Bengals Sign Chase Coffman to Practice Squad; Still One Spot Open on Active Roster

by Jason Garrison on Sep 5, 2011 5:26 PM EDT

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 1: Chase Coffman #80 of the Cincinnati Bengals jumps for a first down over Chris Rucker #36 of the Indianapolis Colts in the first half of an NFL preseason game at Paul Brown Stadium on September 1, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

According to The Cincinnati Enquirer's Joe Reedy, the Bengals have filled the last spot in their eight-man practice squad by signing tight end Chase Coffman after he cleared waivers on Monday.

Shuler waived after failing physical and Coffman re-signed to the practice squad. Still have one spot open on the 53-man roster #bengalsless than a minute ago via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet ReplyJoe Reedy
joereedy

Even though the team waived tight end Mickey Shuler after he failed his physical, they still felt that re-signing Coffman to the active roster to be the team's third tight end wasn't in their best interest.

This means that there is still one spot open on the active 53-man roster that the Bengals will need to fill in the next day or two. Lewis has said that they may go into the season with only two active tight ends so the new player could go anywhere.

There are a few positions that could use some extra depth, like at cornerback, where the team only has Leon Hall, Nate Clements, Kelly Jennings and Morgan Trent with Adam Jones on the PUP list, and on the defensive line, where the Bengals only have Pat Sims, Geno Atkins and Domata Peko between the ends.

We'll have to wait and see where the Bengals add depth. Until then, though, who do you hope the Bengals sign to their active roster?

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Comments

Promote Shirley from the PS

And then sign Stephens to the PS to replace him.

by Big Sky Bengal on Sep 5, 2011 5:34 PM EDT reply actions

Not Stephens

If Shirley were brought up, they should use the extra PS for a RB. How about Derrrick Locke?

by virginiastripes on Sep 5, 2011 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Use Him Right

The Bengals got two TEs (Gresham an Cohart) that can block. Why use Chase more as a Slot WR/TE? He came from a spread offense in college. Line him up in the slot in short yardage and red zone. I believe Chase will big a big impact in those situations. To me the Bengals are not using him right. Chase has great talent. The Bengals have to use his strengths and not worry bout his weakness.

by i am will on Sep 5, 2011 5:38 PM EDT reply actions

+1

by K312 on Sep 5, 2011 5:42 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I'll say yes..

But, the entire league has passed on Chase yet again. Still, you have to think Chase could be a real asset in the red zone or moving tyhe chains on 3rd down.

by virginiastripes on Sep 5, 2011 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Really?

We are a run-first team with Green, Simpson, Caldwell, Shipley, Gresham and now Tate all available to catch the few balls that are thrown. Is Coffman really an improvement on any of them?

by emeybee on Sep 5, 2011 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

Not just with Chase, but in general it seems we watch other teams consistently draft players and design plays that utilize their strength while limiting their weakness. I still don’t see the Bengals doing this and Chase Coffman seems to be just one of the latest examples. I say sign him and let him create matchup problems in the passing game from time to time while he continues to work on his blocking.

NOTE: This goes mainly for the Offense. I think Zim does a good job of hiding players weakness on D and showcasing their strenghts.

by C1ncy4Life on Sep 6, 2011 8:03 AM EDT up reply actions

awwkward

Chase you have to feel kinda funny

by ticalcaldwell on Sep 5, 2011 5:39 PM EDT reply actions

No, he's been through this all before.

by virginiastripes on Sep 5, 2011 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Will Allen

The guy still has what it takes to play CB in the NFL. Don’t know if he would pass a physical from these fanatics the Bengals now have examining new players.

by virginiastripes on Sep 5, 2011 5:41 PM EDT reply actions

+1

better safe than sorry now, no more Bryant incidents!

by ashunte23 on Sep 5, 2011 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Interior o-line us still our weakest position.

by K312 on Sep 5, 2011 5:43 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

+1

If Dennis Roland is still on the active roster, this statement is true.

