Chase Coffman was the third round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals, not a good team, but a team with a really good QB and some playmakers and a crazy guy who can’t say “85″ in Spanish.   Already Chase Coffman leads the team in fewest police reports and TROs filed against him, so that’s something.

Coffman was one of my favorite two or three Tigers for the last few years.  I miss him immensely.  I am bummed that he’s going to a team that has historically sucked and rarely sees national TV.  One only hopes that this team has a clue how to use him, which shouldn’t be that difficult to figure out given his wealth of talent. 

In spite of Chase’s injured and surgerized foot, he was the fourth TE taken in the draft.  While we all hoped for more, his injury history rightfully gave the NFL pause.   Had he been healthy…. well, I’ve often wondered if Jeff Wolfert feels guilty for missing the Alamo Bowl regulation buzzer beater that caused OT where Coffman got hurt.  I hope he can sleep at night. 

Cincy does not have a who’s who set of tight ends at the moment.   Here is a look at the competition:

• Reggie Kelly, 11 year player out of Mississippi State, is 6-4, 256.  He lead the Cincy TEs in receptions last year with 31 but gained only 207 yards and scored zero TDs.  The 31 receptions were a career high.
• Ben Utecht, five year player out of Minnesota, is 6-6, 250.  He had 16 receptions for 123 yards and zero TDs. 
• Nate Lawrie, five year player out of Yale, is 6-6, 250.  He had two catches for 11 yards and zero TDs.  All his stats came in week 17 against the mighty Chiefs.
• Matt Sherry, first year player out of Villanova stands 6-4 and weighs 250.  No stats.

The only TE with significant PT is an 11 year veteran, so opportunity is knocking for our man.  Also, Chase Coffman, at 6-6, 244, does not vary significantly from the standard Cincy TE size, so that shouldn’t be an issue.   There is plenty of playing time to be had on this team, but much will hinge on Coffman’s immediate health – can he impress immediately, and whether he can prove to Marvin Lewis that he can block.  Coffman was a fine downfield blocker for the Tigers, so we know he can do that.  Whether he can line up three-point style and fight off a rushing linebacker remains to be seen. 

At Mizzou, Coffman was a TD maker.  In 50 career games he scored 30 touchdowns.  Cincy’s TEs scored a grand total of zero in 2008.  If used at all, this should change.  Coffman is already one of the best receiving TEs in the NFL, at least his hands are extra special, so if Palmer can find him Coffman will make the catch. 

Coffman has the potential to be an NFL legend.   He’s an athletic freak with soft hands and a mean streak.  There are a lot of doubters out there, though, and if he can silence the critics, he will directly help the likes of spread offense TEs around the country. 

If healthy, Coffman will be on the field a lot and will become a Cincy favorite in no time.  To that end, Coffman may want to back-burer his signature move – the hurdle.