It seems as though the Bengals are going with a youth movement at wideout.  Yesterday the team released Doug Gabriel. Gabriel’s career is a surprise to me. He is a big receiver with nice hands and speed but has never put it together. At 6’2”, 215 he seems to be what every team is looking for. He is still young having only played 5 seasons. This seems like the perfect 3rd to 5th receiver especially if the loss of Chad Johnson is finally realized.
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So it must means that the young players in camp have impressed the coaching staff. Jerome Simpson, Andre Caldwell, Travis Brown, Marcus Maxwell and Glenn Holt will fill the roles behind TJ and Johnson. The first two players are rookies who have apparently proved they’re ready for prime time. Brown was picked up off waivers from the Seahawks.  Maxwell was a 2006 Free Agent and Holt is a long shot but is still in the mix.
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So once again I am confused by a Lewis move. Releasing Henry I understand, releasing Thurman not so much, now Gabriel?! He seems to be the only legitimate receiver in camp. Oh well Lewis maybe you could let us in on the big picture? I am not getting it. Hopefully the Bengals have a plan to get back to being a contender but it certainly is not clear.Â
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What do you think Bengals fan?
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Tags: Bengals, Chad Johnson, Gabriel, Marvin Lewis, TJ
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6 Responses to “Bengals axe Gabriel”
Posted: 05/31/08 at 8:41 pm
Caldwell was a stud at Florida. I had the chance to interview him over a year ago at the BCS Championship game on Media Day and this kids head is in the right place. He torched OSU that day in their blowout win! He should be a good one, better than his brother in NE.
Posted: 06/01/08 at 6:34 pm
I sincerely hope you are right. The Chad Johnson situation leads me to believe you err on the side of caution and keep as many receivers as you can in camp ’till it’s solved.
Posted: 06/01/08 at 9:52 pm
It doesn’t seem they gave Gabriel much of a chance. He has had flashes in the past that show he has the skills. Perhaps he has some off the field issues that we do not know about. If the NFL is going to fine teams for players behavior, the Bengals may be looking to keep some cash this year.
Kevin, does it really matter that Caldwell torched OSU? They really have no speed and weren’t that talented of a team, even for a mid-major conference. I’d have to see him against a talented defense to make a ruling.
Posted: 06/02/08 at 6:27 am
perhaps another sleeper team will pick this guy up and make a Ryan Grant out of him…maybe the bengals overhaul is not yet complete and there also clearing cap space for a bigger, more definitive move..who knows…the wacky world of pro sports it is we all follow!
Posted: 06/02/08 at 6:35 am
You must be right on the off field stuff. There is a zero tolerance policy in Bengals country now. I assume it comes from upper level management and even a sniff of any off field troubles makes a player expendable.
As for Caldwell I am reserving judgement. I hope he becomes a solid player, he certainly has a QB who can get him the ball.
Posted: 06/02/08 at 6:39 am
I am still unsure as to why you drop a serviceable wideout when you seem to have the perfect storm coming. Ocho Sinco wants out and TJ is in a contract year and seemingly not 100% happy.
Who is Palmer going to throw the ball to? They might as well have Jesse Palmer when there are no recievers…