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Bengals’ Gresham holds himself accountable
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham sat at his locker with his head down after Monday night’s 27-21 loss to Pittsburgh. As teammates walked by, they stopped to console him. Gresham had a critical drop on 3rd-and-9 in the second quarter, which put an end to a potential scoring drive. The rookie first-round pick has experienced some growing pains lately.
“Right now, I feel like I’m hurting the team more than I am helping,” Gresham said. “Carson (Palmer) put the ball in the right spot and it’s a pass I should’ve caught. That’s the reason they brought me here and I have to build on that and make those plays.”
The 6-foot-5, 261-pound Gresham has 31 catches for 212 yards and two touchdowns. But the most prolific tight end in Oklahoma Sooner history feels he should be contributing more at this stage.
“I just need to grow up,” Gresham said. “I need to approach things differently and be on point every play. I have to take care of my responsibilities and help this team win.”
Gresham went on to say that Palmer has pulled him aside on occasion and worked with him. He also credits Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens for staying on him in terms of perfecting his routes. Their words have helped the young receiver to progress.
The Bengals have a 2-6 record and are looking for contributors anywhere. It is refreshing to see in the days of the prima donna athlete a rookie stepping up and holding himself accountable. The team’s problems run much deeper than mere rookie mistakes. So maybe the player is just beating himself up a little bit.
Gresham insists he is not.
“I’m not being hard on myself,” he said. “If I’m not playing well, I’m going to tell you. I have to pick it up on my end. We’re at the point where I have to step up and do my part. I’m going to do whatever it takes. I know I can beat guys in this league and have to get my confidence up and execute. Once I put it all together I hope to contribute the way the team expects.”
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Comments
By smoke & mirrors
November 11, 2010 7:08 AM | Link to this
Sounds like he’s trying very hard. I bet T.O. and Ocho would never be seen sitting in the locker room with their head down. They would blame someone else or be making excuses. As I recall both T.O. and Ocho have dropped enough passes this season to cost the game on several occasions.
By T800
November 11, 2010 8:32 AM | Link to this
With it being a crap shoot of where in the heck the ball is going to be when Carson releases it, I see why so many of the receivers are dropping the ball. After he releases it they are thinking “Will I have to jump up 4ft in air, will I have contort my body sideways in the air, or will I have to dive on the ground”
By TommyGG
November 11, 2010 8:45 AM | Link to this
I agree with you(smoke), they do drop pass a lot this year and were over paid job. Gresham just rookies and need more concentration. Mr Gresham don’t harsh yourself, you are human begin. Maybe next time you will be fine good game on someday and be hero. Keep your chin up high and be yourself enjoying game.
By Kevin
November 11, 2010 9:39 AM | Link to this
Finally someone on this team takes accountability for something, anything. It is definetely not Gresham’s fault the team is not performing well. But it’s nice to hear that there is someone with desire on this team. I would think Marvin, Chad, Carson, Bratkowski, or even Mike Brown would be a man and say I’ve made mistakes maybe it’s my fault. Leave it to a rookie who really cares about his performance to blame himself and not point fingers.
By bengalsin2010
November 11, 2010 9:51 AM | Link to this
This kid has class. I agree with above posters that all players need to take this attitude. I firmly believe that do to the lack of discipline and self accountability we have the record we have. I’ve been a fan of the Bengals since 1972 and have had many offers to jump ship but I was raised to always stick by your team no matter what. I’ll continue to support my Bengals regardless because I am a Fan. BTW props to the Browns you guys are getting it together, we need a young QB like McCoy who isn’t afraid to be mobile, Carson and Marvin need to head to the big Color Commentator booth in the sky. Let’s get a coach that will be a coach and not the players friend we’ve seen all to often the poor results when that happens.
By Steve Johnson
November 11, 2010 10:00 AM | Link to this
For purposes of grooming future stars, the Bengals should purchase a large tract of land adjacent to their stadium,or training headquarters.Offer it to the State of Ohio for free,in return for the construction of prison facilities for both juveniles and adults.Voila’ ,an in-house farm-team system, at your disposal.
By Jon
November 11, 2010 10:26 AM | Link to this
They’ve got “it”, They just got to get “it” together. Vick and moss would help. Seriously, a good running QB would help
By t.o. supporter
November 11, 2010 3:01 PM | Link to this
people need to stop dissing t.o., cause he has been the best player on the team. if it wasnt for him we would probly have 1 or 0 wins. Espn even says he has been the bengals mid-season MVP and so far is putting up career numbers late in his hall of fame career
By Randy
November 13, 2010 2:17 AM | Link to this
The best thing I can think of at this point is to take a page out of Coach Tressel’s playbook. Just play basic football and let your running backs carry the load 30-35 carries a game.Palmer is too mature to be trying to throw the ball through 3 defenders to his receivers.