Bengals Game Changing Offseason Moves: Signing Antonio Bryant Automatically Upgrades Passing Offense

by Josh Kirkendall on Apr 16, 2010 2:00 PM EDT

Sponsored Post: This post is presented by Sprint. Bringing you the first wireless 4G network from a national carrier. Only on the Now Network.

During Cincinnati's AFC North Championship run, it became obvious that the Bengals passing offense was in trouble. Even though Carson Palmer recorded 314 yards passing against the San Diego Chargers during the 14th week of the season, the franchise quarterback failed to record 200 yards passing in four of the team's final five games of the season; including the team's 14-24 loss to the New York Jets in the Wild Card round of the 2009 NFL Playoffs.

One of the reason's for the team's lack of a passing offense is the weapons surrounding Palmer. Laveranues Coles signed a four-year deal last offseason and was released after only one season, showing a severe degradation in production compared to his previous seasons. Andre Caldwell, the young and talented wide receiver from Florida, spent much of the season struggling to break away from defenders, never recording more than 40 yards receiving during Cincinnati's final ten games (including the playoffs).

Luckily the Bengals identified the passing offense as a needed improvement over the offseason, signing wide receiver Antonio Bryant to a four-year deal worth $28 million on March 10. Developing a sense of balance on offense, with an improved passing offense that includes a talented wide receiver, projects for a more productive unit than last year; especially those times when the passing offense will have to throw caution to the wind and win the game through the air.

[Note: This is the first in a series of posts sponsored by Sprint that will detail the "Game Changing" moves that the Bengals made during the offseason that will have an effect on the 2010 season.]

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Bottom line...Play calling sucked!

Palmer had more than enough weapons in 2009 to have more than just one 300 yard passing game referenced above! New offensive coordinator is the upgrade we need now! Sorry for beating a dead horse, but Brat is a drunken mule not a thoroughbred.

by Vman in Germany on Apr 16, 2010 2:49 PM EDT reply actions

+1 and a bag o chips

Only in the bizarro world of mikey & katie should this yahoo still have a job. If they’re so dedicated to bratkowski, why not give him a “consulting” job, pay him his salary, and hire a real OC who knows something about football?

Come on mike, i know you’re frugal but i know deep down you really want to win! How ‘bout a guy who can actually, oh, I don’t know, make a HALFTIME ADJUSTMENT?!?

It defies logic…Does bratkowski have pictures of mike brown with a boy scout or something!? Aaahhh!!!

by Bengals NFL Champs on Apr 16, 2010 5:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

lmao!!! love the yahoo reference

by DonMegga on Apr 17, 2010 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions

For a while there

I thought you guys were sponsored by goladymall.com

by Jaegner on Apr 16, 2010 4:31 PM EDT reply actions

Upgrades passing offense?

I am one of the many on the bandwagon to give Denver a 3rd for Scheffler. We need not only more receiving weapons, but also more help blocking help. He is well-established in the NFL. This is my position: If we are DEPENDING on Antonio Bryant to make a significant difference in our passing game, we could have serious problems if he either doesn’t perform to all of these high expectations or if he gets hurt. Too many are assuming he is going to be a major game changer. To be clear, I believe he is a very good acquisition, and should help a lot. He just may not be as great as everyone wants, or thinks. I think Matt Jones will surprise a lot of people and be quite effective. This might not be the case either, however. If neither work out, then what?? We need Scheffler, should have acquired Ginn, and I believe that if we can get T.O. for a bargain one year deal, we should bring him in. We need to have as many weapons as possible, even if it’s as insurance.

by justRick on Apr 16, 2010 8:33 PM EDT reply actions

The only problem is,

that we have a 53 man roster and only a certain amount can even dress on game day. 45 or so(can’t remember). What do you do with all the prospects you pick up in the draft? You need a certain amount of players at each position….. You can’t have them all. You don’t draft the best players to cut them.

by WHYUS!! on Apr 16, 2010 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Yea,

but Simpson and Caldwell do not exactly inspire confidence. If things don’t click with Simpson, he’s gone. Caldwell’s hands are about as reliable as Coats. That leaves us with an aging 85, the world on Bryant’s shoulders, and an experiment in Jones. Although I’d like to see us take a Safety, Kindle, or Pierre-Paul (if any of them are available when we pick), Dez or Jermaine WOULD be an upgrade. There is a roster limit, but the roster of talent we have could be much better. Competition is a good thing. Not every draft pick makes the team.