Andy Lyons - Getty Images
5 months ago: CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 01: Jermaine Gresham #84 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball and tries to avoid the defensive pressure of Dannell Ellerbe #59 of the Baltimore Ravens during the NFL game at Paul Brown Stadium on January 1, 2012 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
First we debated who should be awarded rookie of the year between Cincinnati's two rookies in Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. Now we're going to reflect on Jay Gruden's comments about Jermaine Gresham where the offensive coordinator said:
"He's just got to continue studying, learn and rep, rep, rep, rep and rep. He's just got to mentally get into it and see the looks. He's very raw. He's never done this type of thing before where option routes, reading the safeties, two deep, three deep or whatever it might be. The more he sees the better he's going to be and once he gets it, he will be a dominate force."
Jay Gruden said on Monday that Jermaine Gresham could be a dominant force once he gets it. What's your reaction to that?
Jason: My reaction is this: who the hell was supposed to be making him get it before Gruden came to Cincinnati? Gresham has the athletic ability to be one of the best tight ends in the league and since he's been here, he's really just been used as a quarterback bailout. Near the end of the season I saw that he was being used to stretch the field and if they would do that more often, I think he could be a pro bowl tight end. Hopefully Gruden can make that happen.
Josh: Playing in Oklahoma's system must have hurt his development more than we thought, turning from a receiver/tight end hybrid to a pure tight end that's forced to read coverages and understand what defense are trying to do. But consider this. He played one season under Bob Bratkowski, who was fired. Then there was no offseason with the NFL lockout and like many others who had to integrate themselves into an entirely new offense with new terminology, Gresham had to learn on the fly while developing into an NFL tight end.
Jason: That's true. Hopefully he's a fast learner because I have the feeling that teams are going to assign like 40 defenders to cover Green so Dalton's going to need somebody else to throw to.
Josh: Especially true with the a big offseason question about having a second receiver. Who is that going to be and if it's Jerome Simpson, will he for the love of god catch one football against the Pittsburgh Steelers?! We can all agree that Gresham is talented enough to be that de facto No. 2 receiver -- many tight ends are.
Jason: If Simpson is still on the team in 2012, Gresham better be Dalton's No. 2 receiver. Hopefully the Bengals find a new No. 2 though.
Josh: Still I think Gruden's point is valid, afterall he's the coach and sees him every day. With a full offseason under Gruden's tutelage and some work with Andy Dalton, Gresham could make a tremendous leap in 2012. He has the potential to be discussed amongst the likes of Jimmy Graham, Jason Whiten and New England's tight ends, to name a few. It's kind of exciting and Gruden staying could be one of the top stories already this offseason.
Jason: Yes it is. Gruden staying in Cincinnati isn't just important for Gresham's progression, but continuity will be important for Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. If they switched offensive coordinators after Dalton's rookie season, things might have taken a turn for the worst.
Josh: Definitely stalled development. Having an offseason with Gruden, Dalton, Green will go a long way. And really it's best for Gruden, to continue building his resume and waiting for a great opportunity rather than the first.
Jason: Couldn't have said it better myself.
0 recs | 16 comments
Gronkowski
The Bengals need to be using Gresham like the Patriots use Gronkowski. Gresham is just as athletic and has better hands.
Lawrence Tyler Larson - January 12, 2012
we need to use
Coffman like hernandez then…
i strongly believe gruden will get his 4 TE’s on the roster next year and one of them better be coffman.
Bengalsfan024 - January 12, 2012
You cant compare Gresham with Gronkowski because in New England
he has the best QB to ever play the game in Brady. He has another TE in Hernandez. who is just as dangerous. The Patriots offensive line is way better than ours and more important you have Wes Welker. Gronkowski always has a slow LB on him because of all these factors. If Cincinatti brings in some weapons and fixes our putrid OG position you will see Gresham put up pro bowl numbers.
Coffman will never be a starting TE in the NFL and to “use” him like Hernandez is comical. Coffman is slow and cant block. If the Bengals were using Colin Cohart over Coffman that should tell you everything you need to know.
lightskin350 - January 12, 2012
I don't know the physical stats but my impression is that Gronk is kind of a throwback TE
like Casper or Ditka. Strong solidly built and physical. The break good sound tackles and get the extra yard. Gresham seems to me to be more of a finess TE, big but more likw a combination WR/TE. He makes great catches but doesn’t seem to get the tough yards after the catch. I am pretty sure he is faster than Gronk but Gronk will hit you while Gresham runs more to make you miss. I am not saying either style is better – just different. Gronk is a tank while Gresham is an APC.
JUNGLEJOHN - January 12, 2012
idk man..
Gresham is a bulldozer in my eyes.
Cry - January 12, 2012
He bulldozed quite a bit
when he got the ball
Oregonbengalsfan - January 12, 2012
That has been my perception, maybe I am wrong. It won't be the first time - today.
JUNGLEJOHN - January 13, 2012
It's the source of his fumbleitis.
Fighting too hard.
Cry - January 13, 2012
I think we see a leap this year
Gresham was a glorified blocker in Bratkowski’s scheme and in Gruden’s, he was asked to read coverages with no offseason to develop the skill. I really think he’ll have a break out year in 2012.
Mexal - January 12, 2012
Leap this year as in a Jerome Simpson leap into the endzone?
DTFCPDX - January 12, 2012
Its becoming obvious that we are becoming a pass first team
In that case whats most important is Dalton’s progression into an elite Qb…..On every play the Qb has options…..once teams pick up on this it turns the heat up on him…..My biggest hope is that Dalton doesn’t have a soph slump….knowing that he will be judged by how he performs against Pitt and Balt
stripes earner - January 12, 2012 via mobile
To do that, Dalton has to use his other weapons, not just lock in on AJ all the time.
DTFCPDX - January 12, 2012
Remember gresham rookie year
was 1/2 FB 1/4 blocking and 1/4 waiting for palmer to stop throwing to TO and Chad
Bengalsfan024 - January 12, 2012
Might not be all Gresham's fault...
I think Gresham’s lack of production has more to do with our lack of receivers than his lack of talent. In my opinion, we’re trying to use Gresham as more of a band-aid to cover up our lack of talent on the outside (minus, of course, A.J. Green.)
If there is one thing that I hated to see during the Houston game – Jermaine Gresham lined up on outside when we weren’t in the Red Zone. I understand if we’re inside the 20 and you want to force a mismatch with a smaller cornerback- but I don’t think it’s effective any other time.
In my opinion, Gresham needs to be inside and used as a traditional TE (running outs and seams up the middle.) This would allow him to match up more against linebackers – which he would have the advantage.
I just don’t think he’s being used properly – he’s good, but he’s NOT a WR that we’re trying to make him.
DiddyGotGrillz - January 12, 2012
how about in the slot running a post or a seam route between the safety and LB's
Touhue Cha - January 12, 2012
How about 2 TE 2 WR sets
were both TE’s are receiving threats
Bengalsfan024 - January 12, 2012
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