Antonio Bryant is a risk that could go either way
by Josh Kirkendall on Mar 11, 2010 9:48 AM EST
in Analysis
14 comments
On Wednesday, the Cincinnati Bengals reportedly solved their riddle, "mirror, mirror on the wall, which wide receiver is the most reasonable of all." There was some reaction against the signing, mostly because Antonio Bryant is too much of an unknown. We've heard about his baggage. We've heard about his injury. And quite frankly, does a receiver that's recorded two 1,000-yard seasons deserve a $28 million contract over four years? Is this another deal where the Bengals are risking their necks for a guy that could prove to bite them? Terrell Owens, for all he's done in this league, wouldn't have been the risk Bryant is. For one, Owens was good for a one-year deal and the Bengals could reset and see where they stood. With Bryant, they won't have that luxury. With Bryant, they're saying to themselves that he's a longer-term solution and that he'll earn his keep by recording career highs.
And yes, for $28 million, you'd better have at least one season where you record more than 83 receptions and at least 1,250 yards receiving. Take out Bryant's career year in 2008, his numbers average out to 41 receptions, 634 yards receiving and three touchdowns per season -- and he averages 13 games played per season. And we're not even including his 2007 because he was released by the 49ers after reported "clashes" with then head coach Mike Nolan. Over that summer, he failed a drug test and was finally reinstated into the league on September 17. By that time, no team wanted him and retirement seemed likely until the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offered Bryant a minimum contract. Since 2008 was his career year, he was franchised by Tampa Bay and offered up a terrible season.
Should we argue that Bryant is being rewarded for one career year that occurred two years ago? Images of Antwan Odom flash by.
Is Bryant a risk? I absolutely believe so. Have the Bengals improved from Tuesday until Bryant signs? I admit, they have. At this point, I also think he's a big upgrade over Laveranues Coles. But that's speculation. I'm assuming here. I'm willing to be patient on Bryant though and see what he does on the field and reserve judgment until then. If he improves on his career year from 2008, then we'll be euphoric because the results will only push the Bengals that much closer to the playoffs. But if he doesn't, calls of a bust will surface very quick and we'll have another Laveranues Coles situation on our hands.
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Antonio Bryant isn't worth 7 million a year.
Mike Brown over-paid for an under-performer with mental issues. Set aside the physical concerns. Bryant’s mental state has held his career back more than any physical injury.
I’m about to type something that 6 months ago, I’d have bet anyone a large sum of money, I’d never ever say, much less, believe when I said it.
Terrel Owens as a 1 year signing is the move the Bengals should have made this off-season.
Adding T.O. to the Bengals for a 1 year test run, could have done something special in Cincinnati. Adding Jones and Bryant is a larger risk, to the team’s lineup, the chemistry, and threatens to destroy the locker room when either of those 2 go mental. Signing T.O., passing on Bryant, and releasing Jones in spring training would have been the best scenario for this team and the chemistry. Only carrying T.O. on the roster, he acts up, the team blows it off since he’s T.O. and he’s only one guy acting up.
"wherever Brad St. Louis is and Shayne Graham is about to be." -R.F. Mehl
could've, would've, should've
embrace the move, it’s the move we got
If you don't live like you wanna, you live like you shouldn't
man or mouse
Everything with Bryant is up in the air. He has never been on a solid team and has never really had a great QB or another big WR threat. At the very least, defenses have to respect him and his ability.
Good Article
It does a great job showcasing the main worries going forward with Bryant. Versus TO, this deal was made on account of two reasons. First, Ocho is most likely gone when his contract is up and Bryant does have the talent to bridge the gap between him and a younger guy who will be developed into the future number one. Second, Bryant can be a deep threat as well as contribute in the intermediate and underneath passing attack. In the past, outside of Ocho, the deep guys haven’t really be able to develop in to all around receivers and the underneath guys have struggled in the downfield game. His signing isn’t bullet proof and we’ll see how it turns out.
by Cedric Benson Boat Party on Mar 11, 2010 10:35 AM EST reply actions
Tough Call
The Bengals are betting on Bryant being more productive than in the past with Palmer, who is (usually) superior to any of AB’s former quarterbacks. He’s had some good years, and those were the ones with the best QBs throwing to him – Jeff Garcia and Trent Dilfer, still not perennial Pro Bowlers and both past their prime when throwing to AB.
