Bob Braktowski: Wide Receivers Competition Will Be A "Free-For-All"
by Josh Kirkendall on May 2, 2010 12:22 PM EDT
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PrintThe team's wide receiver spot is setting up as the team's most interesting position battle this year. With Jordan Shipley and Dezmon Briscoe joining the Bengals during last weekend's NFL Draft, the team recognizes that the position will be, as Bob Bratkowski calls it, a "free-for-all".
“There’s going to be heated competition,” he said after Saturday afternoon’s practice at rookie camp. “It’s going to come down to who stays healthy and who can be productive and consistent and develop a good feel with Carson. That will be something to watch.”
No, we're not talking about superstar Chad Ochocinco or Antonio Bryant. They're the starters, provided injury doesn't weigh in on the matter. After those two, nothing is set. Andre Caldwell, the incumbent third-string receiver, hasn't earned much in his own right and will have to fight alongside the rookies just to make enough of an impression to keep his playing time.
Jordan Shipley, the team's third-round draft pick, is a fan-favorite as the team's leading slot receiver being compared to with names like T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Wes Welker. Even Briscoe draws comparisons to Houshmandzadeh. Writes Geoff Hobson:
The 6-2, 207-pound Briscoe has more in common with the other receiver he has watched, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, than the Ocho. Houshmandzadeh was an end-of-draft guy, too. The Bengals liked him, but right before they picked him offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski made a call to Oregon State head coach, Dennis Erickson, an old friend, to double check that even though he was a junior college guy with little big-time experience that Houshmandzadeh had the requisite NFL tools. Erickson passed muster and the third-leading receiver in franchise history was born.
Bob Bratkowski said of Briscoe.
“I was impressed. He did some things extremely well,” Bratkowski said. “Route-running and catching the ball. He’s got a real good feel for the game and that’s hard to teach. Just an understanding of angles and holes in zones and setting people up. Sometimes you either have that or you don’t and he’s got it. But he’s got to get in better shape to compete at that spot.”
Some believe that Briscoe would be a perfect practice team candidate. This is how it works. Players are waived from a team first, which allows 31 teams to put a claim on that player. If only no team claims him, then the Bengals can sign him to the practice squad. First, I don't think Briscoe passes through 31 uninterested teams. Second, if the things we're hearing this weekend about Briscoe are any indication, providing a dramatic setback, Briscoe could find himself not just making the roster, but competing for that slot receiver position.
Let's say that the first five receivers on the squad are Chad Ochocinco, Antonio Bryant, Jordan Shipley, Andre Caldwell and Dezmon Briscoe. After that, guys like Matt Jones, Quan Cosby and Jerome Simpson will be fighting for the lonely sixth spot -- clue: which guy helps you most on special teams? And guys like Maurice Purify, Chris Davis and Freddie Brown are long-shots, at best.
It's way too early to make these type of projections. A lot will happen from now until the start of September when the final roster has to be decided. Either way, you just know that after Chad and Bryant, there's absolutely nothing set in stone with the position.
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Man, with this type of talent
I’m looking forward to this season’s passing game.
I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.
+1
Last year had no WR’s this year too many and I love it. Palmer has no excuse now! We got him a new TE, new RT, buttload of new WR’s! so Palmer lets go son
CB85......Collaros for Heisman
by TennBengalfan on May 3, 2010 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Just hope that #88
doesn’t have some sort of Tab Perry curse attached to it.
Also, I think, given his special teams contribution- and as a receiver late last year, that Quan Cosby may be a little ahead of Andre Caldwell in terms of that #3 receiver position. After his two game winning catches, Caldwell just sort of disappeared in the second half of the season. And, with B. Scott seemingly replacing him as the kickoff returner…? Looking forward to see what both Briscoe and Matt Jones can offer in terms of deep threat/jump ball options and just how fast Antonio Bryant is. Who knows, maybe Simpson can emerge in that role once occupied by Slim(RIP). He’s fast enough and probably has better hands/leaping ability than #15.
Based on playing time along, Caldwell is ahead of ahead of Cosby at this point. It will almost certainly be Caldwell and Shipley battling for the Slot position. 2 potential spots open for Cosby, Briscoe (who is far from a shoe in), Simpson, and Matt Jones. Personally, I think Cosby is in and the last spot will be between Simpson, Matt Jones, and Briscoe.
Briscoe
Nice analysis Josh. I actually didn’t understand the waiver issue before, I thought that we could just keep him on the practice squad, and you’re probably right that another team would likely pick him up if we sent him to the waivers. I’m one of those guys that was calling for Dez to land on the practice squad, but this does change things a bit. Let’s just say that if Briscoe beat out Caldwell for that last spot, then I wouldn’t be too upset. I’m becoming a fan of Quan more and more, so I’m pulling for him to land in that coveted sixth spot.
This is our year!
When I think of a guy like Caldwell, he really doesn’t have a competitive advantage or a unique skill set that makes him stand out. Speed, but that hasn’t translated into a deep threat or kick return ability. Don’t have the stats in front of me, but 8-9 yards a catch has to rank near the bottom of WR rankings. Beyond Chad and Bryant, Matt Jones has a unique blend of size and speed(if he gets his sh*t together), Shipley has the hands and route running ability that makes him ideal for the slot, Briscoe’s size and production in the Big 12 indicates he’s capable of making big plays, and Cosby did a nice job in the return game and showed some receiving ability at the end of the year. Caldwell might end up getting the nod due to experience, but I don’t see what he brings to the table that we can’t get from the other receivers.
As for Simpson, I wouldn’t go so far to say he does anything better than Slim. Otherwise, he’d have more than 1 NFL catch for 1 yard. Happy trails, Jerome.
+1
I think Jerome Simpson has to perform near flawlessly to make the team. I think Jones has a shot of making the team if his physical talent is still what it was. We need a deep threat and he could be just that. Even if Jones’ physical talent is there I’m torn between him and Cosby. Jones’ could provide us with the ‘big play’ ability where as Cosby provides us with great Special Teams play. I could see us trying to make a trade for one of these receivers to try and get some return out of one of them.
151st
That’s what Caldwell’s yards per catch ranking was among wide receivers last year. Pretty terrible, although I think there were quite a few players ahead of him that only had a handful of catches. Brat might need some of the blame for that, and maybe Palmer should take some heat too, but at the end of the day, 151 doesn’t get it done.
By the way, the number one guy in terms of yards per catch last year was Chris Henry. RIP Slim.
This is our year!
Your analysis seems dead on in my mind
Chad, Antonio, Shipley, Caldwell, and Briscoe. That leaves Cosby and Jones fighting for the final spot. I say Simpson has to have a near perfect camp to make the team. This was my thinking before the Rookie minicamp and this just reforces it. Cosby provides more on Special Teams and Matt Jones provides more in the way of ‘big play’ production if he is anywhere near where he was physically. Going to be very interesting.
Oh
The things that could change this are obviously injuries and if you can get something in return for a player like Caldwell or Quan Cosby. If you can get a mid to late round draft pick maybe you think about trading him. Only if the other receivers are very close, though. Maybe you decide on trading on of them since you may get something in return for Cosby or Caldwell, where as you can’t for a Matt Jones. Like I said only if they are neck and neck. Can’t wait to see how this plays out.
jones only makes the team
if he somehow proves he can outplay cosby on special teams.
"wherever Brad St. Louis is and Shayne Graham is about to be." -R.F. Mehl
agree about simpson too
would appear he needs to outplay briscoe. which means cincy either carries 7 wrs or places brisoce on the practice squad. not a likely scenario. simpson should start praying for someone in front of him to get banged up in pre-season or the best camp of his nfl career.
leading the team in receptions during the pre-season might not guarantee him a spot at this point. simpson’s wr #7 at the moment, staring in from the outside. will be curious to see if the bengals attempt to trade him for a late pick (6th or 7th) if he has a great pre-season.
"wherever Brad St. Louis is and Shayne Graham is about to be." -R.F. Mehl
Has Simpson accrued to much time to be on the practice squad?
Because if he hasn’t, I don’t see another team taking a flyer on him
My three favorite things in the world in no particular order: My wife, sex with my wife, and The Cincinnati Bengals
Probably not but...
