Bengals' WR Caldwell gets his chance to emerge

Football Betting Lines

09/22/2011 -

CINCINNATI (AP) - Andre Caldwell was delighted when he checked into the Cincinnati Bengals training camp in July and discovered he'd been assigned Chad Ochocinco's old room: No. 113.

The receiver took it as a sign that he was finally going to get a chance to start.

``I feel like this is the start of the Caldwell Era for me,'' he said, that sunny July day in Georgetown, Ky.

It's taken three games and one injury for that era to arrive.

The fourth-year receiver will get a lot more time now that Jordan Shipley is out for the season with a knee injury. Shipley had been the primary slot receiver, splitting time with Caldwell.

``I've been looking for a chance,'' Caldwell said Wednesday. ``I've got my shot right now. I can't let it get away from me.

``People always put me on the backburner, but I always keep fighting, keep going. I've got my chance, and now have to make the most of it.''

Caldwell was a third-round pick out of Florida in 2008, expected to contribute quickly with his ability to turn short catches into long gains. He was a backup his first two seasons.

When Antonio Bryant couldn't play in training camp last year because of a bad knee, Caldwell thought he'd finally get his chance to line up across from Ochocinco. Instead, the Bengals signed Terrell Owens, the TOcho Show was formed, and Caldwell became a backup again.

It was tough to handle.

``I get a little discouraged, but don't let it show,'' Caldwell said. ``I let my game talk for me, and that's what I'm going to do the next couple Sundays.''

Shipley tore his left anterior cruciate ligament during a 24-22 loss in Denver on Sunday. Caldwell took over in the slot and caught three passes for 27 yards, including a touchdown that gave the Bengals a chance in the fourth quarter.

``You saw that once Jordan was out of the game, he stepped in and caught a couple of passes, caught a touchdown,'' quarterback Andy Dalton said. ``So the play didn't really drop off. He came in and played well.

``They do a lot of the same things. There's not a whole lot of difference in there. They're both reliable guys, always going to do the right thing, be in the right spot.''

Caldwell is the most experienced receiver in the young group, and it shows.

``In my experience, I don't think he's real vocal,'' coach Marvin Lewis said. ``I think that everybody knows how Andre leads by the example that he sets and his preparation that way, to be able to go in and play all four receiver spots for us.''

The Bengals switched offensive schemes this season, moving to a West Coast offense under coordinator Jay Gruden that emphasizes quick passes. Caldwell thinks the new approach suits him better, providing more of a chance to break a big play.

``I think it gets the ball in the playmaker's hands, lets him make plays,'' Caldwell said. ``I'm good at running after the catch and can stretch the field. They're going to send me down the field a lot, so I think it's a good fit.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

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Pro Football Odds : NFC SOUTH BETTING ODDS

NFL Sports Betting

NFL betting action is back! At MySportsbook, all of the pro football odds are posted for the NFC North. Check out how we see the four teams in this cloudy division stacking up this year in the chase for the playoffs! Green Bay Packers (+125) - With QB Aaron Rodgers leading the offense and DC Dom Capers working his magic on defense, the Packers are a real force to be reckoned with.

Virtually nothing changed on this offense for Green Bay from last year to this year, save for the addition of rookie OT Brian Bulaga to the bunch. Expect more huge numbers from the Pack, and a relatively favorable schedule should get them over the hump and into the playoffs once again this season. My NFL Betting Predictions: 11-5, 1st place in NFC North Minnesota Vikings (+130) - There are still too many unknowns about the Vikes this year. There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not.

There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.

Chicago Bears (+350) - The Bears are probably a bit of an overhyped team once again this year.No, we don't think it is plausible for QB Jay Cutler to have as bad of a season as he did last year, and we do think the additions of RB Chester Taylor and DE Julius Peppers are going to help immensely, but there's still something in the water in the Windy City that we aren't so sure about. Maybe Chicago finds its way to .500... but then again, maybe it doesn't. If Favre comes back, Cutler might be the worst quarterback in this division this year.

Detroit Lions (+1500) - The Lions are probably once again going to be the whipping boys for the rest of the teams in the NFC North, but they aren't just going to roll over and die once again. There is some real talent amassing on this team offensively, as the combination of QB Matt Stafford, RB Jahvid Best, WR Calvin Johnson, and TE Brandon Pettigrew should put a bunch of points on the board if the offensive line can even remotely hold up. The questions really lie on defense, where it feels like DT Ndamukong Suh is going to be trying to stop opposing teams all by himself. This year should show some marked improvement in the Motor City.

The Patriots will make NFL betting fans a lot of money this season, get in early and enjoy the cash.

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