Bengals cut Coles

[Kazkal]

Bengals cut Laveranues Coles

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 4, 2010 3:44 PM ET

Laveranues Coles is on the open market.

The Cincinnati Bengals announced today that they terminated Coles' contract, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Coles had a disappointing 2009 season for the Bengals, catching 43 passes for 514 yards and five touchdowns while making almost $10 million. But Bengals coach Marvin Lewis praised Coles' contributions.

"Laveranues really came in and added a sense of professionalism that that room needed -- severely," Lewis said. "And he did a great job in that and was a great professional."

But for Coles, doing a great job wasn't enough to keep his job.

Permalink 0 Comments

Wow So....Inc Owens? Kevin Walters? other? Nothing?

[kingwilly]

bold steps, very un-bengal-like steps, being taken.

no salary cap, no cap hit. release the ballast.

go get an impact WR.

Bring on Boldin.

Carson should be at SoP's house twisting his arm.

[walzav29]

They GOTTA be doing something. Walters would be a joke. Marv had him for Christ's sake. They HAVE to get Marshall or Boldin. Marv has leverage in this if Mike wants a deal done with Marv too. They gotta pull off Marshall. It would be Browns biggest move since he's taken over.

[Dadraftnick]

OOOooooo Hell yessss!!!!!!!!

What took them so long?!?!

Now what they SHOULD DO is cut Robert Geathers- dead weight -OVER PAID- one of the worst starting DE's in the NFL.

Then they should use the money to sign Tank and Roy Williams and with a little left over they could....

Sign a fairly cheap TE like Alge Crumpler or Ben Watson.

But all of that kind of stuff sounds too GM'ey for Mikey Boy.

[whizzo]

bold steps, very un-bengal-like steps, being taken.

no salary cap, no cap hit. release the ballast.

go get an impact WR.

Bring on Boldin.

Carson should be at SoP's house twisting his arm.

Boldin is old, and not exactly a deep threat. we have our possession WR of the future in caldwell, we need a young deep threat to replace Henry and, in a few years, Ocho Cinco.

[Kazkal]

OOOooooo Hell yessss!!!!!!!!

What took them so long?!?!

Now what they SHOULD DO is cut Robert Geathers- dead weight -OVER PAID- one of the worst starting DE's in the NFL.

Then they should use the money to sign Tank and Roy Williams and with a little left over they could....

Sign a fairly cheap TE like Alge Crumpler or Ben Watson.

But all of that kind of stuff sounds too GM'ey for Mikey Boy.

I like geathers but agree,Hes a elephant end whos making way to much money they need either let him drop weight and get his passrush back or simply cut him and go with Fanene & Odom

[volcom69]

I wasnt expecting this! With that said they better do something and not sit back and wait. This team needs some threats on the offense side so i hope they do something.

[kingwilly]

bold steps, very un-bengal-like steps, being taken.

no salary cap, no cap hit. release the ballast.

go get an impact WR.

Bring on Boldin.

Carson should be at SoP's house twisting his arm.

Boldin is old, and not exactly a deep threat. we have our possession WR of the future in caldwell, we need a young deep threat to replace Henry and, in a few years, Ocho Cinco.

Whizzo, I never said he was a deep threat. though he makes plenty of plays over 30 and 40 yards.

Boldin makes freak plays, and is far tougher than Caldwell or even TJ. Old, shmold. he is nails.

The young deep threat does need to be found but lets not get confused. Both are needed. A guy like Boldin can turn this passing offense around. Heck, with Boldin I bet Chad can get isolated more and make more deep plays.

don't lose sight of what Boldin could bring by focusing in on what he is not.

[gregstephens]

They GOTTA be doing something. Walters would be a joke. Marv had him for Christ's sake. They HAVE to get Marshall or Boldin. Marv has leverage in this if Mike wants a deal done with Marv too. They gotta pull off Marshall. It would be Browns biggest move since he's taken over.

For my money, you could not be more wrong. Marv had Walters when he had TJ, Fredo and Henry. Walters never got the chance to show anything here. In Texas, he's been an excellent number two guy and even a serviceable number one guy when Johnson's been hurt. I'd argue that, if you believe Fredo is still a top number one guy, Walters makes more sense than Boldin or Marshall, as neither of them are coming here to settle for being number two guys.

