Question about Bengals tight ends; Andre Smith is practicing; what will Bengals do to pressure quarterbacks now

by Kirkendall on Oct 20, 2009 10:02 AM EDT in Analysis Comment 16 comments

There's two players that apply to the same question. When are Chase Coffman and Andre Smith going to make their NFL debuts? Coffman more than Smith, for now. Even though Daniel Coats and J.P. Foschi played well against the Cleveland Browns, combining for seven receptions and 80 yards receiving, there's plenty of reason to be up in arms with both players. In the past two games, Foschi and Coats have combined for six receptions for 44 yards receiving, several drops and a couple of fumbles.

However, it's not like the Bengals decided to go in this direction. They lost Reggie Kelly and Ben Utecht, their top two tight ends, during training camp. When asked if Coffman has done enough to make the active roster, head coach Marvin Lewis said:

“I think you’ll see Chase this year. I’m anxious to see Chase. Again, I’ve got to make sure those guys who suit up on Sunday can fulfill covering those kicks and doing all those things Chase didn’t do a whole lot of at the University of Missouri. Maybe when we don’t see one of these returners that are leading the league in everything week-in and week-out I don’t know why we keep drawing this card each week, but we’ll get another one this week (Chicago’s Devin Hester).

“That’s an important part of everything we do, to make sure we can fill those teams the right way, so we have an opportunity to get that returner on the ground and do all the other things that have to happen those other 25 (special teams) snaps a game. But I like everything Chase is doing. He’s all-Hamilton County every Friday out here (in practice), and that’s a good thing. That’s what you want. This is the NFL. We do a period at the end of practice every week that’s the twos versus the twos, guys who aren’t getting as much time on offense and defense, and we want to see them play football. They look forward to that, and they get some plays in, and it’s good for us to evaluate and watch them. He keeps coming and going, and I mean, he’s going to be fine."

As for Andre Smith, it's widely believed he'll be ready after the bye week. He's back at practice. Marvin Lewis said, “We’re hopeful by the time we get ready to play Baltimore (after bye week) that he’ll be full speed.”

Losing Antwan Odom is tough for the Bengals, who Tom Archdeacon called the "heart and soul of the Bengals defense". Now the Bengals will have to find new ways of getting pressure on the quarterback. Several players need to step up.

All quiet on the Bengals trading front.

Dave reviewed Chad Ochocinco's newest book.

WhoDey Fans say, stay on the bandwagon.

Former UC Bearcat Conner Barwin got his first career sack against the Bengals Sunday.

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zach miller

a pipe dream wish had mikie calling al today, shipping the raiders froshi + 2 low picks for miller. giving up a 4/5th round pick + a conditional pick for escalators. trade won’t happen but a bengal’s fan can dream.

by palewook on Oct 20, 2009 10:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sounds like

Coffman isn’t a problem so much in the blocking schemes as he is in the Special teams department. Let’s hope he starts to cover those lanes!

This is our year!

by Carsonorbust on Oct 20, 2009 11:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

They are not being proactive about the freaking tight end position.

The attitude seems to be “Yeah, they need to do better” and nothing more. Is this how you improve weaknesses on the football team? With a ho-hum attitude that acknowledges a problem but addresses it with a “if we hope hard enough, things will improve” attitude?

I guarantee if the Patriots tight ends were shitting the bed this horribly, Bill Belichick would not be making light about it with the local press. He’d be on the wires trying his damnedest to correct it, either via trades or free agent signings.

And what is Cincy doing after their tight ends dropped passes and gave away fumbles against the Texans? Sitting on their freaking hands, which, when you consider the potential this season has, makes it even harder to take.

by IFChris on Oct 20, 2009 11:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Did you not see how they handled the St. Louis problem?

They’ll let this fester a little bit longer until we see it happening on every play then they begrudgingly make a change. Gotta give these players the benefit of the doubt you know.

by St. Esiason on Oct 20, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

great quote from the WhoDey Article

The Bengals are still ruling their own destiny and that is always the position you want your team to be in. Looking back at the Beginning of the season if I was to tell you the Bengals would beat the Steelers, Ravens in Baltimore and the Packers in Green Bay you would have been ecstatic. Well, be ecstatic. This is still a fun ride.

This is our year!

by Carsonorbust on Oct 20, 2009 12:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bengals sign Orien Harris

Which makes acquisition of Brian Leonard go from very cheap to absolutely free (in terms of what was given up to get him).

by cmick on Oct 20, 2009 12:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

the same Orien Harris that couldn't make the Rams overwhelming defense?

by featherman on Oct 20, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

But I trust the rams personnel choices about as much as al davis’

by brandone on Oct 20, 2009 12:46 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

No kidding. Although it could be just that he wasn’t happy about being on a team so obviously in “complete rebuilding” mode. He didn’t look like he stood a chance of making our team before… but now that injuries have set in maybe he’s not a bad pickup. Hey at least he knows the playbook, ya dig? And I’m pretty sure he’s been in Benson’s 2008 shoes the last few weeks, maybe that will light a fire under him.

by FriarBob on Oct 20, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's absolutely hilarious

by GrooveLeg on Oct 20, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Brian Leonard for tight end?

He’s big enough to block and he has decent hands. I don’t see how he’d be any worse.

by IFChris on Oct 20, 2009 12:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Except for the fact that I don’t think he’s ever lined up on the line (or if he has, he certainly hasn’t done it very much), it would seem to make logical sense. From an armchair quarterback point of view, at least.

I’d say that is something they should look at over the BYE weekend. We’ve got a couple of other decent RBs after all…

by FriarBob on Oct 20, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let’s look at the Harris signing logically.He played in 14 games last year including one start.So he is familar with the system.Zimmer knows what he is getting.They need someone to come in and play now.He’s only 26.Is it too late for the light to finally come on ? He might come in and produce.On the other hand, I wouldn’t be surprised if they continue to look at other options.But it doesn’t look like Peko is going to be available Sunday.They need another big body.McDonald is probably being groomed for end. And they needed someone who can play right now. Hopefully he has a good memory.I can’t recall last year that he played terribly. But I can’t recall any outstanding plays either.

by redberkey on Oct 20, 2009 12:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

From espn's tmq

“Adventures in Officiating: Running back Steve Slaton of Houston lined up wide and took a hitch screen 38 yards for a touchdown, the second time this season that play has produced a touchdown for the Moo Cows. But offensive linemen Chris Myers and Kasey Studdard were 5 yards downfield when Slaton caught the pass; flags should have flown.”

Kinda sucks. That play changed the game.

we still deserved to lose that game, but oh well.

by brandone on Oct 20, 2009 1:25 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

I was at the game after my 7 hour drive...

and when Coats dropped that wide open pass that would’ve probaby scored, the boos where as loud as i have ever heard at a football game. Even the Stadium announcer said “pass dropped by Daniel Coats.” Coats needs to get Brad St Louised CUT CUT CUT. or at least not used at all in the passing game at all

CB85......Collaros for Heisman

by TennBengalfan on Oct 20, 2009 2:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs