Is Oklahoma Tight End Jermaine Gresham the favorite to be selected in the first round by Cincinnati?
by Josh Kirkendall on Feb 14, 2010 12:50 PM EST
in NFL Draft
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PrintWho will the Bengals select in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft? That's a question we've mused since the season ended. Would they go with a wide receiver? Sure, they could. The mainstream question is will Mardy Gilyard be around. What about another offensive lineman? We have several young offensive tackles and it's rare when guards or centers are selected in the first round. Quarterback? No. Running back? Not likely. What about defense? Could the Bengals go after a playmaker at safety? Possible. Who's out there? What about another linebacker or defensive tackle?
One position the Bengals could go after is a position that's really in need. Tight End. Reggie Kelly will be a 33-year old unrestricted free agent by March. Daniel Coats is Freddy Krueger's nightmare and J.P. Foschi is, at best, a backup tight end that could contribute in double tight end formations. Chase Coffman? We really don't know what to expect from Coffman. After being embarrassed during Hard Knocks and failing to break into the active Sunday lineup, Coffman's season ended after he was placed on Injured Reserve with bone spurs in his left ankle. We could say that he'll contribute his sophomore season, but that's speculation based on a stellar college career where he acted more like a wide receiver than a tight end.
As it stands, the Bengals don't have a starting tight end on their roster.
ESPN's Todd McShay believes that the Bengals will draft Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham.
There is an early consensus the Bengals will select a tight end in the first round. The primary reason is the team needs a lot of help for quarterback Carson Palmer, but this is not a top-heavy draft for wide receivers. So filling the spot at tight end is the next best option. Gresham has a lot of physical tools that could instantly help Cincinnati's offense. But teams will be thoroughly checking into Gresham's injury history during the combine.
Several of the Mock Drafts that Jay McDonnell looked through have the Bengals selecting Gresham. And based on what the Bengals have signed right now on their roster, I could see Gresham being the team's first pick during the 2010 NFL Draft.
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ok now your just messing with us
dont you have a significant other to spend the day with?
www.fantasydaddy.com
LOL
anyhow, I’m sick of everyone having us take Gresham in mocks. I put together an extremely unconventional 4 round mock. Somehow, according to a lot of draft sites, I looked at the draft order and we have the Raiders 4th rounder. Not too sure how, but I’ll take it
Slim 15, you will be missed. RIP Chris Henry
by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Feb 14, 2010 1:17 PM EST up reply actions
The draft isn't about being unconvential
It’s likely we take him and likely he’ll be there. Makes sense.
RIP Slim.
by brandone on Feb 14, 2010 2:56 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I'm just going against the mainstream...
I got some solid shit in my mock though…
Slim 15, you will be missed. RIP Chris Henry
by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Feb 14, 2010 3:11 PM EST up reply actions
I like Graham(TE, Miami, FL) in round three much better than Gresham in round 1
He isn’t a great blocker, but at least he knows how to
Slim 15, you will be missed. RIP Chris Henry
by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Feb 14, 2010 3:12 PM EST up reply actions
i would love to take Anthony McCoy USC
we might have to take him in round 2 to make sure we get him, but round 3 is where he will likely go
www.fantasydaddy.com
by Joe Goodberry on Feb 14, 2010 3:17 PM EST up reply actions
I could see us drafting TE..
Im surprised we havent used Coffman as a wr yet.
by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Feb 14, 2010 1:34 PM EST reply actions
I'd rather not see a TE in the first round.
I just can’t make the value of a first round pick equal a tight end in any but the most extreme cases. I’d much rather see them go after a guard that could passblock, or, if they’re going to do this “run offense” crap that worked 5 years ago, just draft a bunch of defensive players because the run offense is just fine.
I don't want a TE in the first but...
I’ve heard that Mike Brown has gone loco for Jermaine Gresham and told all his coaches to give him a full deep scouting report on Gresham. The guy is a pure talent so i won’t be 100% annoyed about it… but with our Offence which has never used TEs it doesn’t seem to be a good selection. Hoefully if we do draft him we use him as a slot WR or at least split out to challenge the middle.
I’d still rather us go BPA all the way through the draft.
by Sheffieldbengal on Feb 14, 2010 3:42 PM EST reply actions
Where do you have Gresham??
cause he was a consensus top 15 talent if he came out last year… even with his mid type knee surgery he’s considered the No.1 TE this year… if his knee checks out fine he’s a Top 25 guy and we pick at 21, so he’ll be one of the BPAs available
TEs who can’t really block, don’t know how to (NFL)block and play like a WR rather than TE don’t belong in the top 15 in my opinion. If his knee is fine then he is a mid-late 1st for me. And by that i mean 20-32. Personally i’d rather a defesive player who grades around the same level over Gresham.
