Why this might-just-work....

[kingwilly]

I was not big proponent of TO coming here in the Spring. The Bryant signing was, what I felt the the least impactful of the better WR options available (Marshall, Boldin, Bryant) and TO finally arriving has many feeling nervous given the presence of Chad and his antics.

However, after watching TO play with Carson, and reading the update on the .com today, I feel this might just work.

Here is the excerpt that struck me:

"Owens couldn't practice Tuesday for an undisclosed reason (he worked Wednesday) and the coaches were surprised and impressed when Owens actually brought out his playbook to follow along with the practice. In his 19th NFL season, Bratkowski is pretty certain Owens is the first guy he's ever seen do that."

If Owens, a guy with "Hall" credential but a psyche as delicate as a Ming vase, can fully buy in and give this team the kind of hands and experience that can bolster this passing game, Carson and the offense could reach a level where a SB run is possible.

To me, it all starts with the things like TO bringing his playbook to follow practice form the sidelines. The guy wants it.

[Trevor]

Likes this

[BengalPimp]

T.O. WILL work! I don't care if a player is somewhat of a Douche as long as he performs on the field (as evidenced by the fact that I still like Chad). Antonio Bryant may not be healthy now, or even until later on in the season, but T.O. will fit in nicely. See how much we can get out of T.O. if productive, sign him to another 1-yr deal, if not, go with Bryant in 2011. The Bengals actually played this one well.

[membengal]

Can never read enough about a Bengals WR working hard at learning the playbook. Given who has made up this reciving corp in the 2000s, this is a fairly new experience.

[bwillycuse]

Can never read enough about a Bengals WR working hard at learning the playbook. Given who has made up this reciving corp in the 2000s, this is a fairly new experience.

Don't we already have a receiver who had to be kicked out of the training facility? Spent too much time training, working on his craft?

I am impressed TO is taking an interest. But I would hope he would be working double time to learn the offense. He did miss a lot of time.

I just wonder if TO looks at the plays Bratkowski has drawn up and thinks they are good plays or not.

[BengalByTheBay]

Likes this

I hate facebook

[bwillycuse]

Likes this

I hate facebook

I was thinking the same. I just signed up recently for facebook due to a family member being deployed to Afghanistan and its the best way to communicate.

But the 'Likes this' prompted the same thought for me.

[BengalPimp]

I just wonder if TO looks at the plays Bratkowski has drawn up and thinks they are good plays or not.

I'm not sure anybody looks at Brat's plays and thinks they're good.

[membengal]

Can never read enough about a Bengals WR working hard at learning the playbook. Given who has made up this reciving corp in the 2000s, this is a fairly new experience.

Don't we already have a receiver who had to be kicked out of the training facility? Spent too much time training, working on his craft?

I am impressed TO is taking an interest. But I would hope he would be working double time to learn the offense. He did miss a lot of time.

I just wonder if TO looks at the plays Bratkowski has drawn up and thinks they are good plays or not.

Re: the bold...no. Training hard, sure? But learning his craft? Not especially. The knock on Chad, from ML no less, is that he is prone to free-lancing his routes on a whim. So, "playbook" isn't exactly something I think CJ has ever made all that high a priority. He does other stuff well, but studious? Not buying that.

[agreen_112]

I was not big proponent of TO coming here in the Spring. The Bryant signing was, what I felt the the least impactful of the better WR options available (Marshall, Boldin, Bryant) and TO finally arriving has many feeling nervous given the presence of Chad and his antics.

However, after watching TO play with Carson, and reading the update on the .com today, I feel this might just work.

Here is the excerpt that struck me:

"Owens couldn't practice Tuesday for an undisclosed reason (he worked Wednesday) and the coaches were surprised and impressed when Owens actually brought out his playbook to follow along with the practice. In his 19th NFL season, Bratkowski is pretty certain Owens is the first guy he's ever seen do that."

If Owens, a guy with "Hall" credential but a psyche as delicate as a Ming vase, can fully buy in and give this team the kind of hands and experience that can bolster this passing game, Carson and the offense could reach a level where a SB run is possible.

To me, it all starts with the things like TO bringing his playbook to follow practice form the sidelines. The guy wants it.

The guy has ALWAYS wanted it. He's been one of the hardest working WR's in the league for a long time. The 49ers turned their back on him, that was the only real chance he had of winning a SB. Dallas and Philly were disasters. The Bengals have a chance to really do some good this year. I've been a fan of T.O.'s since he played with Rice. If you remember I was a HUGE 49ers fan before becoming a Bengals fan which is why I've always stated how much I liked T.O. Yeah, he's made some bad decisions and said some pretty bad things, but then again, he went into some pretty bad situations. The Bengals are the best situation for T.O. late in his career. This is going to be a fun season boys!

[COB]

The 49ers turned their back on him, that was the only real chance he had of winning a SB. Dallas and Philly were disasters.

The opposite is true, he had better chances for Super Bowl wins in Dallas and Philly than he did in SF.

And the Niners didn't turn their back on him, he turned his back on the Niners. After a bunch of seasons where they would go to the playoffs and win one playoff game, they had a bad year in 2003. Owens called the quarterback gay, then cut off all communication with the team.

He let them know there was no way he'd play for them again. Then when his agent missed the deadline for free agency filing, the Niners retained his rights and traded him. He figuratively gave them the finger by having his agent negotiate (illegally) with the Eagles and get him a contract there.

The Niners filed a grievance, and would have surely won, but a settlement was reached and TO was able to go to the Eagles.

The Niners didn't turn their backs on TO, he wanted out and fumbled and bumbled his way out of town.

And the Niners never made it past the second round of the playoffs with TO, the Eagles actually made it to the Super Bowl and TO played well, though they lost. He had a better chance to win a SB in Philly, obviously.

[HairOnFire]

Honestly, I couldn't care less about Owens bringing his playbook onto the practice field.

What impresses me is his willingness to run drag routes over the middle and block his ass off in the running game.....two things his mouthy sidekick can't be bothered with.

[Stripes]

Frankly I'd be pretty surprised if anyone in this offense was more productive in the receiving game than Owens at season's end, barring an injury.

[HairOnFire]

Question: Does Chad produce more or less yardage this season playing in a more balanced passing attack?

[bwillycuse]

Question: Does Chad produce more or less yardage this season playing in a more balanced passing attack?

Its a hard question.

I think he does better than last year, but not 1400 yards. I predict 1100 or so. He will have less targets.

But I am avoiding all Bengals WR for my FFL teams just because of the multitude of weapons they have.

I will be targeting Palmer and Benson though.

I suspect there will be some WIDE OPEN receivers this year. As long as the line can give some time Carson shouldnt have to squeeze too many balls in. I predict he comes close to 70% accuracy and 4000 yards 30-38tds.

TO 8 tds

Ocho 7

Bryant 4

Benson 2

Scott 3

Leonard 4

Gresham 7

caldwell 2

Shipley 4

Thats 41 - Hmmmmm

Im optimistic today - heck lets give Coats a TD.

[Stripes]

Question: Does Chad produce more or less yardage this season playing in a more balanced passing attack?

I expect very similar numbers, mostly because Carson's added throws this year will likely go to other receivers. I think Chad's best opportunity for big yardage will come in the downfield passing game (contrary to popular assumption that Owens is meant solely for that role), but if he can be at all consistent on the trademark sideline timing routes with Palmer he'll probably end up with more yardage. I'm not very confident in that though, especially when he's still likely to attract double coverage. More weapons playing with him or not, Chad responds poorly to doubles and Palmer still throws him the damned ball. Defense coordinators surely have taken notice.

Im optimistic today

I wouldn't call it "optimistic". Your prediction (if not in jest) that Brian Leonard will catch four touchdown passes rather makes me lean towards a word more like "wrong".

[Kazkal]

Question: Does Chad produce more or less yardage this season playing in a more balanced passing attack?

Im optimistic today - heck lets give Coats a TD.

Let's not ! unless he some how beats out Reggie Kelly :|

[bwillycuse]

Question: Does Chad produce more or less yardage this season playing in a more balanced passing attack?

I expect very similar numbers, mostly because Carson's added throws this year will likely go to other receivers. I think Chad's best opportunity for big yardage will come in the downfield passing game (contrary to popular assumption that Owens is meant solely for that role), but if he can be at all consistent on the trademark sideline timing routes with Palmer he'll probably end up with more yardage. I'm not very confident in that though, especially when he's still likely to attract double coverage. More weapons playing with him or not, Chad responds poorly to doubles and Palmer still throws him the damned ball. Defense coordinators surely have taken notice.