You saying what we've seen out of Caldwell, Simpson, etc, Walters is a less attractive option than they are?

[HairOnFire]

I wasnt expecting this!

I was. To be perfectly fair I don't have a clue what else this move points to, but cutting Coles was a move easily justified simply on it's own merit.

[kingwilly]

They GOTTA be doing something. Walters would be a joke. Marv had him for Christ's sake. They HAVE to get Marshall or Boldin. Marv has leverage in this if Mike wants a deal done with Marv too. They gotta pull off Marshall. It would be Browns biggest move since he's taken over.

For my money, you could not be more wrong. Marv had Walters when he had TJ, Fredo and Henry. Walters never got the chance to show anything here. In Texas, he's been an excellent number two guy and even a serviceable number one guy when Johnson's been hurt. I'd argue that, if you believe Fredo is still a top number one guy, Walters makes more sense than Boldin or Marshall, as neither of them are coming here to settle for being number two guys.

You saying what we've seen out of Caldwell, Simpson, etc, Walters is a less attractive option than they are?

No thanks to Walter. He has slipped since he was injured.

I don't anyone thinks that with Marhsall coming in that Fredo would be the 1. not that it matters, who is 1, 2, or 5... what matters is making plays. Walter's presence will not mean Chad makes more plays or could make plays himself, whereas Boldin or Marshall will make plays and help chad make plays.

[Kazkal]

Id be happy if we added walters but I'd still want to see a WR in top 3 rnds if we did...

[gregstephens]

They GOTTA be doing something. Walters would be a joke. Marv had him for Christ's sake. They HAVE to get Marshall or Boldin. Marv has leverage in this if Mike wants a deal done with Marv too. They gotta pull off Marshall. It would be Browns biggest move since he's taken over.

For my money, you could not be more wrong. Marv had Walters when he had TJ, Fredo and Henry. Walters never got the chance to show anything here. In Texas, he's been an excellent number two guy and even a serviceable number one guy when Johnson's been hurt. I'd argue that, if you believe Fredo is still a top number one guy, Walters makes more sense than Boldin or Marshall, as neither of them are coming here to settle for being number two guys.

You saying what we've seen out of Caldwell, Simpson, etc, Walters is a less attractive option than they are?

No thanks to Walter. He has slipped since he was injured.

I don't anyone thinks that with Marhsall coming in that Fredo would be the 1. not that it matters, who is 1, 2, or 5... what matters is making plays. Walter's presence will not mean Chad makes more plays or could make plays himself, whereas Boldin or Marshall will make plays and help chad make plays.

I'm not sure I follow your logic. The Texans with the tandem of Walters and Johnson have posted an excellent pass offense for the past few seasons. What makes you think Walters couldn't bump up Fredo's game? With the two of them you have a balanced tandem that are both capable, but not necessarily competing to be top dog. Bring in Boldin or Marshall and I envision a situation where that person and Fredo are always bellyaching about not getting enough love on the field.

Having said that, I'm not against signing Boldin or Marshall with the caveat that with either of them and Fredo, you will have two diva receivers with demonstrated problems in the lockerroom in the past. However, having such a duo eases the need to have a strong three guy. Admittedly with Walters, you have better chemistry but would need that strong three guy. Plus, since Brat hasn't changed anything since 2005, Walters should be familiar with the playbook and system.

So, pick your poison so to speak.

[kingwilly]

it is a matter of upside.

Walter will never elevate above Chad. and won't make Chad much better.

Boldin or Marshall can elevate above Chad, while also providing the option to make Chad better.

I am not so sure what is confusing you.

[SupaBran]

Marshall not on Bengals radar

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on March 4, 2010 2:51 PM ET

Every team with a need at wide receiver is getting linked to Brandon Marshall.

Joe Reedy, who does yeoman's work for the Cincinnati Enquirer, wants everyone to know they can stop linking the Bengals to him.

Yeah, yeah, Marshall would help fill the team's knucklehead quota. But Mike Brown is loathe to give up a draft pick, using his first-round pick every year since 1989.

