Veteran Releases

You may remember that in March the Cincinnati Bengals signed WR Antonio Bryant to a 4 year $28 million deal.  So, why before ever playing a game with the Bengals was he cut by Cincinnati?  This is another example of the NFL acronym standing for Not for Long.

Bryant is an eight year veteran that has caught 30 career TDs.  He played for San Francisco, Dallas, Cleveland, and Tampa Bay.  He was signed by the Begals in the off-season instead of  Terrell Owens, who worked out both veteran receivers in March.  After losing T.J. Houshmanzedah to the Seahawks following the 2008 season Laveranues Coles was expected to replace his production.  But, after a disappointing season the Bengals realized they needed additional help.

Bryant struggled to recover from a knee injury that limited his production last year with the Buccaneers.  So, when the Bengals signed T.O. in late July and by being impressed by draft picks Jordan Shipley and Jermaine Gresham the writing was on the wall concerning Bryant’s future in Cincinnati.  The thing that hurts Cincy is that they will have to throw away $8 million in signing him.

Laveranues Coles, the man who Bryant was supposed to replace in Cincinnati, was also released.  He was cut today by the Jets after beginning his career with the same team prior to the 200o season.  Coles has played 10 years in the NFL and has scored 49 receiving TDs.  Coles was the odd man out of a young Jets receiving core that includes Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes.