Chase

Coffman

Coffman was available after failing to draw a futures deal with the Bengals last month. The 2009 third-rounder never returned to pre-injury form after suffering a broken foot late in his senior season at Mizzou. He’s merely a flier for the Bucs.

Coffman was the only member of Cincinnati’s 2011 practice squad to not receive a reserve/future deal. The former Missouri Tiger has been a bust, appearing in just six games across three seasons with three catches for 30 yards.

It’s another bad sign for Coffman’s career. The Bengals, who used a third-round pick on him in 2009, didn’t even sign Coffman to a futures deal after the season. Now the Bucs are moving on just one week into training camp. It doesn’t look like Coffman will ever get over his nagging foot woes.

Polite will compete with Mike Cox for lead-blocking duties after fifth-round rookie Bradie Ewing was lost for the season on Friday. An on-again, off-again starter for the Dolphins from 2008-10, Polite played just 24 snaps for the Patriots in 2011. A third-round pick of the Bengals in 2009, Coffman has appeared in just six career games, all of which came in 2010.

It’s the second time Coffman, a former third-round pick, has been waived in the past three weeks, suggesting he’s just about at the end of the line. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound tight end boasts NFL size to go along with excellent hands, but has never been able to cut it in the strength and athleticism department.

Signed on the eve of camp, Toone was waived/injured at final cuts. A former third-round pick, Coffman hasn’t appeared in a game since 2010. If either player is active this Sunday, it will be to contribute on special teams.

“He’s had a lot of opportunities to get some snaps in,” Smith added. “He’s made the most of it.” Coffman has been seeing a ton of reps with Tony Gonzalez relaxing in OTAs and minicamp. The former third-round pick of the Bengals will challenge for a backup job, but he won’t be a factor when the games count.

Tony Gonzalez is expected to retire, and it could be a chance for Coffman, a 2009 third-round pick by the Bengals, to salvage his career. “Chase is a very good receiving tight end,” said GM Thomas Dimitroff. “If Chase can... stay healthy, I think Chase has a very nice chance of being a quality football player in this league.” Coffman should still be a last resort if the position can’t be addressed elsewhere in the offseason.

Coffman’s rookie season was lost due to complications from the broken foot suffered in the last game of his college career. He’ll struggle to see the field in 2010 with Jermaine Gresham on board and Reggie Kelly back in the fold. If he can stay healthy long-term, Coffman has the receiving skills to eat into Gresham’s value. That’s a big “if” at this point.

A true journeyman, Coffman made one appearance for both the Seahawks and Titans last season. He’s a camp body.