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 > March > 14 > Entry
Bengals sign Colts TE Utecht to 3-year offer sheet
The Bengals appear to be very serious about winning. So serious that they signed Indianapolis Colts restricted free agent tight end Ben Utecht to a three-year offer sheet. The announcement came late Friday afternoon, March 14.
The Colts have the option of retaining Utecht if they match Cincinnati’s offer within seven days.
However, with the Colts making Dallas Clark the richest tight end in the league with a six-year contract last month, it’s doubtful they’ll cough up the cash to keep two high-priced tight ends.
Should the Colts decline to match, Utecht will join Cincinnati. A signing by the Bengals will not require the Bengals to compensate Indianapolis with a future draft choice, because Utecht entered the NFL as a college free agent and was not tendered by the Colts beyond draft-status level.
Utecht (pronounced “OO-tek”) is a 6-foot-6, 251-pound fourth-year veteran from the University of Minnesota. He’s played in 41 games with 30 starts for Indianapolis over the past three seasons (2005-07).
He also has played six postseason games with five starts, including a start in the Colts’ victory over Chicago in Super Bowl XLI following the 2006 season. He has 71 catches for 800 yards (an 11.3-yard average) in regular season play, with three TDs. He has six catches for 61 yards in postseason play.
Utecht played in 14 games with 13 starts during the 2007 regular season, with 31 catches for 364 yards and one TD.
He joined the Colts in 2004, but was on the Physically Unable to Perform list and did not earn an accrued year toward NFL free agency.
Utecht would give the Bengals the pass-receiving tight end the club desperately needs to complement wide receivers Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chris Henry.
The signing would also save the Bengals from spending a draft pick on a tight end. The Bengals haven’t drafted a tight end since selecting Matt Schobel in the third round out of TCU in 2002. Schobel bolted to Philadelphia in free agency after the 2005 season.
The Bengals have a solid starting tight end in Reggie Kelly, but he’s known primarily for his blocking skills. Utecht will give quarterback Carson Palmer an explosive addition to an already potent passing game, making it even more dangerous.
Daniel Coats and Nate Lawrie split time as backup tight ends in 2007.
Permalink | Comments (13) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Stone
March 14, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
I live in Indy by the Colts training facility and have watched the Colts many times being a true Bengal fan the whole time. And Utecht is a decent catch! No pun intended. He isn’t much of a big guy blocker, but he can run and catch decent. Besides, we all know Carson throws a prettier ball than Peyton!By Jo Jo is Right
March 14, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
Good try by the Bengals. Hope we get him. They have been very active and while not hitting on every deal, some of the best deals are the ones that don’t get made. I guess all you complaining fair weather Bengal fans can’t open your pie whole since something positive is happening. I guess you will have to come up from the basement and whine to your mom about Mike Brown being a loser.By Ryan
March 15, 2008 6:55 AM | Link to this
I hope like the other deals the bengals have tried to make, this one falls apart too. It would only affirm that the Bengals are destined to be basement dwellers for years to come.By JM66
March 15, 2008 7:44 AM | Link to this
Positive move.By steve
March 15, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this
Outstanding!! let’s hope the deal goes thru. When they were talking about Crumpler I thought “oh no another has been” but Utecht is young and entering his prime. Let’s now work on the Defense team and get back in the playoff picture.By Jo Jo is Wrong
March 15, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this
It is about time.By Jeff
March 15, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
This would truly give the bengals the flexibility to draft the best player available now in every round. Obviously defense is a focus but drafting for needs always is a cuase for reach picks. Good move. Now sign Andrews to a long term deal alreadyBy Phil C.
March 15, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
A solid TE with Super Bowl experience is a step in the right direction, but I am much happier with the signing of Blackstock at LB, the “D” really needs the help.By boxter
March 15, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
Will #85 approve of this deal? He may smack Marvin again if he doesn’t get the ball enough.By Jeff
March 15, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
Boxter, if the bengals are winning next let me guess you will be the first one wearing your ocho cinco jerseyBy Jon
March 20, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
This team is going no where this year. They lost 3 starter at defense. They sign a second string DE who benefited from a Defense that had studs at other positions. The bengals then sign a second string LB backer to a one deal, then sign two other LB who at best are 3rd string. The bengals sign Utecht who is injury prone. <3 million a year? give me a break>…iam betting he will be on IR before the year is out. Another second string player!!! Then the bengals francise a second string Offensive Lineman who played one year of college ball. Give me a break, And I am suppose to feel good about the off season acquitions?…This team is going nowhere.By Linda
March 29, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
borrow it, as prodigals, whose expense has been disproportioned http://idisk.mac.com/dukebluedevilsfreewe/Public/0/love-me-or-hate-me-myspace-layouts.html >love me or hate me myspace layouts They represented, first, that the exportation of gold and silver, pkkqjxvgcfBy Linda
March 29, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
borrow it, as prodigals, whose expense has been disproportioned http://idisk.mac.com/dukebluedevilsfreewe/Public/0/love-me-or-hate-me-myspace-layouts.html >love me or hate me myspace layouts They represented, first, that the exportation of gold and silver, pkkqjxvgcf