We have had as many posts about fullbacks on Tuesday as we have had all of last season. So that just means we need to update our Tight End position file for the 20th time since August. Here's the quick background version. Reggie Kelly and Ben Utecht injured for season, Daniel Coats becomes starter, J.P. Foschi signed off the street. Coats disappoints and Foschi becomes the team's first team Tight End.

And of course, there's Chase Coffman.

Like the team's fullbacks, Coffman was a major storyline on Hard Knocks. And it wasn't very endearing. In fact, it was down right embarrassing for the rookie. Even though he made the 53-man roster, Coffman has yet to make his NFL debut; largely because he's still developing his blocking skills -- something that Coffman rarely did as a tight end with Missouri.

Dayton Daily News' (yes, they have a Bengals story) Carlos Holmes writes that Coffman's "long awaited pro debut could be on the horizon." Holmes believes that the Bengals could insert Coffman sooner rather than later because the position hasn't been very productive.

Coffman has used his time wisely working on becoming a better all-around player. The tight end hits the weight room religiously each day and continues to study hard in an effort to improve his overall game. The one area he is working the hardest to improve is his blocking skills.

Coffman struggled with blocking assignments throughout training camp and the learning experience has been humbling.

“I knew it was going to be tough,” he said. “I think it kind of surprised me because it’s not as easy as one may think. There’s nothing easy about playing at this level. There is a lot of technique involved along with everything else.”

Several weeks ago, Marvin Lewis said "I’ve got to make sure those guys who suit up on Sunday can fulfill covering those kicks and doing all those things Chase didn’t do a whole lot of at the University of Missouri." What Lewis, who likes Coffman's progress, is pointing out is that he still needs to work on things he didn't do with Missouri -- like everything other than running, catching, breathing and watching South Park reruns.

So we find it hard to believe Holmes is speaking with any authority; merely pointing out speculation based on disappointing play of the team's tight ends.

Once he gets his blocking technique down, there's still high hopes for Coffman, who could add a frighteningly new dimension to a Bengals passing offense that's only ranked 18th in the league.

More photos » by Ann Heisenfelt - AP

Dallas Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett (80) leaves behind Minnesota Vikings corner back Marcus McCauley on a 31-yard gain during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game in Minneapolis Friday, Sept. 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

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As one reader points out today in the Fan Posts, the Dallas Cowboys reportedly turned down a trade offer from the Cincinnati Bengals for Dallas Cowboys Tight End, Martellus Bennett before Tuesday's trading deadline. Jerry Jones, who puts a no-trade premium on several of his younger talent, said:

"We had a significant offer for a key player that we turned down, and turned down in getting in more extended dialogue for," Jones said before Wednesday's practice. "So we did have that kind of activity . . . but I shouldn't name the player or the team. It was a very firm, significant offer for one of our young players that we had a chance for a lot of consideration if we had wanted to take it, and we didn't."

The context was generic because no player nor team was mentioned; however, speculation is now that the Bengals were the team and Martellus Bennett was the tight end. In the past two weeks, Bengals tight ends Daniel Coats and J.P. Foschi have been plenty ripped for dropped passes and fumbles -- both fumbles coming at critical junctures against the Texans.

A trade for a young tight end only begs the question, what about Chase Coffman? Bennett isn't some journeyman that would fill the gap until Coffman is ready. He's the type of tight end that would stick around for awhile, in the sense that Coffman would stick around for awhile. So the question is, was the trade proposal an indication of frustration of the tight ends playing now? Or was it an indication of poorly Coffman is developing?

This certainly hasn't been the start we had hoped for with our tight ends. Reggie Kelly and Ben Utecht go down early in Training Camp for the season. Daniel Coats, a fullback cast-off at one point fighting for his life to win a job this year, is now the team's starting tight end. The Bengals drafted Missouri tight end Chase Coffman, who apparently has a long way to go to make the field. J.P. Foschi wasn't even with a team on August 17, over two weeks after training camp starts. And he was team's backup tight end against the Denver Broncos.

Like we said, this certainly hasn't been the start we had hoped with our tight ends.

And the Bengals are apparently still looking at the market. One player that many Bengals fans have been hoping for, especially you crazy fans at Cincy Jungle, is Leonard Pope. "According to a source in an NFC city, the Bengals brought in veteran tight end Leonard Pope for a visit." Hobson rightly concludes that:

The Bengals are already grooming a young pass catcher in rookie Chase Coffman, so they are most likely looking for more of a blocker and that is not Pope's M.O. The Cards reportedly grew tired of his penchants for false starts.

The Bengals also brought in cornerback Corey Ivy for a workout. No signings were announced by the Bengals on Tuesday.

Other than running back, the most unpredictable spot on the Bengals final roster is the secondary. While going through the roster coming up with our own 53-man roster, we started strong, but hit a snag. We just weren't sure what we should do with Marvin White. After the debate, we simply decided to leave him off the roster.

Apparently, the Bengals are more clear. Brad Biggs of the National Football Post writes that the Cincinnati Bengals are shopping safety Marvin White to see if they can find any trade partners before the 6PM deadline Saturday.

If this means anything, through trade or missing the cut, White isn't likely going to be with the Bengals in 2009.

One of my biggest points about the slow degradation of the offensive line since 2005 is that once Eric Steinbach left, everything went downhill. Before the 2007 season, the Bengals signed Willie Anderson and Levi Jones to long-term deals in an indirect message to Steinbach's camp that he's not going to return to Cincinnati. Anderson was released a year later and this off-season Levi Jones' agent was reportedly told that his client would either be traded or released. This was also an example of bad front office management.

Steinbach signed a seven-year deal worth $49.5 million with $17 million guaranteed with the Browns during the 2007 free agency period.