Im optimistic today

I wouldn't call it "optimistic". Your prediction (if not in jest) that Brian Leonard will catch four touchdown passes rather makes me lean towards a word more like "wrong".

Yeah, the more I think about it, that one is the least possible. Leonard may get 1 possibly 2. He is mainly a pass catcher out of backfield though.

Maybe only 3-5 for Gresham as well.

[Kazkal]

I think 5-7 for Gresh is fair,Sure he's a rookie but whos gonna cover him? o_O dude screams endzone target.

[whizzo]

you people are raving.

TO - 6

Ocho - 7

Bryant - 4 (if he plays, if not, these go to gresham and shipley)

Benson - 2

Scott - 1

Leonard - 1

Gresham - 4

caldwell - 1

Shipley - 2

Total: 28 TDs. also, about 3800-4000 yards for Palmer along with 12 INT.

[Stripes]

I'll play along. Give Palmer 27 TDs and 13 INTs.

Owens - 9

Chad - 8

Gresham - 4

Shipley - 2

Benson - 1

Scott - 1

Kelly - 1

Caldwell - 1

If Bryant plays 12+ games, give him three and take one each from Owens and Chad raising Palmer's total to 28.

Wild ass guesses, granted. Shrug.

[JoeMama]

Why wouldn't Terrell Owens work in Cincy?

He's a freak athlete who hasn't lost a step, can still make all the cuts, and burns men 10 years younger than him like it was nothing.

Don't look at his last year in Buffalo like it was his fault.

He had former Bengal Ryan Fitzpatrick and damaged goods Trentative Checkwards throwing him the ball.

He had career loser Dick Jauron calling the shots.

And he was still the best, most consistent receiver on the team.

Now he's ass to ass with Ochocinco, Shipley, Caldwell, Jones, etc, underneath. Which means Palmer should be drooling.

[Trevor]

Why wouldn't Terrell Owens work in Cincy?

He's a freak athlete who hasn't lost a step, can still make all the cuts, and burns men 10 years younger than him like it was nothing.

Don't look at his last year in Buffalo like it was his fault.

He had former Bengal Ryan Fitzpatrick and damaged goods Trentative Checkwards throwing him the ball.

He had career loser Dick Jauron calling the shots.

And he was still the best, most consistent receiver on the team.

Now he's ass to ass with Ochocinco, Shipley, Caldwell, Jones, etc, underneath. Which means Palmer should be drooling.

+1! Dude CJ spiller is a freakin beast man,..

[bwillycuse]

I'll play along. Give Palmer 27 TDs and 13 INTs.

Owens - 9

Chad - 8

Gresham - 4

Shipley - 2

Benson - 1

Scott - 1

Kelly - 1

Caldwell - 1

If Bryant plays 12+ games, give him three and take one each from Owens and Chad raising Palmer's total to 28.

Wild ass guesses, granted. Shrug.

I really think this is a high scoring team.

Palmer will average more than 2 tds per game.

Averaging about 24 points per game or higher.

But the schedule could limit this a bit. Cant wait to find out.

Oh and I got Palmer for my FFL - si I would like at least 30 tds please.

[JoeMama]

Why wouldn't Terrell Owens work in Cincy?

He's a freak athlete who hasn't lost a step, can still make all the cuts, and burns men 10 years younger than him like it was nothing.

Don't look at his last year in Buffalo like it was his fault.

He had former Bengal Ryan Fitzpatrick and damaged goods Trentative Checkwards throwing him the ball.

He had career loser Dick Jauron calling the shots.

And he was still the best, most consistent receiver on the team.

Now he's ass to ass with Ochocinco, Shipley, Caldwell, Jones, etc, underneath. Which means Palmer should be drooling.

+1! Dude CJ spiller is a freakin beast man,..

CJ Spiller has been scary good this preseason.

I feel like he can be an every down back even though that wasn't his rep coming into the bigs.

I wouldn't be surprised if he vaults into the 2nd round of some fantasy drafts after Saturday's showing.