Bengals Tried Out Jacoby Ford and Brian Wozniak

Aug 16, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Jacoby Ford (19) returns a kick off during the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

According to the Baltimore Sun’s Aaron Wilson, the Bengals recently worked out wide receiver Jacoby Ford and tight end Brian Wozniak.

Ford played for the Raiders while Hue Jackson was the offensive coordinator and head coach for the team in 2010 and 2011 respectively.  Ford is a talented return man and a speedster (4.28 sec 40 yard dash at his performance) on the outside.  Jackson loves to throw the ball vertically and Ford certainly has the ability to run past corners on the outside. If Ford was brought onto the team, he’d likely have to replace Brandon Tate as it seems unlikely the team would carry seven wide receivers and two players who primarily act as return men.  It’s an intriguing consideration for the team, but seems unlikely to happen unless Jackson has real confidence in Ford to develop as a receiver.  He’d also have to convince the rest of the Bengals staff and front office on the idea, as many people in the organization have a strong affinity for Tate.

Wozniak was signed by the Falcons as an undrafted free agent following this year’s draft.  He played his college football at Wisconsin finishing his career with only 15 catches for 127 yards and four TDs.  Wozniak has the size to be a quality blocker in the NFL, 6’4″ 255 pounds, but seems to lack real receiving ability.  It’s unlikely the team would drop veteran tight end Alex Smith for an unknown prospect such as Wozniak.  Although Smith isn’t a great receiver, he’s proven himself capable in the past and makes a real impact as a blocker; an important quality to possess in a Hue Jackson offense.