I’ve heard all the rumors of WR Terrell Owens coming to Cincinnati and even though it may be true, I’m not a big fan of it. Is T.O. the type of WR that this offense needs to improve its passing game? Yes. He is tall, he can still run, although not as fast as he once was, and he will take coverage away WR Chad Ocho Cinco. In my mind, T.O. is a player you get on a one year deal, just like the Buffalo Bills did last season. So, if the Bengals did sign him, and the terms are in their favor, I can understand why they would do it from a “football” standpoint. But if they sign T.O. or any other aging WR, they are essentially admitting that they missed on their two 2008 draft picks at the WR position, Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell. Last years signing of WR Laveranues Coles was a mistake and it stunted the growth of the Bengals young WRs in 2009. Caldwell made some big catches early on, but didn’t have the year that he should have had. And Simpson was barely active during games. Signing a guy like WR Brandon Marshall would have a whole different meaning. Marshall is one of the top WR’s in football and would be the clear No 1, not a rented player. The Bengals have some options, but not many in the unrestricted free agent market. WR Antonio Bryant is an option in Cincinnati. He is kinda like Chad in that he runs tough routes and can beat a DB one on one. I think Antonio is more of a volatile player than Chad, so that may scare teams away. But on the field, Antonio can still go get it. All of these guys have issues, just depends on which guy the Bengals can handle the best. I still say go for Marshall, he is the best of the group and would be more than a one year player. The Broncos may be willing to deal him for less than a 1st round pick if the Seahawks don’t sign him. So the Bengals need to be patient and not bid against themselves. Teams that “needed” WRs already made moves in that area, Ravens, Lions, and Houston. I personally know that the K.C. Chiefs were looking at one of the WRs that just signed, but will they make a move for T.O.? Also keep in mind that the price for all of these guys will start to come down with each passing day. Teams will see that agents are bluffing when they say that other teams are interested, and players will start to get nervous so they will ask agents to take the deal that’s on the table.
17 Responses to T.O. in Cincy…..hype or real?
Patmo
March 6th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Marshal in a heart beat. Will Mike bite the bullet ?l
JT
March 6th, 2010 at 11:09 pm
If the price comes down. I think u can get him for a 2nd rounder if you wait.
Matt
March 6th, 2010 at 11:42 pm
JT,
you are a little bit more of a Bengals optimist then I am. I think there is no chance the Bengals sign Marshall. They don’t want to meet his contract demands. They will sign TO for 3-4 mil and he will play here for one season.
Ron E
March 7th, 2010 at 3:08 am
I agree you go Marshall or Bryant if you can, but to me, that is admitting you missed on Simpson, but I think that’s pretty obvious now. Caldwell still has a shot and he could improve a lot next year. T.O. is a guy that gives you one more season to give Simpson a shot and/or you still draft a WR high. I guess that doesn’t even matter, I think you draft WR high anyway and that guy takes Simpson’s roster spot. The Bengals have and/or will have a lot of IF guys. They need a solid rookie to be primed to take a starting spot in 2011.
T.O. played well at the start of the season, but I am not sure how much his play dropped off or how much it was the Bills doing poorly. But T.O. concerns me if he can’t play at a high level all season. He also concerns me because him and Chad could make this into a Circus and break down the Team chemistry. Will it be all fun and games or will it be a healthy competition like Joseph and Hall.
I think you take a chance on Marshall, but there has to be concern in the back of your mind. Does he have any respect for the other players and/or the organization. I don’t know that he did in Denver, and we see what Chad gets away with here. The thing with Chad is, you know he works hard, but does Marshall? Carson has been knocked off his status as a top 5 QB, but he’s a lot better than Orton. Hopefully Marshall will think that with his help the Bengals can be one of the best passing offenses in the league like in 2005, and he will have some respect for that.
Ron E
March 7th, 2010 at 3:09 am
Another thing, if you can give up a pick and/or a player, any other WRs that might be available in a trade? What about a guy from the Texans, Saints, or Packers deep WR roster…. Andre Davis, Deverly Henderson, or James Jones?
JT3
March 7th, 2010 at 9:25 am
I agree Marshall is best option (would even give the 1st rounder for him), but two problems, I think Seattle likely to make a move on him (though no QB to throw to him, so he may not like that), 2-I do not think Mike Brown makes that move, it is a shame too because of that, he would be an immediate impact and even think Marshall plus TO or Antonio with Chad, now that would be a corp to scare some defensive coords.
Palmer
Chad
Marshall
TO/Antonio
Coffman (I think he will come around this year, was drafted as a project, who knew we would lose all of our other TE)
Benson
Scott
O-Line
DefCord Nightmare.
Cory
March 7th, 2010 at 9:59 am
If Seattle doesnt get something done with Marshall done today, Bengals need to start thinking about making a move for Marshall. Give up a second rd pick, or even a first if that is what it will take. If Marshall were picked up, WR is less of a need in the draft anyway. Now they are going to spend an early round pick on a WR but if they got Marshall they could wait til the middle rounds. I too worry the organization doesn’t want to pay the big contract Marshall will demand coming up. To me this is a no brainer move that will greatly improve the team.
Ron E
March 7th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Also, do you think the Colts would trade Anthony Gonzalez or one of their other WRs? What would it take to get them?
JT
March 7th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
Colts wont trade him.
JT
March 7th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
Seattle wont give up 6th pick for him.
JT
March 7th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Those guys aren’t difference makers. Henderson is good, but he is in that Saints system. Better off with Caldwell
JT
March 7th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
The Bengals are AFC North Champs…gotta give em credit for that. I’m not giving them too much credit, just think they should make a bold move to get over the top. Will it happen? prob not, but they have to think about it
Ryan Ford
March 7th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
I’m still in disbelief that the Ravens got Boldin for a 3rd and 4th round pick. To me that was a steel!! Marshal is the guy everyone wants. If Mr. Brown can allow Marvin to pull the trigger, that’s the best move by far. But, if not…T.O. in my opinion helps you out instantly. He would bring that deep threat the Bengals need so badly. He might be a pain, but the bottom line is he would help us win games now. He’d give the younger receivers one more year to develop and it looks like they will need at least that. T.O. might not be the best option. But if they won’t get Marshal, T.O. is still a game changer…and that is exactly what they need.
JohnB
March 8th, 2010 at 9:35 am
I do not think Caldwell is a better than average slot receiver. Of course I would like to see Marshall here if that can do it. But there is more than on was to skin a cat.
If they grab TO, draft an OL guy like Iutapi in the first and grab either Shipley of McCluster in the 2nd or maybe 3rd they can look for diamonds in the rough in the other rounds as well as a Safety. Shipley is a definite Welker type and can do wonders in the slot for a pocket passer by getting open, creating angles getting YAC. He reminds me of Leonard in the grit department. He is a football player. McCluster is small but he is very strong and blocks bigger than his size. He has all of Shipley’s advantages and both have great hands and ball security. McCluster can also be a backup RB in case if injury or in special situations. He is the most elusive guy in the draft. Defenses will have to account for either of them. I challenge you to look at film, imagine them in Bengal stripes and not smile. Carson will always have somewhere to go with the ball.
Ron E
March 8th, 2010 at 11:50 am
Caldwell looked promising early, but he needed help to get open. He needed another WR to stretch the field and/or take pressure off of him. That’s not something out of the ordinary for a young WR, and I look forward to seeing what he can do in his 3rd year. That said, the Bengals still need to find that stretch the field guy. Maybe T.O. is that guy, but not long term. I’d love for them to get Marshall, but they may not need a superstar there. I think a promising young WR would work out just fine, like a Nate Washington type player, but I don’t think there are any guys like that out there as a Restricted or Unresticted FA this year. If they don’t get a really good WR, I’d like them to make a splash with a good TE or 2.
Patmo
March 9th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
2nd rd for Marshall ? I’d grab him now and not mess around. You’d make a helluva poker player.
JT
March 9th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
We would both drive to Denver to pick him up