How 'bout Jordan Shipley as #2? And we should draft...

by drj112379 on Jan 20, 2012 8:26 AM EST

Hey, here's an idea to throw out there for you guys and gals: How about Jordan Shipley as the #2 receiver? Sure, he's coming back from an injury, but if he can return to form, I don't see why he shouldn't compete for #2. Here are some of my reasons:

1) FA are okay, but the Bengals record with FA WRs hasn't been good lately. Not to say it wouldn't work out this time, but I just have visions of A. Bryant's knee (or whatever it was) and a moody T.O. in my mind (of course, T.O. did pretty well for us, but, well, yeah).

2) Shipley is cocksure and headstrong (or is it the other way around?). But seriously, Shipley has great hands, great route-running ability, speed/quickness/agility, and he knows the system already vs. a FA (which is not to say a FA CAN'T learn it, but, well, yeah).

3) Dalton seemed to have a pretty decent rapport with Shipley before he went down. As T.J. Whosyourmama demonstrated with the Bengals, you don't need a superstar burner as a #2 WR; you just need somebody who'll show up at the right spot at the right time and catch the darn ball. Shipley should be that guy.

And the second part of this blog, as promised by the title: the Bengals should draft Devier Posey. Why? Here we go:

1) I saw on Walterfootball.com that Posey has "off field" issues that team will have to deal with. Those off-field issues are accepting some under-the-table money at a golf tourney. Not excusing it, but then again I don't think people should fault a kid who has no money from accepting money when a donor hands it out.

2) Full disclosure: I actually teach at his high school alma mater. Never had him class, but those who had speak very well of his work ethic in class. How does this translate to the football field? Maybe a lot, maybe nothing at all. But I feel the "character issues" are just ridiculous. Very soft spoken, humble kid. And he loves his momma.

3) He's got speed and sure hands. I didn't watch a ton of OSU games, but it always seems like he made big plays. Posey will fall to the later rounds, and I think the Bengals should draft him in those rounds if they get the chance.

What do you guys think?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors.

Tweet Comment 40 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Yes to Shipley and no to Posey.

I like Shipley alot, and see him as a young Wes Welker. I believe he would make a better no. 2 then Simpson or alot of guys out there in Free Agency. And I’m not sold on Posey at all, not even for a project. I think Posey has bust written all over him. OSU has produced more duds at WR in the last few yrs then any other top football program. Ted Ginn, Brian Robiskie, Brian Hartline, etc etc. Add Posey to that same list in another 2 yrs.

by redrifle14 on Jan 20, 2012 9:20 AM EST reply actions

I was thinking the same thing about Welker comparisons

Gruden should be able to build up a pretty good scheme with him at #2 and AJ being doubled on the other side, much like Welker and Moss for the Pats in ’07. AJ can take some pressure and Shipley can go to town underneath.

by JerseyBengal on Jan 20, 2012 9:27 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Everyone has their own wishlist for a no.2 WR

But I think Shipley is the real deal. He was impressive his rookie season, and should be great with an entire off season with Gruden.

by redrifle14 on Jan 20, 2012 9:34 AM EST up reply actions

I think its time to find a new white reciever to compare our white reciever to

how about Jordy Nelson. I hear he is deceptively fast

by The Dealio on Jan 20, 2012 9:41 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

LOL. Jordy it is.

by redrifle14 on Jan 20, 2012 9:45 AM EST up reply actions

Posey

I’m not saying Posey is a slam dunk or anything, I’m just saying for a low-round draft pick, he’d be a decent pick up. Give the kid a chance and might impress. I mean, he could easily not make the team, but I think he’s worth a shot.

by drj112379 on Jan 20, 2012 10:02 AM EST up reply actions

Shipley doesn’t fit the #2 role because he wouldn’t be able to consistently win in man coverage. They would jam him and rough him up all the way down the field. He was never that fast, but now after I knee injury, who knows where his speed will be? That’s why he’s a slot WR, even Welker is considered the Pats slot guy. He catches 80% of his balls from the slot and he’s way quicker than Shipley.

