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Antonio Bryant signs four-year deal with Cincinnati Bengals

2010-03-10T19:09:00.001-05:00

One day after his visit, the Cincinnati Bengals signed free agent wide receiver Antonio Bryant to a four-year deal worth $28 million. The team also spent Tuesday night and Wednesday meeting with free agent wide receiver Terrell Owens--who Chad Ochocinco has been campaigning for the team to sign ever since the week of the Super Bowl.

Bryant turned 29 on Tuesday and will be entering his eighth season in 2010. He brings a reliable deep threat to the Bengals' passing game which is in need of another big-name wide receiver to play alongside Ochocinco--especially after the release of Laveranues Coles last week.

Last season, Bryant played 13 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers despite struggling with knee injuries all season, finishing with just 39 catches for 600 yards and four touchdowns. The Bengals will be his fifth team after stints with the Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, and San Francisco 49ers before signing with the Bucs in 2008.

Five Reasons Terrell Owens to the Cincinnati Bengals Could Happen: Part Two

2010-03-10T11:56:00.001-05:00

Now that free agency officially kicked off last week, the rumors are beginning to heat up about the Cincinnati Bengals signing Terrell Owens to play alongside his good friend, Chad Ochocinco.

The rumors of Owens heading to the Bengals have been swirling for over a month now, ever since Ochocinco started his campaigning for the six-time Pro Bowler in Cincinnati.

After the first part was published Monday, here's the second part of why Owens signing with the Bengals could happen.

The Relationship Between Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens

If Owens does end up in Cincinnati next season, the Bengals will have Ochocinco to thank for bringing in the six-time Pro Bowl receiver.

Ever since the week leading up to the Super Bowl, Ochocinco has campaigned for his close friend to receive an opportunity to play for the Bengals in 2010. The rumors started on his UStream page, continued at his Mansion party for the Haiti Relief Fund and continued to develop throughout the offseason.

At first glance, Ochocinco's comments towards the situation seemed to be nothing but another joke to members of the media. Now, Owens to the Bengals has arguably become one of the hottest debates during the first week of free agency.

Of course, that and the Brandon Marshall situation in Denver.

Number of Suitors Seem Smaller Now That Boldin is With The Baltimore Ravens

Numerous reports indicated last week that the top two teams interested in Owens were the Bengals and Ravens. After Baltimore exchanged a third and fourth-round pick to acquire Anquan Boldin from the Arizona Cardinals, the Ravens appear to be out of the running for Owens.

Sure, the 2010 free agency period may not even be a week old, but the Bengals are the only other team that has even shown the slightest bit of interest in having Owens for next season. He and agent Drew Rosenhaus have a history of asking for a big pa day when it comes to negotiating contracts with teams.

If Owens doesn't draw interest from any other teams, he may have to accept whatever deal the Bengals offer him—assuming they end up offering one.

Owens' Twitter Comments and Recent Visit To Cincinnati

Owens arrived in Cincinnati Tuesday night to have dinner with the Bengals coaching staff and will take a tour of the offices on Wednesday. Before his arrival, there was some activity emerging between him and good friend Ochocinco about his meeting with the Bengals.

OGOchoCinco @terrellowens: hey where you at? You sign on that dotted line yet

terrellowens @OGOchoCinco: i'm on the plane!

OK, so these "Twitter comments" shouldn't be taken too serious, but they do show some signs of excitement between Ocho and Owens about the possibility of playing together next season.

If all goes well Wednesday, their wish may come true; Ochocinco and Ochouno may be playing side-by-side in orange and black stripes with the Bengals next season.

Terrell Owens visit with the Cincinnati Bengals rescheduled for Wednesday

2010-03-10T11:54:00.001-05:00

After meeting with free agent wide receiver Antonio Bryant Tuesday, the Cincinnati Bengals rescheduled their visit with free agent wide receiver Terrell Owens for Wednesday. The news was first reported by Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

The original plan was for both Bryant and Owens to visit with the Bengals on Tuesday in hopes of striking a deal between at least one of the free agent wide receivers to help improve last year’s 26th ranked passing game. Cincinnati knew their top priority entering the offseason was to help improve the wide receiving core for Carson Palmer and either player could make a significant impact playing alongside Chad Ochocinco next season.

Rumors of the possibility of Owens to the Bengals have been swirling since Super Bowl week when Ochocinco started campaigning for the organization to take interest in his good friend. While the organization seemed uninterested at first, Drew Rosenhaus indicated Cincinnati was interested in talking to the six-time Pro Bowler—especially after last week’s release of Laveranues Coles.

The number of potential suitors for Owens slimmed down after the Baltimore Ravens acquired Anquan Boldin from the Arizona Cardinals. The Bengals are desperately in need of another wide receiver if they want to make a run at their second-straight AFC North title.

It almost seems like a match made in heaven; the only question left to be answered is whether or not the Bengals and Owens can come to a deal both sides can agree on. Owens is the type of player who will expect a hefty contract for the short term.

Considering Bryant is seven years younger, the Bengals may show more interest in him considering the possibility of a long-term deal.

For now, it looks like Bengals fans will have to wait at least one more day before finding out if a deal is offered to either Owens or Bryant for next season.

Terrell Owens and Antonio Bryant to visit Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday

2010-03-10T11:51:00.001-05:00

Free agent wide receivers Terrell Owens and Antonio Bryant will meet with the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The team is in need of another big-name wide receiver to help improve last year's 26th ranked passing game.

