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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2009 > March > 04 > Entry
Coles’ signing a strong move by Bengals
COLES GIVE THE BENGALS
A DIMENSION T.J. COULDN’T
PROVIDE — A DEEP THREAT
If someone had told me last summer the Cincinnati Bengals would have wide receiver Laveranues Coles and tailback Cedric Benson in their 2009 Opening Day starting lineup instead of T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chris Perry, I wouldn’t have believed it.
But that’s what’s going to happen, barring injury, and I’ll be honest … I’m happy about it. I’m eager to see what Coles and Chad Ocho Cinco can accomplish together with quarterback Carson Palmer pitching the football.
I’m equally eager to see how T.J. Houshmandzadeh fares in Seattle with the scatter-armed Matt Hasselbeck and Seneca Wallace trying to get him the ball. Gotta funny feeling T.J.’s gonna wind up a very unhappy gazillionaire.
Coles, a free agent who started 16 games for the New York Jets in 2008 and caught 70 passes for 850 yards and team-high seven touchdown receptions, signed with the Bengals on Wednesday, March 4.
“The Bengals were very aggressive right from the start in talking to us,” Coles said, “and when a team makes you feel really wanted, that’s a factor you’re not going to ignore. They said, ‘Let’s get this worked out,’ and we did. I’m excited. I’m coming off a pretty good year, but I know I can do better. Anytime you come into a situation with a quarterback like Carson Palmer, you’re going to think you can bump up those numbers a little more.”
Coles (5-11, 193; Florida State) is a 10th-year NFL veteran in 2009. His first name is pronounced “luh-VER-nee-us.” A Pro Bowl selection for the 2003 season with Washington, he has played in 137 career games with 122 starts, seeing action for the Jets (2000-02 and 2005-07) and Redskins (2003-04). He also has played and started four postseason games.
He has 631 career receptions for 8,095 yards (a 12.8 average) and 44 TDs. He has played and started 16 games in seven of his nine previous seasons, and through Game 8 of 2007, he had a streak of 104 consecutive starts that was the longest at that time by an active NFL wide receiver.
Coles has 20 career games of 100 or more receiving yards, and he holds the NFL record for most consecutive games with five or more catches, having posted 19 straight over 2002-03.
“Clearly, Laveranues gives our passing game another proven weapon,” Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said. “He’s been durable and reliable, with high production in catches, yards, yards-per-catch and touchdowns. He’s also a passionate player, a guy who will bring a very positive chemistry to our locker room.”
Playing for the Jets against the Bengals on Oct. 12, 2008, at the Meadowlands, Coles had eight catches for 61 yards. In 2007 against Cincinnati at Paul Brown Stadium, Coles led all receivers in catches (eight), yards (133) and TDs (two).
Coles is the fourth veteran signed by the Bengals during this year’s free agency signing period. Previously, Cincinnati re-signed three of the club’s own unrestricted free agents — Benson, linebacker Darryl Blackstock and safety Chris Crocker.
http://www.nfl.com/players/laveranuescoles/profile?id=COL366580
Permalink | Comments (29) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By psychostats
March 4, 2009 10:29 PM | Link to this
To heck with not believing it if you had been told over the summer. This seemed like a near impossibility even a few days ago. Both Benson AND Coles? The Bengals being (relatively) aggressive in free agency?! What kind of bizzaro world are we living in? Maybe Mike Brown got hit on the head with a coconut and thought he was Jerry Jones.By photoman
March 5, 2009 12:43 AM | Link to this
Well, I’m happy about these moves too. If CP can get the OL protection he will need and with CB in the backfield, these Bengals could be a pretty impressive football team. I feel CB has the potential to become to the Bengals what Jim Brown is to the Browns if he stays a Bengal long enough.By Max
March 5, 2009 2:36 AM | Link to this
Photoman, Benson to the Bengals what Jim Brown was to the Browns? I’m a Bengals fan, But Come on, what are you smoking..? Cedric Benson could play with the Bengals for the next 100 years and he still wouldn’t be What Jim Brown was to the Browns. Your talking about JIM BROWN, probab;y the greatest back to ever carry a football. Get SeriousBy Clayton Buck
March 5, 2009 5:55 AM | Link to this
The Cincinnati Bensons….I like it! Maybe the change the team needs! Honestly, you lost me at Jim Brown. It is a good move on the Bengals part. I also think TJ may not like his numbers in Seattle, but he is out of the mess in Cincy.By joe
March 5, 2009 7:23 AM | Link to this