Having said that, Shipley, in 3WR formations will act as the #2 WR. Since teams go 3WR over 50% of the time, the progression for Dalton on most plays should be:
1) Green
2) Gresham
3) Shipley
4) Whoever the #2 WR is

That’s why you wont see this team sign a High-level WR in free agency or draft Jeffrey or Floyd in round 1. If the offense works this way, the "#2 WR’ will probably only catch 35-55 balls.

So in actuality, Shipley will be the #3 WR, but probably the #2-#3 option on most plays he’s in on.

CincyJungle.com Contributor for the NFL Draft

Follow me on Twitter @JoeGoodberry for Bengals & NFL Draft talk

by Joe Goodberry on Jan 20, 2012 9:46 AM EST via Android app reply actions

Agree—we don’t know what kind of health shipley is going to be in come training camp, so, assuming Simpson isn’t coming back, either drafting or signing some journeymen makes sense

Disagree—Shipley was faster than most people think. I never bought the Wes Welker comparison.

Agree—We won’t make a big splash for a WR#2. We spread the ball around too much, we have Gersham, if we get a RB that can catch, we should be ok.

by goffchile on Jan 20, 2012 10:02 AM EST up reply actions

The knee is obviously a concern

But I hope it’s not. It’s a big what if, along with Leon Hall’s injury.

by drj112379 on Jan 20, 2012 10:12 AM EST up reply actions

According to a website, Shipley ran a 4.54 40.

Here’s the link.

T. J. was never all that speedy of a guy, which is why he fell to the 7th round. Speed is important, but it’s not the end-all-be-all for a WR. What’s more important is running the right routes and having good hands. I don’t know about Shipley not beating man-to-man coverage, but it always seemed that whenever he was thrown the ball, he would catch it. I don’t remember any drops that weren’t forced.

by drj112379 on Jan 20, 2012 10:07 AM EST up reply actions

How many catches did TJ from the slot? The Bengals were a 3WR team back then and TJ played the slot everytime. Henry and Chad were the outside guys.

As far as beating man coverage, Slot WRs are off the line of scrimmage so they dont get bumped. They also routinely go against safeties and LBs in zone coverage. This is why you want a smart slot guy with good hands who can catch in traffic.

CincyJungle.com Contributor for the NFL Draft

Follow me on Twitter @JoeGoodberry for Bengals & NFL Draft talk

by Joe Goodberry on Jan 20, 2012 12:00 PM EST up reply actions

TJ

Where did TJ line up with Henry wasn’t in? I’m assuming that he would be on the outside if it were a 2 WR set. And then they used him in the slot in 3 WR sets. Couldn’t Shipley be like TJ? I mean, I have no clue, but it’s just a thought, and it all assumes he’s fine after his injury.

by drj112379 on Jan 20, 2012 12:11 PM EST up reply actions

He could be. Sure, but that Bengals offense was in 3WR sets most of the game.

CincyJungle.com Contributor for the NFL Draft

Follow me on Twitter @JoeGoodberry for Bengals & NFL Draft talk

by Joe Goodberry on Jan 20, 2012 9:33 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

Love Shipley

Think Shipley got good hands and average speed but not the strength that TJ had when lined up at the #2 WR. Think Shipley would be easily jamed at the line if lined up at #2WR. He dont have the body TJ had. Think thats why he is a slot reciever. Dnt mean he cant be the #@ guy in a 3 WR set.

by i am will on Jan 21, 2012 4:01 PM EST up reply actions

housh had about 2 inches and 10 pounds on shipley

don’t know how well that translates to being jammed… i feel like it might actually be easier to get off a jam by being a bit shorter and having the better leverage to push

by dqniel on Jan 22, 2012 5:28 PM EST up reply actions

Agree

Shipley is a slot guy and a damn good one at that. I don’t really understand why people would want him on the outside when slot guys get alot of catches. They’re usually the QB go to on 3rd downs. The slot position might not be as flashy as an outside receiver but IMO it’s more important.

by Bigcatdaddy on Jan 20, 2012 10:13 AM EST via Android app up reply actions

my thing is...