Rumors of the Bengals interest in Owens have been swirling ever since Chad Ochocinco started campaigning for the six-time Pro Bowler during Super Bowl week. While the talks at first seemed to be nothing more than Ochocinco running his mouth for the fun of it, the rumors became more realistic last week after Cincinnati decided to terminate the contract of Laveranues Coles after just one season.

If Owens does end up signing with Cincinnati, the Bengals would immediately contain one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL for 2010. With one of the top running games and defenses in 2009, all the team needs is some improvement in their wide-receiving core to be considered favorites for winning their second straight AFC North title.

However, the one factor that could stand in the way of this happening is the price Owens may ask for. After signing a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills last season for $6.5 million, there’s a good chance Drew Rosenhaus—who is arguably one of the top agents in sports—and his client will ask for a hefty contract.

Bryant on the other hand is arguably one of the top unrestricted free agents left on the market and will be turning 29 on Tuesday—which could become a major factor for Cincinnati. The Bengals received heavy criticism for signing Coles to a four-year contract worth $28 million despite the fact he turned 32 in December. The fact that Bryant is seven years younger than Owens could play a major factor if the team has to decide between the two wide receivers.

It’s no secret the Bengals need help in the passing game. Imagine how much easier life would be for Carson Palmer if Owens or Bryant lines up alongside Ochocinco next season in Cincinnati.

First things first though; let’s hope everything goes well on Tuesday for the sake of the Bengals’ passing game.

With the Ravens acquiring Boldin, the Bengals need to make a move for Owens to compete in AFC North

2010-03-10T11:48:00.001-05:00

Last week, numerous reports indicated the top two teams interested in free agent wide receiver Terrell Owens were the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens. After the Ravens made a move last week to acquire Anquan Boldin from the Arizona Cardinals, it appears the Bengals are the only team interested in signing Owens at the moment.

Like the Bengals, the Ravens were in need of another big-name wide receiver for Joe Flacco to throw to. They traded their third and fourth-round picks in the upcoming 2010 NFL Draft in exchange for Boldin and a fifth-round pick.

With this in mind, Cincinnati needs to make a move on Owens not only for the sake of improving their passing game, but to compete in the AFC North.

For the first time in franchise history, the Bengals swept the AFC North last season and won their first division title since 2005. After the Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers clashed in the AFC Championship the previous season, many analysts expected one of them to win the division in 2009.

Instead, Cincinnati emerged as one of the top sleeper teams in 2009 on their way to the fourth seed in the AFC, thanks to a strong defense and a powerful running game led by Cedric Benson.

While the Bengals managed to stay consistent on defense and in the running game for most of last season, the passing game was an area opposing defenses used to their advantage.

Despite Chad Ochocinco being named to his sixth Pro Bowl, wide receivers Laveranues Coles—who was recently released—and Andre Caldwell failed to be an effective part of the passing game. Not to mention Palmer lost his top deep threat in Chris Henry after he fractured his arm against the Ravens in Week Nine.

The AFC North was considered one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL last season and was expected to be in 2010. Now that Boldin is with the Ravens, it’s safe to say the division will be even more competitive next season than originally expected.

If the Bengals want to repeat as AFC North champions, they will need to acquire a big name wide receiver either in free agency or the upcoming draft just to compete with the other teams within the division. Owens has proven to be one of the top wide receivers in the NFL with the right quarterback throwing him the ball.

Palmer has proven to be an effective quarterback with the right weapons on offense. If Ochocinco and Owens line up by his side next season, there’s no telling what type of season Palmer would have.

The Bengals are in need of a big-name wide receiver and the potential suitors for Owens seem slim—especially now that the Ravens appear to be out of the running. All signs seem to point to Owens ending up in Cincinnati; now it’s just a matter of whether or not a signing that once appeared unimaginable to even consider actually happens.

Cincinnati Bengals Reach Four-Year Deal With Tank Johnson

2010-03-08T19:05:00.003-05:00

The Cincinnati Bengals signed defensive tackle Tank Johnson to a four-year deal on Monday. He was signed by the Bengals to a one-year deal last season after stints with the Chicago Bears from 2004-06 and the Dallas Cowboys from 2007-08.

As a team well-known for offering troubled players a second chance, Cincinnati received some criticism for signing Johnson after numerous run-ins with the law. He even received a suspension by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in 2007 for eight games because of his off-the-field issues.

Now, Johnson appears to be on the right path after his first season with the Bengals and can hopefully continue to play an effective role in their defense. In 2009, Johnson started 13 games for Cincinnati and played a major part in the success of stopping the running game on defense. He finished the season with 29 tackles and two sacks.

Five Reasons Terrell Owens To The Bengals Could Happen: Part One

2010-03-08T14:51:00.001-05:00

Now that free agency officially kicked off last week, the rumors are beginning to heat up about the Cincinnati Bengals signing Terrell Owens to play alongside his good friend, Chad Ochocinco.

The rumors of Owens heading to the Bengals have been swirling for over a month now, ever since Ochocinco started his campaigning for the six-time Pro Bowler in Cincinnati.

While the odds seemed as likely as the St. Louis Rams selecting a kicker with the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, this deal seems more likely to happen now with everything that's taken place this offseason.

