Cincy Jungle Suggestion Of The Day: Stop With The FB Non-Sense And Have Gresham Stretch The Field
by Josh Kirkendall on Nov 5, 2010 12:41 PM EDT
in Analysis
Email
PrintMuch like rookie wide receiver Jordan Shipley, tight end Jermaine Gresham is threatening Cris Collinsworth's franchise record (67) for receptions by a rookie. Gresham, playing all seven games this season including five starts, has 29 receptions for 201 yards receiving and two touchdowns. The rookie tight end was expected not to just be an outlet, or a hot read if you will, for Carson Palmer during a blitz, Gresham was expected to stretch the field, which in reality he has yet to do with a 6.9 yard/reception average. Can you imagine with Gresham going vertical with Shipley cutting underneath? Per the Enquirer's Kevin Goheen.
Of Palmer's 282 pass attempts, 154 have been thrown to wide receivers Chad Ochocinco (69) or Terrell Owens (85). Gresham has been targeted 47 times.
Gresham's longest reception was for 27 yards at Carolina, a play in which he took a screen pass and showed the run-after-catch dimension of his game. It helped set up a Cedric Benson touchdown run in a 20-7 win against the Panthers.
Aside from his 59 yards receiving against the Panthers, Gresham hasn't recorded more than 35 yards receiving in any game and his six receptions against the New England Patriots remains a career-high. We're not blaming him on this; only pointing out that maybe he's not being utilized as much as he should, considering his 6'5" frame allowed him to average 14.7 yards/reception in college.
The challenges that Gresham's size brings against safeties, and speed and athleticism against linebackers, is too beneficial to the offense to not push Gresham downfield. And you have to consider, the further downfield he pushes, the more likely a safety is forced to cover, freeing up Chad Ochocinco, whose "always double teamed" or Terrell Owens, who could have at least two more touchdowns if Carson Palmer's deep passes were anywhere close in the neighborhood slightly more accurate.
Yet, the Bengals have been recently lining Gresham up as a full back.
"He's doing well in blocking," offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski said. "There's a bunch of (tight ends) that can do that, but they won't be what he's going to be in the pass game."
Let me tell you how joyful I am hearing that our tight end drafted the first round is learning his natural fullback position, aren't you?
33 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Bob Bratkowski is such a f'n idiot!!!
Seriously, we had an open roster spot since we FINALLY decided to cut Daniel Coats and what do we do? Instead of finally signing a legit fullback in Chris Pressley, we sign J.P. Foschi….another back who, IF PLAYS, will ALSO being playing out of position.
Listen BOB…..we drafted Jermaine Gresham to be a TIGHT END and to catch passes and block only when asked, NOT to line up in the backfield and block for Cedric Benson. Stop being so f’n stupid!!! Cut J.P. Foschi, sign Chris Pressley – put Pressley in the backfield AT HIS NATURAL POSITION and let Gresham do his thing at TE. If for some terrible reason Gresham get hurt you can replace him with Reggie Kelly or sign Foschi THEN.
I swear, Bratkowski is such a f’n idiot!!!!
Gresham needs to be running 10-15 yard routes,
not 5 yard screens. That should be a job for Leonard and Scott who have a lot more lateral quickness.
This is our year!
this is the biggest let down of our year IMO
I was sooooooo hyped for Gresham as I’m sure we all were, but even early on people (myself included) were posting how it may not matter what a freak athlete he is b/c Bobby B won’t know/try to utilize him how he should be…..looks like we were all right.
And i agree w/the no more FB shit too. why risk injury to this kid by making him run directly into DE,DT’s, LB’s as a fullback…he’s one unlucky chop block from a blown out knee. STRETCH THE FIELD WITH “STRETCH”….thats what i’m calling him from now on as his new nickname.
I wonder if a dif FO would have Coffman in there too?
red zone craziness..
by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Nov 5, 2010 2:30 PM EDT reply actions
future Steeler killer?
