Bengals’ Winners and Losers vs. Panthers
Oct 12, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham (84) runs with the ball in front of Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis (58) during the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Winner – Jermaine Gresham
Jermaine Gresham’s reappearance on Sunday was hopefully a great sign for the Bengals and him going forward.
After going unnoticed and disappearing for much of the year, Gresham finished the day with six catches (on seven targets) for 66 yards; the lone missed target was a forced throw by Andy Dalton which resulted in an interception. Gresham accounted for three first downs and even had a 23-yard catch.
Gresham has always been capable of these types of games and do so going forward would be a huge boost to this team. Yesterday had to be an equally huge boost to Gresham’s confidence, which has no doubt taken a hit in recent years.
“I haven’t earned an extension. More so Geno, those guys earned that. They definitely earned what they got. They deserved it. I’m not going to lie to you. I don’t deserve it. Not right now. I’ve got a lot to prove. I haven’t done a lot. I’ve got a lot of making up to do to people around the city and for the organization, so I don’t think I deserve it.”
While
and owning his faults over the past couple of years, Gresham has been targeted by fans’ ire for the last couple of seasons. He also had to absorb the reality that the Bengals were decreasing his role after they drafted Tyler Eifert in 2013.
Although the Bengals like to spread the ball around, Gresham can still be a huge contributor in this offense; he’s simply to talented not to be. He could help form one of the best tight end duos in the league and can be on the field at all times with his blocking ability. Hopefully yesterday was the start of Gresham’s rebuild towards what he was circa 2012. Gaining confidence would help him perform better and continue to correct the mental errors that have plagued him in the past. He’s decreased the errors this year; only two penalties thus far. Now resurrecting himself as a receiver is the next step towards Gresham’s return.