2010 NFL Draft: Eating Crow While Agreeing That Jermaine Gresham Could Be A Great Fit
by Josh Kirkendall on Apr 23, 2010 9:02 AM EDT
in NFL Draft
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PrintYou don't get that same sensation when eating crow as you do biting into that juicy cheeseburger with a mountain of bacon. Much of the offseason, while discussions about the NFL draft started heating up, I argued that the Bengals won't and shouldn't draft a Tight End in the first round. For one, I was a student in the theory that the pick would be wasted because the Bengals haven't historically used the Tight End in the passing game. Sure, they really haven't had the talent to utilize the position, but at the same time, the Bengals haven't sought that type of player either during Marvin Lewis' tenure.
But times have also changed.
So why would the Bengals use their first round pick on a position when the most receptions by a Tight End was Reggie Kelly's 31 in 2008?
Since Carson Palmer took over as the team's quarterback in 2004, the Bengals used a lot of three-wide receiver formations in the passing game. For the most part, it was their working philosophy. After the potent offense started slowing, going from a fifth ranked 238.8 yards passing per game average to 26th in 2009 averaging 180.6 yards passing per game, the team realized that to succeed in this league, that a working passing offense would need to be a factor. It doesn't have to be dominating. It doesn't have to be Colts-like or Saints-crazy. It just has to compliment the team's rushing offense.
Answering the question means that you have to take everything you think you know and throw it out the window. The 2009, and thus the 2010, Cincinnati Bengals offense isn't that 2005 squad that witnessed three wide receivers threatening to score from any spot on the field. This squad is a physical group that will pound the football at you. And when they've done that, they'll just pound you again, and again, and again.
The addition of Jermaine Gresham does make sense. With Gresham, the Bengals can stretch the middle of the field and Palmer can hit a target in traffic on a critical third and short. With the addition of Gresham, the Bengals could be afforded an opportunity where predictability slowly fades away. Think about this. The Bengals line up double Tight End formation with Gresham and Chase Coffman at the ends and Chad Ochocinco and Antonio Bryant flanking them. Essentially Palmer will have four options on any play. And since the formation is also a run formation, the team can simply hand the football off to Cedric Benson for a sure four or five yards. What are you going to do defense? You have four guys you need to cover with Benson foaming at the mouth to hand out some awesome punishment.
True, at first I didn't like the pick for the reasons stated earlier. I never had anything against the man. He's rated far and above as the best Tight End coming into the NFL Draft this year. And honestly, if you're going to draft a position, why not the best in the draft? No, Gresham was never the problem with me.
But as I thought about it, it came down to Dez Bryant and Gresham. I asked myself, if Bryant were already gone, would Gresham have been the best available for this team? In that context, I would argue yes. Sure, building the defense with Taylor Mays would have been nice. But from my understanding, Mays is a younger version of Roy Williams and Chinedum Ndukwe -- hard hitters that don't making wrapping the ball carrier that much of a priority. Mays is also still available; who knows what can happen on Friday with the second and third rounds.
No, I didn't like the team drafting a Tight End at first. In fact, I still have some reservation. However, the Bengals did draft the best Tight End available and it obviously addressed a position that was clearly short on talent and personnel. And if you compare Gresham and Dez Bryant, perhaps, just perhaps, my crow eating butt agrees that Gresham is the better fit.
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Kirk.... awesome
this is wonderful:
What are you going to do defense? You have four guys you need to cover with Benson foaming at the mouth to hand out some awesome punishment.
LOVE IT….
3 yards and a pile of dust
Gresham was always our #1 choice
Assuming Berry and Thomas were gone, Gresham was and always should have been our first realistic pick at 21.
Carson is now in his 30’s. Chad only has 2 more years under contract. Bryant is signed for 4. Ced is 27 and probably only has 2-3 years tops with his running style. We are very much in win-now mode. Dez Bryant would have been the #3 receiver for at least a year or two before presumably replacing Chad and pretty much leaving us exactly where we are right now except with an older Carson and probably no feature running back. Woudl he be a bad addition to the receiving corp? Of course not. But he wouldn’t have really been a big help to us right now in getting over the hump. Gresham is going to redefine this offense for years. He ran a 4.71 forty and knocked people out at the combine and his pro day so it sure sounds to me like his knees are fine. Taking that question out of it the guy is a top 5 pick and an absolute steal at 21.
