Who's gonna play at the Slim position?
by raclark11986 on May 11, 2010 8:25 AM EDT
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PrintWho takes over for the late Chris Henry?
Its down to Dez Briscoe, Matt Jones, Jerome Simpson, Maurice Purify, and Freddie Brown (if I'm thinking clearly at 8 a.m.)
On the surface, the battle seems to be between Briscoe and Jones.
Purify and Brown are training camp fodder.
I see this as Jerome Simpson's lone chance to stay on the roster, since he clearly can't play special teams. He doesn't have the size or speed of Chris, but if he pretends he's back at Coastal Carolina, and starts leaping 4 feet to snatch every single ball in camp, we'd have an interesting situation.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors.
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I think Jones will start
Matt Jones has more experience of course in the NFL and will be starting at 3/4th WR. They’ll use him to blast off the line and blaze a trail.
I’d love to see him next to Ocho and have both of them running flat out and then one or both breaks off into buttonhooks or whatever, and then sometimes both head right to the endzone. That will divert tons of attention and allow Bryant and Gresham to cause havoc in the middle.
Briscoe and Shipley (and Coffman? remember him?) will get their chances as well. It’s going to be fun and woe be it to teams that are corner deficient. They’ll wish they didn’t pass on Adam Jones.
+1 on Matt Jones
I’ve been saying this for a while. I don’t think a lot of the fans are giving Matt Jones much of a chance to make this team. I believe Matt Jones has a VERY good chance of making this team.
This is a good question
I think the most naturally suited for this job is actually Simpson… but the chances he’ll stick around this year are looking worse and worse. I really rooting for him to take that spot, but we’ll see.
Antonio Bryant/hase Coffman/Gresham
Slim’s job was to be a second deep threat across from Chad to draw coverage away from TJ/Colesm and to make the catch when thrown to in the end zone.
This year, Bryant can be considered a 1A reciever to Chad. He will demand the deep coverage that will cause mismatches underneath. Shiply and Gresham will be undeneath playing TJ’s role.
Jones has a tough road to make the Roster this year, probably the toughest of any reciever. I am assuming that Shipley, Chad and Bryant are locks. Caldwell contributed last year and would be tough to cut. Cosby makes the team as a punt returner and special teams blocker. (rewatch the Scott return against Pitt to see his impact which goes way beynd recieving.) that leaves the number 5 reciever (the one that does not dress). That spot comes down to Briscoe and Simpson. Briscoe can be practice squaded. Jones can not be the fifth reciever because he makes more than Simpson or Briscoe. Jones’ only chance is for Shipley to take Punt returning duties away from Cosby., freeing up the 4th reciever spot, while beating out Simpson and Briscoe for the Spot.
Purify will probably get cut once Briscoe gets signed, to free up the roster spot, and get rid of a recent arrest. Brown will probably remain on the PS.
I see the most likely WR package as Chad, Bryant, Caldwell, Shiply, Briscoe, Cosby
With Chad, Bryant, Caldwell, Shiply, Simpson, Cosby (Briscoe PS) or Chad, Bryant, Caldwell, Jones, Briscoe, Shiply as two other likely options.
I meant to add
that Cosby returned punts ahead of Shipley at Texas.
Adam Jones may have a big impact on the receiver position battle
It provides one more person that is competing with Cosby for Punt Return duties. I think this fact may be underestimated. I may not agree with it but I have a feeling that the coaches feel they can replace Cosby with Shipley and/or Adam Jones. I think Adam Jones signing will have a HUGE impact on the receivers we see on this roster when Final Cuts are made.
Like I said I may not agree with it but....
I just get that feeling. I hope Cosby makes it. He is a hard worker and would contribute on special teams and even in the passing game IMO. I just feel like they are making every possible move to allow themselves to cut him. Doesn’t it seem that way?
He was only a undrafted free agent, it is rare that they stick with a team; however, through Marvin’s history that 6th reciever spot has been dedicated to Teams, as a returner, blocker and gunner, so it would not surprise me a bit if he makes the team, I am certain he will work harder than anyone else to make the team.