Here's the first part of why Owens signing with the Bengals could happen.

Laveranues Coles Release

Last week, the Bengals released Laveranues Coles after he fell nothing short of disappointing during his first and only season in Cincinnati. The organization was criticized most of the season for signing him to a four-year deal worth $28 million, despite the fact he turned 32 in December.

With Coles and his hefty contract around, Owens to the Bengals seemed highly unlikely from a financial perspective. Now that there's a need for another wide receiver in Cincinnati and an extra $4.65 million from Coles' base salary in 2010, Owens playing alongside Ochocinco next season seems more realistic than it did over a month ago.

Carson Palmer Would Welcome Terrell Owens With Open Arms

Throughout most of his career, Owens has established a reputation as a player known for causing headaches in the locker room—although he deserves credit for his actions with the Buffalo Bills last season.

Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb, and Tony Romo have all experienced life with Owens—both the positive and negative. While they've enjoyed his presence on the field, they've also had to deal with a few controversies off the field.

If any quarterback is capable of handling a player like Owens, it's Palmer. He's managed to keep it cool playing alongside Ochocinco throughout his career, so why shouldn't he be able to handle Owens?

Cincinnati Bengals show interest in acquiring Brandon Marshall from the Denver Broncos

2010-03-08T14:43:00.002-05:00

Numerous reports have emerged over the weekend about the Cincinnati Bengals possibly making a move to trade for Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall. The Bengals entered the 2010 offseason knowing the main focus should be improving the wide-receiving core, and Marshall could have an immediate impact on a team that finished 26th last season in the passing game.

Last Thursday, the Bengals released Laveranues Coles after just one season in Cincinnati. Coles was signed last March to fill the hole left by T.J. Houshmandzadeh as an effective No. 2 wideout to play alongside Chad Ochocinco. Instead, he fell nothing short of disappointing as he finished 2009 with just 43 receptions for 514 yards and five touchdowns.

As intriguing as Marshall playing for the Bengals next season sounds, it won’t be easy to acquire the two-time Pro Bowler from the Broncos. Denver tendered Marshall with a first-round pick, which means Cincinnati would have to be willing to give up the 21st pick in the 2010 NFL Draft to do so—which seems highly unlikely.

The Bengals have been linked to a number of wide receivers to pursue during free agency—including Terrell Owens and Antonio Bryant. The reports may just be small talk for now, but it should be interesting to see how this story progresses over the next couple of days.

It’s clear Cincinnati is in desperate need of a wide receiver; the only question that remains to be answered is which one will end up wearing stripes next season with the Bengals.

With Laveranues Coles out, should the Cincinnati Bengals make a strong push to sign Terrell Owens?

2010-03-08T14:42:00.001-05:00

Now that the Cincinnati Bengals have officially terminated the contract of Laveranues Coles after a disappointing 2009 season, it appears the team will now try and make a splash for a big-name wide receiver during free agency.

Coles was signed last March to a four-year deal worth $28 million in hopes of filling the void left by T.J. Houshmandzadeh as an effective No. 2 wide receiver for the Bengals. During his last four seasons with the Bengals, Houshmandzadeh was arguably the top No. 2 wideout in the NFL.

In 59 games, he flourished with opposing defenses focusing on Chad Ochocinco, finishing with 372 catches for 4,084 yards and 32 touchdowns. After Houshmandzadeh left for the Seattle Seahawks, Cincinnati signed Coles in anticipation his speed and quickness would draw similar results playing alongside Ochocinco.

Instead, Coles established a reputation amongst fans as a player unable to hold on to the ball, finishing his first and only season in Cincinnati with just 43 receptions for 514 yards and five touchdowns. After last season, it was clear the Bengals regretted signing the 32-year-old Coles to such a hefty contract and now will save $4.65 million from his 2010 base salary.

With Coles out of the picture, the Bengals need even more help in the passing game. There may be potential for newly-acquired Matt Jones, but at this point, he will be considered nothing but a risk until proven otherwise.

If the Bengals can take anything from the Coles’ situation, they will hopefully take age into consideration before offering a player a long-term deal. There are plenty of big-name wide receivers that could make an impact in Cincinnati next season, but most are already at an age the Bengals would feel more comfortable giving just a one or two-year deal to.

Antonio Bryant, Chris Chambers, Kevin Walter, and Josh Reed all appear to be on the Bengals’ radar now that Coles is no longer with the team.

As lucky as the Bengals would be to sign any of the players listed above, there is one wide receiver that seems to be drawing interest again from a Cincinnati team who declared they had no interest in signing him.

Terrell Owens.

The 2010 offseason has been filled with plenty of discussion on the chances of Owens landing with the Bengals, mainly from Chad Ochocinco—who has been campaigning his signing in just about every way imaginable. It seemed highly unlikely at first—two star wide receivers well-known throughout their careers as the go-to wide receiver playing side-by-side without any issues.

The Bengals are in need of another go-to guy at wide receiver for the upcoming season. While Owens may not have lived up to his $6.5 million deal last season with the Buffalo Bills, he has proven to be effective throughout his career with the right quarterback.

Cincinnati Bengals release Laveranues Coles after just one season

2010-03-05T16:03:00.001-05:00

Less than 24 hours before the beginning of free agency, the Cincinnati Bengals decided to release Laveranues Coles—exactly one year after he signed with the team. He joined the team last March as a replacement for former wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who signed with the Seattle Seahawks after spending his entire seven-year career with the Bengals as arguably one of the top No. 2 wideouts in the NFL.