Also when i say BPA i mean in regards to position… that is the best punter ever ever won’t rank over a good CB because a good CB grades higher (and is therefore the BPA). So in a graded-BPA, pass-catching TE is less likely to grade higher over a CB, DT, DE or OT.
by Sheffieldbengal on Feb 14, 2010 3:58 PM EST up reply actions
I don't think aynone mistakes BPA for anything other than best player available..
I’m a faithful follower of the Church of Defense wins Championships so I’m wanting some Defensive favoritism this offseason and we need it… but the consensus is Gresham is at minimum an effective blocker (aka a lot better than where Coffman was at the same time) and why people are focusing sooo much on his blocking is a little confusing… we are looking for a guy to catch passes that convert 3rd downs, red-zone TDs and take some heat off other pass cathcers, so why focus so much on the thing that won’t be his major use… he’ll be one of the BPAs in the categories were looking to improve… now I don’t think TE is as important as a penetrating 3 tech DT or Safety but if he’s 5 or 6 spots above any of those spots on the team’s board then he’s an excellent choice
I would love a S, DT, or DE at 21
you can find TEs in the 2-5th round
www.fantasydaddy.com
by Joe Goodberry on Feb 14, 2010 4:49 PM EST up reply actions
there is more than one version of BPA, ask a GM. Its all about a weighted-system of grading based upon complicated checks, balances and grades. Some teams are very strictly BPA like the Lions were… which resulted in year after year of WRs. Some teams like the Eagles have a heavy bias in regards to o-linemen. Raiders also run a BPA scheme based primarily on triangle numbers… they ignore need for BPA-balanced by the golden triangle of physical ability. Al Davis also rates skill positions higher than linemen (he has said he hates drafting D-linemen high). Fans talk about BPA like its one comprehensive system but its very complicated and something i enjoyed talking to with scouts and people around the league. Brown has traditionally used a need-based system in the first two rounds… whereas in the 3rd and beyond it changes into a different sort of BPA.
Well Gresham has better be able to block because if he can’t then on a run-first offence he is going to struggle to get into the groove with Palmer and the gang. Running the ball is our first priority… and the fact that Brat prefers to use TEs as OTs who very late chip out to catch a short ball means that Gresham’s blocking is very important. Gresham’s blocking is also important because the whole surprise of a TE is that they do both…. if they are just a pass-catcher then the D goes to a nickle etc. The success of Dallas Clark is that he blocks alot, be it like a H-back, on slashes or chips, so that the D has to keep just honest enough (same with Indy’s play-action game). Brat doesn’t call many screens but he loves to call TE screens (Coats enjoys dropping those) so if Gresham doens’t block well then it will be sniffed out easy by superior Ds like the Steelers’ or Ravens’.
by Sheffieldbengal on Feb 14, 2010 5:10 PM EST up reply actions
Too bad our GM is also the tightwad owner
Slim 15, you will be missed. RIP Chris Henry
by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Feb 14, 2010 10:35 PM EST up reply actions
Put in other words… last year i had Oher graded over Pettigrew (wonder if the Lions now wish they used a graded-BPA system)
by Sheffieldbengal on Feb 14, 2010 4:01 PM EST up reply actions
Depends on Coffman
and whether the team thinks he’ll be able to contribute next year. If he can’t learn to block, can he be another WR?
I would also like to see them bring in Chase Daniel to compete for the backup QB spot. He looked pretty good for the Redskins in preseason and his presence might help Coffman along as well. Last I heard he was bouncing on and off of the Saints practice squad, then was put on the active roster right before the playoffs but was never active for a game.
His preseason stats: 14 of 24 for 143 yards, 3 tds, 0 int in 2 games.
Coffman as WR
it dosnt work like that, sure he played in the spread in college. But alot of the time, the TE or the Slot guy isnt covered in the spread. And if they are, its by a LB or S. As a TE, you can beat a LB or S. But if your playing WR, now you have to get open vs CBs. thats a different story. Coffman wouldnt be faster, or more agile than a CB. His only strength would be his size. It might only sound like the difference of where hes lined up, but thats all it is. There is no difference. Kepp Coffman at TE, just split him out wide like they did more than a few times with Dan Coats and JP Foschi
www.fantasydaddy.com
good points… highlights why a TEs blocking is so important. If they block well they get those one-on-ones with LBs and can make hay.
by Sheffieldbengal on Feb 14, 2010 5:13 PM EST up reply actions
After thinking about this for so long, I came to a realization.
We should draft Sean Weatherspoon. Even if he doesn’t start right away, we do need a future elite backer where Rey is playing now, because Rey will move soon enough to the middle. I don’t see value anywhere else (except if Bryant falls to us).
The other option is moving down, taking the best WR available at wherever we move down to, and gaining a 3rd, maybe a 2nd round pick.
