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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 > June > 17 > Entry
Daniel “And The Amazing Technicolor Dream” Coats
With apologies to Donny Osmond, who starred in the 1999 movie, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” I would like to take this opportunity to anoint second-year veteran Daniel Coats as the Cincinnati Bengals’ starting fullback.
Coats, a 6-foot-3, 254-pounder from Brigham Young University, owns the distinction of being the only non-drafted college free agent to make the Bengals’ 53-man roster in 2007. And he accomplished the feat as the No. 2 tight end behind incumbent Reggie Kelly.
He played in 15 games with three starts, catching 12 passes for 122 yards (no TDs) with a long gain of 25. Coats also finished 11th on the squad in special teams tackles with six stops.
Then, suddenly, several things happened …
The Bengals signed tight end Ben Utecht away from Indianapolis, drafted tight end Matt Sherry from Villanova and saw fullback Jeremi Johnson’s weight balloon from 260 to 300-plus.
So head coach Marvin Lewis did Coats, and the team, a big favor. He switched Coats to fullback, where he cuts a monstrous figure in uniform number 86.
Coats isn’t the prototype blocking fullback that Jeremi Johnson is, but Coats brings more versatility. I envision him in an H-back role — blocking in pass protection for QB Carson Palmer, whacking linebackers to spring the running game, swinging out and catching passes with his meaty hands, and pulling like an extra lineman when it’s time to mimic The Packer Sweep.
“From the time we had him last year in the rookie camp, Daniel has shown a lot of football ability in him,” Lewis said. “I had the opportunity to watch this guy on tape when he was at BYU. I was pleasantly surprised last year.
“I obviously wanted him to make the move to the fullback position because I think it gives him an opportunity to make our football team. It gives him an opportunity to continue the growth that he had last year on special teams, which he did a great job of growing as a rookie.
“He really struggled early. We had a lot of those rookies having to play a lot on special teams when we weren’t expecting them to because of the injuries we had at the linebacker position and so forth.
“Guys were called on, who didn’t expect to be, had to learn in a hurry how important that aspect of the game was. Dan did a good of that. And so you feel good about that.
“When these guys can pass the muster for (special teams coach) Darrin (Simmons), I feel good about ‘em. And I think we’ll have a great group again this fall, or this summer, competing for those spots. Daniel will be one of them. This gives him a chance to compete really at two positions, and so it’s a good spot.”
Permalink | Comments (13) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Ryan
June 17, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
Am I mistaken or did we not just make Jerimi Johnson the hightest paid fullback in the NFL a year or two ago? If that’s the case, why do we let him balloon to 300+ lbs? And if so, can we cut him? I mean this is his job!By Ryan
June 17, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
Am I mistaken or did we not just make Jerimi Johnson the hightest paid fullback in the NFL a year or two ago? If that’s the case, why do we let him balloon to 300+ lbs? And if so, can we cut him? I mean this is his job!By JT
June 17, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
He Ryan, “we” didnt let him do anything. And, who is “we”? The coaching staff? He doesnt live with Bengals coaches, that I know of. He’s a grown man(overgrown man) and knows he’s had weight issues in the past and knows the consequences of showing up to mini-camp weighing 300 pounds. He has done this to himself and he’s going to cost himself a football career if he doesnt get a handle on it, like, yesterday. If he shows up to Georgetown and hasnt dropped some serious weight, he’ll be cut at the end of camp. I only give him to the end of TC because he is the highest paid fullback in football and when he’s rolling, he’s a legit weapon out of the backfield. But that wont even save him if he’s not down to his 260-265 by the end of camp. I just see Coats as the starting FB. Now, what about this Williams at center deal? Make that happen Brat!!!By hakko936
June 17, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
He is 2 years into a 6 year deal that averages $1.5 million per year and runs through 2011.By T
June 17, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
If the Bengals are emphasizing the running game more this year, is Dan Coats your best option? I like him as the 3rd TE who can double as a backup FB, but saying he’s the starter before training camp seems premature.By T
June 17, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
If the Bengals are emphasizing the running game more this year, is Dan Coats your best option? I like him as the 3rd TE who can double as a backup FB, but saying he’s the starter before training camp seems premature.By William
June 17, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
JJ balooned to 300+ pounds? When did he get pregnant?By Nick
June 17, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
Yes, JJ can be cut at any point in time because there are no guaranteed contracts in the NFL like in MLB. By the way, Williams at center would make this line so much stronger it wouldn’t even be funny. Guycheck (yes I spelled it wrong) is not an NFL center. He is just too small and with Cleveland’s new DL, that would be scary.By jeff
June 17, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
i like the idea of williams at center but the rreality of making that switch now is not comprehensible. The center position is the most difficult and you also need to have versatility. Williams a huge massive guard. This was just a chance for him to get some snaps just in case. Look for the Bengals to bring in another center “bentley” or someone from outside. In reality we need to be patient with ghichic Oline is all about continuity its not like Playstation where you can just move guys aroundBy Steve
June 17, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
When are they going to give Coats a number in the 40’s?By Doco
June 17, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
The Bengals haven’t had a winning season since Richie Braham retired and I don’t recall him being much bigger than Ghiaciuc. And doesn’t a center have to be mobile? O-Line isn’t always about size. I have a hard time believing Bobbie could learn the position that quickly. And no offense Chick but aren’t your predictions usually wrong? I predict JJ loses the weight and starts and Ghiaciuc starts at center.By JAH-BENGAL
June 17, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
I like the move of Coats to FB. It makes our offense that much more versatile and un predictable, not to mention, JJ hasn’t been worth $100 of his contract since the season following it!! He is fat, injury prone and no longer motivated!! I thinks this Move is awsome…2 wideouts, 2 TE, 1 RB, 1 FB/TE who can run and catch offensive sets…good luck stopping Carson from breaking the 4500yd barrier this year!By Sec, ND row 22
June 17, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
Go Matt Sherry!