Cincinnati signed Coles hoping his speed and quickness would make him just as effective—if not better—of a No. 2 wideout as Houshmandzadeh was when he was with the Bengals. While Houshmandzadeh managed to stay consistent taking advantage of defenders focusing on Chad Ochocinco to find open gaps down the field, Coles struggled to do the same a majority of the season.

Instead of using his speed and quickness to be an effective wide receiver, Coles established a reputation amongst Bengals fans as a player who struggled to hold on to passes thrown from Carson Palmer.

Coles finished the 2009 season with 43 catches for 514 yards and five touchdowns after signing a four-year deal last March worth $28 million. Despite starting 16 games, he failed to cross the 100-yard mark this season, with the closest game coming against the Baltimore Ravens in Week Nine in which he finished with six receptions for 72 yards.

Should the Cincinnati Bengals consider drafting Tim Tebow if he slips past the first round?

2010-03-05T16:01:00.001-05:00

Chick Ludwig of Cincinnati.com recently posted an article regarding the Cincinnati Bengals drafting Tim Tebow in the upcoming NFL Draft. He seems convinced the organization will take a chance on the former Florida standout who played a major role in the Gators two National Championships in 2006 and 2008.

As crazy as it may sound for a team like Cincinnati to take a chance on a player like Tebow considering their quarterback situation, Ludwig makes some convincing points as to why it would make sense for the Bengals to at least take a chance on Tebow if he’s still available after the first round.

After arguably one of the best careers in history for a college quarterback at Florida, many analysts and critics around the league have criticized Tebow over the last few months. They claim his style of play worked at the college level, but it would be ineffective at the professional level.

Of course, the heavy criticism is the type of fuel Tebow loves to apply towards determination and motivation to prove doubters wrong—which seems to be what he does best.

While most of the top quarterbacks entering the draft—like Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen—decided to sit out, Tebow displayed his athletic ability at the NFL Combine and fell was nothing short of impressive for scouts on hand. He tied the all-time record for quarterbacks on the vertical leap with 38.5 inches and finished with a 4.72 time in the 40-yard dash.

The statistics may come across as impressive for scouts, but Tebow will most likely be the type of player who needs a few years to develop before becoming an effective quarterback in the NFL.

Ludwig makes some interesting points about the Bengals quarterback situation. Not only does Palmer turn 30 this season, but the chances of J.T. O’Sullivan or Jordan Palmer taking over the starting position in the future seems highly unlikely.

With this in mind, maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea for the Bengals to take a chance on Tebow if he falls past the first round—especially since Cincinnati appears to be determined on selecting a tight end with the 21st pick.

Ochocinco on Dancing With The Stars: Why It Won't Affect His 2010 Season

2010-03-02T12:22:00.001-05:00

After spending most of his career showing off his dance moves in th endzone, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco will get a chance to display his talent on ABC's Dancing With The Stars .

Ochocinco was named one of 11 participants that will compete against one another beginning March 22 that include other well-known celebrities such as Pamela Anderson, Evan Lysacek, and Erin Andrews.

Throughout his career, Ochocinco has established his reputation as a player known to run his mouth for fun—which should make the show's 10th season even more interesting. Numerous reports have indicated ABC approached Ochocinco about joining the upcoming season after the entertainment he provided during HBO's Hard Knocks before last season.

Whether he's eliminated early on or lasts until the finale, there's no question Ochocinco will provide the audience and viewers with plenty of entertainment during his appearance on DWTS. However, the 10th season is expected to last until May 25—which is part of the reason why some fans are showing signs of concern.

The Bengals begin their volunteer workouts at the end of March, which means the show will take place the same time many wish Ochocinco would work with Carson Palmer to prepare for the 2010 season. However, there's no reason to be concerned in Cincinnati just yet.

Ochocinco hasn't participated with the Bengals in camp for the last two seasons as he prefers to workout on his own. For those who watched Hard Knocks last season, it's no secret he's one of the hardest working players at his position—which is why there is no reason to worry about his shape for 2010.

Despite the Bengals finishing 26th in the passing game last season, Ochocinco reached his sixth Pro Bowl after finishing the season with 72 catches for 1,047 yards and nine touchdowns after showing up to workouts last June.

With this in mind, there should be no reason for Bengals fans to worry about his condition for the upcoming season. If Palmer's excited to watch Ochocinco compete and show off his dance moves, there's no reason why Cincinnati fans can't be as well.

Could the Bengals Face Owens Twice Next Season If He Signs With Ravens?

2010-03-01T20:39:00.000-05:00

Now that the Buffalo Bills have made an official statement that they have no plans of re-signing wide receiver Terrell Owens, he will become a free agent March 5 and be free to hear offers from any team showing interest.

Over the last month, Chad Ochocinco has made quite the headlines as an attempt to convince Owens and the organization as why No. 81 would make a great fit with the Bengals next season.

Two of arguably the top wide receiver playing together side-by-side would drastically improve a passing game in need of help after finishing 26th last season.

The city of Cincinnati seems to be split about whether or not Owens would be a good fit for the Bengals.

As great as it would be to bring in a wide receiver who may end up in Canton one day, the question of whether or not it would be worth the risk considering his history problems with previous organizations comes into play.

