Jermaine Gresham Could Be Poised For A Breakout Year

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 30, 2011 4:00 PM EDT

Inspiration for every football movie about to be made. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

If we compare his rookie season to other rookies, Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham had a great season. No AFC rookie posted more receptions than Gresham's 52 catches (fellow rookie Jordan Shipley tied) and his 471 yards receiving ranked fifth. On the other hand if you compare Gresham to the rest of the league's tight ends (kind of pointless but we are anyway), then his 52 receptions ranks 12th, his 471 yards receiving ranks 23rd and his four touchdowns receiving ranks 15th. Though Gresham had a good year, setting a franchise rookie record for receptions by a tight end, Gresham also fumbled the football twice; only Washington's Chris Cooley fumbled more.

Now we don't fault Gresham for the production; the Bengals literally had tunnel vision on the Terrell Owens/Chad Ochocinco combination, hurting the chances with others. And quite frankly we're not sure if Carson Palmer was ideally capable of throwing to tight ends having spent most of his NFL career with Reggie Kelly -- a blocking tight end first and foremost -- as the primary guy at the position.

That being said it was a good rookie season and of the players we expect to breakout this year, Gresham could have the most explosive season. Rookie quarterbacks tend to favor tight ends early in their careers, greatly benefiting Gresham, who will greatly benefit the Bengals due to his size and overwhelming talent.

Scouts, Inc. ranks Gresham as the league's 22nd best tight end with Bo Scaife (24th) and Clark Harris (52nd) included. We should point out that Harris is a tight end by title only and is accurately defined as a long snapper. Chase Coffman didn't rank in the top 100.

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Comments

Gresham has shown that he will work for that first down.

I would be surprised if he doesn’t become a go-to guy on 3rd-and-reasonable. He and Shipley have both shown an awareness of the marker that has to make Gruden and Dalton inclined to get them the ball when it counts.

by Boomer Lion on Aug 30, 2011 4:05 PM EDT reply actions

He really needs to produce this year

Thus offense and QB should showcase his talents as a true combo tight end. I can’t understand why the drafted Coffman. Another case of a good player at his position, but he doesn’t fit their scheme. The importance of this position in their offensive scheme can’t be underestimated.

by K312 on Aug 30, 2011 4:09 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

RE:

Sometimes a better player just comes along. You’d be hard pressed to find someone that would suggest we pass on Andrew Luck in 2012 if we have the first overall pick.

Managing Editor at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 30, 2011 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I bet Andy Dalton would suggest it!

by Boomer Lion on Aug 30, 2011 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

They drafted him knowing he was not a blocker. MB must have overruled ML on the Coffman selection. Pedigree vs. Production. Coffman might be better in the slot than as a true TE.

by K312 on Aug 30, 2011 4:50 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

RE:

I wouldn’t mind that.

But you also have to put some of the onus on Coffman. He struggled developing as a blocker, was often the subject of criticism from Jonathan Hayes with a string of injuries slowing his progress as well. It’s not like he’s been tremendously awesome to give the coaching staff a reason to promote him either.

Managing Editor at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 30, 2011 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Can't disagree

Hard Knocks didn’t do him any favors. He wasn’t digging the whole blocking thing. I’ve seen him as a square peg in a round hole ever since then. He’s still square and the hole is still round. He seems decent as a receiver so the slot would seem a possibility.

by K312 on Aug 30, 2011 5:24 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

That's it.

Scouts’ Inc. has to be made up of retarded people. They also ranked Reggie Nelson as the team’s 4th best safety, right?

Andy Dalton: An American Hero

by Pardon_My_French on Aug 30, 2011 5:38 PM EDT reply actions

I don't think you can say "retarded"

but these Scouts Inc lists do seem to be a big pile of steaming crap. I’m still puzzled by the Justin Smith ranking of #2. I think they lost me at that point.

by WOOD98 on Aug 31, 2011 3:32 AM EDT up reply actions