Tapping Free Agency To Focus On Bengals Depth At Tight End

by Jack Cassidy on Feb 20, 2012 10:39 AM EST

One position lacking depth on the Cincinnati Bengals roster is tight end. Jermaine Gresham is firmly planted as the starter and will remain in that spot for the foreseeable future, but given Gresham's susceptibility to injury and the team's usage of double-tight formations, a reliable back up is necessary . Last season Gresham caught 56 balls for 596 yards and 6 touchdowns--numbers good enough for a Pro Bowl selection (thanks to the New England Patriots going to the Super Bowl). Backing up Gresham were Colin Cochart and Donald Lee. Colin Cochart, a blocking-focused tight end, caught 5 passes for 44 yards and one touchdown, and the veteran Donald Lee caught 11 passes for 115 yards and no touchdowns. Off-season acquisition Bo Scaife was placed on Injured Reserve prior to the season.

Both Lee and Scaife are now free agents, and it is unknown whether either will be back with the Bengals in 2012. Free Agency will serve as the principle route in attaining a quality backup tight end, and the 2012 class of free agents at that position is more than serviceable. Leading the pack is Jermichael Finley of the Green Bay Packers, but Finley will be looking for a starting job and a large contract--two things the Bengals are not interested in. Behind Finley, however, are some very intriguing possible signings, most of all Martellus Bennett of the Dallas Cowboys. Bennett only caught 17 passes for 144 yards last season, but is considered an elite run blocker--something highly sought after when it comes to No. 2 tight ends. And it wouldn't be the first time that the Bengals would be interested in Bennett.

Other notable free agent tight ends include Joel Dreesen of the Houston Texans, Fred Davis of the Washington Redskins, and Jacob Tamme of the Indianapolis Colts. If the Bengals decide to fill the backup tight end spot with a pass catcher as opposed to a blocker, then Jacob Tamme is a very legitimate option.

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Martellus Bennett

there is no reason we why shouldn’t bring in this guy. He is like a gresham clone in size. And we all know the bengals love blocking TE.

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Feb 20, 2012 10:48 AM EST reply actions

+1

Not to mention the guy is quick and can catch. The Cowboys should be embarrassed how little they utilized this guy.

by DiddyGotGrillz on Feb 20, 2012 10:56 AM EST up reply actions

well Witten is the equvilant to AJ green in the cowboys offense

so im sure Bennett didn’t get the same looks as witten.

but I will be happy to take bennett off their hands.

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Feb 20, 2012 11:06 AM EST up reply actions

Didnt see cochart until the end of the season

But i did like what i saw. I wouldnt mind signing lee or scaife for dept. We have more problems to think about then TE

by njbengalstat on Feb 20, 2012 11:18 AM EST reply actions

Yes Bennett

I like the run blocking capabilities,also seems to be a all around TE thats able to do more than just block

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

by keithp on Feb 20, 2012 11:19 AM EST reply actions

Could've swore the knock on Bennett was lack of blocking?

He couldn’t block which is why he got surpassed by John Phillips on depth chart.

by ashunte23 on Feb 20, 2012 11:24 AM EST reply actions

Bennett And Gresham

then we can dump Lee and Cochart who were less than average last year. and find a 3rd PASS CATCHING TE..

hmmm where do i know of a Pass catching TE that the bengals know off…
Chase where did you go..

only way i want Lee/ Scaife / Cochart back is if we keep 4 TE’s..
Lee Scaife they were only brought in for vet presence for a rookie qb.
Cochart made the team do to his blocking which was subpar most the season. to the point we heard #74 reporting eligible

by Bengalsfan024 on Feb 20, 2012 11:49 AM EST reply actions