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Wednesday links and notes: Take on Laveranues Coles, Rex Grossman as a backup

Still no word on Laveranues Coles. After leaving Cincinnati on Tuesday, no announcement was made of a signing. His options still appear to be the Bengals and Bills. However, there's a feeling that the Jets could be in the mix, as Coles keeps that option open, however most are still calling that a long shot (and they're probably right).

Anyway, it got us to thinking. Is signing Coles really needed? In truth, we have the lineup and depth. While the experience during the regular season is limited -- Chad Johnson (121 games), Chris Henry (45) and Antonio Chatman (74) are the most experienced -- the Bengals have specifically worked towards this moment from last year's draft until today. They never expected that T.J. Houshmandzadeh wouldn't return, and drafted three receivers and decided not to franchise him either.

So what does bringing in Laveranues Coles do for us? My belief has always been that the Bengals should turnover their talent for the younger players that they've acquired in recent seasons where the depth and organizational planning allows it. I have hinted at the interest of acquiring a veteran wide receiver, however, in reflection, I'm not sure it's something we really need. Keep the money you'd assign to Coles and work towards rebuilding other areas on the team. What about linebacker?

Moving on.

We know the perception of Rex Grossman. He really bombed out late in his Chicago career and his decision making was consistently under fire. However, consider this. He is a Super Bowl quarterback. He has a 19-11 career record. We're not suggesting he should start for the Bengals (that would be, like, the dumbest thing in the history of blogs to say). However, as a backup? Granted, the point that Grossman is still under 30 and would like to start is noted. And coming to Cincinnati is an immediate declaration that you're going to be backup quarterback.

Fooch talks about JTO and Grossman.

I had to read this twice, before I realized that Eric Karabell's ESPN.com's piece about Cedric Benson's return not being exciting, was only about fantasy football.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh will wear #18.

Just as they say that it's too early to judge the Bengals, they also say you're a buffoon if you like anything about this off-season. And to think, we were wondering why the newspaper industry was failing.

Reason #1 why the Bengals shouldn't draft Pat White. "I would love to be a Pittsburgh Steeler." As a Cincinnati Bengals fan, that's the worst thing you could say.

Chick Ludwig's five major problems with the Bengals. Front office, player personnel, services, history, player retention. Can anyone really put together a better top-five?

James Walker asked, "Is Cedric Benson ready to be the full-time starting tailback for the Cincinnati Bengals?" The following is a log of games in which he started.

Opponent Result Att. Yards TDs
Pittsburgh L, 10-38 14 52 0
@ Houston L, 6-35 13 49 0
Jacksonville W, 21-19 24 104 1
Philadelphia T, 13-13 23 42 0
@ Pittsburgh L, 10-27 16 35 0
Baltimore L, 3-34 10 17 0
@ Indianapolis L, 3-35 16 57 0
Washington W, 20-13 21 73 0
@ Cleveland W, 14-0 38 171 0
Kansas City W, 16-6 25 111 1
Record in games he starts: 4-5-1 210 711 2
Averages   21 71.1 0.2

If Chad Johnson played Ping Pong.

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With no running game to speak of and a rickety QB, halfway through this season is going to be clicking his ruby-slippered heels together dreaming of Cincinnati. Minnesota might have made sense, Seattle, not so much.

Far as Coles and our receiving corps go, I’m a little tired of everyone and their mother piling on Jerome Simpson as a disappointment. Last year was certainly disappointing all around but blaming any of it on Simpson is just silly. Yeah, he was not quite as prepared to play at this level as Caldwell but they knew that going in. Had Carson been healthy, both Simpson and Caldwell would have had more playing time- ergo more experience, because Palmer, unlike Fitz, could improvise around beginner mistakes- and see over his offensive line. With Carson healthy, I think you’ll see Simpson and Caldwell progress by leaps and bounds this year. It wouldn’t hurt, though, for the two of them to be out there in California working with Palmer and Henry.

I couldn’t figure out the purpose of the video until I saw the score at the end.

by IgnatiusJReilly on Mar 4, 2009 11:50 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

"Simpson and Caldwell would have had more playing time"

I’m not really sure that even that is true, Iggy. These guys were respectively #4 and #5 on the depth charts. An argument could be made that they should have leaped over Chris Henry. However, if Henry taps into a fraction of potential and takes his career serious, an argument could be made that he’s now the most talented WR on the team.

Either way, I simply didn’t see how Simpson or Caldwell got more PT with the receivers we had on the field.

They were always projected to have their “first run” in 2009, not 2008. I agree with you about Simpson.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Kirkendall on Mar 4, 2009 12:50 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Coles

I think it would a good move. Put a proven commodity on the field and let these young bucks learn from them.

by IFChris on Mar 4, 2009 12:07 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

"however, in reflection, I'm not sure it's something we really need. Keep the money you'd assign to Coles and work towards rebuilding other areas on the team. What about linebacker?"

Exactly! I have no problem with Coles but WR is hardly our biggest need and the money could be spent elsewhere. It would mean so much for the bengals to even make an effort for Ray Lewis. We would have to overpay to land him but what about making an offer he can’t refuse like 2 years 25 million? If we have the cap space I think it would be worth it. Who knows maybe he would like to play for Marvin again and we won’t have to overpay quite as much

by CincyMike56 on Mar 4, 2009 1:31 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

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