Reedy suggests that one former Bengal is a more likely target. Kevin Walter is our second-ranked free agent wide receiver and he won't cost anything except a big contract to acquire.

[Stripes]

I wouldn't object at all to bringing Walter back. He seems to have become something quite more useful than the preseason five yard slant machine that he was in stripes. He's clearly not the field-stretcher we need, but I don't think Boldin would be either. Marshall would be at quite a hefty price, so I'm still fine with a second round pick (or a first should Bryant fall).

[BengalPimp]

Good. Get rid of wasted money. Now we have that to spend on a Legit WR.

[gregstephens]

I am not so sure what is confusing you.

a) your faulty logic

bee) your conclusory statements supported by no feasible empirical evidence, only 'gut' feelings

c) your unwillingness to entertain Walters as a second or third receiver when the price would be much better than Boldin or Marshall, especially given the fact we now have Fredo and 'crap' on our depth chart

d) all of the above

--Otherwise, I'm good.

[HAPPYJAQ]

The only way to rationalize this move, at this particular point, is to believe the Bengals feel strongly about being able to upgrade the position through the UFA market.

Or a trade could be in discussion.

Either way, I'd like to see the Bengals go hard for either TO or Marshall. Our best receiver will be 32 years old this season, and there's very little behind him.

If this team is truly in "win now" mode, we'll see a major addition at WR in the next few days.

Despite the obvious baggage, it would make the most sense to trade for or sign Marshall. He's one of the Top 5 overall receivers in the league and still very young. If his tender is only a first, he could probably be had for a 2nd, 4th and a conditional pick in '11. It would take just as much to go up and get Bryant, who has just as many question marks. To me, it's a no brainer to make the move for Marshall, even it it means you pay him 7-9 million a year.

Hell, we just paid Coles about 10 million for about 40 catches.

[HoosierCat]

I wasnt expecting this!

I was. To be perfectly fair I don't have a clue what else this move points to, but cutting Coles was a move easily justified simply on it's own merit.

Yup. Props to the FO for taking the shot on him last year, props for cutting the cord quick when it was clear they made a mistake.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

The only way to rationalize this move, at this particular point, is to believe the Bengals feel strongly about being able to upgrade the position through the UFA market.

Eh, I'm with Hair. This move can be rationalized simply on the basis that Coles is completely cooked. Given what he showed last year, he is not a starting NFL WR.

I didn't like the move then, but I'll at least give credit for booting has ass out the door ASAP.

[Dadraftnick]

Updated

While Chad Ochocinco is rehearsing for Dancing With The Stars, the Bengals appear to be at least dancing with the notion of checking out wide receivers that come free Friday.

Evidence? The quick trigger on wide receiver Laveranues Coles on Thursday when they terminated his contract 51 weeks after giving hm about $10 million in salary and bonuses to replace T.J. Houshmandzadeh. With no salary cap in place for this season, the Bengals don't take a hit on Coles' prorated signing bonus.

That's not to say they are looking to make a quick, lucrative deal with Terrell Owens or anyone else on the receiver list. But it's no secret that the Bengals and the rest of the teams emerged this week from the NFL scouting combine subdued about what is available in the draft at receiver and they appear to be taking a harder look at what is available on the market than they did last month.

It hasn't changed. The thing that made them so sour about the Coles signing (age) is prevalent. The Bengals are probably only looking to do a one-year deal, which may take them out of the sweepstakes for 29-year-old Antonio Bryant. And with Owens (36), Josh Reed (30), Chris Chambers (32) and Michael Furrey (33) long in the tooth, the Bengals aren't going to pay top dollar. But they can always hang around for a couple of weeks when the price drops.

One day before the new NFL year starts, the Bengals wasted no time Thursday when they moved past the Coles signing and cut the 32-year-old wide receiver. Coles' struggles in his only year with the club (43 catches, 514 yards, five touchdowns) don't bode well for elderly wide receivers in stripes.

But in scouting reports in the media about the upcoming free-agent class, Owens still gets good marks for being able to run. Even though the Bengals let go Kevin Walter, 27, four years ago, they may be ready to see what his price tag is. He became a solid No. 2 in Houston, but could he be a difference-maker?