Chick had to work hard to make this guy look like a good player while Coles is average at best. And once again, the Bengals go for another Problem Child. This was the guy who was caught shoplifting with Peter Warick, another Bengals problem child.By Ron
March 5, 2009 7:38 AM | Link to this
overall I’m happy with what the Bengals have done, but I’d like to see some more focus on the OL. They need to sign at least one legit FA OL to go with the possible draft picks. Maybe a G/T like Daniel Loper from the Titans would make sense.By Antwan Odom in your face
March 5, 2009 8:45 AM | Link to this
not sure why, but i’m starting to get the feeling that another free agent deal is in the works…the bengals have signed most of their own free agents, with the exception of Ghiaciuc….MAYBE, they’re working on an O-Lineman that we’re unaware of. They’ve been makin a little noise this FA period, and i’ve got a feeling they aren’t done yet. Whaddaya think Chickster??? (make love not war, give peace a chance, and strawberry fields forever, cheers)By Joe-is-a-moron
March 5, 2009 10:12 AM | Link to this
Problem Child. You are bringing up something that happened 10 years ago. Coles has been nothing but a professional since he entered the NFL. And 631 career receptions for 8,095 yards (a 12.8 average) and 44 TDs is way above average, you hater.By Brian
March 5, 2009 10:37 AM | Link to this
Re-signing Benson was such a coup, considering the Bengals’ only competition was Texas who looked at Benson as a BACKUP… And you know the Bengals fell in love with Questionable Coles based on his Sept. 28 3-touchdown performance against the Cards. After all, they had an extra week to over-analyze tape of that game because they played the Jets two weeks later, after their BYE. Meanwhile, the Ravens lose their starting center, Jason Brown, and replace him with six-time Pro Bowl center Matt Birk from the Vikings, who the Bengals didn’t even sniff around.By Mike M
March 5, 2009 10:49 AM | Link to this
Now let’s DRAFT OL! OL! OL! OL! OL! and finally trade CHAD!By david k
March 5, 2009 10:52 AM | Link to this
Laveranues Coles? Oh man, talk about excitement!!! The Bengals lose TJ, and get Coles???? Typical, one step forward, two steps back for the hapless stripes.By Brian
March 5, 2009 10:56 AM | Link to this
Re-signing Benson was such a coup, considering the Bengals’ only competition was Texas who looked at Benson as a BACKUP… And you know the Bengals fell in love with Questionable Coles based on his Sept. 28 3-touchdown performance against the Cards. After all, they had an extra week to over-analyze tape of that game because they played the Jets two weeks later, after their BYE. Meanwhile, the Ravens lose their starting center, Jason Brown, and replace him with six-time Pro Bowl center Matt Birk from the Vikings, who the Bengals didn’t even sniff around. The Ravens aren’t exactly flush with receiver talent, but you’ll notice they prioritized bolstering their offensive line over signing a receiver. That’s one of many reasons the Ravens win and the Bengals don’t.By PB'S GHOST
March 5, 2009 11:08 AM | Link to this
Only Morons would see these signings as huge these are typical Mike Brown sign poop and hype it as filet mignon. Now the big hype signings a backup QB JT o’sullivan expected to sign today, Grossman and Losman slated to come in for visits, hmmm best back up Qb out there Byron Leftwich MB won’t even give him an invite Why?? too much $$$ who would you rather have when Carsons’ elbow blows up because the Bengals didn’t even wink at Matt Birk.By CinciCynic
March 5, 2009 11:10 AM | Link to this
So now does this mean they trade Chad to the Cowboys?By Mike Hawksbig
March 5, 2009 11:16 AM | Link to this
I gotta hand it to you Bangholes fans, at least you are consistently delusional. While Coles is ahead of league average on his stats, he is nowhere near the leaders. He has only one 1000 yard season since 2003 and last season had his 3rd concussion in less than 2 years and has a leg prone to injury his whole career. Benson is the next Jim Brown? WTF is wrong with you people? No other team was even interested in either of these guys. Palmer is about as tough as a used Kleenex and will be sidelined with a strained v****a for 12 games this year. They were winless WITH Carsick Palmer last year. What makes you think they will do any better after losing TJ, the only player that had any sort of heart left. Choko Sucko will be sure to destroy any sort of unity this team ever hoped to have. Can you say 4-12 boys and girls? Sure you can.By Steven
March 5, 2009 11:26 AM | Link to this
Uhh.Bengals.YOU NEED A DEFENSE.. sixburghBy Mike Hawksbig
March 5, 2009 11:38 AM | Link to this
Strained v a g i n a is what I typed. The medically correct term is edited out by DDN? Do we live in the Middle East?By Bandwagon Stealers