At what point do you cut ties with him. I think if after 3 years he can’t make the team then its time to completely cut ties with him. I mean I guess you could in case of an injury. My question though, at what point do you just decide to go ahead and cut him completely? That could be a spot on the PS for a younger player that may actually could contribute down the road. If he was placed on the PS I think that would be his last chance.
Forgotten man!!
I think Antonio Bryant is the forgotten man in the mix. (or maybe it’s just the underestimated man). I truly believe that he is going to be a big time player for us. 2008 comeback player of the year. Go back and look at the TB stats from last year. Nobody would have stood out in that offense. He (just like Chad) had no one on the other side. They had 3 different QB’s attempt 100 or more passes as well. The guy has talent. He WILL be this years Cedric Benson. Mark it down. Save it. Reminde me of it later if you will. Our team has transformed before our eyes gentelmen. Doormats no longer! There’s a respectful edginess to our Bengas these days. Antonio brings a toughness to the WR position that I think is going to help transform our offense the way Zim has transformed our Defense. If he stays healthy, we will love this addition.
+1
I agree. If he isn’t as soft as some Buc’s fans tell me. I think Matt Jones COULD BE the surprise at WR as well, if he’s got it together. I’m not opposed to letting all the WRs battle it out for each spot, even Chad. This would really light a fire under some of the guys.
+1
I think you are right. Bryant is a good player and I think he is underestimated. I think he finally has someone on the other side (Chad) to draw attention away from him. If anyone has watched film of Bryant he is a tough football player. He can beat you in a lot of different ways. He runs like a running back after catching the ball. He’s not afraid to go over the middle and make the tough catch. He can beat you deep. He can also block good for a Receiver. I have hope that Brat finally gets creative (I can only hope). He said he is going to try to get different people in the slot including Bryant. Maybe Brat finally gets some motion in the offense before the snap and puts his best players in the best position to succeed. Like I said, I can only hope on that. Cautiously optimistic about that part but Bryant is a beast who flies under the radar!
"Jordan Shipley, the team's third-round draft pick, is a fan-favorite as the team's leading slot receiver"
Ridiculous.
He might be your favorite, he’s not mine. After Ocho and Bryant, I like the most productive guy during the pre-season for the 3rd receiver. The guy that earns the job. Not awarded based on a draft pick status. The guy who’s show the most experience, heart, leadership, and wisdom off the field (its cincinnati, we don’t need another screwup) for the 3rd WR.
Not awarding that job based on guesswork or some longing for justification of a high draft pick.
Let ‘em play, let em earn the job, earn the roster spots, cut or trade anyone by September that ain’t getting it done. Be it Simpson or Jones or anyone else.
"wherever Brad St. Louis is and Shayne Graham is about to be." -R.F. Mehl
I don't think anyone is awarding anyone a position
In fact I think that was the point of the entire article. That the competition is going to be so fierce! I believe they were just saying a lot of the FANS are predicting he will get the slot role. Head Coaches don’t listen to fans, even though sometimes I think they should. In the end Lewis will only play the player that has earned it. I don’t think we have anything to worry about there. I know why your concerned but I don’t think you need to be. With all of the competition at the position they will HAVE to earn the spot. Lewis has never simply awarded anyone a position that I can think of. If so Simpson would have been on the field the last 2 years, right???? No worries there. But your right make them earn it!
I don’t think Marvin Lewis or anyone here has even remotely suggested that the 3rd WR spot would or should go to the fan favorite or highest draft choice. That’s pretty much the point of this post and the ensuing discussion: Nothing is set in stone, the competition will be fierce, and we’re all left to hypothesize.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen. Let’s knock it off with those opinions” is hardly a valid take on the situation and an outright bizarre thing to post on a football blog….you know, where people give opinions and debate the future of their teams?
those 20+ words are author's opinion, not stating the facts
“Jordan Shipley, the team’s third-round draft pick, is a fan-favorite of some as the team’s leading slot receiver”
not that hard to present the same sentence without a bias disguised as fact.
"We don’t know what’s going to happen. Let’s knock it off with those opinions"
that was never said. up to the author to focus the discussion and allow the flow of opinions that follow. what was pointed out with a verbatim cut and paste, he favors jordan shipley in this competition.
"wherever Brad St. Louis is and Shayne Graham is about to be." -R.F. Mehl
By the way A LOT of people...