If you don't live like you wanna, you live like you shouldn't
Go for the homerun
The situation with TE reminds me of the CB position back before we drafted Joseph and Hall. We beat around the bush for years, drafting guys in the 2nd like Hawkins, Fisher, and Roman, never solidifying the position. Got a couple good years from Tory and Deltha, but not the long term answer. At what point do you quit dicking around with retreads and actually go for it by taking a TE in the first? Kelly? No. Utecht? No. Coffman? No. If Gresham is anything as advertised before his injury, very good chance we can nip this in the bud once and for all in April. Or maybe another TE shoots up the boards after the combine. Whoever it is, the Bengals need to get on board with the rest of the NFL in recognizing a TE can be a game changer. Doesn’t have to be the least talented guy on the field that kicks us in the nuts(Howdy, Dan Coats) the few times we do look his way.
You guys calling for defense in the first round are a riot. Did you happen to notice the defense is already pretty damn good and anything approaching even an average passing game(ours is piss poor) could’ve made us an elite team? And this was all so painfully obvious down the stretch. Dhani Jones or Chinny weren’t the reasons we got throttled by the Jets 2 weeks in a row. We couldn’t complete a 7 yard pass. Chad got locked down and we had zero threat down the middle or on the opposite side of the field. Let’s not over-think this one, gang.
The key is in what you said:
If Gresham is anything as advertised before his injury
It’s a big IF. You can’t be so sure about a guy with an injury if you plan on drafting him in the 1st. It’s kind of risky.
If you don't live like you wanna, you live like you shouldn't
Man... people are waaay too harsh
the guy played in 41 consecutive college games… gets an injury to his meniscus (not one of the 4 main ligaments that control the knee’s movement) and is all of a sudden injury riddled… Durability is a question of course but I guarantee not one of the people questioning injuries wouldn’t take a Bob Sanders or Owen Daniels.
True
I would take Sanders or Daniels any day of the week. Hell, Daniels was on my fantasy team. I’m not sold on Gresham because he is to me another Chase Coffmann.
Slim 15, you will be missed. RIP Chris Henry
by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Feb 14, 2010 10:32 PM EST up reply actions
I don't care the technicalities of the injury in this case because...
he didn’t play ALL of last season. That raises a big red flag. You’re going to invest in a 1st rounder with a big red flag?
Listen, I love the guy, the guy is a monster. I would love if we draft him IIIFFF, he wasn’t injured.
If you don't live like you wanna, you live like you shouldn't
man...
you must be screaming for them to drop Odom or draft DE then cause 2 seasons in a row of major injuries and major time missed is a HUGE red flag going forward…. and he’s only going to make more and more money
Tightends
you are dead wrong about drafting a TE in the first. If Gresham was injury free and coming of the monster season of 2 years ago,you do it with no question. The defense was good but good only gets you to the playoffs. Great defenses win championship..and this defense is not great. The Bengals have done a very good job od putting a foundation together. Now they must continue to build with another defensive pick. Don’t forget that Gresham BLEW out his knee and it is very difficult to come back and be the same. Mays or Dunlap should be the smart pick. The ceiling for them is off the charts.
Kenneth Lewis Moore
by lightskin350 on Feb 14, 2010 11:52 PM EST up reply actions
I have to give it to you...
You’re 100% misinformed on every point you make, but thanks for the morning entertainment.
1. Gresham had cartilage damage, and by all accounts, is supposed to be 100% by April, let alone the start of next season. When we’re talking about BLOWN, we’re talking torn ligaments(ACL, MCL, PCL), which is an entirely different ballgame.
2. http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/total/position/defense
Now where are the Bengals ranked and where are the two teams that just played in the Super Bowl? And keep in mind, the Bengal D did not have the luxury of a juggernaut offense, and were largely on the field way too long.
“Great defenses win championships”
a) Way to regurgitate the line ESPN feeds you year in and year out. You sure know your football.
b) New Orleans:
-25th in yards allowed/game
-21st in points allowed/game
Hardly “great”, but when the offense scores points, the opposing team plays catch-up, forcing the issue and creating an environment ripe for the defense to make big plays. That’s essentially the 2005 Bengals and that’s how the Saints won this year.
good call bodacio....
Man its just down right ugly on how people are so misinformed on his injury… There are 4 ligaments that hold the knee together and the meniscus isn’t one of them… its padding for the knee that keeps things from rubbing together and causing pain… just like you have different fractures of a bone you have different tears… Carson’s ACL tear was so bad he had it totally replaced… Gresham had stitches put in his meniscus
"Mays or Dunlap should be the smart pick."
