Tight End in the First Round?

[Ickey44]

Absolutely not. Kelly, Foschi, and Coffman will do fine. Or if they decide not to resign Kelly they can get a decent TE in FA. The TE is mainly a blocker in this offense and there's no need to use a 1st round pick on that.

[redsbengalsbucks]

For what seems like the 10th year in a row, NO!!! the 1st round is for impact players, a TE in this offense is the least impact player on the feild.

[nfldraft2010]

Bengals tight ends combined for a meager 43 catches for 410 yards and two touchdowns in 2009 with J.P Foschi's 27 for 260 leading the way. Without even needing to say anything else, an upgrade is needed, and here is a breakdown of the top five tight ends in this year's draft.

/>http://www.pressboxonline.com/blog.cfm?ID=1992

It wouldn't surprise me at all to see the Bengals take either Gresham or Hernandez in the first round.

[Kazkal]

Tight End in the first round? No Would I complain ? No

If we wanted a Tight End whos main focus was to catch the ball and be a receiving threat we have it with Coffman,Problem is that's not what we look for in our Tight Ends and want block first block 2nd catch 3rd type TE's...So using a 1st even if it is the best player available just feels wasted because I doubt the guy would be utilized properly

PS,On Top of that I think theres good chance we sign a Free Agent Tight End...It's a position that doesn't brake the bank and some good Tight ends in this years crops.

[Walrus]

I doubt Kelly is coming back, Coffman is still a complete ? and we have yet to see how FA pans out so I'd be on board at this point if the guy can block. I don't follow much college football so I don't have a good idea about the blocking skills of these guys, although if I'm not mistaken isn't Hernandez known to be a pretty good blocker in addition to having good hands? Seems like a good compliment/upgrade to what we have.

[redsbengalsbucks]

Even with the 3rd and 4th option on the roster playing the bulk of the snaps in 2009, the TE position had similar #'s as 2008.

Here is the final stats for 2008 and 2009 for the TE position.

2008 51-360-0

2009 43-410-2

2008 had more catches, but less yardage and no TD's, seems as if it doesnt matter the talent at the position, the OC will only give the TE so many targets in this Offense. There is no sense in wasting a 1st round pick on a rookie player that might see at most, 35-40 passes thrown his way. There is no impact to the team in drafting a TE in the first round. I would rather they pick up the BPA at the FS, OG, WR or CB positions.

[Ickey44]

Even with the 3rd and 4th option on the roster playing the bulk of the snaps in 2009, the TE position had similar #'s as 2008.

Here is the final stats for 2008 and 2009 for the TE position.

2008 51-360-0

2009 43-410-2

2008 had more catches, but less yardage and no TD's, seems as if it doesnt matter the talent at the position, the OC will only give the TE so many targets in this Offense. There is no sense in wasting a 1st round pick on a rookie player that might see at most, 35-40 passes thrown his way. There is no impact to the team in drafting a TE in the first round. I would rather they pick up the BPA at the FS, OG, WR or CB positions.

Exactly. The TE is mostly utilized to block in Brat's system. If they had actually fired Brat (like they should) and brought in a coordinator who will utilize the TE then I would be on board with this. It really doesn't make any sense while Brat calls the plays, though.

[Kazkal]

It's like Martz who's now in Chi Town your gonna see perfectly good receiving threat in Olsen go to waste because he wants his TE's to block...

Sorry Brat/Martz it's not 2000 any more TE's are supposed catch the ball to...

[Walrus]

Even with the 3rd and 4th option on the roster playing the bulk of the snaps in 2009, the TE position had similar #'s as 2008.

Here is the final stats for 2008 and 2009 for the TE position.

2008 51-360-0

2009 43-410-2

2008 had more catches, but less yardage and no TD's, seems as if it doesnt matter the talent at the position, the OC will only give the TE so many targets in this Offense. There is no sense in wasting a 1st round pick on a rookie player that might see at most, 35-40 passes thrown his way. There is no impact to the team in drafting a TE in the first round. I would rather they pick up the BPA at the FS, OG, WR or CB positions.

I don't get your point. Both years sucked -- and both years we were suffering from woeful talent/depth at the position. "No matter the talent"? Is it so out of the question that a pass-catching TE might be used more if we had one?