FAVOR Jordan Shipley but that doesn’t mean anything. I personally FAVOR Shipley in fact. Now with that being said what does that mean? It means In My Opinion I believe Shipley will EARN the 3rd receiver spot. I don’t think it would or should be given to him. In fact even though I favor him if he’s not the best receiver for this spot then I don’t want him to have it. I am like you I want whomever is going to help this team, the most, win games. Its just my opinion that Shipley will be this guy. I agree with you 100% though. Make whomever earn it!
a lot of people on shipley
just plucked out of the air.
i’m hesitant to ordain any bengals wr a starter based on draft position. while we’re not pittsburgh, who is god wakeful at selecting wr talent in the draft, so bad they are just a notch better than detriot, cincinnati does have its share of wr washouts.
hope shipley shows up. we could use him. of course shipley shows up, jones and or simpson are gone.
"wherever Brad St. Louis is and Shayne Graham is about to be." -R.F. Mehl
Quit being so pedantic.
There’s no rules against using opinion or conjecture in an article, especially one specifically slated as “analysis”.
Anyway, all he’s saying is that Shipley “is a fan-favorite of some” to win the position. Is that not the impression you get reading through these boards? Is it not a fact that some some fans favor Shipley to fill that role?
quit being so obtuse
and he didn’t say of some fans, i did.
"wherever Brad St. Louis is and Shayne Graham is about to be." -R.F. Mehl
Dude, you’re killing me. Is this CNN or a blog solely dedicated to the Cincinnati Bengals? If you’re looking for pure objectivity you might want to go somewhere else.
Josh,
Any indication of who you might like or who you favor completely destroys the integrity of your pieces. Please quit brainwashing us.
Give me a break.
Too early to make any calls
Practices are one thing and on field performances are another. It is too early to predict who will be future replacements to Ochocinco whose contract is expiring in another year. Last year at this time, we had great expectations for replacements to the receiving corps including blocking TE. Hopefully Utecht is healthy again but we will have to go through pre season game conditions to find the real gems. Management stability, coaching continuity, players desire to become better players, all contribute significantly to the franchise success with upgraded quality in special team and bench players. Back-up QBs is actually at a pretty weak position especially if Jordan is just a decoration quality.
It sure will be interesting
This year we have some serious talent at WR. Enough so that many teams will be forced to not pay as much attention to Chad, and that will be their big mistake, as we know Chad really hates not getting attention.
A run game with an equally impressive pass game should allow us to find weaknesses of any defense this year.
Color me very, very excited.
Anticipating all to remain healthy, I see it folding out this way. Ocho, Bryant, Shipley, Caldwell, Cosby, Briscoe.
Cosby is far too valuable to not make the team. He’ll be the fifth or sixth spot for sure. He’s a very skilled returner, showed some major stones in the passing game in the second half of the season and is a hellacious blocker in the return game if the ball isn’t in his hands. Rewatch B. Scott’s TD runback against Pittsburgh. If Quan Cosby isn’t on the team, that doesn’t happen. How many guys did he block, three?
cosby
suspect cincinnati not addressing special team returns in the draft means they are happy with scott and cosby. which probably means shipley and briscoe are fighting simpson and jones for those last 2 receiver slots on the depth chart.
and the rest of the wrs need to impress the coaches so much they cut another positions depth to carry 7 wrs on the roster or can be put on the practice squad.
"wherever Brad St. Louis is and Shayne Graham is about to be." -R.F. Mehl
shipley was a fantastic special teams pick
he was great in the punt return game at texas. better than cosby.
not many people are talking about shipley as a legit return man which baffles me.
Running out to frontyard laughing! -Fat Vegas Alan
+1
If Shipley performs at a high level Special Teams then they wouldn’t HAVE to keep Cosby for Special Teams alone. I think that may be very important. If Shipley doesn’t perform at a high level in Training Camp and Preseason the Coaches may feel that they have to keep Cosby. Cosby was very productive in the return game though. I think this is why I wouldn’t overlook Matt Jones. He offers something different to what the other receivers offer. Caldwell, Shipley, Cosby, and Briscoe all offer the same or very close skill sets. Jones has a different skill set. This may be an important advantage for Jones. Obviously he has to go out and prove he still has the physical talent that got him drafted in the 1st round.
yeah cosby's 11.1 pr avg isn't too shabby but i think shipley can do that.
