Owens to play strictly Wide w/ Bryant going into the slot....

[BlazerBenner]

From Rotoworld via Yahoo Sports w/ Rotoworld comments:

A member of the Bengals' staff detailed to Yahoo's Jason Cole the team's plans for Terrell Owens in Cincinnati.

Owens will play strictly out wide, with Antonio Bryant entering in the slot for three-wideout formations. "He doesn’t get away from bump coverage very well and he doesn’t run the middle anymore, but you can see that he can still get vertical," said the coach of Owens. "Last year, whenever teams doubled Chad (Ochocinco) or rolled the safety his way, we couldn’t beat the man coverage on the other side. T.O. can do that." The Football Scientist K.C. Joyner will love this signing. Unlike Laveranues Coles, Owens can still consistently beat single teams when the corner isn't Darrelle Revis.


Thought this deserved it's own thread as it's a completely different discussion.

[BlazerBenner]

I like it for a couple of reasons and dislike it for one reason.

I dislike it because it takes away T.O.'s physical advantage he has over Linebackers.

I love it because it removes him from most 3rd-down considerations, where his lack of focus and worst-in-the-NFL drop percentages on catchable passes prevents him from killing Offensive Drives down the field.

I also love it because of the three, Owens, Chad, and Bryant, Bryant has the most reliable hands, and is the best at catching passes thrown to him right now in these three players' careers.

This will put the player Palmer needs the most on 3rd Downs closest to him with more routes available that can complete 3rd Down passes.

[BlazerBenner]

If we aren't in a 3-Wide Receiver set on 3rd down and there's 3-1/2 yards or more, I don't like our chances, though. Both Chad and Owens drop too many....that's a lot of rushing yards to get by Benson on 3rd Down, and it will take a while for Palmer to find a Tight End that he can work with comfortably on this type of completion.

Hopefully, T.O. and Chad turn 1st and 2nd Down passes into huge gains, and we avoid this scenario.

Maybe Carson can scramble?

[BlazerBenner]

From Rotoworld via bengals.com w/ Rotoworld comments:

Chad Ochocinco said Wednesday that he is willing to defer the Bengals' "No. 1 receiver" designation to new teammate Terrell Owens.

Ocho remains the better bet for catches and yards, but unlike last year with Laveranues Coles opposite him, No. 85 probably won't be Carson Palmer's first read on the overwhelming majority of passing plays. For what it's worth, Bodog.com has set T.O.'s statistical over-under at 65.5 catches for 900 yards and seven touchdowns. Ochocinco's numbers will likely take a hit.

[BlazerBenner]

Another really cool scenario, is that if Bryant's knee is healthy, as Marvin Lewis stated today that it is, then Bryant could run a deep route up the middle leaving one-on-one coverage for both Owens and Chad on the same play, while allowing just 6 in the box on whoever is at tailback.

[TD Bengals]

If we aren't in a 3-Wide Receiver set on 3rd down and there's 3-1/2 yards or more, I don't like our chances, though. Both Chad and Owens drop too many....that's a lot of rushing yards to get by Benson on 3rd Down, and it will take a while for Palmer to find a Tight End that he can work with comfortably on this type of completion.

So put in Chad, Bryant, Shipley, and Gresham, and Leonard at FB. I like our odds in that scenario. Granted, Gresham and Shipley haven't even put on the pads yet.

Maybe Carson can scramble?

I'd prefer he didn't unless there is enough room to drive a truck through.

[BlazerBenner]

From Rotoworld w/ Rotoworld comments:

Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski singled out Jordan Shipley as someone he's been pleased with.

Shipley got a little punch in the stomach when Terrell Owens signed yesterday, but exact roles remain unclear. It's possible that Owens will start out wide, leaving Antonio Bryant as a situational deep threat. That would allow Shipley and Andre Caldwell to continue their battle for the slot job.

[ralphmtsu]

T.O. can't go over the middle any more? B.S.! While T.O. may not play slot (never even considered the notion), He can still run slants and other "in the middle" type routes from the outside. Personally, I considered Chad and T.O. as the outside guys. Bryant would be the back up to both. I felt and still do that Shipley and Caldwell will be our slot guys. As for the future, Caldwell is going to have to be an outide guy at some point. I just don't see Shipley ever being a pure outside guy.

[TheBurn]

Another really cool scenario, is that if Bryant's knee is healthy, as Marvin Lewis stated today that it is, then Bryant could run a deep route up the middle leaving one-on-one coverage for both Owens and Chad on the same play, while allowing just 6 in the box on whoever is at tailback.

Well done Sir...

[BlazerBenner]

Marshall Faulk's take on who plays where....

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-traini...odule=HP_video

[#1 italian fan]

This year we will can find out really how good (or bad) is brat calling plays...

[icehole3]

Marshall Faulk's take on who plays where....

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-traini...odule=HP_video

dang, never seen Marshal this excited about the Bengals, he's one the worst Bengal haters out there

[BlazerBenner]

Chad and Carson pumping up the fans (with Michael Irvin analysis):

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-traini...als-contenders

[yang]

As a Bengal fan, you have to love the possibilities. Throw in Gresham or swing Bernard Scott out of the backfield and it's weapons galore. Benson has to love this.

[LimaBengal]

From Rotoworld via Yahoo Sports w/ Rotoworld comments:

A member of the Bengals' staff detailed to Yahoo's Jason Cole the team's plans for Terrell Owens in Cincinnati.

Owens will play strictly out wide, with Antonio Bryant entering in the slot for three-wideout formations. "He doesn’t get away from bump coverage very well and he doesn’t run the middle anymore, but you can see that he can still get vertical," said the coach of Owens. "Last year, whenever teams doubled Chad (Ochocinco) or rolled the safety his way, we couldn’t beat the man coverage on the other side. T.O. can do that." The Football Scientist K.C. Joyner will love this signing. Unlike Laveranues Coles, Owens can still consistently beat single teams when the corner isn't Darrelle Revis.


Thought this deserved it's own thread as it's a completely different discussion.

I would think that the guy getting paid $28 million dollars and is still is in his 20's would get most of the playing time.

I would like to see the 36 year old Owens become the Bengals Red Zone specialist. That is where thet have been the weakest.

If grandpa Owens could get 40 balls for 10 TDs, I'd be thrilled.

Bryant has to be able to get 70 balls, or we're in trouble once again.

[BlazerBenner]

Posted: July 28th, 2010 | Brian Baldinger |

If history is any indication, Terrell Owens in the Bengals offense makes a lot of sense.

As recently as the 2007 season, the Bengals had their most success under offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski using a three-receiver attack. The trio of Chad Ochocinco, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chris Henry were nearly impossible to defend. Watching the tape, Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau was completely flummoxed on some Sundays on how to defend them. Teams simply couldn’t double-team everyone, and the ball usually went to the receiver who faced single coverage.

The Bengals haven’t had that luxury the last two seasons, but they will with Owens. Cedric Benson has the ability to pound the ball into the belly of defenses behind what I believe is an improved offensive line. It’s the offensive line, which is much better now than in 2007, that could make the spread even more affective.

I believe Ochocinco and Owens will operate mainly on the outside, with Antonio Bryant in the slot. The Bengals are now one of the few teams in the league that can go into a spread formation and present a formidable trio of receivers that will pose problems for defenses.

This can work, and work well.

Are there enough footballs to go around? That’s my biggest question.

Divas don’t win championships, teams do. If the Bengals think team-first, they can go far. T.O. should be smiling, and Bengals fans will learn to love him. Forget the popcorn. It’s time to forget about selfishness and think about rings. It’s the one thing missing from their resumes.

– Brian Baldinger

[Le Tigre]

Looks as though Bryant won't be playing anywhere...missed his 4th straight practice, going on 5th. Knee isn't holding up. Bone-on-bone. Have heard the phrase "injury settlement" come into play. IR a possibility if not. PUP at the minimum.

Already being called the worst FA signing of 2010.

[Sea Ray]

Looks as though Bryant won't be playing anywhere...missed his 4th straight practice, going on 5th. Knee isn't holding up. Bone-on-bone. Have heard the phrase "injury settlement" come into play. IR a possibility if not. PUP at the minimum.

Already being called the worst FA signing of 2010.

You don't know what you're talking about. PUP is not a possibility because he's already practiced. Once a guy practiced for one session he's no longer eligible for PUP. I don't like this whole knee scenario either but I don't know where you're getting your information. Your PUP comment makers the rest of your report "suspect".

[Le Tigre]

Here's a few, since you asked:

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/arti...#ixzz0vB5FHNCq

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...amp/?related=1

And yeah...you are right: soP didn't put him on active PUP like he did Andre. So yes he can't put him on inactive PUP now. Congratulations. Take a bow.

So do you want to take the issue on now with a scalpel instead of an axe? What's the bottom line here: did I call this guy an expensive injured bum in the very beginning (like March)...or is now everything "suspect" due to a misread on PUP (and a 4th string comment at that)?

Let's hear it.

[CinciFan]

From Bengals.com today:

Wide receiver Antonio Bryant (knee) missed his fifth straight practice, but did surface wearing No. 19. There was some hope he could return next week.

Emphasis added by me.

OUCH.