He may not lived up to the $6.5 million contract with just 55 catches for 829 yard and five touchdowns, but the argument can be made those numbers would have been higher with a different quarterback.

While Ryan Fitzpatrick is decent for a starting quarterback, he's nowhere nearly as talented as most of the other quarterbacks in the NFL.

While he may not agree, Owens has proven to flourish with the right quarterback over his 14-year career.

No wide receiver can be as effective without the help of their quarterback—which is why the argument can be made that Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb, and Tony Romo have all played a major role in the success of Owens over the years.

If Cincinnati somehow manages to sign Owens for the 2010 season, Carson Palmer could join the list of fellow quarterbacks listed above. However, there's another young quarterback the Bengals may have to be concerned with that could help Owens succeed next season.

Joe Flacco.

Numerous reports have indicated the Baltimore Ravens are beginning to draw interest in Owens to provide another target for Flacco—who continues to show potential as he continues to develop into an effective quarterback.

In his first two seasons, he's started every game with the Ravens while throwing for a combined 6,584 yards and 35 touchdowns with an arguably mediocre receiving core.

Not only would Owens make an effective target for Flacco to throw to, but the argument can be made the Ravens would immediately be considered one of the top contenders in the AFC for 2010.

With a defense that continues to rank near the top of the league year after year, Baltimore could easily become one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL as well considering they already have a powerful running game with Ray Rice, Willis McGahee, and Le'Ron McClain.

These reports may be nothing to worry about for the time being, but even just the thought of Owens in the AFC North next season is scary for Bengals fans to think about.

After the way the 2009 season played out, it's safe to say the division will be just as competitive next season, making it harder for the Bengals to reach their second-straight AFC North title.

And if Owens does end up joining Baltimore next season, it's safe to say the Bengals will have their hands full on defense not once, but twice next season when they play the Ravens.

Hall of Fame game against Cowboys allows Bengals to play for their beloved coach in Dick LeBeau

2010-02-26T02:09:00.001-05:00

The Cincinnati Bengals will kick off the NFL preseason when they face the Dallas Cowboys in the 2010 Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio. The game will take place on August 8, as the defending AFC North champions take on the top team from the NFC East last season.

While the Cowboys will be acknowledging their former three-time Super Bowl winning running back in Emmitt Smith, the Bengals will see one of their former coaches in Dick LeBeau enter Canton as arguably one of the greatest defensive coaches in NFL history—even though his induction is based off his playing career. He is currently tied for eighth all-time with Dave Brown with 62 career interceptions.

LeBeau spent 18 seasons as a member of the Bengals coaching staff. From 1980-91, he spent four years as a defensive backfield coach before taking on the role of defensive coordinator. From there, he established his zone blitz scheme to help Cincinnati contain one of the most superb defenses in the NFL during the 80’s.

After a five-year stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers, LeBeau returned as defensive coordinator for the Bengals before taking over as the head coach in 2000 for three seasons—becoming the oldest rookie head coach in NFL history at the age of 63. During his 18 years with the organization, he’s been a part of the franchise’s only two Super Bowl
appearances in ’82 and ’89.

It may have been 25 years since he took the field as a player, but LeBeau’s induction set to take place in August seems like an honor well worth the wait. He may be inducted as a member of the Detroit Lions, but LeBeau will always have a place in the hearts of Cincinnati fans for the 18 seasons he spent with the Bengals.

Cincinnati Bengals to play Dallas Cowboys August 8 during 2010 Hall of Fame game in Canton

2010-02-26T02:07:00.001-05:00

The NFL announced Wednesday that the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys will kick off the preseason in August by participating in the 2010 Hall of Fame game August 8 in Canton, Ohio. It will mark the first time since 1982 that two previous division winners will square off in the exhibition game.

While the Cowboys are coming off an 11-5 season in which they recorded their first playoff win in 14 years, the Bengals will enter 2010 as AFC North champions—an accomplishment not many expected coming into last season.

In a division with arguably two of the best defenses the last couple of years, most analysts expected the Pittsburgh Steelers or Baltimore Ravens to be crowned AFC North champions in 2009—especially after the two teams met in the AFC Championship the previous season.

Instead, Cincinnati proved all doubters wrong on the way to their first division sweep in franchise history before falling to the New York Jets in the opening round of the 2010 playoffs.

It may only be a preseason game, but there should be plenty of excitement when the defending NFC East champions take on the Bengals August 8—espeically since both teams should be strong playoff contenders once again in 2010.

What to make of reports by Newsday's Bob Glauber about the Bengals regretting the signing of Coles

2010-02-26T02:03:00.002-05:00

According to his Twitter page, Bob Glauber of Newsday.com claims a source close with the organization says the Cincinnati Bengals regret signing wide receiver Laveranues Coles last March.

"Source familiar with Bengals' situation tells me there are no plans to sign Terrell Owens. Team also regrets Laveranues Coles signing in '09."

Since everyone is already familiar with the Terrell Owens situation, so for now, that topic will be saved until after free agency officially kicks off March 5.

Coles on the other hand was nothing short of a disappointment during his first season with the Bengals. He signed a four-year deal worth $28 million in hopes of filling in the void as an effective No. 2 wideout that T.J. Houshmandzadeh left after he signed with the Seattle Seahawks last March.