Also, in a Thursday press release the Bengals issued their list of players they have designated as restricted free agents as well as exclusive rights players with one-year contract offers in an attempt to retain them for the upcoming season when free agency begins Friday.

The Bengals are probably only looking to do a one-year deal, which may take them out of the sweepstakes for 29-year-old Antonio Bryant. And with Owens (36), Josh Reed (30), Chris Chambers (32) and Michael Furrey (33) long in the tooth, the Bengals aren't going to pay top dollar. But they can always hang around for a couple of weeks when the price drops

? A change in stratagy?

The Bengals are not going to pay top dollar? SHOCK!

Hang around a couple of weeks and scrape the bottom of the barrel and maybe sign whatever is left over?

Even these bottom of the barrel guys are going to want to sign an F-ing 2 yr deal.

But in scouting reports in the media about the upcoming free-agent class, Owens still gets good marks for being able to run. Even though the Bengals let go Kevin Walter, 27, four years ago, they

may be ready to see what his price tag is. He became a solid No. 2 in Houston, but could he be a difference-maker?

Hey!What? Owens still has two legs ? That qualifies him as a Bengals free agent!

Why would Kevin Walter 27 years old so, he's got 4 or 5 years left to play football sign a 1 year contract?

Could Kevin Walter be a difference maker? DIFFERENCE MAKER? You are talking about paying a BOTTOM DOLLAR ONE YEAR contract with who the hell is LEFTOVER after a couple of weeks and you are talking about a F-ING DIFFERENCE MAKE!!!!!

If the NFL ever wants to do a comedy version of Hard Knocks all they would have to do is put cameras in the Bengals front office!!!!

[kingwilly]

Updated

While Chad Ochocinco is rehearsing for Dancing With The Stars, the Bengals appear to be at least dancing with the notion of checking out wide receivers that come free Friday.

Evidence? The quick trigger on wide receiver Laveranues Coles on Thursday when they terminated his contract 51 weeks after giving hm about $10 million in salary and bonuses to replace T.J. Houshmandzadeh. With no salary cap in place for this season, the Bengals don't take a hit on Coles' prorated signing bonus.

That's not to say they are looking to make a quick, lucrative deal with Terrell Owens or anyone else on the receiver list. But it's no secret that the Bengals and the rest of the teams emerged this week from the NFL scouting combine subdued about what is available in the draft at receiver and they appear to be taking a harder look at what is available on the market than they did last month.

It hasn't changed. The thing that made them so sour about the Coles signing (age) is prevalent. The Bengals are probably only looking to do a one-year deal, which may take them out of the sweepstakes for 29-year-old Antonio Bryant. And with Owens (36), Josh Reed (30), Chris Chambers (32) and Michael Furrey (33) long in the tooth, the Bengals aren't going to pay top dollar. But they can always hang around for a couple of weeks when the price drops.

One day before the new NFL year starts, the Bengals wasted no time Thursday when they moved past the Coles signing and cut the 32-year-old wide receiver. Coles' struggles in his only year with the club (43 catches, 514 yards, five touchdowns) don't bode well for elderly wide receivers in stripes.

But in scouting reports in the media about the upcoming free-agent class, Owens still gets good marks for being able to run. Even though the Bengals let go Kevin Walter, 27, four years ago, they may be ready to see what his price tag is. He became a solid No. 2 in Houston, but could he be a difference-maker?

Also, in a Thursday press release the Bengals issued their list of players they have designated as restricted free agents as well as exclusive rights players with one-year contract offers in an attempt to retain them for the upcoming season when free agency begins Friday.

The Bengals are probably only looking to do a one-year deal, which may take them out of the sweepstakes for 29-year-old Antonio Bryant. And with Owens (36), Josh Reed (30), Chris Chambers (32) and Michael Furrey (33) long in the tooth, the Bengals aren't going to pay top dollar. But they can always hang around for a couple of weeks when the price drops

? A change in stratagy?

The Bengals are not going to pay top dollar? SHOCK!

Hang around a couple of weeks and scrape the bottom of the barrel and maybe sign whatever is left over?