Agreed with the work harder part of Cosby
While it is rare that an undrafted free agent sticks with a team. It is also rare that the player responsible for the second best punt return average NOT stick with the team. At this point its pretty much moot that he was Undrafted. Anyway you can’t fault the team for trying to improve, and in the end the players who perform the best, work the hardest, and ultimately give the team its best chance to win will be the players that make the team. Marvin has been pretty clear about that. He loves to say something like “He has a tremendous OPPURTUNITY here”. He makes everyone earn their spot. I personally LOVE that!
Still don't think Briscoe will stick
Did anyone see the report on Matt Jones on Bengals.com??? (not that I’m promoting other sites here.. heh..) He torched Leon Hall in practice. Still, its early
Yea I been saying for a while that Jones makes the team
He offers something the rest of the receivers don’t. A deep threat and a big Redzone target. I been saying it and really think Jones not only makes the team but will contribute. Briscoe is far from a sure thing. I think he has a shot but like you said its definitely still early. For that matter I personally wouldn’t be shocked if Caldwell didn’t end up on our Final Roster. I know some people are going to tear into me but is he that much better than the rest of our receivers? I’m not predicting he won’t but I’m just making the point that the receiver position is far from being set.
I don’t think many will tear into for the Caldwell statement. My only arguement against Jones is that he has to make the team at the 3 or 4 spot, whereas Cosby, Briscoe, SImpson and Caldwell could be the 3, 4, 5, or 6 spot.The six spot is usually reserved for a teams player, while the 5 spot doesn’t usually dress. In the end I really don’t care which reciever makes the team, I just want wins, and maybe a Championship.
True on the championship.
I think most of us know this is all speculation right now anyway. What else are we going to do? I think the thing that works for Jones is he provides something totally different then the other receivers. Deep play ability. Shipley, Cosby, Caldwell, and even Briscoe are all very similar players. They don’t scare you down the field. Marvin has been pretty clear in his press conferences. He wants to RUN the ball down your throat and throw it over your head. These are the things that keep the D coordinator up all night he said. Advantage Jones there.
Matt Jones
Matt Jones will get Slim 15’s plays. Matt Jones is not getting the attention with Bengals fans he probably should. If he puts in the work and stays out of trouble he will make this team. He provides something that the other receivers don’t. Big Play ability. He can stretch the field. He can also be a huge Red Zone target. With a few receivers with the same skill set (Shipley, Caldwell, Cosby, and Briscoe) Jones give the Bengals a little something that the others don’t. I believe our man Cosby may be in trouble. I like Cosby and it may not be what I would do but I think the Coaches are considering letting him go. I think that was just one more reason they brought in Adam Jones. Between Jones and Shipley they can easily handle punt return duties. Now I don’t think they can do the job that Cosby did but I think the Coaches are atleast considering this.
My Receivers I see (Again not necessarily what I want but more along the lines of what I think will happen) is: Chad, Bryant, Shipley, Jones, Caldwell, and Briscoe. Its early and Cosby could very easily switch with Briscoe but I do think Matt Jones will make this team.
The signing of Adam Jones,
A return threat to free up a receiver spot formerly demanded by Cosby, for his key role in Sp. Teams. Adam Jones, the “Slight” to Henry’s “Slim”, will allow us to drop Cosby and keep Simpson while practice squading Briscoe. Ocho/Bryant/Jones/Shipley/Caldwell/Simpson
MwWsA
Cosby does more than return on Special teams
he is also a key blocker on Kick off returns, not sure how much he covers
+1
Brian Billick called his multiple blocks on the Bernard Scott kickoff TD against Pittsburgh the best single special teams play he saw all year. Cosby should stay. Unless Simpson outplays both Briscoe and Jones, I don’t see him making the squad.
Just a few points..........
1. Briscoe will never make it to the PS. He will be gobbled up within 24 hours by Baltimore or another team.
2. Carson seems to think Jones is the guy to replace Slim. He will definately have something to say about that.
3. Caldwell is going to fall thru the cracks. He has already shown he can’t pull coverage from Chad and he just isn’t an ideal slot receiver. Can’t get off the line quickly enough, he is fast but not quick ( more suited to the outside), lets the ball get into his body and has problems holding onto the ball. I would like to see him traded as he does have value but just not here.
4. I like Cosby as he is a great compliment to Shipley but with the return potential of Jones, Shipley and Scott we really don’t need him. I would like to see him traded for value but if he stays that would be a good thing.
5. I see Bryant/Chad/Jones/Shipley/Briscoe and Cosby.
This off season will answer a lot of questions. Is Simpson finally up to it? Can Caldwell step up? Is A. Jones going to get back to his former athleticism? Will Briscoe’s play translate to the pro game? It is fun to speculate but there are just too many question marks and I don’t think the dealing is done yet.
"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"
I agree with most of what you are saying
In fact Caldwell really needs to have a good Training Camp and summer. I know a lot of people are going to jump on that comment but he offers the same skill set as a bunch of receivers that we brought in. Plus they either have something he doesn’t offer or can do that same skill a little better. Caldwell needs to step it up this year. It is VERY fun to speculate on all of this! I could very easily see your group of recievers and in fact I was torn when I listed mine above. I think they could potentially try to work out a trade to add depth at another position. I would rather them do this then simply cut a good player. Can’t wait for Training Camp!
Briscoe to the PS
My thoughts were he could make it to the PS if he has a bad preseason, and shows that he isn’t ready yet.
I seriously doubt Briscoe makes it to the PS
I seriously doubt another team would not claim him off waivers. There are a lot of teams that would love to have him, especially if he performs even decently in Preseason.
If Briscoe performs decently, I expect him to make the 53 man
unless he is average and Simpson is spectacular. Then someone else could get Briscoe.
Its really to hard to say
If he performs decently but the others perform great…. Well you see where I’m going. I just doubt Briscoe would clear waivers. If so that would be ideal. You could keep him and let him learn for a year and if something happened he could still play. I just think someone else would snatch him up. In fact I think it would be pretty quickly.
Talking about the trade scenario,
Other teams know we can’t keep all of the extra WRs and DBs. They will probably not trade with us b/c they know we will have to get rid of some players for the roster. Trading Caldwell will indicate that the Bengals want to keep someone else and will wait for the PS or release of him, or the other player. Then scoop him up. That is one of the problems when your a good team with a lot of talent.
Kinda true but
They would have to fight with all the other teams to claim them off Waivers and they won’t know for sure which player is going to get cut. Marvin said something in the Press Conference as well yesterday. It went something like “They will have a tremendous oppurtunity (I know that is what he says all the time but keep reading) whether it be here for us or for another team. We have 5 Preseason games so these players will be on film. Other teams will have an oppurtunity to see what they have to offer”. You are right that it makes it a little more difficult but, if they want to ensure they get the player they want and nobody else does then they may be willing to make a trade. We aren’t going to get a Pro Bowler anyway but we may be able to add a little depth at another position, possibly. I do agree it is a long shot for any trades to happen but its definitely something they should atleast be looking at.
we are talking about rookies, 2nd year players and 2nd chance players.
I think they’ll wait and take their chances through the waivers. B/c all teams aren’t going after the same needs. That’s how it usually works out, for the most part.
I disagree with point three
Caldwell was best last year when he was primarily used in the slot, having guys take attention away from him on the outsides. That’s where he was when he got his game winning catch against Baltimore, and thats where I see him starting next year.
I also disagree with point 1
Briscoe lasted until round 6… and late in round six at that. That means basically every other team said meh to the guy multiple times. There’s no guarantee he would have gotten picked up by anybody had we not done so. I think he is a prime candidate for the practice squad and isn’t likely to make the squad
BTW if they are smart Briscoe, Shipley and Jones......
will lease a house in Cali. for a couple of months and work with Carson when ever he isn’t changing diapers.
"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"
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