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Bengals close to deal with 3rd-round pick

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By Carlos “Big C” Holmes, Staff Writer Updated 8:20 AM Thursday, July 9, 2009

The Cincinnati Bengals have pretty much ignored their tight ends in recent years, but that part of the offense could be revived if third-round draft choice Chase Coffman has anything to say about it.

But first, the former Missouri star must sign a contract. That being said, there are reasons to believe that a deal will be struck in time for training camp.

With players due to report to Georgetown, (Ky.) Thursday, July 30, Coffman is very optimistic that he will be signed before camp opens.

"There is no way I am not going to be signed before we go into training camp," Coffman said during a recent phone interview. "I'm making it there the very first day if not a couple of days early. I'm getting in there and getting as much work as I can. That's one thing that can really set a rookie back is not making it into training camp on time. I'm letting my agents handle that part of the business and I will continue to focus on what I need to focus on."

The Chicago Bears have signed their third-round pick, wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias, who was selected just after Coffman, and the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Keenan Lewis, who was selected two spots ahead of him. Therefore a deal is close.

Coffman was an impact player at Missouri and the recipient of the 2008 John Mackey Award, given annually to the nation's top tight end. He finished the '08 season with 90 catches for 987 yards and 10 touchdowns.

A broken foot sustained on the last offensive play during Missouri's bowl game may have prevented Coffman from being a Day 1 draft selection. With the injured foot nearly fully recovered, it shouldn't take long before the Bengals receive first-round performance from the third rounder.

"I'm very close to being 100 percent," Coffman said. "I was able to participate in minicamp going through five practices in three days. It felt pretty good to get back out there. I'm just working on building the muscle and my mobility, trying to get back being healthy.

"I try not to think about the draft. If not for that I wouldn't be in the situation I'm in with the Bengals. I have a great quarterback in Carson Palmer, great tight ends coach and great guys ahead of me who are teaching me the pro game. It was frustrating at the time, but I'm just thankful to go in the third round and be drafted by Cincinnati."

Coffman played in a spread offense while at Mizzou and was asked to do two things. Catch the ball and make plays for the team. The tight end will be asked to do more as a pro and knows the correct course to take in order to perfect his craft.

"I think the biggest thing for me is watching the other guys who've played in the league a while," he said. "They're doing something right. I just need to watch them, listen to my coaches and try to learn as much as I can. One of the things I must improve on right away is blocking on the line of scrimmage."

Coffman went on to say that some of the things he did in college are not going to work in the NFL. He said the best guy on defense in college is going to be every guy on defense in the pros. To adjust to that he must study lots of film.

As for his personal goal, it's pretty simple. Strive to be one of the best.

"Being from the Kansas City area, I've been a fan of Tony Gonzalez for a longtime," Coffman said. "I'd like to be like him. He's had a great career and is one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the NFL. He also does a pretty good job blocking, so if I can just be a complete tight end and keep working hard, hopefully I can have a career like his."

Carlos "Big C" Holmes covers the NFL for the Dayton Daily News.

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Let's just see who gets signed before training camp. getting good young players in the draft is one thing step 2 get them signed before camp and 3 play as a team. Even with all the picks the Bengals made in the draft I still have them only getting 5(or less ) wins this season. Prove me worng Bengals. "WHO DEY"

Ernest
11:27 PM, 7/10/2009

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whats wrong with signing the 1st pick before the season starts????

hoolio
10:16 AM, 7/9/2009

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Chase Coffman is a big target and could provide that 3rd down safety valve for Carson after TJs left.

Jordan
10:15 AM, 7/9/2009

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That's good news there Big C! We are counting on Coffman being an integral part of the passing game. Go Bengals!

Hank
7:45 AM, 7/9/2009

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