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| Height: 6-6 Weight: 251 Born: Jun 30, 1981, Hastings, MN |
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| Player Notes |
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October 29, 2008 Bengals tight end Ben Utecht will probably play this week, even though he has been a limited participant in practice, according to Bengals.com. Our View:Utecht is battling a chest injury, but should be ready to go as Cincinnati takes on the Jaguars on Sunday. |
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October 28, 2008 The Cincinnati Enquirer indicates Ben Utecht might be back this weekend against Jacksonville following his recovery from a chest injury. Our View:Utecht displayed solid receiving skills during his time with the Colts, and could be productive for deeper PPR leagues while working as quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick's safety valve against a tough Jaguars' defense. |
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October 26, 2008 Tight end Ben Utecht (chest) is inactive for the Week 8 game against the Texans. He was listed as doubtful. Reggie Kelly will start in his place. Our View:Kelly is not worth starting, even though the Texans aren't a strong defense. |
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October 20, 2008 Ben Utecht is expected to return to the gridiron this weekend against Houston following his bout with a chest injury, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Our View:Utecht was productive as a safety valve for Peyton Manning while a member of the Colts, but only has nine receptions for 57 yards so far this season with Cincinnati, and should not be considered for fantasy lineups in his first game back. |
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October 17, 2008 Tight end Ben Utecht is doubtful for Week 7 according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. He has an injured chest and has not practiced all week. Our View:Utecht has just nine catches through five games and is not deserving of a fantasy roster spot. |
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September 26, 2008 Ben Utecht continues to be limited at practice because of his chest injury, and whether or not he plays this weekend will be his ability to tolerate the pain, according to the Bengals Official Website. Our View:Utecht has been hampered by injury in the early going and has been a non-factor in the passing game for the Bengals. Apparently he is in no danger of exacerbating the injury, so if he can tough it out, he will go. |
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September 24, 2008 Ben Utecht returned to practice Wednesday after missing last week due to a chest injury, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Our View:If healthy, Utecht will have a good shot to post favorable numbers at home against the rival Browns. |
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September 21, 2008 Week 3 inactives: QB Jordan Palmer (3rd), CB Johnathan Joseph, SS Dexter Jackson, DB Herana-Daze Jones, TE Ben Utecht, DT Pat Sims, and DT Jason Shirley. Our View:There are no surprises for fantasy owners here. Utecht (chest) didn't practice all week, and Reggie Kelly should step into a larger role. Kelly is only a No. 2 fantasy tight end option. |
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September 19, 2008 Ben Utecht has been unable to practice all week due to his chest injury and is doubtful to play in Week 3 against the Giants, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Our View:Reggie Kelly looks to start in his place, but only ranks as a No. 2 fantasy tight end. |
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September 18, 2008 Ben Utecht missed another practice Thursday due to his bruised chest, according to the Bengals' official website. He was unable to practice yesterday as well. Our View:It does not look like he will be fit to play in Week 3 against the Giants. On a positive note, Reggie Kelly returned to practice after sitting out Wednesday to nurse a head injury. Kelly looks to start Sunday at the Meadowlands. |
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September 17, 2008 Ben Utecht sat out practice on Wednesday with a bruised chest according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Our View:Utecht appears to be doubtful for this weekend's matchup against the Giants. As long as Carson Palmer is struggling, Utecht is not worthy of roster spot. |
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September 15, 2008 On Sunday, Bengals tight end Ben Utecht was hurt on the first offensive play of the day for Cincinnati. The injury to his sternum forced Utecht out for the rest of the game, and it now appears that the injury will sidelined him for at least one more week, according to Bengals.com. Our View:Utecht only had two catches in Week 1 for the Bengals and doesn't have any fantasy value at all. |
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September 14, 2008 Cincinnati tight end Ben Utecht was injured on the Bengals’ first play from scrimmage, according to NFL.com. Our View:Utecht was hit in the chest by linebacker David Thornton as he crossed the middle on a route. He had to be helped off the field by trainers, and it was later announced he is questionable to return. |
