Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: Miami Wins Opener Over Boston, 93-79

Chase Coffman Signed By Tampa Bay

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)


Former third round pick Chase Coffman will no longer be a project for the Bengals, as he was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers today. Coffman will join new Tampa Bay and former Rutgers coach Greg Schiano.

Coffman was selected in the third round of the 2009 NFL draft out of Missouri. As a tight end, he holds the all time touchdown reception record at Missouri, with 20. As some of you may remember, Coffman was a main focus of HBO's "Hard Knocks" in 2009. Coffman was shown missing assignments and being forced to do push ups for every missed assignment by tight ends coach Jon Hayes. When Reggie Kelly and Ben Utecht went down with season ending injuries during Coffman's rookie season, Coffman was expected to take over the starting job by many Bengals fans. It was J.P. Foschi and Dan Coats that took over the top tight end duties. Coffman was inactive until week 12.

Star-divide

2011 seemed to be the year of the tight end, and teams like the Patriots and 49ers used two tight end heavy sets in the passing game. There had been hope by many Bengal fans that offensive coordinator Jay Gruden could incorporate Gresham and Coffman on the field together. Instead, he will be now known as a bust to Bengal fans, as it seemed that he never got up to speed with the offense.

Coffman looks like he has the ability to succeed in the NFL. It is up to the coaches to put him in a spot where he can succeed, especially if Coffman cannot greatly improve his blocking. It will be interesting to see if Schiano has any type of specific gameplan in mind for Coffman in Tampa Bay, or if he is just brought in to be a camp body. Coffman leaves the Bengals with three career catches for thirty receiving yards.

Comment 74 comments  |  0 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Comments

Display:

So first they steal Briscoe and now Coffman?

Aaaa who cares.

What do you do when there's no way out? Find a way to get deeper in it.

by jimbasa on Feb 21, 2012 6:12 PM EST reply actions  

hard to steal what someone else gives away

I’d say they, like the Eagles, aren’t afraid to sign talented guys we don’t want and gasp play them.

Why our coaching staff doesn’t want those guys is what I want answered.

by indesignkat on Feb 21, 2012 7:34 PM EST up reply actions  

He played alright when he was on the field, but

he couldn’t block for crap. I know people want to sit there and say, “Well why does he need to block when he can catch? Just have him run routes and he’ll be fine.” I’m sorry but no… Eventually you’re going to have to man up and learn how to block somebody at the point of attack. You can’t just run your man off every time the Bengals are running the football. Met Chase a couple times and he is nothing short of a stand up guy. Just a shame it didn’t work out all that well.

by whodeycommish14 on Feb 21, 2012 6:12 PM EST via mobile reply actions  

Exactly...

Brat didn’t know how to use one tight end much less a double tight end set.

by whodeycommish14 on Feb 21, 2012 6:29 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Thank you Tampa

That is one debate we don’t have to go through again.

"Next season will be better" circa 1990

by Yarin on Feb 21, 2012 6:28 PM EST reply actions  

lol

Who Dey aint tryin to see central bookins!

by NCWhoDey1987 on Feb 21, 2012 7:04 PM EST up reply actions  

Swing and a miss

“He seems like he can play in NFL” – Realy?

by TX Bengal on Feb 21, 2012 6:40 PM EST reply actions  

Three years does not make a player, my friend. Give him a chance with another team before you go jumping to these conclusions. Plus, it is important to maintain some positivity as a writer

by Nick_Crago on Feb 21, 2012 7:07 PM EST up reply actions  

Coffman was a great prospect

that never saw the field. You can say what you want about his blocking ability or lack thereof, but if you didn’t want a pure receiving TE why did you draft one? Everyone knew that’s who he was. Instead of using him, our staff just whined about his inability to block.

by indesignkat on Feb 21, 2012 7:35 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Even the best pass catching TE's in the league

have to stay in and block bro. So you’re saying that whatever skill set that specific player has in college can’t be expanded on? He was a great pass catcher and not a good blocker. Why not make him a better blocker to make him a better football player? If he is JUST out to catch passes, that makes a team predictable. Am I right?

by whodeycommish14 on Feb 21, 2012 7:44 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Look at

Hernandez for the Pats. Not much of a blocker at all, but is really good at catching the ball…

by WHYUS!! on Feb 21, 2012 8:00 PM EST up reply actions  

Ok???