We can worry all we want about how Brat intends to use him. This “primarily a red zone threat” nonsense is just that. Nonsense. Once the guy gets on the field and starts prowling around in the middle of the field giving Carson the safety valve he needs he’s going to show his worth to Brat and, more importantly, Carson right away.
This is a good point.
Even if the play call isn’t for Gresham, if Carson sees him open he’s going to get him the ball and let Jermaine do what Jermaine does.
by Craig Conrad on Apr 23, 2010 9:31 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Your damn right we can worry about how Brat utilizes him
It’s Bratkowski.
What's up hurt guys? I don't talk to hurt guys.
Question #18- When do you not run a 40 with your shirt off?
My point is...
Brat can only do so much damage with a player/position like this. He can not call Gresham’s number all he wants, but he’s going to be on the field a lot, especially on passing downs. And how many times last year would having a tight end with Gresham’s ability over, say, Daniel Coates have made the difference between a win and a loss? Carson will find him when he’s there and the simple fact of him being on the field is going to take pressure off every other receiver.
Yes, I'm pretty sure . . .
the tight end position cost at least one win last year.
by Evil Monkey on Apr 23, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions
yup. Anybody else have a visual of a perfectly thrown ball slip through Coats hands with an open backfield?
This is our year!
by Paul Cannon on Apr 23, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed.....
about the “win now” comment. I’m not sure this was the draft pick to go get a guy that wouldn’t start for a few years. We finally have some depth, I think we needed to try and find the highest upside player that was ready right now.
Dez Bryant is a talented football player, no doubt. But he is the kind of “person” that the Bengals need to stay away from. I think there is a good possibility he’d have done more to hurt Cincy then help them. Cincy can’t afford to take kids like that right now. Getting away from those guys is what is going to turn this program around.
even the greatest of 1st round WR's
struggle to see the field their rookie year.
The window of opportunity is very much open this year in my eyes.
What better way to put a defense on it’s heels than fielding Ocho and AB split out, with Gresham and Coffman and say…..Nike Air Leonard? yeah…suck that defense.
Let’s start at square one…. Gresham can actually catch the ball, unlike Coats. Gresham is taller and has longer arms, unlike Coats. Gresham is faster and stronger than JP Foschi….and of course Coats.
Gresham was considered a Top 20…who we picked at 21. We didnt’ reach. (ahem Alualu)
Let’s face it, if there was any position on this team that needed the most help….it was TE, period.
The Bengals have a solid foundation right now, and could afford the luxury of taking a player they really want. And while you can argue that it’s never a good idea to draft for need, Gresham fills a lot of holes. Not only does he vastly improve the TE position, but his presence and skill set improve the entire offense….yeah i said it – ENTIRE OFFENSE.
He can inline block, if Dave Lapham says so, then I believe it. He ruins the rolled coverage game plan that good defenses typically use to shut down Ochocinco. He commands the attention of both LB’s and Safeties, which dramatically helps not only the pass game, but an already fabulous rush attack. This guy really and truthfully changes a helluvalot the more i think about it.
Can’t wait to see him on Sundays. (THink of the 3 TE set…. Coffman, Roland and Gresham…. bloody nose smashmouth freakin football baby)
3 yards and a pile of dust
I’m drooling over the 3 TE set. Coffman could just pick the smallest guy on the field and push him around.
And does anybody else want to see Roland actually run a route on a play action? How hilarious would that be? I’m making it my goal for the year to see it happen.
This is our year!
by Paul Cannon on Apr 23, 2010 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Fatal Flaw?
Why are we dismissing the injury issues here? Is no one else worried about this guys legs? For me, it’s not the issue of lingering problems, but more so of future disasters. Watch five seconds of tape on this guy and tell me his knee caps aren’t begging for an Ed Reed helmet. He reminds me of former Titan Chris Brown, who’s only problem was his upright running. After tearing it up for a month, Brown has had trouble staying on the field for more than a week. There is a reason Gresham has had significant leg problems at both the high school and college levels and I don’t think it’s bad luck. Now compare those hits to the ones he’s going to suffer in the most physical (dirty) division in football.
Palmer is going to love this guy, and that scares me too. One of my favorite things about Carson is his ability to destroy the middle of the field. (see Warrick, Housh, Caldwell) He has never had a toy this big and fast in the middle in his career and there’s not doubt he’ll eat it up. That being said, there is a streaking hot route in the near future for Gresham and someone on his blindside is going to go straight for his legs… I truly hope I’m wrong and that luck will be on our side for once with this 1st round pick. I’m just not going to go go fantasize about two TE sets and red zone layups quite yet.
