Agent: Nothing Imminent Between the Bengals and Reggie Kelly

by Josh Kirkendall on Apr 19, 2010 11:51 PM EDT in Contracts

Once the shock wore off that Bengals.com now has a blog, we actually started reading the content. In his second post, Geoff Hobson writes that Reggie Kelly's agent, Jimmy Sexton, says that "there is nothing imminent" regarding a deal between his client and the Bengals. Both sides want to get a deal done, and since there's plenty of time do get something done before the team's first mandatory minicamp, there's no reason to believe the two sides won't come to an agreement eventually.

That being said, it makes you believe that no matter what happens with Kelly, it won't influence the team's decision if they use their first round pick on a Tight End. I won't say Jermaine Gresham because who knows whom the Bengals could draft. Am I right?

Last week, Lewis' comments that Tight End will be addressed before the draft -- the same comment that suddenly had Cincinnati interested/not interested in Tony Scheffler -- has us believing that the Bengals will sign someone. Most likely Kelly, less likely J.P Foschi -- like him, but Lewis wouldn't make it a point to say something like that without saying Foschi's name... he's not that big.

Aside from that, the position remains divisive among Bengals fans. On one side, many believe that the Bengals need a pass catching Tight End. Period. End of story. Case closed. Chuck Norris'd. On the other the hand, many believe that the Bengals would waste a first round pick on a position that the team really doesn't use in the passing game anyway. Then there's about 20 people that believe we shouldn't give up so quickly on Chase Coffman.

Either way, I liked what Marvin said about the team's needs in the draft.

“We’re not going into the draft saying, ‘We have an empty chair at one particular spot,' ” Lewis said. “We’re kind of letting the draft board pick our player and obviously we’ll address some areas as we go through the draft based on what occurs in the first round.”

In other words, we're already pretty badass. We just want to get a little more badass.

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Comments

Jeez,..

I’d like to have reggie back… Two year deal… And One or both pitt TE’s

85 + 15 = 100...

by Trevor Long on Apr 20, 2010 12:25 AM EDT reply actions

God it feels good to be in the bad ass catergory again...

for once we can just let BPA be the major factor in picking… yes people that easily could be Gresham.

by Jaydolla on Apr 20, 2010 12:27 AM EDT reply actions

Along with chase, put darius back on ps and get rid of

COATTTSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

85 + 15 = 100...

by Trevor Long on Apr 20, 2010 12:28 AM EDT reply actions

So...

If NOT Reggie Kelly,who is he thinking before the draft,Olsen from the Bears?

by Primal on Apr 20, 2010 1:13 AM EDT reply actions

If it isn't one of those two

then it would have to be J.P. Foschi.

Even if we do sign Kelly (or even Olsen), a TE has to be one of the picks somewhere in rounds 1-4.

by Mr. X on Apr 20, 2010 1:26 AM EDT up reply actions

If they would resign Coats...

Why the hell won’t they give Kelly another one year contract? Kelly can block just as well as Coats and can actually catch the ball and hold on to it if given the odd chance. If Coffman is really ready to compete for the starting job like Marvin said this morning during the chat session, I don’t really see the need to blow our first round pick on a TE.

The Bengals unwillingness to resign Kelly or make a move might be indicative of them preparing to draft a player who can compete with Coffman and uh Coats for the job come training camp time. Let’s not forget Kelly is 33 years old now and coming off a season ending injury, which at his age could have easily ended his career. I know he has put in six solid years for us, but maybe it is time to cut ties and move on with some fresh blood via the draft but not necessarily the first round.

After checking on some of the best tight ends in the game today many of them were taken in the first round. Dallas Clark 24th, Winslow Jr. 6th, Vernon Davis 6th, Gonzalez 13th, Shockey 14th, Heath Miller 30th. Todd Heap 31st. But you do find that occasional diamond in the rough like fifth rounder Brent Celek and third rounders Jason Witten and Chris Cooley. So from what I can tell if you want someone is more likely to be an elite game changing receiving tight end, you better take them in the first round.

Reggie Kelly was a second round pick way back when, so it’s just a crap shoot really.

"You shouldn't throw rocks at a man with a machine gun." - Rowdy Roddy Piper

by St. Esiason on Apr 20, 2010 4:42 AM EDT reply actions

RE: My belief

I don’t think that the Bengals, nor Kelly, are urgent on this. That’s all. There’s plenty of time for the two sides to come to an agreement before anything is mandatory.

