Interest In Owens Could Largely Depend on Antonio Bryant's Knee
by Josh Kirkendall on Jul 24, 2010 11:39 AM EDT
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32 comments
A report surfaced Friday evening that the Bengals were close to signing wide receiver Terrell Owens. Actually, the word TMZ used was "imminent." The Enquirer's Joe Reedy debunked the report, citing two sources claiming it to be false. However, it would appear other reports are suggesting a marriage could eventually be forged. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer has reportedly been working out "regularly with Owens in California and has been highly impressed", even suggesting to Bengals management that Owens would be an asset. Chad Ochocinco is tearing up Twitter writing that Owens is coming to Cincinnati (no, you shouldn't always take what Chad says on Twitter on face value). Additionally Chris Mortensen wrote:
When I mentioned watch for Bengals & TO earlier, one factor to watch is Antonio Bryant, whose knee was still a problem this off-season.
Where there's smoke, there's fire. Right? While Bryant did rest the final day of minicamp, the story of Bryant's knee dates back last year. In early August, Bryant required surgery to repair a torn meniscus that knocked him out of the preseason. Early during the season, Bryant suffered a bone bruise in his knee; an injury unrelated to the torn meniscus causing just enough worry as to whether he'd play football again.
He suffered another setback on the surgically repaired knee during a flight back from London during Tampa Bay's 35-7 loss to the New England Patriots -- a game played in London's Wembley Stadium.
Bryant's knee injury limited his production in 2009 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, recording only 39 receptions for 600 yards receiving and four touchdowns in 13 games played. There's been little reason to worry about Bryant's knee so far, "resting a sore knee" during the final practice of the team's minicamp in late June. However, knees are tricky things and when there's some worry about them, it's always a worry that you end up worrying about.
If the Bengals are that concerned about the knee, then it would make sense that they'd have renewed interest for Owens, who was the odd man out when the team signed Bryant to four-year deal in March. The question is, if Bryant's knee is still having problems from previous surgeries and injuries, what prompted the Bengals to sign him to the contract they did in the first place? They did see this as a potential problem. Right? Though we should point out the issue that's largely been reported at this point has been soreness in his knee and all Bryant could need for the time being is simply rest.
Again, through two sources, Reedy refuted Owens signing outright. Even though "the public evidence is glaring", in the end it's all talk, writes Mothership Captain Geoff Hobson.
Privately, the Bengals are saying they’re not looking to do it. They would prefer to give the shots to kids like Jerome Simpson and Dez Briscoe and not turn to a 36-year-old when they have a 32-year-old receiver on the other side.
Could it change? Sure. Go back to 2008 when they had no plans in July to re-sign Chris Henry in August. They didn’t know that Chad Ochocinco and Andre Caldwell would get hurt in a preseason game and be sidelined for a few weeks. Or that T.J. Houshmandzadeh wouldn’t practice all camp with a hamstring problem. And it turned out that Simpson was no match for a quick transition from Division II.
On the other hand, PFT writes "we're told that the process involving Owens' next team is something that will play out this week, and that the Bengals are in the mix." Whether or not it's Owens' people telling Mike Florio that the Bengals are in the mix without the Bengals saying that they are, is a totally different matter. All I know is that when stories will not die, they end up becoming true. Most recent example? Adam Jones.
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Just for fun...
Receivers on the roster…
1) Esteban Ocho Cinco
2) Terrell Owens
3) Antonio Bryant
4) Andre Caldwell
5) Jordan Shipley
6) Dezmon Briscoe
That looks good to me….
by peko'sponytail on Jul 24, 2010 12:27 PM EDT reply actions
Who'd act as returner, then?
I think Caldwell should focus on being a receiver, so…Shipley at KR? Who would we use at PR? I wonder if Briscoe or Peerman (if we go four RBs) could do it.
I feel kind of bad for Cosby. We finally get a good returner, and he may not have much of a chance to make the team..
by Big Sky Bengal on Jul 24, 2010 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions
i think
bernard scott has a lock on KR, and PR could either be Shipley or Pacman
3 yards and a pile of dust
by Hudepohl Dey on Jul 24, 2010 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Scott at KR
means less Scott at RB. He took over last year when Caldwell’s WR playtime increased after Slim went down.
I don’t see it. The only situation I could imagine is if they put Byrant on the PUP and bring in TO to start the season.
And before we all start talking about character issues, I figure that at this point we might as well embrace it, as it seems like Brown will always be willing to take that risk.
This is our year!
by Carsonorbust on Jul 24, 2010 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions
T.O. and Ocho split wide with Bryant and Caldwell working the slots, and Jermaine Gresham….