Running out to frontyard laughing! -Fat Vegas Alan
cosby aint a lock
cosby messes up in pre-season or shipley out performs cosby on special teams, suddendly keeping simpson or jones looks better than cosby at that point.
and cosby joins brad st louis..
"wherever Brad St. Louis is and Shayne Graham is about to be." -R.F. Mehl
I wouldn't say Cosby makes it "for sure"
I think he has a really good oppurtunity but if the last 2 spots are there and we have 3 players that are equal do not be surprised if they try and trade one of them. If they can get some kind of return out of one of these players they might. I would only see it though IF they are equal. It would give them the luxury to try this. I think Cosby has an advantage with his return ability and the fact that he came on in the passing game late should help as well. Honestly though I would not be surprised if Caldwell was traded or cut. With the competition at this position it is very possible. Something to consider as well. Caldwell, Shipley, Cosby and even Briscoe all have the same or very similar skill sets. Possession receivers who are projected in the slot. Not a lot of “Big Play” ability to go deep. If Matt Jones does show the physical talent that he had coming out of college then he may get the spot because of this. Just something to keep in mind. Whomever gets it is going to have to have a Great Training Camp and Preseason, IMO!
There are enough teams that are going to go into camp low in WRs
That means that Simpson and Caldwell better step up in a BIG way or they certainly could be traded. It would be great to get a mid round draft pick for next year for each of them.
Cosby should make this team. Never a lock, but there’s no reason he should be looked over.
I guess I am more of a big picture guy
Do I think Cosby is a lock – well no – at least I hope not. I don’t want anyone walking into camp thinking they are a lock though to be honest probably 80% of the team is. That being said I would like to see Cosby make it because he would be a very good tandem with Shipley.
I am not a fan of using an important starter on KR. That is a position where one injury affects 2 positions and then we have a backup in both. I would like to see Cosby as the lead KR and Shipley as the backup. I think that Shipley can earn the slot and if he does Cosby can be his backup as I think Cosby is best suited to the slot position. If either gets injured a good backup can come in and little is affected.
Frankly I think our 53 could have Bryant, Chad, Shipley, Caldwell, Briscoe and Jones with Cosby taking a ST spot and Gresham and Chase at the TE. I, in a controversial line of thinking, I would put Jones in competition with Palmer Jr., who has done nothing to earn his pay, for the 3rd QB position. Then you can keep Jones for the red zone play set. This is of course assuming that what I have heard about Jones coming into form is true. Honestly, how many times has the 3rd QB taken a snap on this team and if he does he will mostly be handing it off and throwing short and intermediate routes to a pretty talented group of receivers. Jones also opens up an occasional wild cat play. I don’t like giving a roster spot to anyone who doesn’t either play or is an acceptable backup.
I would also get rid of JTO and grab a former starting QB who can at least not lose it for us. Someone like Garcia or Pennington comes to mind. They will probably have to take a backup role or not play at all.
"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"
+1 on Jones
I wouldn’t mind seeing Jones as the emergency QB. That would allow them to keep an extra player at another position. I definitely would like to see him run the wildcat. No one really runs it in our division, which means our division has probably seen it a little less than the rest of the NFL. If Jones is physically where he was out of College this would be just one more reason that he could make the team. The more and more I think about it a player like Caldwell may be in a lot more trouble then people realize. He isn’t trusted by the coaches on Special Teams. He doesn’t offer anything that Cosby, Shipley, and Briscoe don’t offer. Possibly those players offer the same skill set but at a higher level. Cosby and Shipley offer Special Teams. I think you may be right on the keeping Shipley from exclusive return duties if he wins the slot role. Depending on how many snaps he would get there you probably don’t want him returning. Atleast not all of the punts. Matt Jones offers a ‘Big Play’ ability and a possibility of running the Wildcat. He also offers the ability to be the emergency 3rd quarter back. In the case that we do suffer an injury you could sign another QB for the duration of the injury. This is very interesting and I think Caldwell showed signs that he can be a good receiver but in some ways he has the least to offer. Another thing is if they did decide to trade a receiver he would probably have the highest value on the market and they wouldn’t be likely to trade a rookie. Whichever receiver gets a rapport with Carson could have an edge. It may come down to one of these issue’s I mentioned above. Its too close to call and will be through most of Training Camp, IMO Time will tell but this is going to be the biggest story of camp, IMO. Wish it were already here!
