Warrick

[shworge]

I would like to hear all your opinions on Warrick's importance to this team. Obviously he's not our #1 receiver but I think he complements CJ so well and will be extremely important on third down to keep the chains moving (as he proved last year). I think if he's not a 100% this year it will be a major blow.

Converting third downs on this team is more important than ever because we need to be a ball control team so our defense stays off the field.

[HoosierCat]

I'm of two minds about Warrick. On the one hand, he is a terrific slot/posession guy. That position tends to get run down in importance in some circles, but it doesn't take long for a guy like a Warrick or a Wayne Chrebet -- who can go over the middle, catch the ball, and take a massive hit, then get up and do it again -- to show their value. Warrick proved his worth last year and I think it would hurt the team if his knee didn't permit him to come back.

On the other hand...Warrick doesn't like the slot and has complained that he's basically a TE. And we have a plethora of pass-catching TEs, plus a rookie RB who's supposed to have great hands. While replacing Warrick in the slot role might not be easy, I also think we would be able to put another set of hands out there for Carson to throw to pretty quickly.

For my part, I'm not too worried about PW. I'd love to have him back, but I don't think it's fatal if he doesn't. It would suck, tho.

[wookie]

Agreed, Cincy needs to keep the offense on the field and the D off if they aren't going to step up.

Warrick is very important to the team, but I think he's a #3 receiver with Washington being the best choice opposite CJ. Any time they can get all 3 on the field for Palmer to choose from we'll be be in a good position. Warrick is a great slot receiver who can turn it downfield any moment and burn a secondary.

Hard to see if he's going to be able to keep up the level of play he displayed last year since he hasn't been on the field yet, and won't against the Patriots. If he does, D coordinators around the NFL should be worried. :player:

[shworge]

Agreed, Cincy needs to keep the offense on the field and the D off if they aren't going to step up.

Warrick is very important to the team, but I think he's a #3 receiver with Washington being the best choice opposite CJ. Any time they can get all 3 on the field for Palmer to choose from we'll be be in a good position. Warrick is a great slot receiver who can turn it downfield any moment and burn a secondary.

Hard to see if he's going to be able to keep up the level of play he displayed last year since he hasn't been on the field yet, and won't against the Patriots. If he does, D coordinators around the NFL should be worried. :player:

I really like Washington as well. I think he could be a Peerless Price type player. I don't necessarily think he is the perfect compliment to CJ in a 2 WR set because he is more of a downfield threat than a slot/position type receiver. I think he is fantastic in a 3 WR set because he will keep teams from doubling CJ down the field. I wouldn't mind seeing the Bengals utilize a system like Dennis Green's three deep. It was a thing of beauty when they first drafted Randy Moss and had those great three receivers.

[wookie]

I wouldn't mind seeing the Bengals utilize a system like Dennis Green's three deep. It was a thing of beauty when they first drafted Randy Moss and had those great three receivers.

Ah yes, Chris Carter "All he does?? Catch TD's" That would be sweet, but Washington is a good compliment to CJ in the sense that I think he can be a possesion receiver. He has the size and strength to make plays against DB's like Michael Irvin was able to do, and he has the speed to warrant a safety keeping an eye on him and take some of the heat off of CJ.

With Palmer under center teams will be able to see what type of damage these guys can do if you leave one of them in 1 on 1 coverage. Opposing defenses will be less likely to double team CJ constantly after they get burned by Washington and/or Warrick a few times.