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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > May > 19 > Entry
Can Chad pull off a Kobe?
===LUDWIG AT LARGE has a question for loyal readers: Can Chad pull off a Kobe? As one of the NFL’s elite receivers, Chad certainly has the talent to help the Bengals get to the playoffs. But does he have the desire, the selflessness and the leadership to accomplish it?===
THE ICE MAN
Isaac Curtis, the original “85”, told me on Sunday, May 18, at the Marvin Lewis Golf Classic that he hopes Chad will be in stripes this season.
“I’ve met Chad,” Curtis said. “Chad’s really a nice guy. He’s a good guy. Hopefully, he can get this behind him and, whatever the beef is, they get it settled and straightened out and get him back here because he has a great personality. If he can come back here, he can fit right in. He’ll come in and work hard. He’s a player.”
‘HUGE’ JACKSON
I asked Hue Jackson, the Bengals former wide receivers coach now serving as the Baltimore Ravens quarterbacks coach, point-blank: Can Chad become Kobe?
Hue’s response: “I think he can if that’s what his focus is and that’s what he wants to do. My dealing with Chad has always been positive. I’m not here, so it’s hard for me to comment on what’s going on and what’s happening. But I just know this: He’s a tremendous football player. When he’s focused and he wants to play, he can play with anybody in the National Football League.”
But can he, and will he, play for the Bengals in 2008?
My take on this:
With the influx of so much young talent, wide receiver is shaping up as the most competitive position battle on the Bengals’ roster.
The arrival of second-, third- and seventh-round draft picks Jerome Simpson, Andre Caldwell and Mario Urrutia sends a strong message to perennial Pro Bowler Chad, who is demanding a trade and promising to sit out … The club is prepared to move on with or without him.
Contact Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Brian
May 19, 2008 7:53 AM | Link to this
Kobe and Chad is a tough comparison, because I think Chad craves “Hollywood,” whereas Kobe’s universe IS Hollywood. I don’t follow the NBA, Kobe, or the Lakers closely enough to know whether Kobe’s drama was influenced by his own version of Drew Rosenhaus. Chad is clearly following Drew’s roadmap out of Cincinnati, fueled by desire (for money), selfishness, and (ME!)dership.