In Chick Ludwig's latest post, he writes that Steinbach could be in "deep trouble."

And my sources in Cleveland tell me that Eric Steinbach is in deep trouble. Eric Mangini likes big, bruising maulers on the offensive line.

Steinbach doesn’t fit the mold. He’s more finesse. I look for Steinbach to get released after the 2009 season. If fact, with his fat contract, he’ll be fortunate to make the 53-man roster. Don’t be shocked if he gets terminated before the ‘09 opener.

So the obvious question now is, if Steinbach is released, do the Bengals make an effort to bring back their 2003 second-round draft pick? Bobbie Williams will be a free agent after this season and there's still the possibility that Andrew Whitworth slides out to left tackle this season. I should point out that Ludwig is the only one bringing this up, so it could very well be a case of a bad source.

They tried to make me to trade Ocho
And I said, "no, no, no."

- Done to the tune of "Rehab" by Amy Winehouse

And there you have it, folks.  Once again, Marvin Lewis is the voice of reason -- if reason means avoiding a $5 million cap hit -- when it comes to all things Ocho.  When asked about trading his sad receiver, Lewis offered this response:

"I don't know why people continue with the speculation of moving Chad," Lewis said. "Many times we've reiterated, I don't know if we're keeping count on this, Chad's not getting moved. ... I don't know if any team that goes through a draft doesn't draft a wideout. I'm sure there will be at least 32 receivers picked in this draft by 32 teams. Chances are we probably take a wideout at some point in the draft."

So there you have it: the definitive word on Ocho's status with the Bengals -- at least until Saturday.  My question is (even though I said something about it in the opening), is this strictly to avoid the cap hit or does Lewis really think COC has a future with a franchise that makes him cry?

H/t to FanHouse for the find.

After a brief delay, Josh's resident blogger is back with some news that's bound to make you laugh. Or cry. Or maybe just roll your eyes and say "Not this **** again." All responses are appropriate. What we have here is unfortunately not a Cincinnati reunion of the best Bengals receiver tandem, perhaps ever.

No, what's going on is Chad apparently still wants out of town so badly, he has started crying to his old running mate who now resides in Seattle about the woes of remaining a Bengal.  It's a hard-knock life, Chad:

Via USA Today:

"Chad Johnson called me today. Crying," Houshmandzadeh said. "He wonders why everyone can get traded but him."

Seeing Jason Peters traded from Buffalo to Philadelphia and the Cardinals' willingness to deal Anquan Boldin may be making Ocho Cinco (the man formerly known as Chad Johnson) jealous.

The Bengals have not indicated they are willing to move Ocho Cinco thus far.

I can understand how being a professional football player making millions, while having a Pro-Bowl-worthy quarterback throwing you the ball can be heartbreaking.  I mean, who here doesn't feel badly for Chad "Don't Call Me Johnson" Ocho Cinco?  How can you not?

In other news, am I the only one who is now hoping the Bengals entertain someone -- anyone -- who is willing to part with a decent first-round draft pick for Ocho Johnson's services?  The Bengals can draft their o-lineman with the sixth pick and use the additional first-rounder to draft any of the high-level receivers who have seen their stock drop as of late.

Or hell, how about this:  Trade COC for a first (and whatever else gets packaged), draft Crabtree with the sixth pick and spend the rest of the draft  on improving Carson Palmer's protection.

Thoughts?  Suggestions?  STHU requests?  Leave them below.

Since we haven't spoken of Chad Johnson for a galactic minute, I thought it was fine time to do so; otherwise I'd be giving off the impression that Chad Johnson trade rumors aren't to be taken seriously (laugh, please). In his latest, Vic Carucci lists five potential trades "to watch before the draft". The first three are Braylon Edwards, Jason Peters and Julius Peppers. The fifth is Anquan Boldin, where head coach Ken Wisenhunt said "It would be foolish from out standpoint not to listen to those opportunities and see what actually exists." Only if Mike Brown could say that, if anything, to keep channels open.

Ochocinco still wants out of Cincinnati as much as ever, but isn't voicing it in public the way he did last year. He likely would have fetched a fairly high trade price a year ago from a team such as the Washington Redskins, who wound up addressing wide receiver in the draft.

Now, the market seems far cooler. The Eagles and Giants are looking for a receiver, but after their ugly experiences with Terrell Owens and Burress, respectively, neither seems inclined to take on the excess drama baggage that comes with the receiver formerly known as Chad Johnson.

Let's quickly reemphasize my position, so my point of view isn't taken out of context. If Chad Johnson comes into 2009 with something to prove to himself, the NFL and the Bengals, I'm on board. Keep him. His A-game is so much better than most receivers' A-games. Anything less, trade him. It's simple, really. Chad Johnson is known to be desperately hoping to leave Cincinnati. This brings motivation into question, and the effort in the games is thus questioned. Therefore, if he's not giving it all, then would Palmer trust him on third down. Would he look to Coles, or Henry -- who we assume is being groomed as Palmer's next favorite target. Really? Palmer has always stuck up for Henry, thrown to him without caution and raves about his talents.

No, I don't know Johnson, nor do I know his state of mind. The coaches and front office should -- if he wasn't off somewhere isolating himself from the franchise. I cautiously write all of this based on assumption and conjecture and could be equally wrong if Johnson has something to prove to himself, the other 31 NFL teams and the Bengals. The problem is no one (reportedly) knows Johnson's motivations, even though Lewis claims to talk to him. So the question is now whether he'll come to play all-out, or simply feel sorry for himself for not getting what he wants. Should we continue playing this wait and see game?

Quick note: The Cardinals are looking for a first and a third-round pick for Anquan Boldin. That's the same asking price, reportedly, that the Bengals are demanding for Chad Johnson.