Bengals Aren't "Going To Fool Around" With Antonio Bryant

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 5, 2010 12:50 PM EDT in Injury

For the most part, I've always figured that Antonio Bryant will rest, rest, rest and once he's recovered, he'll either rotate with Terrell Owens in two wide receiver formations, or be the third man in three wide receiver sets. Again, that's what I figured. The encouraging thing is, as Geoff Hobson writes, Bryant "is going to start testing his knee out in the next few weeks, maybe next week".

While it's nice to hear he's going to be active, maybe as soon as next week, it's still cautious to believe that Bryant will contribute to the team's practices or against the Broncos on 15th, or even Eagles on the 20th.

On the other hand, the Bengals may be bold enough to move on if Bryant's knee doesn't respond. Geoff Hobson writes:

All indications are the Bengals aren’t going to fool around. They want to give Bryant time to rehab, but they also want to know if he can give them anything before they decide to cut some younger players. The thinking is they’ll see what he can do in the final three preseason games or so and they’ll know for sure. Complicating things is that Jerome Simpson and Maurice Purify are playing well and making a real push.

Now, this could mean several things. Maybe they could outright release him and write off the $7 million already given to Bryant in bonuses. No, no. I agree. This doesn't seem like a move in Mike Brown's or Katie Blackburn's DNA. More likely, if he's not ready, they'll simply dump him on Injured Reserve, freeing a spot for one of the younger receivers and writing off this year.

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Wont bother me if he hits the IR

1.They shouldn’t force the injury (They should have checked it out before giving him 7mil per
2. Wouldn’t mind seeing more of the young guys play
3. More catches for T.O. and Ocho

In Zim We Trust......Collaros for Heisman...An Avid Reader of Cincyjungle.com

by TennBengalfan on Aug 5, 2010 1:42 PM EDT reply actions

Hope he gets better

Talent is undeniable. If not, hope some of the young guys can step up this year. Jerome Simpson… sigh.

by nashville_chris on Aug 5, 2010 1:45 PM EDT reply actions

I'm baffled by this. Didn't we work this guy out before we signed him?

And I mean WORKED HIM OUT? Like, didn’t we have him running multiple routes at full speed over and over and over again to make ABSOLUTELY SURE that his knee was in ABSOLUTELY 100% SHAPE? If there was even a SHRED of doubt that he needed even another day of rehab on it, why would we have signed him when Boldin and TO were still on the market? And now he comes in and we talk like he’s still right in the middle of his “planned all along” rehab process?

Bull.

This guy shot his knee up full of cortizone and god knows what else that wouldn’t show up on a drug test to get through the physical and workouts and now that he got paid we’re seeing what shape he’s REALLY in. Do I need to say it? This is on our scouting department. Right up there with Andre Smith. Moves that could cost this team for years.

by eric nyc on Aug 5, 2010 2:38 PM EDT reply actions

agreed 100%

In Zim We Trust......Collaros for Heisman...An Avid Reader of Cincyjungle.com

by TennBengalfan on Aug 5, 2010 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Scouting and Dr. Pokie Stick

by featherman on Aug 5, 2010 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Technically

Boldin wasn’t on the market. He was traded by the Cards while the other receivers were actually available on the free agent market. The front office grabbed Bryant because they thought he could help. The fans’ general consensus to the move was positive at that time. When concerns started to arise about his knee, the staff opened up to the possibility of bringing Owens in as well… which they did. The front office has not sat idly and let this off season pass them by. They have been proactive and have listened to veteran players’ recommendations in the process. The organization has done quite a lot this year to actually field a team with a legitimate shot at a championship. Was it a mistake to pick up Bryant? Maybe, but only time will tell.

Personally, I’m not sweating the potential Bryant issue. If they place him on IR, I think the move would be smart. Besides, I believe Shipley will win the starting slot position sooner rather than later regardless of who’s there anyway.. OchoCinco, Owens and Gresham should provide plenty of big threat potential, while Shipley and Caldwell make the underneath dink dunk receptions that eat up defenses over time. Toss in Benson, Scott and Leonard and you have a nice set offensive talent. TO is only under a 1 year contract, so that would leave Bryant open to return when he is completely healthy by next season… if not sooner. It’s not the worst situation to be in. Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing to an injured Chad was MUCH worse. lol

by SnapCount80 on Aug 5, 2010 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions

i actually think putting bryant on ir makes the most sense at this point, too. sure, it means you waste a lot of money on the guy for the year, but you give him time to really heal, and maybe you get some return on your investment in the coming years; if they choose to rush him back this year, which looks possible, they’re totally shooting themselves in the foot on this one. plus, as you noted, to’s only on a one-year deal, so the team saves itself the trouble of making a tough cut at receiver.

i'm going to go america all over your ass!

by Raging Clue on Aug 5, 2010 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions

if any party’s to blame, it’d be the medical staff. they had to pass his physical.

i'm going to go america all over your ass!

by Raging Clue on Aug 5, 2010 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

Aren’t “going to fool around” ? The operative word there is “fool”. If there was any doubt at all about his knee, we should have passed….not sign him to a FOUR YEAR CONTRACT. It all seems really foolish, but I do hope Bryant puts up huge numbers for us….that is if he’s physically able. Yeah, and throw Andre The Fat Man in there too. I was one of the few who wanted Oher and Andre has done absolutely nothing for us nor shown anything to indicate he’ll ever live up to his college press clippings.

by laibach on Aug 5, 2010 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions

All I have to say is... a little while ago...

I told you so … I told you so..

http://www.cincyjungle.com/2010/6/22/1530728/3-things-to-be-concerned-about

by JamesShively on Aug 5, 2010 2:44 PM EDT reply actions

He'll be PUP Listed at most

He’s already practiced once. I know he should be practicing more, but they’re not going to give up on him. It’s concerning, but I still think he’ll be alright.

by Anthony Cosenza on Aug 5, 2010 2:49 PM EDT reply actions