Instead, Coles struggled to stay consistent in the passing game all season, finishing with just 43 catches for 514 yards and five touchdowns. Not only did he arguably have his worst year since his rookie season in 2000 with the New York Jets, but Coles failed to even cross the 100-yard mark any game in 2010—with the closest time coming in a Week Nine contest against the Baltimore Ravens in which he finished with 72 yards.

Does that mean the reports about the organization regretting signing Coles be taken seriously? Of course they should.

However, the fact that it’s been just one season should be taken into consideration. If anything, the sources should be showing signs of frustration at this point, not regret.

If Coles finishes 2010 with similar numbers to last season, then it should be safe to say the Bengals regret spending all that money on a player on the downfall of his career in Coles.

The Pressure Is on for Bengals' Chase Coffman To Come through in 2010

2010-02-22T09:59:00.002-05:00

Last season, no player may have been more of a disappointment than Cincinnati Bengals tight end Chase Coffman. After being inactive for the first 12 games of the 2009 season, he was eventually placed on injured reserve due to bone spurs in his left ankle.

The Bengals set high expectations for Coffman when they selected him with the 98th overall pick of last year's draft, considering they were in need of a tight end to make a threat in the passing game. They hoped to make him a consistent target for Carson Palmer after he finished his career at Missouri as the NCAA's all-time leader in receptions for a tight end with 247 to go along with his 2,659 receiving yards and 30 touchdowns.

Instead, Coffman struggled during training camp to make the adjustment from playing at the college level to a professional level. During HBO’s Hard Knocks , the Bengals’ coaching staff constantly pointed out his inability to make the type of blocks expected for an effective tight end in the NFL.

With the 2010 NFL Draft quickly approaching, there have been numerous talks surrounding Cincinnati selecting a tight end with the 21st pick to improve the passing game. ESPN’s Todd McShay suggests the Bengals select Jermaine Gresham out of Oklahoma in his recent Mock Draft while Mel Kiper originally suggested Aaron Hernandez out of Florida .

If Cincinnati does end up selecting a tight end in the first round of this year’s draft, there may be even more pressure on Coffman to come through in 2010 after a disappointing rookie season if he expects to be with the Bengals in the near future.

The Bengals have been in need of a consistent tight end in the passing game for quite some time. If Coffman can bounce back and live up to the high expectations from last season, Cincinnati may have a bright future with not one, but two threats at the tight end position.

Bengals' Chad Ochocinco continues to push for Terrell Owens, this time offering a pay cut

2010-02-22T09:55:00.001-05:00

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco continues to urge his organization to take a shot at Buffalo Bills wide receiver Terrell Owens when he becomes a free agent on March 5—this time insisting he would take a pay cut to bring in the six-time Pro Bowler.

Even if the Bengals continue to show no signs of interest in signing the controversial wide receiver, reports have indicated Ochocinco insists he would take a pay cut to bring Owens along board for the 2010 season. Last season, Owens signed a one-year deal with the Bills worth $6.5 million—which means he will most likely be looking for another hefty contract.

Of course, the only question that remains is how serious Ochocinco’s comments should be taken. He has a history of running his mouth for fun and these so-called comments could be just another classic move by No. 85.

If Owens does happen to land in Cincinnati next season, the Bengals would immediately become one of the most dangerous offenses in football. With him and Ochocinco playing side-by-side, the passing game would improve after finishing 26th last season.

After a disappointing 2009 season in which he finished with just 55 catches for 829 yards and five touchdowns, the argument can be made that Owens would return to his dominant form with a quarterback like Carson Palmer throwing the ball. In his three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys before joining the Bills, Owens led all active wide receivers with 38 touchdowns.

It may be all talk at the moment, but the thought of Owens and Ochocinco playing together in Cincinnati next season will continue to be a popular topic during the offseason.

That is until Owens finally makes a decision on where he’ll play in 2010.

Despite recent signing, Bengals' Matt Jones receives criticism for poor workout

2010-02-19T13:50:00.001-05:00

Not even a week after his signing, former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Matt Jones is already receiving criticism for the unimpressive workout he provided for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports released an article about Jones, claiming sources within the organization said the team wasn't impressed with his workout, yet still managed to sign him.

“It was one of the worst workouts I have ever seen,” one of the sources said. “I don’t care how fast his 40 time is or was, he’s a slow-twitch athlete.”

Another source from inside the organization had a similar opinion towards Jones' workout.

“He obviously has great size, but not even that is much of an advantage when you don’t move very fast,” the other source said. “He’s not really the solution to what we need.”

If this happens to be true, why would Cincinnati go through with the signing?

It’s hard to imagine the Bengals offering a deal to a player if he had as bad of a workout as the source claims. Cincinnati may be hoping for a low-risk, high-reward with the signing considering Jones’ deal is only worth $700,000, but there’s no logic behind bringing him on board if his workout was that awful.

In 2008, Jones finished with 65 receptions for 761 yards and two touchdowns in just 12 games. After sitting out the 2009 season following his release by the Jaguars last March, there’s no denying it will take some time for Jones to get back to a level where he could make an impact in the Bengals’ offense.

That is, if he ever reaches that level.

How Andre Smith's 2009 Holdout Affected the Bengals Lineman's Recent Surgery

2010-02-17T10:39:00.001-05:00

Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Andre Smith recently underwent surgery on the same foot that kept him sidelined for a majority of his rookie season.

