The NCAA’s all-time leader in receptions at the tight end position is now officially a Cincinnati Bengal.
The team signed third-round pick Chase Coffman Tuesday to an undisclosed contract. The Missouri product won the John Mackey award during his senior year, given to the nation’s best tight end.
Coffman’s draft stock wasn’t helped when he broke his foot in the Alamo Bowl, but Coffman said recently that he’s nearly fully recovered from the injury.
Coffman will have to prove he can block to get playing time, so we wouldn’t expect him to pass veterans Reggie Kelly and Ben Utecht.
In an effort to spice up these rookie signing posts, let’s also pause to recognize that former Cowboy Roy Williams has been elevated to starting strong safety on Cincinnati’s latest online depth chart.
While most teams try to minimize the importance or accuracy of these depth charts, the Bengals actually announced the change Tuesday via their official Twitter page. (Is it dorky to be excited by the first depth chart of training camp?)
Williams is displacing Chinedum Ndukwe, who may be a superior player in coverage. It’s uncertain if Williams will come off the field on third downs, like he did late in his Dallas run.
Other items of note from the depth chart is that rookie fullback Fui Vakapuna has been immediately inserted as a starter, like fellow rookie Andre Smith.
Second round pick Rey Maualuga is listed as a reserve.
all time leader among TE’s you mean…
I think it’s dorky only to the casual NFL fan, Gregg.
When Roy was saved by Geezus, he totally lost it. He’s a bum. Have fun watching him watch WR’s streak by him. TE’s and fullbacks outrun him, as well.
I can’t wait to see a hungover, half-hearted Cedric Benson timidly going through drills on Hard Knocks.
Loser.
@Dewey Axewound
Let it go Bears fans. Let it go.
This team is so much deeper at every position this year. The only question marks are CB, RB and OL. Regardless, they are in a much better position to win games and be competitive this year than they were last year. Barring injuries, with an easy schedule and an improved roster, I can see them making a run at anywhere from 7-10 wins this year. Ten wind could be good enough to win the AFC North this year–Cleveland is a mess (Stallworth and the QB circus), The Steelers haven’t made any significant improvements (not that they really needed to do that much) and the Big Ben thing will be a BIG distraction, and the Ravens lost a lot of personnel and I predict Flacco to struggle this season. Not far-fetched to think that they Bengals could make some noise this year after a great draft and a lot of free-agent signings.
Ndukwe is one hell of a player, but it might be good for him to split time with Williams. That way he can last longer, and be more fresh at critical times during the game.
And Coffman could end up being the real replacement for TJ. He’s the TE Palmer has never had, and he will make alot of room for what loks like the deepest Cincy reciever corps in some years.
Goose08,
READ! “all time leader among TE’s you mean…” Yeah that must be what he means..incidentally that could be why the first line of the article says, “The NCAA’s all-time leader in receptions at the tight end position”.. I adore people who nitpick and bitch for the sake of nitpicking and bitching.
@TheVillain112–
Bullseye!
Sorry…but everytime I see a Thomas-Jones-as-a-Jet highlight, the flashbacks hit me.
I may have to go find Big Ben’s TV repair girl and start a support group to get over that sh1t…
Roy Williams? You mean the human turnstile? LMAO…dude couldn’t cover his eyes…LMMFAO!!!
Laugh all you want. Roy is back with the coach that sent him to the pro bowls and Ced is going to tear it up.
Maybe they just didn’t like their fans?
Coffman will be able to block just fine when it needs doing. And he’ll get open a lot without seeming to do much (he just makes it look easy). And he’ll turn some terribly-thrown passes into receptions. And he’ll get some YAC.
I don’t know that he’ll have the stats to win it, but he should be in the running for Offensive RoY if he’s used properly.
@TheBengal13
if you think distractions mean anything, you’re totally wrong.
if you think the Bengals can win more games than the Steelers, you’re on drugs.
As much as I hate them, it looks like the Steelers are going to be good for all eternity. sigh.