[Fan from afar]

Even with the 3rd and 4th option on the roster playing the bulk of the snaps in 2009, the TE position had similar #'s as 2008.

Here is the final stats for 2008 and 2009 for the TE position.

2008 51-360-0

2009 43-410-2

2008 had more catches, but less yardage and no TD's, seems as if it doesnt matter the talent at the position, the OC will only give the TE so many targets in this Offense. There is no sense in wasting a 1st round pick on a rookie player that might see at most, 35-40 passes thrown his way. There is no impact to the team in drafting a TE in the first round. I would rather they pick up the BPA at the FS, OG, WR or CB positions.

Exactly. The TE is mostly utilized to block in Brat's system. If they had actually fired Brat (like they should) and brought in a coordinator who will utilize the TE then I would be on board with this. It really doesn't make any sense while Brat calls the plays, though.

I have to disagree with the Bengals just wanting a run blocking specialist. The signing of Utecht and drafting of Coffman tell me different, that they want a TE that is a part of the offense. The past two years that they have tried utilizing a TE in the offense, injuries have prevented this new philosophy from taking shape. I would love it if they drafted a top tier TE in the 1st or 2nd round...

[wpeldios]

I doubt Kelly is coming back, Coffman is still a complete ? and we have yet to see how FA pans out so I'd be on board at this point if the guy can block. I don't follow much college football so I don't have a good idea about the blocking skills of these guys, although if I'm not mistaken isn't Hernandez known to be a pretty good blocker in addition to having good hands? Seems like a good compliment/upgrade to what we have.

Watched Hernandez alot in college, and he is a dreadful blocker. His impact on this offense will not be any more than Coffman's was this year. No matter how good the pass catcher he won't see the field until he can block. And giving Coffman a chance will be just as effective as bringing him in.

[Walrus]

I doubt Kelly is coming back, Coffman is still a complete ? and we have yet to see how FA pans out so I'd be on board at this point if the guy can block. I don't follow much college football so I don't have a good idea about the blocking skills of these guys, although if I'm not mistaken isn't Hernandez known to be a pretty good blocker in addition to having good hands? Seems like a good compliment/upgrade to what we have.

Watched Hernandez alot in college, and he is a dreadful blocker. His impact on this offense will not be any more than Coffman's was this year. No matter how good the pass catcher he won't see the field until he can block. And giving Coffman a chance will be just as effective as bringing him in.

Thanks for your take on Hernandez. I guess when I saw the guy is 6'2"/250 I assumed he's big enough to be a good blocker!

[Kazkal]

I have to disagree with the Bengals just wanting a run blocking specialist. The signing of Utecht and drafting of Coffman tell me different, that they want a TE that is a part of the offense. The past two years that they have tried utilizing a TE in the offense, injuries have prevented this new philosophy from taking shape. I would love it if they drafted a top tier TE in the 1st or 2nd round...

Because they failed turning blockers in to receivers maybe wanted give another go turning receiving Tight Ends in to blockers,If we want a Receiving Tight End it can be addressed in Free Agency & by already having Coffman & Foschi on the roster...No Reason to waste a 1st round on it.

[Trevor]

Foschi is a good player. He does his job, thats all we need is for our TE's to do there job... CCC (coats cant catch)... So he doesnt do his job. I'll be very pissed if we resign him. We should really resign jp though. I really like him in this offense, a true pro. Coffman should be alot better than he was last year. alot! That means we either sign kelly again or get another free agent blocking TE. But... stanfords TE is a very solid blocker...

[Walrus]

I have to disagree with the Bengals just wanting a run blocking specialist. The signing of Utecht and drafting of Coffman tell me different, that they want a TE that is a part of the offense. The past two years that they have tried utilizing a TE in the offense, injuries have prevented this new philosophy from taking shape. I would love it if they drafted a top tier TE in the 1st or 2nd round...

Because they failed turning blockers in to receivers maybe wanted give another go turning receiving Tight Ends in to blockers,If we want a Receiving Tight End it can be addressed in Free Agency & by already having Coffman & Foschi on the roster...No Reason to waste a 1st round on it.

Not a waste. Why assume they're set with one mediocre player and one unproven player? They can do better.

