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Bengals: Coles more than adequate replacement for T.J.

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By Carlos Holmes, Staff Writer Updated 2:15 PM Friday, August 21, 2009

GEORGETOWN, Ky. — When former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh bolted for Seattle during free agency it created a major void in the team’s passing offense. The outpour of cries from Bengal fans could be heard across the Ohio River. Houshmandzadeh was a fan favorite but more importantly an integral part of the offense.

During the free-agent signing period the market was thin at the wideout position, but the organization didn’t panic. There was only one receiver on the open market that could possibly fill the void and that was Laveranues Coles. Knowing this, the Bengals wasted little time in signing the former Pro Bowl receiver, signing him a day after losing Houshmandzadeh.

Five months later in training camp, Coles is adjusting well to his surroundings since coming over from the New York Jets. He’s bonding with teammates and ahead of the learning curve picking up the system. The biggest thing for him now will be adjusting to his new role on offense.

“I have always been the bell cow when something came up,” Coles said. “I knew that everyone depended on me to make a play. At this point, it’s just me being the guy on the other side of Chad [Ochocinco] trying to fit in and trying to find my spot.”

Coles went on to say he relishes his supporting role with the Bengals. He said it takes a lot of pressure off him now that he’s just the “other guy.”

The 31-year-old Coles has been a productive receiver throughout his nine-year NFL career. He’s caught 631 passes for 8,095 yards and 44 touchdowns during that time.

“Being a consistent player is the reason the Bengals brought me in here,” Coles said. “I’m here to be that guy so when they try to take Chad away I can balance out the field. I need to try and get things off of Chad and make plays here and there to keep things honest. I think everything will be good from there.”

The wily veteran receiver is still looking for ways to improve certain aspects of his game.

“I think I’m getting better,” Coles said. “I was always the veteran guy in New York and most of the younger players took things from my game. Now that I’m here, I can take things from other guys’ games and try to apply it to mine. It has actually helped me get better and I think I’ll be a better player for it.”

Don’t think for a moment that age has slowed the receiver. Coles demonstrated in the first few days of camp that he still possesses speed to get deep by beating defenders at will during practice.

Top end speed may be what separates Coles and Houshmandzadeh at first glance, but some other qualities that Coles brings to the table may give him the edge.

Bengals wide receivers coach Mike Sheppard summed up what it’s meant to have Coles as part of the team.

“Laveranues means experience,” Sheppard said. “He means a lot of production, maturity and veteran presence. Obviously, we lost some of that when T.J. left, but we kind of needed a guy like Laveranues to come in here and provide the things that he is going to do for us.

“Like T.J., Laveranues is really bright. He’ll learn in the classroom and take it onto the playing field. L.C. is learning two positions, which is really hard to do. I just want him to contribute and do what he’s asked to do. When he’s on the field I know he will perform at the highest level. He’s a real asset to this ball club.”

Carlos “Big C” Holmes covers the NFL for Cox Ohio Publishing.

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