I’m thinking of another DE from Florida in Derrick Harvey when the Jags traded up to take him. He was supposed to be a very safe pick that would be a benchmark DE for them form the next 10 years.
by smoormandiddy on Feb 15, 2010 11:14 AM EST up reply actions
With the 21st pick in the 2010 Nfl Draft the Cincinatti Bengals select......
the best defensive prospect they have on their board. The Bengals are in desperate need of a pass rushing DT or safety. One could argue that the bengals could use another DE because Robert Geathers is not getting the job done. We have seen the Bengals release players that are not performing up to expectations. Chris Perry, Kyle Larson,Levi Jones….I believe that the Bengals will take Taylor Mays or Carlos Dunlap with the pick. One could argue that they are the best player at his position. DT and WR are deep this year…draft one in the 2nd and 3rd round.
Kenneth Lewis Moore
I am in the Mike Martz school..............
If a TE can’t block you may as well put another WR on the field. There are few who both block and receive at a high level. If a guy can’t do both at a high level do not draft him high. It is as simple as that. TE has never been big for us in Offenses where, if we had today’s defense, we would have won many more games and been in the playoffs 4-5 of the last 6 years. TE is not a dire necessity. It would be nice but if he is not A Tony Gonzales type get him in the 4th or 5th. He just needs to catch the ball well enough to draw coverage. I am not sold on Gresham as a solid #1 pick for us. There are other areas where #1 talent will serve us better. That is not the case with several other teams but it is for us.
" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran
you do know...
I don’t know what exactly your definition of Tony Gonzales type is but many many insiders \ scouts compare him to Jason Witten coming out of college…. Jason Witten is probably the best TE in the league so I’ll take a chance at that type of player anyday
Read my post carefully
Hell if there is a Gonzales or Whitten there when we pick by all means draft him. I just don’t see one out there. My definition of a Gonzales type is great hands, good YAC, excellent blocking and ball security. That is a qualifier for the #1 pick. Like I said I don’t see one out there.
" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran
I love reading this blog.
And you guys all make GREAT points but if it were up to me; we wouldn’t have a first round (or third) pick. We’d give them up to get Brandon Marshall. Draft a TE in the second round.
"Shiny. Let's be bad guys."
by KentuckianaBrowncoat on Feb 15, 2010 9:36 AM EST reply actions
+1!
However, I do think that the addition of Matt Jones could change things a bit. The guy is a physical beast. Before he got into trouble, he was on pace for 80 receptions and 1000 yards. If the Bengals feel he is the answer at WR, trading for Marshall might not be necessary. We could then take the best TE available in Gresham/Hernandez and draft D (and maybe an O Line pick) the rest of the way
Even with Jones, I'd go for Brandon for a 1 & 3 draft pick.
Then add in a solid TE and suddenly Carson is flush with a recieving corps. End of story, then beef up the defense as needed.
At 21...
you take the best player available. Bengals have several needs. Considering the TEs they had last year, almost anyone would be a major upgrade. At the time they signed Foshi,NE had Dave Thomas for trade.NO got him for a 5th round pick.He’s not going to the pro bowl anytime soon,but he had played well for the new Super Bowl champs. He would have contributed more to the Bengals then their 5th round pick. Now everyone is talking about trading for Marshall, but the guy the Bengals should seriously consider trading for from the Broncos is Tony Scheffler.
Scheffler
He’s only 27. McDaniels doesn’t like him and wants to get rid of him. I bet the price to acquire him would be reasonable. He’s a midwest boy (Western Michigan). He’s not a great blocker. But he does have speed and great hands.
Another potential bargain player.....
Anthony Fasano. It was rumored that the Bengals were planning on selecting Fasano in round 2 in ‘06 but the Cowboys took him. He has since been traded to the Dolphins and had a lackluster year. He’s a RFA but I don’t think it would take much to acquire him. I think any upgrade for a reasonable price for the TE position is the best strategy. Fasano is a good blocker,stays healthy and is only 26.
I think Fasano would be a good addition to the team.
He is a sleeper that needs the right scenario. He can block and catch though, that is for sure.
With all the talk about TEs needing to block in this O
I have been thinking that the unbalanced lines and overloads may have been a product of TE injuries in camp. Utecht wasn’t a great blocker, but we signed him. I think if they bring Kelly back, we could see coffman on the field more in 2 TE sets. Thus we wouldn’t necessarily need a high pick TE.
Although thinking like this has led to passing on a lot of productive TEs.
RIP Slim.
by brandone on Feb 15, 2010 2:14 PM EST via mobile reply actions
BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE
I say we take the best player available with the 21st pick. I have a feeling it wont be Gresham and I’m not a big fan of taking a TE in the 1st rd anyway. We could get Hernandez or Anthony Mccoy in a later round. I would like to get c.j. spiller, dez bryant, or carlos dunlap with that pick but that might be a bit of a stretch besides dunlap dropping that far. I would also like to see us take a good young qb in one of the later rounds, someone we could mold behind Palmer.
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