Oh the browns
I guess the Browns did run the Wildcat a little. Just seems our Division doesn’t run it near as much as the rest of the league which could be an advantage to us.
suspect its cosby's job to lose at this point
unless someone has a stellar pre-season or cosby stinks up the place, he’ll be a bengal come september
"wherever Brad St. Louis is and Shayne Graham is about to be." -R.F. Mehl
Wow!
Look at all the posts here! I think this is just another sign how close this position is. I mean there are soooo many GREAT points to argue for each receiver. Can’t wait till Training Camp and to see how this position ends up. Lets just hope no one gets injured that way it was earned 100%.
or we're sharks smelling the blood in the water
pre-season has turned in the simpson and jones watch now. almost wish the bengals were on hardknocks again.
"wherever Brad St. Louis is and Shayne Graham is about to be." -R.F. Mehl
to me, cosby is a no-brainer as the odd man out.
apart from a couple big time catches late in the season, cosby does absolutely nothing for me in the passing game. he’s short and kind of old (for a 2nd year player). he does a good job in the punt return game (and that’s about it), but we just drafted the guy who outplayed him in every category at the college level while also being younger, faster, and taller (shipley).
let’s pretend for a minute that cosby and shipley have the same ability and potential but you had to choose which one to keep. it would be shipley because we drafted him in the third round (contrasted to signing cosby as an UCFA) and are paying him more money. but they are not the same player—shipley does everything cosby does better.
Running out to frontyard laughing! -Fat Vegas Alan
cosby eligible for practice squad?
“Players cannot have played more than nine regular season games or been on the active roster for an entire year, nor can players be allowed to spend more than two seasons on the same team’s squad unless that team’s active roster never dips below 53 players”
not sure if he was on active roster all last season
"wherever Brad St. Louis is and Shayne Graham is about to be." -R.F. Mehl
he definitely played every game last year.
i would say that might be out of the question. it’s no big loss… he was a nice, cheap stop gap.
Running out to frontyard laughing! -Fat Vegas Alan
Yea with Shipley healthy we don't need Cosby
But it Shipley gets hurt in KR where impacts are more brutal we lose at both positions. With Cosby we are covered in both positions, We have to look at more than just the starting 22. Cosby is great insurance for Shipley and visa versa, he are also great friends and though that is not a major consideration it is good to have as much closeness as possible. Caldwell cannot play the slot at a high level. He is fast but not quick. He lets the ball get into his body and his ball security is a definite issue. Caldwell is the one who has the least to offer. He is good in the flanker position but not as good as Chad or Bryant. He isn’t as tall, faster not does he have as good of hands as Jones. Briscoe has all the makings of a very good flanker as well and already shows more ability to find open seams. Caldwell is OK but we need better than OK to win this division. His performance dropped last year from his rookie year and that is a bad trend for WR. Simpson is out. Purify, with his arrest, is another step closer to out the door and I am afraid Caldwell is next on the list for me. I am not saying he is bad. I am saying he isn’t really good.
"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"
We can keep them both by eliminating useless positions
Like the 3rd TE, put him on the PS, nobody will take him and if one of our TEs go down he can come in and backup the next week. Like I said above if Shipley gets injured playing double duty then we have backups in two positions. Shipley backs up Cosby on KR and Cosby backs up Shipley in the slot. One gets injured the other fills in without major ill effects.
"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"
one thought on shipley vs cosby for special teams slot
cosby and shipley are friends. going to be hard for them if one gets cut to keep the other.
"wherever Brad St. Louis is and Shayne Graham is about to be." -R.F. Mehl
hard, but that's life
think of it this way, you and a good friend are up for one job. you get it, he’s fired. are you going to cry about it and not do your job? no. especially not when your friend is likely to get one somewhere else.
cosby had the second highest PR avg last season. an underrated stat.
RIP Slim.
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