That being said, LOVE THE PICK!! who dey
Knee injuries are bad luck more than anything, and I think that's the case with Gresham
He’ll be wearing knee braces, I’m sure, for his whole career. Post-op knees are usually stronger once rehabbed anyway, especially in ACL cases, because they use Achilles tendons, stronger than ACLs, to repair them.
Any guy you draft could get hurt. If they haven’t had a single injury for 8 years, they’re extraordinarily lucky. You just have to hope Gresham stays fit.
J Garrett
we have to dismiss the injury. The Bengals did and we have to as well.
KiJana Carter and Kenny Irons didn’t have knee issues, right? it is what it is….
Gresham’s the pick, and a damn damn good one. i think this was a calculated risk that can pay bigtime dividends.
3 yards and a pile of dust
by Hudepohl Dey on Apr 23, 2010 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Honestly,I didn't think we needed Bryant
and I had/have doubts about Gresham’s health and ability to step right in and play. However, if Lapham and Hayes give their blessing on his blocking ability then I’m on board. I just hope they get some good Def. line and secondary help today.
Agree
Never thought they would take him.
I live in Dallas and have a lot of Sooner friends; I saw him play a lot. He can be dominant.
If the Bengals can re-write the playbook we’re gonna love him.
In the end a good pick
Gresham will take away double coverages and also force Defenses to bring an extra player up front. This will really open up a deep threat Offense. Who will cover him? He’s too fast for a LB and too big for most Corners. He will occupy Safeties quite a bit of the time. He will prevent many blitzes because we now have players open immediately
by justRick on Apr 23, 2010 10:55 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Too predictable
I don’t mind the pick, but there were other players that were higher rates. To pass on Bryant and Buluga? I don’t know. This guy better make a pro bowl in the next 3 years or he’s a bust b/c of who we passed on. I hope he stays healthy and/or Brat figures out how to use him. I don’t think Brat can think his way out of a wet paper sack so my confidence isn’t that high.
Sometimes I feel like the Bengals just have Stewart Mandels mock draft and follow whatever he says to a T. When was the last suprise in the first round? They get pegged every year and just go with the chalk that all the “experts” write down for them.
Who cares about being "predictable" in the draft?
The experts get paid a lot of money to make mock drafts because they’re experts. They study the prospects and the team needs and make a very educated guess about how things are going to play out. They’re usually right much more often than they’re wrong. We’re not talking about play calling here – a predictable draft pick usually means a studied, logical, responsible pick that addresses need and values talent. That’s exactly what we did. This is the time of year to be predictable. Plug the few holes you have and get better. it’s not rocket science. I still don’t understand why anyone’s still knocking us on Dez Bryant – 22 other teams passed on him, too. We didn’t even pick another receiver over him like Denver. We went a different direction. A perfectly reasonable direction.
best quote from his conference call
Q: Is there a tight end playing in the NFL today that reminds you of yourself?
JG: "Yeah. There are some tight ends who can catch. But I don’t want to be one of them, I want to be Jermaine Gresham. I want to be the best tight end in the NFL. I want to come in and get the culture, put in the hard work, watch the film and become a great player. So you guys can ask the next tight end, ‘Do you compare yourself to Jermaine Gresham?’ I’m not knocking the other tight ends, but I just want to be in a league of my own."
RIP Slim.
Should have been Dez Bryant
If Chad or Antonio gets hurt, who do you play? I’m disappointed.
I was indifferent when hearing Gresham was the pick
But he is a proven TE who will create mismatches. He has experience as an in line blocker and will not be the project other have speculated.
Adding Gresham, along with the FA acquisitions of A Bryant and Jones at WR shows me they are working to fix their passing game weakness last season. It also makes it so they can really go BPA the rest of the way to add depth and repeat next season.
by Cedric Benson Boat Party on Apr 23, 2010 12:39 PM EDT reply actions
Gotta Like It:
If Brat and Carson wanted this guy more than the WR’s, who am I to tell them that isn’t the best move?
I like it...
The only other player on the board I would have preferred was Dez. Now lets go beef up that D in rounds 2 and 3 (hey that rhymes!)
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