The surgery was performed as a clean-up procedure to prevent future breaks and will keep him out for the next 10 weeks.

Even though his rehabilitation should have him return in time for the start of organized team activities in May, there seems to be a ton of frustration with Smith during his time here in Cincinnati.

The former first-round pick out of Alabama was expected to have an immediate impact on a Bengals offensive line that finished third in 2008 by allowing 51 sacks.

While the offensive line saw a drastic improvement in 2009, Smith was a non-factor and never made the immediate impact the Bengals hoped he would have after he fractured his foot during training camp—an injury that seems like it could have been avoided.

After holding out of training camp until the end of August for a bigger contract, Smith fractured his foot in just his second day with his new team. The injury came during a non-contact drill—which was even more frustrating for a Bengals team who spent so long to just get him to camp.

Two days after the organization finally agreed to pay him a large sum of money (four-year deal worth $26 million with $21 million guaranteed), he was expected to miss a few months, if not the entire season.

During his holdout, while the rest of his teammates were participating in training camp, Smith did his best to stay in shape by working out with a personal trainer. However, the argument can be made that Smith wasn't in the correct shape he should have been when he finally decided to attend training camp at the end of August—which also brings in the question of whether or not his foot fracture could have been avoided.

There is a significant difference on the intensity between working out with a trainer and participating in training camp with a professional football team. If Smith had just put his selfishness aside and entered training camp on time last year, there's a good chance this foot injury would never have even happened.

Instead, the Bengals will have to be prepared in case this foot injury has an affect on their plans for 2010. He may be expected to return in May, but that doesn't mean Smith will be in the type of shape Cincinnati hopes for him to be in.

For the meantime, the frustration behind Andre Smith continues for the Bengals and their fans in Cincinnati.

The frustration of Bengals' Andre Smith continues after foot surgery will sideline him 10 weeks

2010-02-17T10:35:00.001-05:00

Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Andre Smith had surgery on the same foot he had surgery on last season and is expected to be sidelined for the next 10 weeks. The surgery was performed this time around as a clean-up procedure to prevent future breaks in the foot and should be rehabilitated in time for the start of organized team activities in May.

Even though his injury allowed him to return for the remaining seven games in 2009, Smith's rookie season was not only disappointing, but frustrating for the Bengals considering how the injury could have been prevented.

Smith held out for most of training camp last season and didn't sign with the Bengals until the end of August until they agree on a four-year deal worth $26 million—$21 million of which is guaranteed.

While his teammates spent their time in Georgetown, Kentucky preparing for the upcoming season, Smith was left to stay his shape on his own time until the two parties came to an agreement. It was only two days after he finally came to an agreement with the Bengals that he fractured his left foot during a non-contact drill that ended up sidelining him for most of his rookie season.

The question that will now linger in the back of the minds of the Bengals’ organization and their fans is if Smith’s injury could have been prevented. If he had just put his selfishness aside during contract negotiations and showed up to training camp on time, would the injury even have happened?

As great as it was for Smith to stay in shape on his own during the holdout, there’s no way his workout could have been as intense as the one Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis was giving to his players at training camp. Had he been in the right shape at the time he finally entered training camp towards the end of August, Smith may not have even fractured his foot.

Instead, the Bengals have to worry about how Smith’s foot may have an impact in 2010, a season in which he is expected to be a starter. He may be expected to return in time for organized team activities, but after last season, there’s no telling what to expect from Smith and his foot during the offseason.

Featured Columnist Why Matt Jones May Turn out to Be Low-Risk, High-Reward For Bengals

2010-02-14T11:06:00.002-05:00

The Cincinnati Bengals signed former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Matt Jones to a one-year deal on Friday in hopes of improving a passing game that ranked 26th overall last season.

He received offers from both the Bengals and Tennessee Titans, but he felt Cincinnati would be a better fit.

After sitting out the 2009 season since no team showed interest in him, there seems to be mixed emotions from fans around the league about the signing because of Jones and his troubled past.

The main reason why he was released by the Jaguars last March was because of his inability to stay out of trouble with the law.

Jones' release came following a drug test that provided evidence for alcohol in his system—which was a violation of a plea agreement that had been reached following his second arrest.

He also received a three-game suspension by the league that season for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

Now, Jones looks for a fresh start with a Cincinnati team with a reputation for granting troubled players a second chance.

Of course, there's a chance the risk may backfire for the Bengals if Jones is still the same troubled player who continues to run into trouble with the law.

However, what if the move works out in the team's favor?

The Bengals find themselves in a low-risk situation with the hope of a high-reward when it comes to Jones considering they are paying him $700,000—which is slightly above the league minimum.

They're receiving a player who had enough talent and potential to be selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft.

He already has an advantage with his height at 6'6" and has explosive speed for a player his size. Cincinnati is in need of a deep threat after Chris Henry's death and Jones has the potential to make just as much of an impact, if not more.

If Jones can make an impact for the Bengals' offense next season and become a reliable target for Carson Palmer, it will make another success story for a player receiving a second chance and a fresh start.

Of course if this happens, there's a good chance the Jaguars may feel the same frustration the Chicago Bears once felt.

If any team knows anything about frustration with one of their former troubled players succeeding elsewhere, it's the Bears.

Chicago released Cedric Benson after he saw his fair share of trouble with the law while failing to live up to expectations as a running back.