But he still has to block at times though.

by whodeycommish14 on Feb 21, 2012 8:22 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

I don't think Coffman went into spasms from blocking.

He wasn’t as good as the coaching staff wanted, but it’s not like he just stares at you in complete bewilderment if the play calls for him to block. You are presenting it as if he just said “F You Jay Gruden” if he was asked to block.

We have, so far, pretty much seen a 2nd tight end as a 3rd tackle.

by Boomer Lion on Feb 21, 2012 9:36 PM EST up reply actions  

Not at all.

I’ve said from the go that he couldn’t get on the game day roster because he COULDN’T block.

by whodeycommish14 on Feb 21, 2012 10:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

"Chase get a base..."

“C’mon Chase, get a base.”

“Damnit Chase, What are you doing? Get a base. Get your hand on his outside shoulder.”

by whodeycommish14 on Feb 21, 2012 10:14 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

He also didn't appear to be the "sharpest" knife on Hard Knocks.

Considering our offense when he was drafted was largely run oriented, there wasn’t a huge need for pass catching tight ends. When Dan Coats plays over you, that pretty much sums it up. Wish him the best in TB, just glad it’s no longer going to be a topic of conversation anymore.

"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 Feb 22, 2012 8:46 AM EST up reply actions  

easy, Coffman = Bratkowski offense

the same thing happened to Simpson. Simpson from what I heard always showed flashes in practice. But he never saw the field, its hard to say what you lost, if you never play them. I think most people saw Coffman’s talent, he just doesn’t fit our system anymore or he would have been given the opportunity.

If we pick up Bennett, that would be a huge upgrade from Coffman, because he has all pro blocking. And we wouldn’t have a need for band-aid TE’s we bring in year after year.

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Feb 22, 2012 3:45 AM EST up reply actions  

I couldn't agree more with "indesignkat" about the comment on Coffman

I think once TB puts him on the field and utilizes him at what his strength’s are, He’ll light it up in Tampa.

"What we do in this life echoes in eternity"

Maximus*

by gratefulmax on Feb 22, 2012 5:45 PM EST up reply actions  

This

Will show how bad we are at evaluating talent.

by ashunte23 on Feb 21, 2012 6:46 PM EST via Android app reply actions  

Or if he becomes a star...

how bad we are using talent.

What do you do when there's no way out? Find a way to get deeper in it.

by jimbasa on Feb 21, 2012 6:48 PM EST up reply actions  

Correct

Marvin is very highly respected around the NFL for evaluating talent.

by whodeycommish14 on Feb 21, 2012 7:27 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

will be interesting to watch if chase can make it happen with another team

can’t blame the guy for not sticking around here. cincy didn’t have any interest in getting chase’s hands on the game field. either way, in 8-10 months 1/2 of the cincy fans will be telling the other half of the cincy fans, “I told you so.”

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Feb 21, 2012 7:01 PM EST reply actions  

on what?

that there are 2 camps, one side saying he’s a bust and one side saying he’s under-utilized?

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Feb 21, 2012 7:37 PM EST up reply actions  

In order to be under-utilized,

you would have to be on the game day roster, right? He couldn’t see the field because he couldn’t block. Don’t you think it is kinda funny the guy hasn’t gotten an offer until now?? He’s been on the Bengals practice squad for three seasons and is just now getting a look?? Tampa floods our practice squad every year. Now they want him? Hmmmm… Sounds like a training camp filler.

by whodeycommish14 on Feb 21, 2012 7:48 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

under-utilized is way to sum up the other camp's views of

the coaching staff failed to use coffman for his hands.

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Feb 21, 2012 8:11 PM EST up reply actions  

And if anybody says, "I told you so."

They’re straight up lying because the guy wasnt on the field because he couldn’t block!! Even Aaron Hernandez has to sit his ass down in the trenches every once in a while. If you’re a TE, you eventually have to learn to put your big body in front of somebody and do what’s asked of you at that point in time. I understand he was split out a lot in college, but if you can’t grind it out in the trenches as a TE every once in a while, then you don’t need to see the field.

by whodeycommish14 on Feb 21, 2012 7:37 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

I didn't see Hernandez

block one time in the SB, only Gronk and he had a bad ankle… Most of Hernandez’s plays were pass plays not blocking plays. Although I probably missed those plays he was blocking in, but he’s more of just a receiver out of the TE position. A big receiver at that…

by WHYUS!! on Feb 21, 2012 8:06 PM EST up reply actions  

I'm sorry but that's probably because your eyes on fixated on a TE blocking.

