An interesting observation made in a recent Chick Ludwig piece suggests that the Bengals might be shifting their offense to a spread-like offense (while Palmer remains under center instead of shotgun) to help open up the running game.
Lewis' hope is that, by spreading the field with three and four wide receivers, running lanes will be created for tailbacks Rudi Johnson, Kenny Watson, Chris Perry and DeDe Dorsey; and maybe, just maybe, Seattle Seahawks' career rushing leader Shaun Alexander
Andre Caldwell came from a similar, multiple wide receiver formation at Florida. In 2005, the Bengals had a great system of three tremendously talented wide receivers, the peak of Rudi Johnson's effectiveness, a receiver type back out of the backfield in Chris Perry and a talented offensive line that's since seen Eric Steinbach and Rich Braham leave.
Assuming that all three drafted receivers sign, the Bengals wide receiver roster looks like this (in no particular order):
- Chad Johnson
- T.J. Houshmandzadeh
- Doug Gabriel
- Andre Caldwell
- Jerome Simpson
- Glenn Holt
- Marcus Maxwell
- Antonio Chatman
- Mario Urrutia
Assuming that the team takes six receivers -- and assuming that the team will have Johnson (assuming he doesn't sit out and not traded), Houshmandzadeh, Simpson and Caldwell -- which two receivers would the team keep? Your choices are:
Gabriel
Holt
Maxwell
Chatman
Urrutia