Jabar Gaffney released.....

[Be Weary of Query]

No better way to open up the running attack than have a legitimate threat at the #2 spot opposite Green.

The majority of the learning curve from the first year to the next for a WR is mental. Learning the system, route trees, etc. That's not to say being on the field doesn't help, but it wouldn't be that big of a setback. Especially if we were to sign any vet #2 for 2 years. They could learn behind a vet and slowly take over the position over the course of 2 years instead of throwing them to the wolves right off the bat.

But at the expense of whom? We are already going to have to cut a player (or two) that will be snatched up by one of the other 31 teams.

As it is:

Green
Sanu
Marvin Jones
Shipley
Hawkins
Whalen
Binns
Tate

The most expendable, IMO, is the teams all-time leader in punt returns (51) and was top ten in the AFC in both punt and kick return average.

Another candidate would be Binns.

Six will make the roster with probably only five dressing. If you sign a vet, it should be merely for added camp competition and to cover for any unforeseen contingencies.

 

[cincygrad]

But at the expense of whom? We are already going to have to cut a player (or two) that will be snatched up by one of the other 31 teams.

As it is:

Green
Sanu
Marvin Jones
Shipley
Hawkins
Whalen
Binns
Tate

The most expendable, IMO, is the teams all-time leader in punt returns (51) and was top ten in the AFC in both punt and kick return average.

Another candidate would be Binns.

Six will make the roster with probably only five dressing. If you sign a vet, it should be merely for added camp competition and to cover for any unforeseen contingencies.

Our group of receivers concerns me. We can go on and on about potential, but wasn't this a playoff team last year? I thought the idea was to improve the team. So what if we lose Armon Binns, Brandon Tate or Whalen? Are any of them really that good? Tate has value because of the kicking game, but kick returns are a thing of the past.

 

[Be Weary of Query]

Binns and Tate are the most expendable. I have no qualms with letting them go when/if the situation dictates.

The unmentioned other part of the equation...who is out there to get in the first place? Not a chance in the world that Gaffney was going to come here. So...who do you get?

I guess if a high-priced vet gets cut, maybe you bring him in to compete. Then again, you are going to have teams with way less depth than us (St. Louis) making a more substantial offer for their respective services.

It's hard to say what the rookies can/can't do without running them out there. Ideally, the #2 WR will be the third option in the passing game as it stands.

#1 Green
#2 Gresham
#3 second WR

Sanu has the rep for being able to run routes precisely. Same with Jones. The learning curve for rookies no longer has that growth stunning variable that is a holdout with the new CBA in place. So...barring injury, you have a core with a full complement of offseason work under their belts.

I have confidence (hope?) that Sanu/Jones can handle being targeted five times a game.

 

[flamingrey]

But at the expense of whom? We are already going to have to cut a player (or two) that will be snatched up by one of the other 31 teams.

As it is:

Green
Sanu
Marvin Jones
Shipley
Hawkins
Whalen
Binns
Tate

The most expendable, IMO, is the teams all-time leader in punt returns (51) and was top ten in the AFC in both punt and kick return average.

Another candidate would be Binns.

Six will make the roster with probably only five dressing. If you sign a vet, it should be merely for added camp competition and to cover for any unforeseen contingencies.

Binns, Tate, and Whalen are no-brainers. If you have Gaffney or another similar legitimate #2 receiver, those guys do nothing for me. And as far as I'm concerned, if push came to shove, you could add Hawkins to that list. He made some really nice plays last season, but with Shipley coming back, he won't be seeing as many snaps anyways. Plus, this board overrates his abilities.

For the sake of argument, if that shove became a gun to my head, I would put Jones on the Practice Squad, even though the likelihood of having to do that is slim to none with the cuts listed above.

End of the day, the Bengals really don't have that much talent on the back end of the receiving corps. And definitely not more than many other teams that there'd be any real fear that our loss would be another team's gain. It wouldn't. Furthermore, this idea that the Bengals need 5 receivers with the only thing holding them a roster spot being potential is asinine. Give me 2, and the rest can be gone for all I care.

 

[flamingrey]

The unmentioned other part of the equation...who is out there to get in the first place? Not a chance in the world that Gaffney was going to come here. So...who do you get?

This is a ridiculous argument almost not even worth responding to.

You have no idea what Gaffney would or would not have done. And when it comes to your biggest need, you throw in that extra incentive for him to come to the Bengals over say the Patriots. Money talks.

 

[Be Weary of Query]

Binns, Tate, and Whalen are no-brainers. If you have Gaffney or another similar legitimate #2 receiver, those guys do nothing for me. And as far as I'm concerned, if push came to shove, you could add Hawkins to that list. He made some really nice plays last season, but with Shipley coming back, he won't be seeing as many snaps anyways. Plus, this board overrates his abilities.

For the sake of argument, if that shove became a gun to my head, I would put Jones on the Practice Squad, even though the likelihood of having to do that is slim to none with the cuts listed above.

End of the day, the Bengals really don't have that much talent on the back end of the receiving corps. And definitely not more than many other teams that there'd be any real fear that our loss would be another team's gain. It wouldn't. Furthermore, this idea that the Bengals need 5 receivers with the only thing holding them a roster spot being potential is asinine. Give me 2, and the rest can be gone for all I care.

And I understand all that...

However, there is no one out there (as of this moment) that is going to be able to come in and start. Why usurp what is already in place just because of the perceived "greeness" of anyone not named A.J.?

Again, I'll maintain that Gresham is the #2 in this offense with the second WR looking at 5-10 (the latter number is generous and would not be every week) targets per game. What free agent, one that is worth a shit at least, is going to come here for that?

End of the day, there are too many factors working against bringing in a player from the outside...at least one that can contribute. I stated many times that they needed to get a veteran WR before the Draft. Unless something changes drastically over the next 3 months, I believe that ship has sailed.

Additionally, I really like Whalen. I think I might be in the minority on that but I like what he did in the limited amount of snaps he got last year.

 

[flamingrey]

And I understand all that...

However, there is no one out there (as of this moment) that is going to be able to come in and start. Why usurp what is already in place just because of the perceived "greeness" of anyone not named A.J.?

Again, I'll maintain that Gresham is the #2 in this offense with the second WR looking at 5-10 (the latter number is generous and would not be every week) targets per game. What free agent, one that is worth a shit at least, is going to come here for that?

End of the day, there are too many factors working against bringing in a player from the outside...at least one that can contribute. I stated many times that they needed to get a veteran WR before the Draft. Unless something changes drastically over the next 3 months, I believe that ship has sailed.

Additionally, I really like Whalen. I think I might be in the minority on that but I like what he did in the limited amount of snaps he got last year.

This thread is about Gaffney and our argument why the Bengals should have gone after Gaffney. Of course if no other legit #2 becomes available, it's a moot point, but if one does eventually, then the point stands.

No FA is going to come in looking at it as AJ Green is #1 and Gresham is #2, so I'd be #3. They're going to come in looking at it as being the #2 receiver. Plus, there is no reason to believe Gresham would be #2 since he's never been utilized as such to this point.

As for your breakdown of targets, I believe any #2 in the league would be happy with 5-7 targets a game. 4 receptions a game puts you at 64 catches in a season. Nonetheless, the better the player, the more targets he'll get, especially as teams begin to hone in on Green more.

 

[vancelot23]

It would be monumentally stupid to try an put Jones on the PS. I think this board probably does overrate Hawkins, but also is overrating having Gaffney over one of the young guys. It's not going to make that much of a difference.

 

[cincygrad]

It would be monumentally stupid to try an put Jones on the PS. I think this board probably does overrate Hawkins, but also is overrating having Gaffney over one of the young guys. It's not going to make that much of a difference.

The guy was the 23rd receiver taken in the NFL draft...... Is he really that irreplaceable?

 

[vancelot23]

He was highly regarded, and extremely talented. Gaffney is 31. He is what he is. Isn't a team's job to try and get better instead of just signing older players?? We tried this "bring in a veteran" move a few times. Didn't go well.

 

[Be Weary of Query]

This is a ridiculous argument almost not even worth responding to.

You have no idea what Gaffney would or would not have done. And when it comes to your biggest need, you throw in that extra incentive for him to come to the Bengals over say the Patriots. Money talks.

It's not an argument...it is/was a fact.

You have no idea that I would or would not nail Brooklyn Decker. Can you confidently speak in absolutes on that?

I think ya can...

 

[cincygrad]

Gaffney is already gone.... But I'd be all for signing a veteran receiver that has actually put up numbers in the league.

Jones was so highly regarded that he lasted until the 5th round in a league that increasingly values receivers over other skill positions. I think you guys listen to Mel Kyper, Todd McShay and Mike Mayock way too much.

 

[vancelot23]

I'd take Jones over Gaffney every single time.

 

[DanBengalfan]

We're not going to win the super bowl this year, you can mark that down.

This team has more problems than can be fixed by one decent draft. The Bengals sat on their hands during free agency and decided to save as much money as possible before being forced to spend next season. It will show, we will finish no higher than 3rd place or 9-7.

so, we might as well see what our rookie receivers are worth like Vancey says.

 

[DanBengalfan]

but yea, I'd rather have Gaffney or Jacoby Jones than Whalen, Tate, or Binns

 

[ckhokie]

I hadn't really followed this thread, but it's crazy to me how much shit you guys are giving Jabar Gaffney, yet many of you were in love with Jerome Simpson. Gaffney (who I saw a lot of living in DC) isn't bad at all. I would much rather have him than Simpson, and his numbers proved it this year. And that's with absolute JOKES at QB in John Beck and Rex Grossman

 

[vancelot23]

I didn't want Simpson either. I'm all in with building the future, not bringing in one year stopgaps.

 

[ckhokie]

I agree with you that it is better to build for the future, but you're never going to find 100% young guys to fill all of your gaps. I would rather sign a proven veteran who can come in and give us a chance, than force a (non AJ caliber) rookie to have to step in and leave us at just as deficient at the position as we were preseason. Gaffney is a guy that has a proven track record of being able to do that, without baggage.

 

[flamingrey]

It's not an argument...it is/was a fact.

You have no idea that I would or would not nail Brooklyn Decker. Can you confidently speak in absolutes on that?

I think ya can...

I would love to hear the basis behind that fact.

 

[flamingrey]

Gaffney is already gone.... But I'd be all for signing a veteran receiver that has actually put up numbers in the league.

Jones was so highly regarded that he lasted until the 5th round in a league that increasingly values receivers over other skill positions. I think you guys listen to Mel Kyper, Todd McShay and Mike Mayock way too much.

Exactly. And it's not like the Bengals are the only team with a plethora of receivers (or any other position for that matter) with "potential". Most teams have their own draftees whom they're trying to create room for on their own roster without having to worry about the 23rd receiver drafted.

It's like Briscoe all over again. Fans complained why he was on the PS to begin with after he was signed away. He's hardly torn the league up.