I am extremely concerned about dealing with the guy in the future. The dink and dunk offense is becoming evident through the division as the way to beat the Steelers. If/when Bengals get the offense firing on all cylinders, Gresham is going to have some big games against us. What does his contract look like?
"I wore my purple camo to the practice, but they wouldn’t let me into the autograph zone. No clue why."- Mr MaLoR
by kick him in the head on Nov 5, 2010 2:32 PM EDT reply actions
Said it elsewhere
Cut Caldwell or Simpson, sign Coffman to active roster, use him in the slot …his natural position where in college he burned it up, put Shipley as a wide out rotating with TO & Chad to see who can produce at wideout and sign Pressley. With Gresham at TE, Coffman in the slot, Shipley-TO-Chad as wideouts the possibilites seem endless. So this scheme gives two very large targets in Coffman and Gresham plus it creates a challenge for the DIVAS, wjth a known competitor in Shipley. Whatta ya think whodey nation?
yes
but will never happen, makes too much sense….like your style though.
Not 100% on board w/Chase in the slot, but riddle me this. How do you cover Chad, TO, Shipley and Chase & Stretch in 2 TE set (yes, i’m sticking w/that for Gresham’s nickname)????
How do you cover that? Answer: you can’t
RE: formation
assuming Brat is creative enough (he’s not) and our O-line could protect enough w/5 receivers on the field. But either way, take shipley out of the slot and keep the 2 TE formation…still can’t cover that ( my thinking is IF shipley has to be off the field to utilize that, then use Stretch to stretch the field and Chase underneath)
Try this
Chase in the slot with his size and natural position goes 5-15 yds over the middle creating a matchup with SS’s or LB’s, TO and Shipley deep and Stretch a safety value screen or delay drop 5 yds. So its disquised as a run with slot motion which allows a run with Stretch blocking, Chase blocking or an all out pass play. Ced or Scott could be the back on this formation stay in backfield to block or slip out behind Stretch for a screen. Seems either way could defeat the Smeeler blitz/rush. If Chad or TO drop two passes Monday …bench one or both. Coaches from pee wee to pros say if you touch the ball as a receiver ..it should have been caught. Are ya listening 85 !!!
i like
but as Peter Griffin woudl say “you know what really grinds my gears” is that 2 fans that have never met, but know our personnel just came up with a more creative play/formation than Bratkowski has in 10 years as our OC….and i dont know about you, but i have no business pretending i could coach a FB team. Kinda sad in regards to Brat
Yep. Sure. Sign me up.
Maybe………. should I wait by the phone? or……..well, it probably would be a long time coming.
Anyway its not hard to figure out. You just need flexability in mental preparation week to week with creative tactics for each opponent. I’m sure they do this already….or in Brats case maybe not.
Look at it this way….if we know the defensive tendencies of our weekly opponents then we surprise them with a new wrinkle because they key on what our offensive stradegy has been. In Brats world that ain’t hard to figure out. For my part I would exploit the weakest link and play to their strengths. Harrison would be my target on Monday. Wear his ass out…no let up…see how long he could hold up, you know. Guarantee he will eventually crack.
Sure hope MB calls. Was this a dream?
I'm not sure Brat does much of anything
He comes up with a game plan each week, and if the other team figures it out, he doesn’t know how to make adjustments to that. He sits up in that booth doing who knows what and makes no significant changes during the game.
by BonnieBengal on Nov 6, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't think Marvin has any control over him
I think he goes running to Mike Brown if Marvin tries to tell him what to do. Bumbling Bob is Mikey’s boy.
by BonnieBengal on Nov 6, 2010 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions
sounds good
someone will have to figure out how to stop bratt from getting to the stadium that day in order to make this offensive scheme work though..
"wherever Brad St. Louis is and Shayne Graham is about to be." -R.F. Mehl
An exercise
The move is to challenge the divas into performing or lack thereof. Shipley is a proven hungry receiver who can execute anywhere in the system. With the obvious lack of focus by the divas not running correct routes, dropping the ball, general apathy and off field distractions, I say put someone in there who wants the ball.
