Mardy Ball

In the 2009 season, the national media and rest of the country realized something all of us knew since 2006: that the 2005 Cincinnati Bengals offense was dead. How could that be they asked? Carson Palmer was the second coming of Troy Aikman, Chad Ochocinco was in shape, and Cedric Benson made defenses respect the run. A once potent force now averaged 19.06 pts per game, and the passing game was 26th in the league throwing for fewer yards than a bad Kansas City team and a Tennessee team that decided to only play half a season. The vaunted quarterback was the 16th rated passer dominating Pro Bowler David Garrard by .1 point but not managing to match the steely resolve and big arm of veteran Kyle Orton. In the midst of all this Chad Ochocinco managed to have a 1,000 yard season and serve as the only real passing threat. What this all means for the future is what everybody is saying: we need receiver help and we need it now (the other more frightening admission is that Carson is washed up and it doesn't matter who the receivers are).

The answer to all of our passing plights at least in Cincinnati seems to come from our own backyard: Marshawn "Mardy" Gilyard. Now, I want everyone to know up front that I like Gilyard. I love his passion for the game and I love what appears to be true devotion to the city of Cincinnati and I love him completely in the 3rd round. I love his toughness on the field. In short, I love the dude's intangibles. But no one in their right mind drafts in the first and second round on intangibles. That's how people get hurt. So let's throw intangibles out the window for now and focus on those things that can actually be measured.


Last year, he had 87 catches for 1,191 yards and 11 touchdowns with 3 more coming in the return game. In short, he was a badass. That Cincinnati offense was about precision, timing, accuracy, and no mistakes. When in rhythm, it was impossible to stop and Gilyard was its perfect weapon. Timing routes with a lot of yards after catch suited Gilyard perfectly. It also seems that it would suit an offense run by Bill Walsh and the last time I looked Bratkowski was giving piggy back rides to Rex Ryan instead of devising a second half game plan to beat the Jets. Bratkowski will pigeon hole him as a guy running option routes out of the slot ala Peter Warrick, Laveranues Coles, and Antonio Chatman. Those guys did not work out too well for us. Also, sometimes Gilyard lacks explosiveness off the line because he is a long strider, will short arm screens when hearing footsteps, and fails to hold on after big hits all skills needed by a slot receiver in Brat's system. He excels after the catch with elusive hips, good vision, and the ability to break some arm tackles. Again, visions of P-dub are dancing in my head.


His best routes are crossing and seam routes where he gets to run free and you have to question whether his size will become an issue there. He is listed anywhere from 5'11 to 6'1 and from 179 to 187 pounds meaning he most likely is 5'10 porking it up at 175. Can he get a good release and free himself of jams to do those things he excels at? Against a more physical Florida defense he struggled. Similarly, he lacks the bulk to sustain blocks in the run game. For the Bengals and their undying devotion to the holy trinity of stop the run, run the ball, and control the clock that is an issue. Will his blocking keep him off the field? With a first or second round pick, that is unacceptable. They need to be on the field and contribute.


Gilyard has proven himself in the college ranks and should make a solid pro but the immediate impact the Bengals need at several positions do not merit a first or second round chance on Gilyard. He makes perfect sense in the 3rd round where he can be valuable on special teams and get in on limited downs. He is more polished than Jerome Simpson and is more explosive than Andre Caldwell. I like the guy. I want him to succeed. I would like him in stripes. But please, please, let's just not reach on this one. If we are that desperate for a playmaking wide receiver let's go out and get an established one (see: Marshall, Brandon).