Joel, get off the babysitter

by LookingDeep on Sep 5, 2011 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Except Roland plays on the Exterior O-line?

by Aether on Sep 6, 2011 7:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Common sense

Chase, not one team picked you up from waivers !!! If that isn`t an indication that if you want to remain in the nfl you better change your mindset and start knocking people on there butt !!!!! BLOCK your butt off , then catch those passes !!!!! REMEMBER < NOT ONE TEAM BUT CINCY !!!!!!!!

by bengals since 68 on Sep 5, 2011 5:47 PM EDT reply actions

Three things

1. I wonder if Coffman is having a tougher time than most grasping the new playbook (particularly the blocking schemes). He’s just looked lost at times during the preseason.
2. It’s a good sign that our medical staff has been thoroughly screening players this year. I think the Antonio Bryant debacle may have been a blessing in disguise.
3. People keep saying that we should use Chase right, but we already have a TE who can catch the ball. So if we kept Chase, what role is he realistically going to fill?

by Paul Cannon on Sep 5, 2011 5:50 PM EDT reply actions

Expensive blessing ;-)

I think the Antonio Bryant debacle may have been a blessing in disguise.

by emeybee on Sep 5, 2011 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions

haha, yeah, they usually are.

by Paul Cannon on Sep 5, 2011 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Chase can catch and run better then any big man the Bengals have. He never was a blocker. He can help the Bengals the most where they have problems (short yardage an red zone). Clark for Indy is not a blocker but he is Mannings number 2. Just dont think the Bengals is using his strong points.

by i am will on Sep 5, 2011 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions

But Gresham can do the same...

…AND he can block too.

by emeybee on Sep 5, 2011 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

In a 2 TE set

they will have to account for both though. Who’s going to get the ball? Gresham or Coffman? Now if Cochart can give the same hands and route running skills as Coffman and he can block better, then I understand. But in a 2 TE set, they aren’t blocking a whole lot. They are going out to receive.

by WHYUS!! on Sep 5, 2011 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't know first hand

However the coaches have been reported to be impressed with Cochart hands as well as his blocking.

by Oregonbengalsfan on Sep 5, 2011 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Which is probably a good thing.

by WHYUS!! on Sep 5, 2011 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions

But why try to fit a square peg in a round hole?

This team is going to run the ball to death this year, and so it needs TEs who are going to be blockers. You don’t tailor an offense to a player (unless he’s extremely special like Michael Vick), you get players to fit your offense. I like Coffman, but he’s got to learn how to knock some people over if he wants a spot on this team.

by Paul Cannon on Sep 5, 2011 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions

As this team moves forward and the offense becomes a pure WCO (which I believe is the long-term plan,) guys like Coffman will become more necessary.

But yes, for now Coffman needs to block if he wants a spot because this still figures to be a run-first team.

Miguel Cairo is so last week.

by sexsalad on Sep 5, 2011 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Chase will be up eventually when Gresham ir Cohart are unavailable.

And TE is a notorious position for injuries to occur.

But it’s telling when an rookie unsigned FA passes Coffman on the depth chart.

by IllinoisBengal on Sep 5, 2011 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions

agree

There’s more problems with coffman than the oft stated ‘he cant block but its no big deal’. Playbook? Work ethic? Technique? I dunno but it sounds to me like they’ve all but given up.

by goffchile on Sep 6, 2011 7:30 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

D line

need to keep the interior guys fresh,and clamped down on the run. Also its one of the most physical positions on the field, with injuries exceedingly common.

by keithster on Sep 5, 2011 5:56 PM EDT reply actions

I'd liker to see J Shirley suit up.

And us maybe go get someone else to fill out the PS. We are light at DT and he will develop more quickly if he gets some snaps every few games.

by Boomer Lion on Sep 5, 2011 6:12 PM EDT reply actions

We really do

Fall in love with guys on the team. You don’t build a system around Coffman you find someone that fits your system and that is not Chase. We have plenty of WR’s we need TE’s who can block.
I can hear it now from other coaches “Look that Coffman kid is in the game, they will be passing on this down because he darn sure can’t run block”.
The fact no one claimed him says everything about him. Dump him and find a real TE.

"Next season will be better" circa 1990
Twitter @Rcklarue

by Yarin on Sep 5, 2011 6:23 PM EDT reply actions