Looking at where the veteran WR can make an impact. Matt Bowen
Now that wide receiver Terrell Owens has a new home in Cincinnati, let’s really look at what he brings to the table for the Bengals. Forget contracts or forecasted drama—let’s talk football today.
The Bengals will find a way to get Owens in matchups that he can win. No other reason to bring him in at this point of the summer. They see him as a player that can add value to their roster and their offensive game plan.
ICONT.O. isn't a No.1 in Cincy, but he will still have a role in the Bengals' offense.
The Bengals and QB Carson Palmer want to avoid the constant eight-man fronts and combo coverages they saw on Ochocinco in 2010. That was the idea behind drafting TE Jermaine Gresham and adding WR Antonio Bryant, but with T.O. now in the mix; let’s see where he fits as a WR who aligns outside of the numbers.
Owens isn’t going to give the Bengals a 100-reception season—and he isn’t going to stretch the field as much as we think—but he still has value when we discuss what he can do.
The NFP’s Randy Cross mentioned Owens doing the “dirty work” in Cincinnati. What Randy is talking about is the 3-step passing game. Think of the slant, the hitch, the smash, etc. When the Bengals come out in a 3x1 set to the field, expect Owens to align as the “X” receiver (split end) and run the slant. Big body, big hands. Tough for a CB to make a play. In the red zone that translates to the one-step slant and fade. Something the Bengals wanted out of Laveranues Coles, but didn't get in the '09 season.
Basic routes we are talking right now, but still something you need in the playbook to move the ball—especially against pressure defenses that force the QB to make a decision. Something Cincy will see from Pittsburgh and Baltimore.
He can also run the intermediate passing game—the deep 15-yard dig, the comeback, the deep curl—and move the sticks. That is a big role on any offense. Not “No.1” work, but still a role. Plus, Cincy will get creative. With Gresham and possibly Jordan Shipley (a player who could be as a nice option inside of the numbers) on the field, they will align in the bunch and stack sets to get T.O. some clean releases off of the line of scrimmage or use some pre-snap motion to allow him to avoid the jam.
The big play? Owens will get some opportunities in the vertical game, and I would throw at least one per half, but his value to this offense is elsewhere at this point of his career. He is a No.2 or No.3 guy. His role will change, but the idea here is simple for the Bengals: put players on the field that cause issues from a preparation standpoint when we talk about defensive game plans.
Give Palmer options and continue to run the ball—that still sells for a Bengals team that is high on my list.
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Gone are the games of Ced Ben right and left for 4 quarters. Agree that T.O. isn't the same guy we saw in Dallas, but he still will make this team more dangerous.
The Bengals will have a legit way to spread the fiield since 2005/6. What they also have is the solid running game from last year. Force the teams to cover the run and wait for mismatches to develop down the field. All you need is one guy to fall down trying to cover 85, TO or Bryant and get major yardage.
The Bengals will have a legit way to spread the fiield since 2005/6. What they also have is the solid running game from last year. Force the teams to cover the run and wait for mismatches to develop down the field. All you need is one guy to fall down trying to cover 85, TO or Bryant and get major yardage.
Seems like most everyone overlooks Antonio Bryant. He's an explosive receiver who can still consistently get deep & make big plays. Who lines up in the slot on 3 WR sets? Ocho, TO, & Bryant (TO & Bryant are a tie) are their 3 best WR's. TO will command attention but Bryant will just as much, if not more because of that consistent big play ability he still possesses.
If I were a Cinci fan I'd like to see all 3 on the field at the same time. Those are 3 weapons that will be hard to cover.....these 3 on the field = advantage Bengals on the WR-CB match-ups. And if that TE can emerge, man watch out. Oh & I'd love to see the Carson of ole' come back. I've always been a fan & it's good for the fans & the league to have him back in the fold as a top franchise QB.
Uh, I think this is better than an "average" group of WRs.
Is everyone certain that Palmer's elbow is truly back to 100%? His numbers from last year aren't bad, but every time I watched him play he still did not look like the same elite player. He just didn't appear comfortable and missed a lot of easy throws, occasionally throwing lawn darts like McNabb. A lot of injuries take more than a year to heal and the player will never admit it. But if that wasn't the reason, I'd be a little nervous going into this season as a Bengals fan.
I like the way things are shaping up in Cincy. This was a joke franchise for years. As Urlacher said in the commercial, "Who's laughing now?"
They avoided paying up for huge FA contracts. They stuck with one coach. They picked up other teams' castoffs opportunistically. Can we actually be saying the Bengals are a model franchise? At least for a small market team?
Matt, now the obvious column for you is to map out the way you would defense the Cincy offense. Would you go nickle against their 3-1-1 set and open the door to their run game? Would you dare play Cover 3? Do you sit back in Cover 2 and hope you can stop the run?
That's awesome!
Now Eric Wright can shut TO down 2 times/yr when the Browns play the Bengals.
Just like he did when TO was at BUF and DAL!
Your talking about these Wideout's like their as good as the 2010 Bears (he says tongue firmly planted in cheek!)....
If is wasn't for the rumors that Bryant's knee is not where is should be. I dont think Mikey makes the move. But, i like the mismatches that TO creates.
Billy, last year when everyone was saying Carson's arm was dust I watched him literally bounce balls off of defenders chests he threw them so hard.
Last year the receivers just couldn't make the right breaks, but this year is a whole different kettle of fish. They'll have 6 or maybe 7 WRs that WILL be open and probably two TEs who can do the same and then Ced and his war horse charging up the middle.
If I were a defensive coordinator I would really dread Bengals day this year and I'm sure many already are.
look back to when the Bengals were one of the most explosive teams in the league........in 2005-06. The one thing that Carson Palmer had was options. Palmer had Chad, TJ and Chris Henry (rip) plus Chris Perry was catching the ball out the backfield. This team one 10 games last year by running the ball and depending on their defense to beat you up. Cincy swept the division but injuries cut their season short.
Cincinatti added depth and filled holes. This team is going to shock the NFL if they can stay somewhat healthy.
Would love to see TO have a good season in Cincy but still believe that he is washed up and should retire. I like the route selection for him that you mention. If he's the best they have at the start of the season for a third option, I hope someone else comes on during the season so they don't need him next year.
What Bowens alluding to is that T.O. will basically be the "slot" receiver - a John Taylor type for slants - ok, can buy into that somewhat, they have to play the game though, and am not sure at this point that chad johnson, antonio bryant & T.O. are anything more than names at this point in their careers, they may still be productive; however, very much doubt you'll see all three on the field at the same time - why, because the two rookies Shipley & Gresham are higher value assets IMO today than these three in the game at the same time...Shipley could very much be a Stokley or Gonzalez type that Mannings loved, and Gresham is a toy Palmers never had...lastly a comment from Bates40:
"Is everyone certain that Palmer's elbow is truly back to 100%? His numbers from last year aren't bad, but every time I watched him play he still did not look like the same elite player"
amen bros - saw the same thing last year, way too many high & wides or just wtf throws, may have been more indicative of his confidence & trust in his receivers than where he is as a QB now in the NFL, this year the rubber meets the road and we'll see if Palmer's still an "elite QB" in the NFL - he reminds me of Chandler on the deep throw, just a beautiful and accurate ball - yet all QB's at some point just don't have it anymore (speaking of which what is going on in Cleveland to trust Delhomme at this point w/the keys)...and not certain that Palmers going to be able to produce at a level necessary to keep these two divas in particular (chad & T.O.) from being - well shall we say it - biiyaaaatches!!!
Hey boris,
The Bengals won't need to pass against the Browns. They'll just go back to running Benson to the left and to the right and will be able to rest the receivers.
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Jul 28, 2010
07:47 AM
I am a Lions fan but I have to give credit to the Bengals, they have decisively addressed their 2009 weakness at the receiving positions. I am not a big fan of Chad, Owens or Bryant but they are at least an average group of receivers for Palmer to throw to. The two rookies at TE and slot could really upgrade this unit. Bengal fans should be optimistic that they can carry over their good play from 2009 into this year.