…the whole #1/#2 guy is a bit deceptive. There is no such thing as a #2 receiver in actual football, that’s a by product of fantasy leagues. Shipley is a good possession receiver, which he need. Call him a #2, #3, whatever.

by goffchile on Jan 20, 2012 10:16 AM EST up reply actions

right

Thats what i tried to say when I talked about where Ship would be in the progression order.

CincyJungle.com Contributor for the NFL Draft

Follow me on Twitter @JoeGoodberry for Bengals & NFL Draft talk

by Joe Goodberry on Jan 20, 2012 12:01 PM EST up reply actions

What about babyhawk?

He seemed like a slot receiver as well,surely he wont get the ol’mathis,coffman deal

"A team is more than a group of individuals,its a group of individuals that come together to make a team"

by keithp on Jan 21, 2012 8:54 PM EST up reply actions

He’s just a gadget guy. 4 touches a game. A couple screens, a reverse and maybe a hand off/pitch. Now if they can get him to Punt Return, they may get more out of him.

CincyJungle.com Contributor for the NFL Draft

Follow me on Twitter @JoeGoodberry for Bengals & NFL Draft talk

by Joe Goodberry on Jan 22, 2012 10:34 AM EST via Android app up reply actions

I think they can use him on the desean jackson type gadget plays

But he and ship have the same problem of not being big and strong enough to get off jams on the outside.

by JCompton41 on Jan 22, 2012 12:40 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Heard an incredible stat on Shipley...

…that in 4 years at Texas, Shipley dropped just 5 catchable throws. That’s just mind-blowing.

by Who dey in LA on Jan 23, 2012 1:26 AM EST up reply actions

Good insight

"A team is more than a group of individuals,its a group of individuals that come together to make a team"

by keithp on Jan 21, 2012 8:49 PM EST up reply actions

Shipley is more smart and quick that they will try to match up on safeties and linebackers

But as you could tell by the end of last year, in a west coast offense the recievers need to know how to play all reciever positions. They started moving Gresham to the outside and Green to the slot to make mismatches. Green will almost be doubled with safety coverage over the top to prevent deep throws to him. So they need someone on the other side that can stretch the field and make it hard for the other safety to play in the box like a lot of teams started to do to shut down the run game. Meacham would be a great fix. The biggest thing in a WCO is yards after catch. He wasn’t a big option on the Saints but his yards per catch were high. He was 4th-5th option with the Saints. I think he would come at a decent price to be given the chance to start and play more.

by EPK1979 on Jan 20, 2012 10:58 AM EST reply actions

Cough cough chase coffman is not a nfl blocking TE so use him as wr has great size and hands mis match nightmare for any cb. You don't always see the pats line hernandez as a TE.

by bengals&buckeyenation on Jan 20, 2012 11:32 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Vincent Jackson

He would be a nice pickup

by GetMused on Jan 20, 2012 5:33 PM EST reply actions

I like Shipley in the slot

But i wouldnt argue that he could be a capable number 2,Shipley’ durability is a huge question mark for me

Posey falling to the later rounds,would be acceptable to me,but this BS excuse about kids having nothing is the
reason they done this or that isnt acceptable. Off of your opinion i’d be willing to overlook that for late round talent.
IMO however that alone is a character flaw in itself and probably would reappear if he ever has any success

"A team is more than a group of individuals,its a group of individuals that come together to make a team"

by keithp on Jan 20, 2012 8:20 PM EST reply actions

I would agree that it's not "acceptable."

