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Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Bengals’ Gresham holds himself accountable
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham sat at his locker with his head down after Monday night’s 27-21 loss to Pittsburgh. As teammates walked by, they stopped to console him. Gresham had a critical drop on 3rd-and-9 in the second quarter, which put an end to a potential scoring drive. The rookie first-round pick has experienced some growing pains lately.
“Right now, I feel like I’m hurting the team more than I am helping,” Gresham said. “Carson (Palmer) put the ball in the right spot and it’s a pass I should’ve caught. That’s the reason they brought me here and I have to build on that and make those plays.”
The 6-foot-5, 261-pound Gresham has 31 catches for 212 yards and two touchdowns. But the most prolific tight end in Oklahoma Sooner history feels he should be contributing more at this stage.
“I just need to grow up,” Gresham said. “I need to approach things differently and be on point every play. I have to take care of my responsibilities and help this team win.”
Gresham went on to say that Palmer has pulled him aside on occasion and worked with him. He also credits Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens for staying on him in terms of perfecting his routes. Their words have helped the young receiver to progress.
The Bengals have a 2-6 record and are looking for contributors anywhere. It is refreshing to see in the days of the prima donna athlete a rookie stepping up and holding himself accountable. The team’s problems run much deeper than mere rookie mistakes. So maybe the player is just beating himself up a little bit.
Gresham insists he is not.
“I’m not being hard on myself,” he said. “If I’m not playing well, I’m going to tell you. I have to pick it up on my end. We’re at the point where I have to step up and do my part. I’m going to do whatever it takes. I know I can beat guys in this league and have to get my confidence up and execute. Once I put it all together I hope to contribute the way the team expects.”
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