burningmetal

This is exactly what I don't get. He had five touchdowns, but ONLY 14 catches. Nobody is worried about Josh Hill when you have as many weapons as we had. I don't consider the 5 TD's to be evidence of potential, when he isn't doing much otherwise.

I'm not saying there is absolutely no potential there (though I am saying that I don't see it right now) but the TD's don't mean a lot to me. I don't have much interest in Gresham, but it's hard to compare him to Josh Hill when you consider the offenses and the QB's, especially. Gresham seems to get hurt a lot as well.

If I had a nickel for every time I heard that, the NFL would fine and suspend me.

hagan714

The former first-round pick completed his fifth season, averaging 56 receptions with 544 yards receiving per season and 24 combined touchdowns -- the last of which featured his third offensive coordinator within a system that's limited in passing game progressions.

Bengals TE Jermaine Gresham still dealing with back injury - Cincy Jungle

at this point i say solid option. given the state of our WR and its uncertainty

saintsfan1976

Didn't he have offseason back surgery?

hagan714

herniated disk

saintsfan1976

"He's a man of many, many, many, many, many, many moods,"
- Marvin Lewis

Fumbles, dropped passes and injuries marred what could have been a stellar first five years of his career.

Sure, Gresham has been to the Pro Bowl, but that's not what Bengals fans immediately associate with him.

Before anything else they highlight the two cut off routes he had last season that cost the Bengals at least one touchdown. They also bring up his 11 total fumbles, and untimely drops like the two that came in the wild-card round playoff loss at Houston after the 2012 season.

"He's had inconsistent play, but he's played at a high level," Lewis said. "He's a Pro Bowl player."

And you're balsting Josh Hill?????

saintsfan1976

Ok, now that I've said all that....

Josh Hill (RFA) and Ben Watson (UFA) are free agents in 2016. We'll need a young talent at TE.

Gresham's a dynamic playmaker, nearly elite blocker and at just 26 years old, he's also in the prime of his career.

IF his head is on straight, there is a way this could make sense... but only under these conditions:

- A contract loaded with incentives tied to playing time
- Small signing bonus
- Very little money in 2015
- Very little guaranteed
- Joe Morgan clause (you're a dikk, you're gone)


I don't think Gresham will be healthy enough to play football at the start of the season (similar surgery as Byrd's in 2013) so I wouldn't expect anything to happen right away but IF we sign him it should be:

4 years, $12 million

$4 million guaranteed

$500k in 2015
$800k signing bonus

lumm0x

I think it's a decent upside move if the price is right. He's an athletic guy who, if the back injury is resolved, could be a solid contributor.

Don't misread Hill's production as anything more than he was the least interesting guy to cover on those plays. Hill wasn't lining up as the primary, secondary or even tertiary threat on those plays. He was the beneficiary of coverage going elsewhere and capitalized on that mismatch. He sees #1 safety coverage all day and we may not see that same explosive handful of plays.

Gresham would be a good add if the price is cheap.

saintsfan1976

I agree with everything you said.

And I'll add (after watching film) that Gresham is more of a big wideout who can block his tail off more than a traditional TE.

Mis-match city. Where Sean Payton is Mayor.

SmashMouth

He probably wants too many $... tell him to suck it.

CheramieIII

If the price is right he's got experience and was once a first rounder. Someone saw something special in him and maybe coach can bring that out.