But I was just trying to point out that the knock on Posey’s character is kind of frivolous. A person had money; he gave it to Posey. And according to arbitrary NCAA rules, that is wrong. Yes, Posey should’ve known better, and his background should not excuse him from making a dumb decision, but this is not the worst transgression ever. He didn’t physically harm anyone; he didn’t abuse any drugs. He accepted money from a dude. Outside of the NCAA, this would not be a big deal and does not qualify in any way as a felony or whatever. If this is the only knock on his character, which is really just being naive and thinking he can get away with accepting cash, then I can live with it. I didn’t mean to blithely excuse his actions (which I kind of did and am doing now), but the Bengals really shouldn’t have to worry about “off-field issues.”

by drj112379 on Jan 22, 2012 9:45 AM EST up reply actions

Keep Shipley in the slot..

-Draft a WR

-OR Sign one of these guys

-Brandon Lloyd
-Marques Colston
-Vincent Jackson
-Dwayne Bowe

by Bengal4ever on Jan 20, 2012 10:04 PM EST reply actions

they wont sign any of those guys

CincyJungle.com Contributor for the NFL Draft

Follow me on Twitter @JoeGoodberry for Bengals & NFL Draft talk

by Joe Goodberry on Jan 21, 2012 12:11 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

Yep, Meachem or Garcon.........maybe. Not even sure Garcon would be in our price range.

"The next person you see that throws something, point em out! You don’t live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati!"
- Sam Wyche

by The Van Buren Boys on Jan 21, 2012 2:48 PM EST up reply actions

agree, I think Meachem, Eddie Royal and Mario Manningham may be more in our range

CincyJungle.com Contributor for the NFL Draft

Follow me on Twitter @JoeGoodberry for Bengals & NFL Draft talk

by Joe Goodberry on Jan 21, 2012 7:56 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

Yes to Manningham.

Paul Brown Stadium, where everyone's hopes go to die.

by DTFCPDX on Jan 23, 2012 9:11 PM EST up reply actions

Manningham = Simpson

He had just a few less drops and pretty much the same production…

by Oregonbengalsfan on Jan 23, 2012 9:17 PM EST up reply actions

I hope you are right.

Colston is hurt too much, Lloyd will want too much money (and can’t hold on with a team which tells me something), Jackson has lost a step and Bowe seems to make big plays at time and then disappears for long strethes (sound familiar).

by WOOD98 on Jan 23, 2012 2:43 AM EST up reply actions

Our #2 needs to be a serious burner.

Thats the only way to draw a safety away from AJ., by taking him over the top. Ship has the the moves, hands and heart for the slot unlike anyone I’ve seen lately except for that cat in New England. Wes something or other.

by keithster on Jan 21, 2012 5:33 AM EST reply actions

Early Doucet

I don’t see the Bengals going after a top tier WR to fill out the crew—more likely taking a chance a young guy with upside.

Doucet’s had his problems with drops, but he might make a good fit for the right price across from Green. He used to being the #2, he’s got something to prove, and his numbers have improved every season despite playing on a deteriorating offense.

by goffchile on Jan 21, 2012 12:19 PM EST reply actions

...and on the downside he trips and falls sometimes on open passes in the end zone for 6 :)

"The next person you see that throws something, point em out! You don’t live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati!"
- Sam Wyche

by The Van Buren Boys on Jan 21, 2012 2:48 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

he was already the our mvp once and not even on our team!

Maybe he can continue to contribute for us if signed lol.

by JCompton41 on Jan 22, 2012 12:43 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I think we should sign Reggie Wayne for two yeaqrs if we can.

He still has two good years left in him IMO. The draft a WR in one of the top 3 picks in the first next year, allow him, and Green and Shipley to be schooled and ready for when Wayne possibly retires. What Wayne knows about being a pro would be invaluable to out current WR corps. He might like the deal as well. He can come to a potentially winning program and still keep his family pretty close. I really can’t see any downside there. We get a guy who can play opposite Green right away, inprove the other WRs and also prepare for the future while we open up another spot in the draft for other areas of need.

"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"

by JUNGLEJOHN on Jan 23, 2012 8:23 AM EST reply actions