March 5, 2009 11:39 AM | Link to this
All you Bandwagon stealer fans need to get a life. I live in Dayton but I’ve been a stealer fan my whole life becasue my redneck toothless father was a bandwagon stealer fan too. Congrats on your pathetic fanhood cause thats the only thing in your life that anyone consider successful. Shouldn’t you be basking in the glory of another Super Bowl that the refs won for you, instead of posting stupid comments on a Bengals blog?By Troy
March 5, 2009 11:49 AM | Link to this
I am glad the signed Benson and Coles. I am a diehard Bengals fan so all these negative thoughts on Ced Benson and Coles.If you want to talk about a team lets talk about the Browns who could not fight their way out of a paper bag. Cool comments Photo man!By Bandwagon Stealers
March 5, 2009 11:57 AM | Link to this
I am sorry guys. I am really a Bengal fan plus I am gay so that makes me an outcast in my inbred, redneck and toothless family. I am so jealous that the Steelers are the class of the NFL with awesome players like Ben and Hines who play hard and dont quit like Carson and Chad. I am really just frustrated because I am looking for a man to love Burger King just demoted me to assistant fry cook so my life is pretty bleak. God I am a loser! If you can give me hot man size love, email me at bigcig@hotmail.com.By Mike Hawksbig
March 5, 2009 12:22 PM | Link to this
Yeah Troy ignore reality and divert attention by ripping on a team that finished a half game behind the Bungholes. Its funny how you turds spend more time worrying about Pittsburgh and Cleveland than you do your own lousy team. Do your research dummy, facts are facts. You are making two NFL castoffs sound like they are the second coming of Jim Brown and Jerry Rice. I cant wait to hear that great sucking sound when we see Palmer with ice on his elbow in the 3rd preseason game and Brad and Lap saying “Oh, that’s not good!”By maalbri
March 5, 2009 1:02 PM | Link to this
Good signing by the Bengals. I’m pretty sure that Coles do not need the reduced price on clothes now, taking a silly college incident and saying he is a problem child is just dumb. Good job by the Bengals, the same guys that are complaining would have been the same one’s throwing stones in about two years on why we signed T.J.By Boxter
March 5, 2009 2:05 PM | Link to this
Coles wanted to be a Bengal? What, didn’t the Lions offer him anything? This guy is a has been and will be just like #85 by mid season. He & Farve fought all season.By zach
March 5, 2009 3:40 PM | Link to this
im farely happy with these moves, i wouldof liked to pick up the center outta minnesota to mentor the one we take in the draft but lets move bobby williams to center and get a vet og while theres still one available. as for the people STILL saying we dont have a defense, did we not jus finish 9th overall last season with a first year d coordinator?By Mike Hawksbig
March 5, 2009 5:27 PM | Link to this
I would like to apologize for my gay-bashing post to bandwagon stealer. I’ve been struggling internally with my attractions to men and took it out on him. Today, I’m officially coming out of the closet and pronouncing my love to Hines Ward. His cute smile is why I became a steeler fan in the first place. So if your like me and want to talk about your crush on any steeler’s email me at samiam@yahoo.com.By Derrick
March 5, 2009 6:46 PM | Link to this
Holy Crap, Batman. Have you ever read such idiotic posts? Come on, Guys, Coles will be a Godsend for Ocho and hopefully he appreciates the fact that LC can go deep. Do I wish the Bengals would do a lot of thing differently? Yes, but CB and LC can be a huge benefit to Palmer’s career and health. I had hoped they would have gone after Birk, but maybe they will get a Center and OT in the draft. If not, all bets are off.By Troy
March 5, 2009 8:30 PM | Link to this
Hey Mike just watch your Browns. I don’t care about stats. I just want wins to bad Cleveland is cought in a time machine that ran out long ago! If the Browns were to get some brains you might go some where!By Brian
March 6, 2009 7:07 AM | Link to this
I can’t wait until the regular season is underway and Laveranues Coles is chasing safeties who are returning J.T. O’Sullivan interceptions for TDs. This, of course, after Carson has been knocked out for the year because his offensive line is worse than last year.By Jack
March 6, 2009 10:44 AM | Link to this
So we lose a wide receiver and we sign another. We sign a running back we had last year. Now Dave Lapham and others on the radio are saying we have only a little cap-room left.I’m not buying it but don’t have the time to do the detail work necessary to support my feeling that this is front office(Mike Brown)posturing dressed up as fact. Chick,what do you think?