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

by Josh Kirkendall on Apr 20, 2010 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions

I dont get it Josh..

tell me how Kelly’s agent hasnt talked much as far as the bengals,plus no interest from other teams whatsoever and coming off a seasons injury,Chase Coffman mayybe that “3rd year guy” Marvin reffered to the other day as a starter,coming off a injury,learning to block but never was on the field for one snap,then theres Coats,who wasnt really just signed as TE but as a H Back (we already seen that nightmare at TE),then Marvin Lewis tells the world “this position could be taken care of before the draft”,then says more trades come on draft day or close to your pick,I mean Im no rocket scientist,but can you tell me what his thinking is unless hes smoking bad cigars with Bill Clinton?

by Primal on Apr 20, 2010 9:34 AM EDT reply actions

RE:

To throw you off. That’s the best I can think of.

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

by Josh Kirkendall on Apr 20, 2010 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions

"I did not have sexual relations with that cigar."

by UpStateMike on Apr 20, 2010 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions

I think they are just waiting until after the draft on Kelly

Anything is possible this Thursday and Friday night. Who would have thought Malaluga would fall to the 2nd last year? Kelly is theirs if they want him so why not see what happens in the draft?

I would like to see them package a 3rd and a 4th to a team who needs quantity and get a higher 2nd round pick. We do not need quantity. We need a few quality picks. Grab a quality Safety, TE, DL and OL guy in the 1st 3 rounds and get project players later. I would even consider throwing in our last pick. The money saved on the two picks we give up can help pay for the extra 2nd round pick. With that extra 2nd rounder they could get McCluster (maybe) or Shipley either of which would add quality receiver depth in the slot and give Carson more reliable targets. Gresham, Bryant, Chad and Shipley or McCluster on the field at the same time with Benson in the backfield would be very difficult to stop behind a more seasoned Oline. We could unload Simpson, Coats and other deadwood and still have Caldwell and Jones (who I think will come around) in reserve. Our O would be as strong as our D and we would be very hard to beat. If not Gresham go Thomas if he is there and get a good TE in the 2nd and that would be just as good.

"Coincidence is God's way of staying anonymous"

by JUNGLEJOHN on Apr 20, 2010 9:41 AM EDT reply actions

I think most of us

would be on board with that. We’ve got the “solid” guys— what we need is a few more PLAYMAKERS on both sides of the ball. It’s just unlikely that Mikey trades away any picks.

by Bengals NFL Champs on Apr 20, 2010 10:29 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Okkk Answer this..

you say Kelly is theirs,why is it he wasnt signed before Coats and he worked out on April 6th for the Bengals and hasnt been signed yet?

by Primal on Apr 20, 2010 9:44 AM EDT reply actions

My theory on Coats is . . .

they signed him because he knows the offense from the TE, H-Back and FB positions and would be at the facility watching film and working out with the young guys on the roster (Coffman, Hill, etc) through the OTA’s and minicamps to the start of the season. We all know Foschi had better stats, but my guess is Coats has a better grasp on concepts and is a better presence in the room.

by Cedric Benson Boat Party on Apr 20, 2010 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Well

That’s probably because the team didn’t check out Kelly work out until well after Coats. They wanted to make sure that he’s recovered before signing him and Coats was an early signing. The two, I don’t believe, have any connection with each other.

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

by Josh Kirkendall on Apr 20, 2010 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions

… remember now Gresham didnt play much at all during his senior year and also coming off injury

by Primal on Apr 20, 2010 9:46 AM EDT reply actions

My Point Is..

Look what we have now at this moment at TE,isnt it fair to say theres no starting talent whatsoever,I mean cmon now,Coats is the only guy with a snap under his belt,I’ve seen Coats at TE and so have you,is that what we want to start or even back up,just the mere thought makes my stomach turn.

by Primal on Apr 20, 2010 9:52 AM EDT reply actions

the optimist in me

says the Bengals had the situation last year with Livings and Cook and it worked out well. Coffman and Hill may be ready to play and perform solid as TE’s 1-2 with a Kelly or Coats type as a primary blocker for goal line and other sets. Of course the realist in me says a capable vet has to be added, even if Kelly is resigned.

by Cedric Benson Boat Party on Apr 20, 2010 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions

RE:

Hence two things…

1) The team doesn’t view TE as big thing in the team’s passing offense as some do — as we’ve suspected a bunch of times.
2) They’re going to give Chase a chance.

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

by Josh Kirkendall on Apr 20, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions