Now that the Cincinnati Bengals have officially terminated the contract of Laveranues Coles after a disappointing 2009 season, it appears the team will now try and make a splash for a big-name wide receiver during free agency.
Coles was signed last March to a four-year deal worth $28 million in hopes of filling the void left by T.J. Houshmandzadeh as an effective No. 2 wide receiver for the Bengals. During his last four seasons with the Bengals, Houshmandzadeh was arguably the top No. 2 wideout in the NFL.
In 59 games, he flourished with opposing defenses focusing on Chad Ochocinco, finishing with 372 catches for 4,084 yards and 32 touchdowns. After Houshmandzadeh left for the Seattle Seahawks, Cincinnati signed Coles in anticipation his speed and quickness would draw similar results playing alongside Ochocinco.
Instead, Coles established a reputation amongst fans as a player unable to hold on to the ball, finishing his first and only season in Cincinnati with just 43 receptions for 514 yards and five touchdowns. After last season, it was clear the Bengals regretted signing the 32-year-old Coles to such a hefty contract and now will save $4.65 million from his 2010 base salary.
With Coles out of the picture, the Bengals need even more help in the passing game. There may be potential for newly-acquired Matt Jones, but at this point, he will be considered nothing but a risk until proven otherwise.
If the Bengals can take anything from the Coles’ situation, they will hopefully take age into consideration before offering a player a long-term deal. There are plenty of big-name wide receivers that could make an impact in Cincinnati next season, but most are already at an age the Bengals would feel more comfortable giving just a one or two-year deal to.
Antonio Bryant, Chris Chambers, Kevin Walter, and Josh Reed all appear to be on the Bengals’ radar now that Coles is no longer with the team.
As lucky as the Bengals would be to sign any of the players listed above, there is one wide receiver that seems to be drawing interest again from a Cincinnati team who declared they had no interest in signing him.
Terrell Owens.
The 2010 offseason has been filled with plenty of discussion on the chances of Owens landing with the Bengals, mainly from Chad Ochocinco—who has been campaigning his signing in just about every way imaginable. It seemed highly unlikely at first—two star wide receivers well-known throughout their careers as the go-to wide receiver playing side-by-side without any issues.
The Bengals are in need of another go-to guy at wide receiver for the upcoming season. While Owens may not have lived up to his $6.5 million deal last season with the Buffalo Bills, he has proven to be effective throughout his career with the right quarterback.
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