Cincinnati Bengals TE Jermaine Gresham ready for a breakout season

With just two years left on his rookie deal, Cincinnati Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham has a lot to prove if he wants to get a long-term extension in Cincinnati, but he know he’s done nothing to each such a reward:

"“I haven’t earned an extension. More so Geno, those guys earned that. They definitely earned what they got,” Gresham said. “They deserved it. I’m not going to lie to you. I don’t deserve it. Not right now. I’ve got a lot to prove. I haven’t done a lot. I’ve got a lot of making up to do to people around the city and for the organization, so I don’t think I deserve it.”"

He pointed to his shortcomings in the team’s playoff loss to the Houston Texans as one of his lowest points as a pro. On that day, Gresham dropped two key passes that would have went for first-downs. They added to his career-high total of seven for the season, and the Bengals ended up losing to the Texans, 19-13.

"“I wouldn’t say career but it was definitely something that I learned from. Something that I will get better from,” Gresham said. “It was a rough game and it cost my team a chance to win the game. I let a lot of people down, the organization, fans, the people that still doubt me I gave them a reason to keep doubting me. It was tough. I’ve got no one to blame but myself. It was definitely eye-opening.”"