In his first full season as a starter with the Bengals, Benson ran for 1,251 yards and six touchdowns in 13 games. He even finished with a career-high 189 yards against his former team in a game at Paul Brown Stadium in Week Seven.

For all the Bengals and their fans know, the situation with Jones may work out just as well as it did with Benson. All he has to do is be smart with his decisions and realize how lucky he is to be given a second chance with a team like Cincinnati.

Former Tennessee Titan and Dallas Cowboy Adam "Pacman" Jones works out with Cincinnati Bengals

2010-02-12T15:37:00.002-05:00

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, former first-round pick Adam "Pacman" Jones received his first workout from a NFL team after he worked out with the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday.

Jones was released in February 2009 after a one-year stint with the Dallas Cowboys. He was traded to the Cowboys from the Tennessee Titans in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft—despite the chance he may not even be reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

After an impressive sophomore season with the Titans, Jones was arguably one of the most dangerous players in football. Not only was he a threat as a cornerback on defense, but on special teams as well. Jones returned three punt returns for a touchdown to go along with his four interceptions.

Jones is one of two players making headlines with the Bengals this week. On Thursday, the team made an offer to former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Matt Jones—who also has a troubled past with the law.

It may be just one workout, but it should be interesting to see if Marvin Lewis and company take a gamble with Jones. Despite his troubled past, signing Pacman may be worth the risk if he can find a way to return to the playing level from a few years ago.

If any team knows a thing or two about taking risks with troubled players, it’s the Cincinnati Bengals. Just look how the Cedric Benson situation worked out.

ESPN's Todd McShay suggests Cincinnati Bengals select Oklahoma's Jermaine Gresham with 21st pick

2010-02-12T15:28:00.003-05:00

ESPN's Todd McShay has released his second version of his NFL Mock Draft before with the Cincinnati Bengals selecting tight end Jermaine Gresham out of Oklahoma with the 21st overall pick. He is arguably the top tight end in this year's draft class and is expected to be a first-round pick, whether the Bengals decide to select him or not.

With all of the mock drafts across the internet, many NFL experts and analysts seem to believe the Bengals need to use their first-round pick on a tight end. A few weeks ago, ESPN's Mel Kiper released the first version of his NFL Mock Draft with Cincinnati selecting Aaron Hernandez out of Florida. However, Gresham's stock has risen over the last couple of weeks with the NFL Combine set to begin for tight ends on February 27.

The tight end position is an area the Bengals have struggled with over the last couple of years. Last season, Reggie Kelly ruptured his Achilles tendon during training camp and was missed the entire season. Chase Coffman—who was selected in the third round of last year’s draft after finishing his three-year career at Missouri with 156 receptions for 1,664 yards and 20 touchdowns—was inactive for 12 games before being placed on season-ending injured reserve. With all of the high expectations for Coffman that will be even higher in 2010, he will not be the type of impact player the Bengals want him to be without improving his blocking skills during the offseason.

If Cincinnati does end up selecting Gresham with the 21st pick, they will be adding a tight end capable of helping Carson Palmer in the passing game. From 2007-08, he finished with 103 receptions for 1,468 yards 25 touchdowns.

It’s no secret the Bengals need to figure out a way to improve their passing game after finishing 26th last season. Laveranues Coles and Andre Caldwell need to bounce back after struggling for most of 2009. Not to mention the team needs to adjust to life without their deep threat in Chris Henry—who passed away in December.

Gresham has the potential to make an immediate impact as a rookie pending last year’s knee injury doesn’t become a factor. And to think if Coffman finds a way to become effective in the Bengals’ offense, this team may end up having a solid group of tight ends in 2010—which they haven’t had in quite some time.

Donte' Stallworth: Should the Cincinnati Bengals Consider Signing Him?

2010-02-10T11:18:00.001-05:00

For the Cincinnati Bengals, it's no secret their main goal during the 2010 offseason is to figure out a way to improve their passing game—which finished 26th out of 32 teams in 2009.

The Bengals have a number of options to choose from to help Carson Palmer next season. They could use the draft in April to select a wide receiver or tight end. Of course, they could also do the same in free agency.

Lately, one of the hottest topics swirling around the city of Cincinnati is whether or not Buffalo Bills wide receiver Terrell Owens could play alongside Chad Ochocinco next season. Despite all of the discussion, the chances of these two playing side-by-side next season are low.

This year's draft class is filled with loads of talent that could help the Bengals in their passing game. Dez Bryant, Golden Tate, and Jermaine Gresham are all players Cincinnati would love to have fall into their hands come draft day.

As great as this may be, there's another player on the free-agent market that Cincinnati may want to consider signing: former Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth.

Before any readers jump to conclusions, a few things need to be made clear.

Yes, what Stallworth did was unacceptable and in a way, unforgiving. He took the life of an innocent man, which will draw mixed emotions from fans just like Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick did, no matter what team he may end up playing for.

That being said, there's a good chance Stallworth is going to receive an opportunity from at least one team this offseason to see if he's still capable of becoming an impact at wide receiver. He may have a history of hamstring injuries, but Stallworth has proven to be capable of being one of the most dangerous and fastest guys on the field when healthy throughout his career.

So should the Bengals take a risk by signing Stallworth—even with his troubled past?

If any team is capable of taking a player once troubled with the law and turning them into a threat, it's the Cincinnati Bengals.

Does Cedric Benson ring a bell?