation at Florida. In 2005, the Bengals had a great system of three tremendously talented wide receivers, the peak of Rudi Johnson's effectiveness, a receiver type back out of the backfield in Chris Perry and a talented offensive line that's since seen Eric Steinbach and Rich Braham leave.

Assuming that all three drafted receivers sign, the Bengals wide receiver roster looks like this (in no particular order):

Chad Johnson
T.J. Houshmandzadeh
Doug Gabriel
Andre Caldwell
Jerome Simpson
Glenn Holt
Marcus Maxwell
Antonio Chatman
Mario Urrutia

Assuming that the team takes six receivers -- and assuming that the team will have Johnson (assuming he doesn't sit out and not traded), Houshmandzadeh, Simpson and Caldwell -- which two receivers would the team keep? Your choices are:

Gabriel
Holt
Maxwell
Chatman
Urrutia

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Probably Holt and Chatman

Holt sticks because of his special teams value, Chatman stays due to his (admittedly limited by injury) experience. Urrtia goes to the practice squad, possibly Maxwell too if he’s eligible. Gabriel is the odd man out unless Chad actually does sit out (unlikely) or theres an injury.

by BeerRun on May 2, 2008 2:19 PM EDT reply actions

It is possible

There is no doubt that the Bengals not having a solid #3 option last year hurt the running game—and, in turn, the lack of a running game (particularly an effective outside running game) helped teams shut off the deep routes. Teams could run cover 2, pack the middle and be relatively confident that no one would spring open over the middle or in the flats. If Simpson is a Housh-like receiver and if Utecht pans out, we could have a lot of shorter range options which would open things up for the running game and the deep routes. I don’t think the Bengals will never run a true West Coast, because Palmer has too much of an arm to be a dinker, but it would be nice to be able to mix things up.

Regarding who we keep-I tend to agree with BeerRun-Gabriel is insurance and it probably first off if the rest of the WRs pan out. The Bengals definitely see something in Urrutia or the wouldn’t have picked him so I suspect, unless he is a total bust, he will at least make the practice squad.

by goffchile on May 2, 2008 2:58 PM EDT reply actions

Chad will sit out, so...

We’d actually get to keep three from the list. Either Holt or Chatman are good return guys; DeDe Dorsey could back up either one. I say Chatman edges out Holt. Doug Gabriel needs to be given a chance; A.) we just signed him; and B.) he caught passes from Tom Brady. I realized with our off-season signings that we now have two guys (Gabriel and Utecht) who have caught passes from Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. I think there’s value in that for Carson.

So Chatman and Gabriel…I say the 3rd ends up being Urrutia (HOMER ALERT: I attended the University of Louisville) purely for his size and because he’s already got experience playing in a pro-style offense under Bobby Petrino.

Houshmandzadeh
Simpson
Caldwell
Chatman
Gabriel
Urrutia

by TheWalrus1971 on May 2, 2008 4:07 PM EDT reply actions

If Chad sits out...

Wouldn’t he take a roster spot?

Blogger at CincyJungle.com

by Josh Kirkendall on May 2, 2008 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

roster spot?

I think they could probably place him on PUP- for psychological reasons or some kind of suspension so he has no place on the 53 man. Maybe Chad can be on the practice squad. I’m still of the opinion that he won’t be here after by Georgetown- well, one can hope.

That being said, I’m tired of Chatman- kind of like I am with Chris Perry. He may this and he may that but he hasn’t ever. With Holt, despite that one TD return on teams- which was more about a coverage breakdown than any particular skill, I think he’s a liability as a returner due to his butter fingers and probably not fast or tall enough to be that number three, Henry-type receiver(and I’m a UK homer). I don’t know much about Maxwell but I’d like to give him a shot, along with Gabriel for the experience, and Urrutia for the physicality.

TJ
Simpson
Caldwell
Gabriel
Maxwell
Urrutia

And don’t forget the Idaho State kid- Marvin’s homer, Clyde Logan with his tryout.

by IgnatiusJReilly on May 2, 2008 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions