So five games into the season and the Bengals are starting to look more and more like a playoff contender. But if this team is going to ever come alive on offense and develop some consistency in the passing game our big-time free agent signing needs to show up.
On the season Laveranues Coles, the Bengals supposed second receiver, has ten receptions for 78 yards and one TD. And remember the his much anticipated and very flaccid debut? He had more drops than a waterfall and is now averaging a mind-blowing 19.5 yards per game.
It's pretty clear that Carson has developed a better rapport with Andre Caldwell and the benching of Coles for Chris Henry suggests the coaching staff's patience for Coles' slump has run out. Operating from the slot, Caldwell has more than doubled Coles' output with 181 yards and two TDs. And if that wasn't enough, Chris Henry has 170 yards and a TD.
The $28 million contract he signed will ensure he gets a good share of snaps but it hasn't been Coles making the reliable catches we had grown accustomed to with TJ. Instead it has been Chad and Andre Caldwell.
If this team is going to move the ball with consistency and score more often in the Redzone it is going to need three things.
1. More Caldwell/Less Coles
2. A long snapper than can live up to the job title
3. Steadier hands from the tight end position
The solution has already come into play for number one. Number two can be solved with a couple tryouts, a cup of coffee and a meager league minimum $600,000. And number three could be solved by allowing Chase Coffman to play, or...(gasp) a trade.
That's right I said it. A trade. Tight end is clearly a big need on this team and the trade deadline is a week from today. After an offseason of making moves is it possible the Brown family will commit to a playoff run by securing a legitimate starting tight end?
The Raiders are apparently shopping their personnel and Zach Miller would make this offense extremely dangerous.
Even more plausible would be a very low pick for Alge Crumpler of the Titans. He's old but a massive blocker that still presents more of a receiving threat than Daniel Coats.
Will they swing a trade? Not likely. But if this franchise is finally serious about winning a championship then they should make move while they can to fill a glaring need. Instead they've sat idly since they lost Reggie Kelly in camp.
Still, it feels nice to be on top of the AFC North.
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1 comments:
One can only hope that the development of Chase Coffman is going according to plan....he needs to contribute sometime this season.
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