Washington, other receivers could take Henry's job

[oldschooler]

Washington, other receivers could take Henry's job

By Chick Ludwig

Dayton Daily News

The competition for the Cincinnati Bengals' No. 3 wide receiver spot is about to heat up because of Chris Henry's uncertain future with the team.

Henry faces a fine and suspension from the league for two arrests, spoiling a promising rookie season in which he emerged as a big playmaker and solid complement to Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

Kelley Washington has the best chance to win the job because of his size and experience. But he'll get pushed by Kevin Walter, Tab Perry, Jamall Broussard and P.K. Sam. All are young, developing players with plenty of upside.

As good as Henry is, he's an immature, undisciplined and selfish player who can't be trusted. Instead of being an asset to the squad, Henry is a liability and embarrassment because of his off-the-field behavior. Bottom line: There's enough depth and talent on the roster to win without him.

Something to prove

This is a make-or-break season for Washington. The fourth-year veteran has a ton of talent but has yet to reach his potential.

A big, smooth and fluid athlete with deceptive speed, Washington has shown flashes of brilliance. But he's too inconsistent.

He's a long strider who can get vertical quickly, and shows excellent agility and body control. But his route-running needs work. The same goes for his hands. Once disinterested in blocking, he's become tougher and is no longer a soft spot in the run game.

Washington's best attribute is his size (6-foot-3, 216 pounds). He has the ability to shield off defenders and get in proper position to make catches.

Up and coming

Look for cornerback Patrick Body to push for more playing time after gaining valuable experience in kick coverage on special teams as a rookie.

He'll get an opportunity to replace starting right corner Tory James, whose best days are behind him. The two are the exact same size (6-2, 192). Like James, Body has the ability to press receivers at the line of scrimmage and re-route them with his long arms.

Body isn't as fluid as James getting in and out of his cuts. But Body is faster than the 11-year veteran, who has lost a step.

Quick hitters

• The club needs to re-sign bookends Levi Jones and Willie Anderson because offensive tackle is such a premium position. Both are athletic players who do a good job in pass protection and run blocking. Neither will be easily replaceable if they bolt via free agency after the 2006 season.

• Obtaining a massive defensive tackle is needed to keep blockers off middle linebacker Odell Thurman, giving him more freedom to make plays.

• ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli said the Bengals can forget about pulling off a trade with Atlanta for quarterback Matt Schaub.

"Matt Schaub is not for sale," Pasquarelli said.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Sounds like he doesn't realize that both Washington and Walter are free agents.

[turningpoint]

Sounds like he doesn't realize that both Washington and Walter are free agents.

yeah but they are RFA's.

[derekshank]

Washington, other receivers could take Henry's job

By Chick Ludwig

Dayton Daily News

Up and coming

Look for cornerback Patrick Body to push for more playing time after gaining valuable experience in kick coverage on special teams as a rookie.

He'll get an opportunity to replace starting right corner Tory James, whose best days are behind him. The two are the exact same size (6-2, 192). Like James, Body has the ability to press receivers at the line of scrimmage and re-route them with his long arms.

Body isn't as fluid as James getting in and out of his cuts. But Body is faster than the 11-year veteran, who has lost a step.

Really? We are seriously talking about replacing Tory James with a guy who was on the practice squad most of the season? hmm...

[Stripes]

Really? We are seriously talking about replacing Tory James with a guy who was on the practice squad most of the season? hmm...

I'm certain that sort of talk will diminish with the return of Madieu Williams... Everyone knows what impact he had on the pass defense before getting hurt.

[schweinhart]

It's interesting that K-Dub caught the same number of balls (31) in 2004 as Henry did in 2005. Henry had more yards (422) than K-Dub (378) and more TDs (6-2), but K-Dub had Kitna and not Palmer throwing to him.

Could K-Dub be the 3rd WR? No question, but the most noticeable drop off between the two is in separation from the defender. K-Dub has to use his body to sheld the defender more because he just doesn't get as open off his cuts as Henry does. How the Bengals figure K-Dub into their future plans should be evident in the RFA tender they offer him. The minimum tender and he's as good as gone. The middle tender and he's a Bengal because no team will cough up a 1st rounder for him.

As for Patrick Body...the most interesting thing about Chick's blurb is that there's no mention of Keiwan as James' replacement. Chick does say only that Body will get an opportunity to start ahead of James, but it sure sounds like Chick ain't banking on Keiwan to be the man. CB or a safety who's played corner and has man cover skills should be a high priority for the Bengals in the draft.

[derekshank]

As for Patrick Body...the most interesting thing about Chick's blurb is that there's no mention of Keiwan as James' replacement. Chick does say only that Body will get an opportunity to start ahead of James, but it sure sounds like Chick ain't banking on Keiwan to be the man. CB or a safety who's played corner and has man cover skills should be a high priority for the Bengals in the draft.

Agreed Schweinhart... but they will only make a Safety/CB a priority after they waste their 1st pick on that WR you've been pimping the last couple weeks, right?

[schweinhart]

As for Patrick Body...the most interesting thing about Chick's blurb is that there's no mention of Keiwan as James' replacement. Chick does say only that Body will get an opportunity to start ahead of James, but it sure sounds like Chick ain't banking on Keiwan to be the man. CB or a safety who's played corner and has man cover skills should be a high priority for the Bengals in the draft.

Agreed Schweinhart... but they will only make a Safety/CB a priority after they waste their 1st pick on that WR you've been pimping the last couple weeks, right?

No, they can get what they need at CB in the 2nd with DeMario Minter, who would start immediately, plus they can get the safety they need in the 3rd with the comp pick from K-Dub and the pass rushing DE threat they need with their other 3rd pick in Stanley McClover.

How's that?

Plus Demetrius Williams still has a ways to go to solidify his 1st round caliber. A trade down for another 3rd rounder or a player and a 4th like the Deltha O'Neal trade would give the Bengals even more opportunity to upgrade a defense that should be easy enough to do. The main thing with Williams is that the Bengals need to keep their greatest strength as strong as they can and of the mediocre WR crop this year, Williams has already separated himself as the best vertical threat with the best hands and route running abilities. If Chad or Housh are injured for any length of time, what would you like the Bengals to do? Make Do?

Not me. Be ready and Win Now.

[Spain]

Marvin said that he was not going for a FA corner first of all. So whats all this dogging Tory. He has lost a step but he still is better than an unproven rookie. Coming off the practise sqaud. The real ? is this a negotiating ploy? Maybe they want Tory to take a pay cut.

[kingwilly]

I find it interesting that Ludwig indicates Body as the one with the opportunity to ursurp Tory, not Brooks, Bauman, or Ratliff.

Body has the tools (size, speed, tackling) so how he develops with the help of Tory is the storyline. Tory has clearly lost a step and never was a strong tackler. He is a rangy playmaker who is on the slow, steady downside of a decent career.

I think a CB on the first day is very possible.

[andybren]

I don't think Ludwig is really suggesting that Body is the leading candidate to replace Tory. Maybe I'm splitting hairs, but I read that blurb as a beat writer touting an up-and-comer he likes and, by the way, CB is a soft spot because the current starter has lost a step.

Sort of like saying, "Stacy Andrews is coming along. And I've noticed that Willie Anderson is starting to look his age."

I think I'd prefer a 3rd round pick over KWash, but I don't think anybody is going to put up 1.4 mill for a guy who didn't suit up half of the schedule last season.