That said, given the talent they have they could very well draft a starting TE on day 2.

[Kazkal]

Not a waste. Why assume they're set with one mediocre player and one unproven player? They can do better.

That said, given the talent they have they could very well draft a starting TE on day 2.

How is Coffman a Mediocre Player? He was by far the most Productive Tight End to come out in quite a few years and would be perfect if all you wanted was a Receiving Threat...So How would burning a 1st on Jermaine Gresham who is a suspect Blocker who has his own Injury Concerns his senior year be any different? I wouldn't complain if we draftes Gresh because would give me hope their actually truly gonna utilize the Tight End Position but at the same time why Draft someone when you can go Sign a Ben Watson,Bo Scaife or maybe get Tony Scheffler for a 2nd rounder.

[SupaBran]

I doubt Kelly is coming back, Coffman is still a complete ? and we have yet to see how FA pans out so I'd be on board at this point if the guy can block. I don't follow much college football so I don't have a good idea about the blocking skills of these guys, although if I'm not mistaken isn't Hernandez known to be a pretty good blocker in addition to having good hands? Seems like a good compliment/upgrade to what we have.

Watched Hernandez alot in college, and he is a dreadful blocker. His impact on this offense will not be any more than Coffman's was this year. No matter how good the pass catcher he won't see the field until he can block. And giving Coffman a chance will be just as effective as bringing him in.

Thanks for your take on Hernandez. I guess when I saw the guy is 6'2"/250 I assumed he's big enough to be a good blocker!

He's just as good of a blocker as Dallas Clark and he's a Pro Bowler but whatever...

[Walrus]

Not a waste. Why assume they're set with one mediocre player and one unproven player? They can do better.

That said, given the talent they have they could very well draft a starting TE on day 2.

How is Coffman a Mediocre Player? He was by far the most Productive Tight End to come out in quite a few years and would be perfect if all you wanted was a Receiving Threat...So How would burning a 1st on Jermaine Gresham who is a suspect Blocker who has his own Injury Concerns his senior year be any different? I wouldn't complain if we draftes Gresh because would give me hope their actually truly gonna utilize the Tight End Position but at the same time why Draft someone when you can go Sign a Ben Watson,Bo Scaife or maybe get Tony Scheffler for a 2nd rounder.

Coffman is unproven, Foschi is mediocre. We still need to improve at this position. It could be done through FA or the draft.

[Ickey44]

I have to disagree with the Bengals just wanting a run blocking specialist. The signing of Utecht and drafting of Coffman tell me different, that they want a TE that is a part of the offense. The past two years that they have tried utilizing a TE in the offense, injuries have prevented this new philosophy from taking shape. I would love it if they drafted a top tier TE in the 1st or 2nd round...

To be perfectly honest, the Coffman pick doesn't make any sense whatsoever. They decided last offseason that they were going to be a run first team, and then drafted a pass-catching TE who can't block and couldn't get on the field because of that fact.

They need to see what, if anything, they have in Coffman before they use another high pick on a TE. I also don't understand why everyone is so eager to replace Foschi. I thought the guy was solid. He blocked well and caught the ball well. He's no Tony Gonzalez, but he's also no Dan Coats either.

[Kazkal]

Coffman is unproven, Foschi is mediocre. We still need to improve at this position. It could be done through FA or the d

Um 1st Round Draft pick = Unproven which is why I'd prefer FA TE myself.

Foschi I thought was above average for being lack of love on our Offense gets on top of splitting time with the very horrible Daniel Coats..I'd still Rather have a FA start in place of him but if the Starter goes down I'm not gonna rip my Hair out if Foschi had to take his place...Coats on the other hand I'd be bald..

[BengalPimp]

but he's also no Dan Coats either.

Neither is my grandma, but she shouldn't be the starting TE either.

If a TE like Gresham proved he was healthy, went through a VERY extensive physical, and had a good combine, I wouldn't mind them drafting him. Sure there are other guys we would like, but you don't know if they'll still be around when we pick...guys like Taylor Mays, Mike Iupati, Dez Bryant, etc.

Here's why I wouldn't mind Gresham (if healthy).....

#1 There would be absolutely NO EXCUSE for Bratkowski not to implement plays for the TE.

