Look Out Bengals Fans: Chase Coffman Could Have a Major Impact in 2009

From a fan's perspective, the Cincinnati Bengals seem to disappoint consistantly when it comes to taking advantage of the NFL Draft over the last couple of seasons. However, the Bengals made selections last April that helped improve their needs on offense and defense, leaving fans with nothing but excitement for the upcoming 2009 season.

The Bengals used their first two draft picks on offensive lineman Andre Smith (Alabama) and linebacker Rey Maualuga (USC). The team hopes Smith can provide some much-needed help to an offensive line that gave up 51 sacks last season while Maualuga can emerge as one of the younger leader's on a defense that was already pretty solid last season (325.5 yards allowed per game, 12th in the NFL).

With the success from April's draft and the return of quarterback Carson Palmer, who missed 12 games last season due to an elbow injury, the Bengals could emerge as a sleeper team in 2009 and make a run for their first trip to the playoffs since the 2005 season.

Despite all of the hype and excitement for the 2009 season, the Bengals lost one of their key players during the first week of training camp when tight end Reggie Kelly ruptured his Achilles tendon. The 11-year veteran had high expectations for the upcoming 2009 season not only as a player on the field, but also as a mentor for the younger tight ends on the team's roster. Now, that mentoring will have to be done from the sideline.

Kelly's season-ending injury leaves a major hole at the tight-end position for the Bengals. However, the injury will give other players a chance to step up their game and make an impact for the upcoming season.

Enter rookie Chase Coffman.

Coffman was selected in the third round (98th overall) in this year's draft out of Missouri. He was arguably one of the best receiving tight ends in the draft, as he finished his three-year career by hauling in 156 receptions for 1,664 yards and 20 touchdowns. Those are better numbers than some of the wide receivers selected in the draft.

Coffman has the opportunity to provide the Bengals with another weapon on offense that already consists of wide receivers Chad Ochocinco, Laveranues Coles, and Chris Henry.

However, if Coffman wants to have a succesful rookie campaign with the Bengals, not only will he need to put up big numbers as a wide receiver, but as a blocker too.

While at Missouri, Coffman never had to worry about being a blocker since he was mostly used more as a wide receiver. He knows if he wants to succeed at the NFL level, he will need to continue developing his game as a blocker too, which he has been.

Coffman struggled at the beginning of training camp, but that appeared to be nothing more than a case of the rookie jitters. Since then, he has improved on his style of game and has impressed the Bengals' coaches, especially tight ends coach Jonathan Hayes.

As much as the Bengals will miss Kelly's leadership on the field, they could still benefit from Coffman's play if he continues to emerge as a strong option on offense for Palmer to throw to. With the rate he has been improving on, Coffman could become a sleeper tight end for the Bengals in 2009.