Even these bottom of the barrel guys are going to want to sign an F-ing 2 yr deal.

But in scouting reports in the media about the upcoming free-agent class, Owens still gets good marks for being able to run. Even though the Bengals let go Kevin Walter, 27, four years ago, they

may be ready to see what his price tag is. He became a solid No. 2 in Houston, but could he be a difference-maker?

Hey!What? Owens still has two legs ? That qualifies him as a Bengals free agent!

Why would Kevin Walter 27 years old so, he's got 4 or 5 years left to play football sign a 1 year contract?

Could Kevin Walter be a difference maker? DIFFERENCE MAKER? You are talking about paying a BOTTOM DOLLAR ONE YEAR contract with who the hell is LEFTOVER after a couple of weeks and you are talking about a F-ING DIFFERENCE MAKE!!!!!

If the NFL ever wants to do a comedy version of Hard Knocks all they would have to do is put cameras in the Bengals front office!!!!

it never changes, really.

water flowing underground.

same as it ever was.

[kingwilly]

I'm not sure I follow your logic. The Texans with the tandem of Walters and Johnson have posted an excellent pass offense for the past few seasons. What makes you think Walters couldn't bump up Fredo's game? With the two of them you have a balanced tandem that are both capable, but not necessarily competing to be top dog. Bring in Boldin or Marshall and I envision a situation where that person and Fredo are always bellyaching about not getting enough love on the field.

Having said that, I'm not against signing Boldin or Marshall with the caveat that with either of them and Fredo, you will have two diva receivers with demonstrated problems in the lockerroom in the past. However, having such a duo eases the need to have a strong three guy. Admittedly with Walters, you have better chemistry but would need that strong three guy. Plus, since Brat hasn't changed anything since 2005, Walters should be familiar with the playbook and system.

So, pick your poison so to speak.

I think the first, most obvious thing is that Chad is not anywhere near Andre Johnson.

I think you are speculating a bit too much over the ego problems of a Chad-Boldin or Chad-Marshall. Boldin's problem has long been over his contract. Marshall's the same and with his boy-wonder coach. Marshall could mature a bit but Carson and this team could help. Tell me, who is a leader on that bronco's team?

I think you assume too much with Walter. First you assume he has "chemistry"... surely not a guarantee, as there is no record to go off of, and second, you assume he will mesh with a playbook from 4-5 years ago. The offense has changed (though it has regressed) and he'd need to set-aside the system that he's been in for the past 4 seasons. Not as clear of an upside as I think you make it out to be.

to me, it comes down to potential.

I just don't feel that Walter can be as effective in a TJ-style role as Boldin could. The numbers prove that out, from a pure productivity view.

I don't feel that Walter could be the threat that Marshall could be.

I think either Marshall or Boldin will elevate Chad more than Walter could.

In your other post you reference faulty logic. uh, don't see it. All of these are assumptions, not logic. Speculation. not pure facts.

You also reference money, ie Walter will cost less. Well, if you want something less, spend less money. There is a reason that Boldin and Marshall will probably command more money - THEY ARE BETTER PLAYERS! team pay more for better players. As a purely economic decision, the best course is to get no one. Play the guys you have and draft a WR. But Carson is another year into his career, as is Chad. The line and Defense are ready for a run. To me, if there ever was a time to exchange picks for players and spend more than you want to make a run, the time is now.

Look, Walter is a nice player. No one is going to cry if he is signed. I just feel it would be a shame to waste the opportunity to land a better player when the clock is ticking on the key components of this team.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

The line and Defense are ready for a run. To me, if there ever was a time to exchange picks for players and spend more than you want to make a run, the time is now.

Look, Walter is a nice player. No one is going to cry if he is signed. I just feel it would be a shame to waste the opportunity to land a better player when the clock is ticking on the key components of this team.

Amen. You have to be ready to spend some money when you have most of the pieces of a winner to get you over the hump - that is, of course, assuming you care at all about winning. We've seen that Chad needs some help on the other side. I'd like to see more than just some broken-down stiff, has-been, or never-was.

They've got most of the pieces, put the rest together. Get a real receiver.