And you’re basing all of your thoughts on one game instead of the full body of work? Gronk was hurt so he couldn’t run too many routes so I’m sure that’s why Hernandez was split out the whole game. Either way, whether it be Gronk or Hernandez, they have to block AT SOME POINT.

by whodeycommish14 on Feb 21, 2012 8:29 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

i seem to remember this site being split for awhile the past 2 seasons about coffman

with the “why aren’t they playing him as a receiver” camp vs the “he’s a bust camp.”

i won’t be able to put names of users to the 2 camps. i know there were proponents of both trains of thought among CJ readers. like i suggested up above, someone in 8-10 months will be telling the other cj camp, “i told you so.”

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Feb 21, 2012 8:14 PM EST up reply actions  

I believe you pale.

I’m just curious as to how somebody can say, “Told you so.” when nobody has ever really seen what he could do because he couldn’t get on the field.

by whodeycommish14 on Feb 21, 2012 9:09 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

You seem to be missing the point ENTIRELY

When you say that a TE has to block, that’s not actually true. All you have to do is draw up plays where the TE doesn’t block (via motion or whatever). Or where his block is an easy block or not crucial. Like a big WR. Or use him in the WR spot, where his blocks are easier (because they are on a CB or S). Like a big WR. Possibly in the slot WR position.

Just think of him as a big WR, even though the roster says TE. So if TB does that and he is successful, that would be a case of us simply not adjusting the scheme or expectations and losing a good player because of that inflexibility or lack of creativity. If they try that and he’s too slow or can’t get open or is still just too much of a liability in the run game (his blocking is so bad that you can’t scheme around it), then Cincy’s staff evaluation will be vindicated.

by Boomer Lion on Feb 21, 2012 9:47 PM EST up reply actions  

I agree they might not use him wisely.

I might totally agree wih you if we had not changed OC’s last season. I just find it hard to beleve two differen OC’s can’t see the potenial that so many say they are missing. I think it’s the age old issue of a player dominating in college and fans falling in love with them and when they fail it’s the coaches fault.
He sat on the PS for the longest time and not one single team grabbed him, I think that says alot.. A new coaching staff in Tampa thinks they can do something with him, I think that’s great. I wish him all the luck.

"Next season will be better" circa 1990

by Yarin on Feb 21, 2012 10:12 PM EST up reply actions  

That was also when I suspected he might just suck.

So I feel you. We’ll see if Tampa gets any use out of him. They would have to know what they are getting.

by Boomer Lion on Feb 21, 2012 11:58 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

not sure what to read from last season

with the short preseason and new coordinator. gruden might have needed to focus on making the starters work within his system. rather than seeing a project guy could make an adjustment to a new position and system with less time to do it than normal.

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Feb 22, 2012 6:16 AM EST up reply actions  

But they brought several other TE's

Off the street who played ahead of him in Gruden’s offense as well, inluding Cochart

by biggie22 on Feb 22, 2012 11:06 AM EST up reply actions  

Yeah but look at the reasons behind it and dont just dismiss our coaching staffs bad decisions

Rookie QB Rookie WR 2nd Year #1 TE… so we get Donald Lee a vet to help the young’ns and cochart we keep as a blocker..

as the year goes on both Lee and Cochart look horrible.. and i mean that cochart had a nice TD catch but other than that did nothing.. Lee had a few grabs but was replaced by Roland by years end.

Our coaching staff’s idea on how to use a TE is very old school they are creative enough to use all the talent they had in a way thats not TE must block…

(If the bengals had invested in OL and had decent G’s we would not have to keep a TE on the line every play)

by Bengalsfan024 on Feb 22, 2012 1:02 PM EST up reply actions  

If he turns out to be good, it doesn't mean anything.

Every team runs a different type of offense, if he excels in Tampa it doesn’t mean he could have here.
You don’t change your offense to make one TE fit in. It was the best thing to happen for both sides, in my opinion.