FIVE sick targets for #9 in the no huddle
lets get it
3 yards and a pile of dust
as long as we are still a run first team
I don’t mind a little no huddle thrown in there from time to time.
"I gotta show em' how to eat right man, that's all...I got all five food groups. Pancakes, sausage-egg McMuffin, cinnamon roll, large orange juice... I just be juiced all day."
all i can really say..
is that i trust TO to produce more than i trust Bryant.
by Cry on Jul 24, 2010 1:34 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I’m torn. I really don’t want T.O. wearing stripes, but if Bryant isn’t able to heal back to 100% I’m not sure what other options we have. I think Carson is the kind of guy that needs to trust his pass catchers and the young guys have trouble gaining that trust.
by stripesinseattle on Jul 24, 2010 1:41 PM EDT reply actions
Here's the bottom line..
If you want a good Football team then you need to get the best player’s available… Obviously T.O. is a better player than Simpson, Caldwell, Jones, Shipley, Cosby… I understand that you want to build for the future which is fine but that needs to be in the mix of the mentality WIN NOW.. Which has been a philosophy or Marvin’s for quite some time now… Sign the guy if even for better depth.. All hands on deck.. Let’s do this.. WHO DEY!
Owens Would Be a Great Addition
Bryant has a ton of talent but I’m not sure he’ll live up to it as a definite #2. I don’t see why 85, Owens and Bryant can’t co-exist. I remember when the Bengals used to be an air it out team and personally found a lot of games unwatchable even though they were winning.
They would be virtually unstoppable with Cedric in the backfield and two or three WR’s who can all stretch the field. With that defense, 3 TD’s a game could make them the 12-4 Chad spoke of last season.
by TheePhantom5000 on Jul 24, 2010 3:24 PM EDT reply actions
We won't see Ocho, Owens and Bryant together.
I can’t see us adding TO unless Bryant is out.
We drafted Gresham. We could have drafted Dez Bryant in the first and taken a TE later. Or we could have signed TO long ago and not risk him to another team.
I think the only thing that could have changed the decision making if is they don’t think they have a WR#2.
What is there to debate, T.O. makes this team that much better.
Can you imagine on a 3rdand 6 play. You line up Ocho…Bryant….T.O…..Shipley…..Gresham..
Carson is pushing hard for Owens and so am I. This guy is no where finished. It’s down to the Bengals and Rams to acquire Owens’s services.
I know that Quan Cosby played pretty decent in his rookie year but both Matt Jones and Quan Cosby will be released along with Maurice Purify if T.O. is signed. Briscoe might make it threw waivors but T.O., even at 36 is worth the gamble.
Kenneth Lewis Moore
Is it tru or false that TO is signing with the Bengals.Only time will tell
AB's not producing..
I know it is still early and AB is coming off a long injury year. But, why would the organization risk spending so much money on him if he’s not going to be 100% to start the season. We could have got TO earlier and saved money. I hate the fact we passed up on DEZ but, I know we needed a TE. BTW I live in Texas and have seen these guy play the past 3 years and both are legit. Also there are reports on ESPN saying that AB is struggling so far and there is concern over him. I am getting that empty feeling in my stomach like I did for all the games after the CHI game. I think we should sign TO for insurance and hope that JONES is also a surprise.
I don't want to lose Matt Jones
we really need his size down the field.
"I gotta show em' how to eat right man, that's all...I got all five food groups. Pancakes, sausage-egg McMuffin, cinnamon roll, large orange juice... I just be juiced all day."
TO can fill that need.
"Before I write I let my mind go blind and let the Lord do His thing. " -Tupac Shakur
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it looks like work." -Thomas Edison
Receiver depth possible question mark?
First of all, IF Bryant’s knee is sound and they DO bring in T.O., then unless they are going with 7 WRs, that leaves Briscoe-Simpson-Jones-Cosby competing for one spot after Chad, T.O., Bryant, Caldwell, Shipley. Seems like it would come down to Simpson or Briscoe (Jones has become a question mark; and Cosby, a below average receiver, only made the team last year because of his ability to return kicks). We have far too much talent to use up a roster spot for someone (Cosby) who can only do one thing. You can only have so many “specialty” players. Bernard Scott & Adam Jones can not only return kicks & punts, but obviously can do other things quite effectively. Briscoe has great ability and, from what I heard & read during OTAs, Simpson has made such huge strides that I think it might be a mistake to let him go. It seems like things have finally clicked with Jerome. We need to keep the youth around, if possible. Perhaps the Bengals were so desperate to find a receiver that they did not subject Bryant to the rigorous medical examination they should have, or they simply thought that he needed a little more rest to completely heal. Maybe they should only have signed him to a 2 year deal. Personally, I think a T.O. addition clinches a world championship for us. Yet still, I would like to keep Briscoe and Simpson around, especially Briscoe.
I just love the idea of our receiving core being Chad-Bryant-TO-Caldwell-Shipley-Briscoe.
Shipley can return punts a little to replace Cosby there. I think he can develop into a Wes Welker type player but for now I like him as a return man. As for Simpson… he might just need a little more time. But we have to think about winning now. I definitely want Briscoe to stick around as our future receiver. Are you saying we might want to go with Chad-Bryant-Caldwell-Shipley-Briscoe-Simpson? If Bryant’s knee is bothering him he won’t go down the field as much so we would be lacking a deep threat.
What I think this really comes down to is how badly we want to keep Simpson for the future.
"Before I write I let my mind go blind and let the Lord do His thing. " -Tupac Shakur
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it looks like work." -Thomas Edison
Like your idea of the receiving corps of Chad-Bryant-TO-Caldwell-Shipley-Briscoe
I’m just concerned that the switch may have flipped on with Jerome. If he finally gets it, then he could be quite scary on the field. However, I would love to have T.O., because I have visions of a Super Bowl title. Unfortunately, this comes down to a numbers game, and IF Bryant’s knee is a problem, what do we do? I also like Bryant, but am now concerned because of this recent story about his knee’s health. Too bad we can’t, or won’t, go with 7 receivers
I think you’re misjudging Cosby’s receiving ability. He was a fantastic receiver in college who didn’t get in as a receiver in many games last year. When he did see time he produced. He had some clutch receptions against San Diego and in the Jets playoff game.
Plus, he’s not just a return guy, he was one of our best special teamers last year. Remember those blocks he threw against the steelers to free up B.Scott for his TD return? Cutting Cosby would be a big blow to our special teams.
Also, adding TO won’t necessarily make us a SB contender. There’s only so many passes to go around and between Chad, AB, Gresham, Shipley, and Caldwell. He’s another weapon, but it’s not like Chad, Antonio and TO are all going to go for 1000 yards. It reeks of when the Lakers added Gary Payton and Karl Malone. Too many stars on one team.
This is our year!
by Carsonorbust on Jul 25, 2010 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions
So...
Who are your 6 receivers then? Plus, I said nothing about everyone going to go for 1000 yards. I just want the best 6 on the roster. Even without T.O., and assuming this story about Bryant’s knee is of no legitimate concern, then we have Chad..Bryant..Caldwell..Shipley.. followed by Briscoe-Simpson-Jones-Cosby for the final 2 spots. Who fills the final 2 spots?
I wish we could have 7 receivers too, and it’s obviously allowed but you then have to sacrifice depth at another position. What position could we possibly lose that depth at wthout taking a hit? Unless we find a combo K/P or something, 6 it is.
"Before I write I let my mind go blind and let the Lord do His thing. " -Tupac Shakur
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it looks like work." -Thomas Edison
6 receivers
Considering we have to choose 6 from the pool of talent we’ll have, it’s a nice position to be in, huh?
Do you guys think Caldwell can be a good 3rd receiver?
He caught a few big passes last year against the Steelers and Ravens with the defenses focusing on Chad and Coles. I just wonder if he can do it on a consistent basis. Of course, Shipley might be an early bloomer and do good work in the slot in his first year.
"Before I write I let my mind go blind and let the Lord do His thing. " -Tupac Shakur
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it looks like work." -Thomas Edison
Smart for TO
If Owens has a brain, he would sign with Cincy rather than St. Louis. If he wants to win more than 4 games a year, he’ll sign with Cincy. If he wants to have more than 800 yards receiving, he’ll sign with Cincy. If he wants to have more than five TDs a year, he’ll sign with Cincy. Sam Bradford may be good, but chances are, he won’t be THAT good for another three years. Carson Palmer has more of a chance of connecting with TO on a regular basis than Bradford. And how dumb would the Rams be if they were to throw a guy like Owens at a rookie QB? They would just be asking for trouble. TO couldn’t get along with Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb, Tony Romo, or Ryan Fitzpatrick…and they want Sam Bradford to deal with him??? If I were Bradford, I would be saying, “No thanks.” That could quickly kill what could have ended up being a pretty good career.
"A fear of heights is illogical. A fear of falling, on the other hand, is prudent and evolutionary."
- Dr. Sheldon Cooper
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