So having said that, I think this move will show the team and fans just how pathetic the divas are, especially Chad. They need to be 100% into football during the season. Its all about focus. if you walk the walk and talk the talk, why can’t they get their heads in the game? The divas are always posing for that next photo opt. TO is not nearly as bad as Chad in this regard.
Chase’s strength is receiving out of the slot and he’s a big target and durable to go over the middle for intermediate receptions. Shipley has enough moderate speed to set up in wideout formations. We are wasting a valuable player by leaving Chase out of the equation. Just look at Aaron Hernandez in NE. Chase out performed him in college stats. Neither one blocks very well but who needs that if receiving is the value.
Tow options as I see it
I agree with signing pressley as the FB as one option.
The second is to use a base 3 receiver set with Shipley as the slot and Gresham as the TE. Force opposing teams into a nickle defense, by calling a passing game and when they show that they are in a deep shell, switch to a running play. We could then use a 2 TE set (Kelly in for Shipley) to run the ball when up by more than a TD late. You can keep the defenses off balance by running to either side by putting Kelly on the left and Gresham on the right. which puts your weaker TE blokcer with your stronger run blocking side. Then if they stuff the box audible to a passing play.
It took me a long time to jump on the fire Brat bandwagon,but I am fully committed now.
It must be inordinately taxing to be such a boob. ~ The Brain
whatever happened to Jeremi Johnson?
wasn’t he a probowler a few years ago? He was with us during the 2005-2007 years when we were competitive, then released during 2008. We then suck. He comes back for 2009 in which we make it back to the playoffs. He is released again and now we coincidentally are sucking…. again… Is there possibly a trend here????
Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.
Big JJ
He’s bigger than “Jelly Moobs” in fact very close to Mr. Marshmellow seen in Ghostbusters. Likes platters of cheeseburgers and deep fried twinkies. Besides Chris Pressley should have been the FB from the getgo. He did not contribute that much in 09. Look at the play numbers he was on the field during 09.
I don't care what he weighs as long as he can block
we’re not asking him to run deep routes
Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.
WHERE IS LEONARD
Leonard could be the guy stretching the field, slowing opposing pass rushes with screens, etc… Where is he? Why isn’t he being used like last year? This guy is on the roster, unless i am missing an injury or something else Leonard is another underutilized asset to the offense.
They got him to be a 3DRB and they're too stubborn to ever change that.
Win a ring without the king! Cavs=2011 champs?
I've gotten the sense that teams are sniffing out leonard...
We overused that play a bit last year and teams are tipped off to it when he’s on the field. Just a hunch
Gresham and B.Scott are 2 of the most misused players in the NFL
at least they have Shipley doing what he should be doing. If they had no intentions of using Gresham as a focal point in the offense they should’ve just waited and took one of the guys from Penn State or Anthony McCoy who were both available much later.
Back in the days of Ickey Woods
they actually had these formations where two guys who could each run the ball, and one who could catch it, would maybe consider also blocking for each other. I know it sound crazy today.
by occams_tiger_teeth on Nov 6, 2010 12:19 AM EDT reply actions
Just When You Thought Things Couldn't Get More Stupid
The thought of using Gresham at fullback is beyond belief
Brat "WTF" kowski
“He’s doing well in blocking,” offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski said. “There’s a bunch of (tight ends) that can do that, but they won’t be what he’s going to be in the pass game.”
Name another OC at any level of play that thinks using their potential all-pro TE at the FB position is a good idea. This guy is an impostor and a pretender.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Cincy Jungle
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Former high-school star Brian Banks does serious time on trumped-up charge, now hopes for an NFL shot
- Former ‘idiot kicker’ Mike Vanderjagt in trouble after accosting junior-high heckler
- Adrian Peterson blows teammates away in footraces; appears to be on the mend
- UPDATE: Charlie Sheen didn’t buy Lawrence Taylor’s Super Bowl ring
- Alex Smith gets blown up by Jon Beason over Cam Newton comments