This guy’s never had a quarterback like Palmer. We’ll see how he does here.
by CincinnatiCyanide88 on Mar 11, 2010 10:39 AM EST reply actions
"never had a quarterback like Palmer"
Palmers 2 seasons removed from being a QB like Palmer.
and then there’s the Bob Bratkowski situation to consider..
"wherever Brad St. Louis is and Shayne Graham is about to be." -R.F. Mehl
Lol.
Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.
by Josh Kirkendall on Mar 11, 2010 11:16 AM EST up reply actions
we should just cut all of our WR's
and carry 10 RB’s on the roster..
by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Mar 11, 2010 12:02 PM EST up reply actions
Get a Grip
The mantra going into free agency was sign a WR. Grumbling started when nothing happened in the first few days. Well, the Bengals brought their top two guys in, decided on the guy they wanted to acquire and then did what it took to sign the guy before he went looking for other suitors. Now, too many Bengals fans are wringing their hands over the bold decision to sign Antonio Bryant for #1 money. Immediately, the crying began. The Bengals picked the wrong guy. Or, more ridiculous, people are suggesting that the supposedly cheapskate Bengals paid too much for Bryant. Get a grip. I have no doubt that if the Bengals had signed T.O. there would be a hue and cry over Mike Brown signing an aging prima donna on the cheap as a stopgap one year band-aid. Anyway, the deed is done, and the Bengals got the guy they wanted from the outset. Bryant may not be the solution to the WR problem ( no one guy, even T.O. or Brandon Marshall, would solve the problem) but he’s a good start. I’m fine with Bryant. But, maybe, I’m too optimistic. After all, I think the signing of Matt Jones was also a good move.
by virginiastripes on Mar 11, 2010 11:27 AM EST reply actions
I think both were good moves.
However, they are different moves entirely. Bryant is obviously quite the long term investment. With Matt Jones we have a 6’6’’ body who hopefully is inspired to work hard and catch some balls, if he gets into the powder again, seeeeeeeee ya!
by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Mar 11, 2010 12:05 PM EST up reply actions
he is only making 700K
so he will not be able to splurge on the blow like he did with his 1st round salary in JXV.
by Cedric Benson Boat Party on Mar 11, 2010 1:10 PM EST up reply actions
well:
“The mantra going into free agency was sign a WR.”
was it? andre caldwell looked solid enough to be #2 last season. TE is was and continues to be a more pressing issue.
“Bengals brought their top two guys in”
when did Brandon Marshall visit?
“too many Bengals fans are wringing their hands over the bold decision to sign Antonio Bryant for #1 money.”
too many? you have a number on that? as for the number #1 money, #1 money is 10 million + now, but there’s nothing wrong with spending a 5-8 million on a #2 provided you make the contract incentive laden. the bengals could have taken more time to sign bryant under their terms, not like he had many offers.
“Bengals had signed T.O. there would be a hue and cry over Mike Brown signing an aging prima donna on the cheap as a stopgap one year band-aid.”
that crying probably would have come more from national media outlets and other teams fans. like those that cry about chad, most of them tend not to be bengals fans.
“Bryant may not be the solution to the WR problem ( no one guy, even T.O. or Brandon Marshall, would solve the problem)”
too true, most fans suddenly have forgotten palmers struggles of the past 2 seasons and the constant catcalls for Bratt’s skull. and the TE twilight zone of cincy, where are you coffman? how long has it been since the league feared a bengals TE, rodney holman?
“I’m fine with Bryant. But, maybe, I’m too optimistic”.
there were people that got optimistic over the coles signing too.
“After all, I think the signing of Matt Jones was also a good move.”
we did need someone to take slims place..
"wherever Brad St. Louis is and Shayne Graham is about to be." -R.F. Mehl
With all due respect to T.O.
what this team needed was a receiver who can stretch the field. After Slim went out with the broken arm, Ocho saw more double coverage, and the opposing safeties, who had been playing “as far back as I have ever seen” according to Carson at the beginning of the year, moved way in, shutting down Caldwell’s production. Whatever T.O. was or is going to be, a primary downfield threat isn’t it.
I agree with palewook’s implication that if the team really wanted a downfield gamechanger, they should have gone after Marshall, but if they’re not willing to part with the 1st rounder and the $10 mil per year, then Bryant is as good as it was going to get with UFA’s this year.
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