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June 16, 2008 Reggie Kelly will be the Bengals' starting tight end, but newly acquired Ben Utecht will see plenty of action in two-TE sets, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Our View:Utecht developed a fine chemistry with Peyton Manning, and hauled in 31 receptions for 364 yards and a score in his final campaign in Indianapolis in 2007. Utecht could make a solid impact with the Bengals this season, and is worth a look in larger leagues. |
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June 12, 2008 Signing tight end Ben Utecht away from Indianapolis Colts is one of the most positive moves of the Cincinnati Bengals' offseason, according to the Dayton Daily News. He gives quarterback Carson Palmer another potent weapon in the passing game, brings a veteran leader into the locker room and saved the club from spending a draft pick on a tight end. Our View:After spending most of his time as a blocker in Indy, Utecht will be able to realize his full potential in Cincinnati. The team waived the troubled Chris Henry during the offseason, and incumbent Reggie Kelly is more of a blocker than receiver, so Utecht has a chance to make an impact in the Bengals’ explosive passing offense. |
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April 4, 2008 Cincinnati offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski points to tight end Ben Utecht, as a player who could pick up the slack following the release of receiver Chris Henry, according to Bengals.com. Bratkowski, who used to have the NFL's deepest pool of wide receivers at his fingertips, suddenly has just 40 career catches in his system behind T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson on the wide receiver depth chart. This lack of experience will likely result in the Bengals’ implementing more double tight-end sets in place of the three-receiver formations. Utecht has caught 68 balls the past two seasons in Indianapolis, while sharing time with Dallas Clark, so he's definitely a young player to keep an eye on in 2008. |
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March 24, 2008 The Cincinnati Bengals’ signing of Ben Utecht is an indication the tight end position will be used more in the passing game this season, according to Pro Football Weekly. Utecht caught 31 passes for Indianapolis last season; the last time the Bengals had a tight end who caught that many passes was Tony McGee in 1997, when he snagged 34 passes for 414 yards and six touchdowns. Utecht has caught 68 balls the past two seasons in Indianapolis, while sharing time with Dallas Clark, so he's definitely a young player to keep an eye on in 2008. |
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March 22, 2008 The Indianapolis Colts have opted not to match the offer made by the Cincinnati Bengals to tight end Ben Utecht, this according to ProFootballTalk.com. The Colts had seven days to decide whether to meet the deal that Utecht signed with the Bengals but decided to pass on the tight end without comment. Utecht had limited fantasy value in the Peyton Manning passing offense, because of competition at the position. Utecht has limited fantasy value in the Peyton Manning passing offense, because of competition at the position. In Cincy he should surpass the 364 yards and 31 receptions he registered in 2007. |
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March 14, 2008 Following an earlier report, TE Ben Utecht has signed an offer sheet with the Cincinnati Bengals, according to SLAM Sports. The Bengals' offer would give Utecht a three-year agreement. As a restricted free agent, Indianapolis now has the option to match that offer to retain Utecht or to pass and let him move to Cincinnati. If the Bengals sign him on, they will not be required to provide Indianapolis with compensation as Utecht entered the league as a college free agent. The numbers from last season (31 catches for 364 yards and one touchdown) may indicate Utecht is not a major contributor, but as is often the case, the tight end offers much more that won't translate in numbers and he would be a substantial upgrade at the position for Cincinnati. Stay tuned. |
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March 14, 2008 The Jets are out of the mix to sign Ben Utecht to a contract, according to the New York Daily News. Apparently, he's demanding more money than the Jets feel he deserves, though the Bengals may be prepared to make an offer. He's a restricted free agent, so the Colts can match any offer he gets. |
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March 11, 2008 The New York Jets hosted Indianapolis free agent tight end Ben Utecht yesterday, according to the New York Post. Utecht, who caught 31 passes for 364 yards last season while backing up Dallas Clark, is a player the Jets have been targeting to complement starting tight end Chris Baker. Utecht is non-compensation restricted free agent, meaning the Colts have the right to match any offer he receives, but will not be awarded compensation if he signs with another team. The Colts aren't believed to be serious about re-signing Utecht, who visited the Bengals last week. |
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March 2, 2008 The Cincinnati Enquirer is reporting that the Bengals are talking with Ben Utecht's agent, Christopher Murray, about setting up a visit with his client. Utecht had 31 receptions for 364 yards (11.7 average) and one touchdown in 2007. |