"Next season will be better" circa 1990

by Yarin on Feb 21, 2012 7:46 PM EST reply actions  

+1

Spot on! Sometimes, a change in scene and scheme can help a player. Hope this move gives him a chance to make it on a different NFL team. Good luck Chase!

by OhWell on Feb 21, 2012 7:55 PM EST up reply actions  

i'm of the opinion

chase could have stayed in cincy 10-15 seasons and he would have never contributed much. we’re just the wrong place with the wrong schemes for him. hope he finds some success in tampa.

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Feb 22, 2012 6:17 AM EST up reply actions  

hope he does well

I always wondered what he would look like in the texans offense they seem to know how to use the pass catching te!

by bengal t. on Feb 21, 2012 7:52 PM EST via mobile reply actions  

chase and odie running around?

scary.

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Feb 22, 2012 6:18 AM EST up reply actions  

Glad to see the guy finally getting a shot.

Hopefully he makes their gameday roster and at least gets a chance to compete.

by Bigcatdaddy on Feb 21, 2012 7:56 PM EST via Android app reply actions  

Bengals take Raiders rejects; TB takes Bengals rejects

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

by DTFCPDX on Feb 21, 2012 8:27 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

i thought we took the San Fran rejects

+ Manny Lawson
+ Nate Clements
+ Taylor Mays

what Oakland rejects do we have on the roster?

I hate it when Ephram uses data & facts to refute my unfounded opinions....No chocolate chip cookies for him!!!

by ephram on Feb 21, 2012 9:58 PM EST up reply actions  

Hue

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

by DTFCPDX on Feb 21, 2012 10:09 PM EST up reply actions  

didn't realize Hue Jackson was on the roster...

:-)

I hate it when Ephram uses data & facts to refute my unfounded opinions....No chocolate chip cookies for him!!!

by ephram on Feb 22, 2012 9:57 AM EST up reply actions  

I think that works both ways

Maybe even more that Raiders take our rejects.

by Bigcatdaddy on Feb 21, 2012 10:37 PM EST via Android app up reply actions  

detroit loves ex bengals as well

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Feb 22, 2012 6:19 AM EST up reply actions  

It's crazy when u think about how much we generally value our picks

And he still could not get on the field. The fact that he was picked in the 3rd round and Cochart has already been givin more of an opportunity say how much they thought of him

by biggie22 on Feb 21, 2012 10:38 PM EST via mobile reply actions  

+1

Especially when you see a guy as bad as Rey Maualuga on the field still, that tells me they must think Chase is really horrible.

"Next season will be better" circa 1990

by Yarin on Feb 21, 2012 10:52 PM EST up reply actions  

Considering we could have gotten...

Johnny friggin knox, grover quin, or a better tight end,.. Giants Travis beckham!

by Trevor 85 on Feb 22, 2012 1:23 AM EST up reply actions  

says they dont think about PASSing the ball to the TE

unless they have too and then its gresham.. go Chase tear up the NFC S.. Bucs are now my 2nd favorite team

by Bengalsfan024 on Feb 22, 2012 10:34 AM EST up reply actions  

Coffman could have proved useful

in the new paradigm for tight ends established by New England and others. The excuse that a tight end must first be a blocker in the Bengals’ scheme only points out how bad the offensive line is between the tackles.

by dingle on Feb 22, 2012 10:39 AM EST reply actions  

exactly

build an OL and your TE can you know be a TE and not an extra OT

by Bengalsfan024 on Feb 22, 2012 1:03 PM EST up reply actions  

Great Point! "dingle"

"What we do in this life echoes in eternity"

Maximus*

by gratefulmax on Feb 22, 2012 6:10 PM EST up reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog about the Cincinnati Bengals.

Editor-In Chief

Cj_small Josh Kirkendall

Editor/Managing Editor

Rudiblanket_small Anthony Cosenza

5255_133614603784_666578784_2414703_1976100_n_small Jason Garrison

Authors

Photo_3_small BeerRun

010511170110_small Joe Goodberry

40297_422933299865_509514865_4658259_6466915_n_small Ryan Harper

Small Brennen Warner

Sb_nation_small Jack Cassidy

580551_10150822857707018_613867017_11694254_1239726425_n_small Nick_Crago

Img_0783_small Mike Fightmaster

Moderators

Nfl palewook

680764146_0eac16fabd_small 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME

Tawky_tawny_small UpStateMike

Joeb698_86e260_small joeb69

Bengals_stamp_by_jamaal10_small Doc Scratch