#2 It gives Carson another weapon that we may not have/be able to get at WR.

#3 Maybe that idiot of an Offensive Coordinator will actually take a page out of some other OC's playbook and run some double TE sets...With Gresham and Foschi/Coffman.

#4 It will ultimately change the opposing defenses gameplan a little. For example, if they decide to rush the LB's, we have an outlet at TE. If they decide to drop the LB's to cover, it opens the field a little more, and opens up plays like the screen pass to the RB....A quality TE is far more valuable than people realize....

Let me just use some of this years playoff teams as examples....

Colts-Clark 100 rec 1,106 yd 10 TD

Saints-Shockey 48 rec 569 yd 3 TD

Saints-D. Thomas 35 rec 356 yd 1 TD

Chargers-Gates 79 rec 1,157 yd 8 TD

Cowboys-Witten 94 rec 1,030 yd 2 TD

Eagles-Celek 76 rec 971 yd 8 TD

Vikings-Shiancoe 56 rec 566 yd 11 TD

Packers-Finley 55 rec 676 yd 5 TD

Packers-Lee 37 rec 260 yd 1 TD

Ravens-Heap 53 rec 593 yd 6 TD

Jets-Keller 45 rec 522 yd 2 TD

12 playoff teams and really only 2 teams that don't use the TE...Bengals and Cards.

I also didn't list the Pats, and Ben Watson who a few of you said we could sign...he only had 29 rec 404 yd 5 TD.

Notice that both Green Bay and New Orleans use 2 TE's.

We're going on 2010...While Brat is still stuck in '05.

[HoosierCat]

If Jermaine Gresham is healthy, I'd have no objections if he were the 21st pick.

The Bengals have made it quite clear, through both word and deed, that they want to significantly increase the role of the TE in the offense. Bratkowski has been talking about running more two-TE sets since before the '08 season, while Marvin has spoken about how, if you want a "complete" TE, you either spend a high pick, spend a lot in FA, or draft a kid who can catch and teach him to block.

Those are words. Action-wise, they successfully went after an RFA TE, Ben Utecht. They also drafted Matt Sherry and Crash Dummy. Significantly, those were the first two draft picks the Bengals had used on TEs since Sean "two packs a day" Brewer way back in 2001. Reportedly, they also tried to trade for Martellus Bennett during last season.

Anyone who thinks the Bengals aren't high on getting more out of the TE position hasn't been paying attention. Unfortunately, all their plans have been wiped out by injuries. Utecht was never healthy. Kelly went down with him in the '09 preseason. Sherry got hurt, then cut, his rookie season (though they signed him back during the 09 season, dunno if he's still lingering around somewhere or not). Coffman never fully recovered from his college foot injury.

The lack of production from the TE position has more to do with the lack of talent there than anything else. How many TDs did Dan Coats drop again? It's not like they aren't trying to use the TE, it's that their TEs range from mediocre to putrid.

[7/11]

i like gresham, just not in the 1st.

i would be happy to see anthony mccoy in the 3rd or later. great prospect for the bengals- brat can take advantage of his already-very-good blocking and brat can squander his potential as a reciever.

[Kazkal]

12 playoff teams and really only 2 teams that don't use the TE...Bengals and Cards.

I also didn't list the Pats, and Ben Watson who a few of you said we could sign...he only had 29 rec 404 yd 5 TD.

Pretty sure I'm the one who started pointing that out! All In all I wouldn't mind having Gresh Nor would I think it's giving up on Coffman,Would Just prefer us go another Route is all but We should know before Draft if were going target a Tight End or Not (How we handle Free Agency)

Those are words. Action-wise, they successfully went after an RFA TE, Ben Utecht. They also drafted Matt Sherry and Crash Dummy. Significantly, those were the first two draft picks the Bengals had used on TEs since Sean "two packs a day" Brewer way back in 2001. Reportedly, they also tried to trade for Martellus Bennett during last seaso

Matt Schobel?

PS,There was alot of talk about Us taking Tight End in 2006 that Anthony Fasano was exactly what Marvin Wanted in a Tight End but The Cowboys took him several selections before us...Payed off I'd say since we got Whitworth instead.

[HoosierCat]

I stand corrected: since Schobel in 2002. The point still holds, however.