08-15-2017, 12:01 PM
If all WRs stay healthy we will eventually have to cut either Cedric Peerman, Alex Erickson or Ryan Hewitt. All three are in "specialty" roles that are a luxury, and this year the coaches are going to have to decide which luxury they enjoy the most (ST ace, return specialist or dedicated H-back).
If I had to put put money down I would guess it will be Peerman.
Last year Hewitt saw the field so little that I was beginning to think priorities were shifting and he would be on the way out. However after that first preseason game it's clear he is receiving more intentional use in Zamp's second year offense. Similarly, Erickson still seems to be highly valued as our primary return specialist, and blossoming as a receiver. None of the young speedsters (Ross, Boyd, Mixon) have shown themselves to be a clear replacement to Erickson's return abilities, which further solidifies his spot.
Which brings us to Peerman. Ced has certainly been a special teams ace, but this is an extremely young team with a lot of speed and guys eager to step into leadership roles on ST. Last year Peerman was out most of the year, and multiple guys have emerged as ST "leaders" in his absence(s). Hobson just wrote an article about the emergence of Cody Core and Josh Shaw as ST leaders.
I think that Peerman is an excellent Bengal, and in a vacuum he is more than worthy of being a part of this team. But the talent and versatility we stand to lose by keeping him instead of Hewitt or Erickson makes it clear he ought to be the odd man out. For many years the Bengals kept only 3 RB. Peerman changed that with his excellent ST play. But in a year where you have Mixon, Hill and Bernard, I'm not sure keeping a fourth will be necessary, especially if we have other ST leaders waiting in the wings.
If I had to put put money down I would guess it will be Peerman.
Last year Hewitt saw the field so little that I was beginning to think priorities were shifting and he would be on the way out. However after that first preseason game it's clear he is receiving more intentional use in Zamp's second year offense. Similarly, Erickson still seems to be highly valued as our primary return specialist, and blossoming as a receiver. None of the young speedsters (Ross, Boyd, Mixon) have shown themselves to be a clear replacement to Erickson's return abilities, which further solidifies his spot.
Which brings us to Peerman. Ced has certainly been a special teams ace, but this is an extremely young team with a lot of speed and guys eager to step into leadership roles on ST. Last year Peerman was out most of the year, and multiple guys have emerged as ST "leaders" in his absence(s). Hobson just wrote an article about the emergence of Cody Core and Josh Shaw as ST leaders.
I think that Peerman is an excellent Bengal, and in a vacuum he is more than worthy of being a part of this team. But the talent and versatility we stand to lose by keeping him instead of Hewitt or Erickson makes it clear he ought to be the odd man out. For many years the Bengals kept only 3 RB. Peerman changed that with his excellent ST play. But in a year where you have Mixon, Hill and Bernard, I'm not sure keeping a fourth will be necessary, especially if we have other ST leaders waiting in the wings.
