Fix the run game

[combatbengal]

I say we also part ways with Benson!! He fumbles too much and doesn’t appear to get many yards. Shoot Scott was getting more yards than Benson when he was in the game! Not sure if we replacve him with a FA or a draft pick. Here is the FA available:

Ray Rice (BAL)

Matt Forte (CHI)

Ryan Grant (GB)

Peyton Hillis (CLE) NO THANKS!!!!

Mike Tolbert (SD)

Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis (NE)

LaDainian Tomlinson (NYJ)

Cedric Benson (CIN)

Marshawn Lynch (SEA)

Arian Foster (HOU) - Restricted

Chester Taylor (ARZ)

Jason Snelling (ATL)

Jerome Felton (CAR)

Tashard Choice (DAL)

Spencer Larsen (DEN)

Maurice Morris (DET)

Derrick Ward (HOU)

Thomas Jones (KC)

Le'Ron McClain (KC)

Steve Slaton (MIA)

Lorenzo Booker (MIN)

Michael Bush (OAK)

Rock Cartwright (OAK)

Ronnie Brown (PHI)

Owen Schmitt (PHI)

Mewelde Moore (PIT)

Jacob Hester (SD)

Justin Forsett (SEA)

Moran Norris (SF)

Jerious Norwood (STL)

Cadillac Williams (STL)

Earnest Graham (TB)

Ahmard Hall (TEN)

Tim Hightower (WAS)

LaRod Stephens-Howling (ARZ) - Restricted

Antone Smith (ATL) - Exclusive Rights

Kahlil Bell (CHI) - Restricted

Chris Pressley (CIN) - Restricted

Lance Ball (DEN) - Exclusive Rights

Brock Bolen (JAC) - Restricted

Lex Hilliard (MIA) - Restricted

Isaac Redman (PIT) - Exclusive Rights

Brit Miller (STL) - Restricted

LeGarrette Blount (TB) - Exclusive Rights

Kregg Lumpkin (TB) - Restricted

[jjakq27]

I like M Lynch from that list.

[kingwilly]

Forte

Perfect fit for this offense.

[UK Bengal]

Tolbert is a better fit big back to pound it up the middle or get pead in the draft shd last til the 4th round

[Sea Ray]

I'm all for replacing Benson but the main thing that needs to be done in "fixing the run game" is addressing the interior of the offensive line. Unless they do that, the run game won't be fixed no matter who we get to pound the rock

[ArmyBengal]

I don't think there is any question on the part of the coaching staff that something needs to be done with the interior of the offensive line. For both the running game and Dalton. I truly believe they address both in either free agency and or the draft.

[walzav29]

What do you guys know about the RB from Cincy? Peat? Take of the Bearcat blinders, and tell me what you really think. What about Decastro Barron in the 1st and Peat in the 2nd.

[Stripes]

I would not like Tolbert. I don't think he's actually very good if projected as a bell cow.

I would love Forte. He's a great fit for this offense.

I would leave home with protein stains on my boxers if the Bengals got Lynch.

[ArmyBengal]

From what i've watched of Pead, I think he's a good back, but not in the Bell Cow role that we need.

Honestly he strikes me as a higher round Bernard Scott and that scares me off due to the fact of how little they use Scott in the offense.

[derekshank]

What do you guys know about the RB from Cincy? Peat?

It was rumored that Bengal scouts were looking at Pead very closely at the Senior Bowl. (On a side note... it was also mentioned that a lot of Bengals scouts were eyeing the defensive backs, notably corners Dennard and Fleming).

I like Pead, but he's probably not an every down back. That said, he's probably good value in the 4th round, and is an upgrade over Bernard Scott, because he a more dangerous receiver.

I wouldn't mind seeing the Bengals draft Pead, but also bring in BenJarvis Green-Ellis. There aren't many true bell-cow type RB anymore... and they are usually quite pricey and have short careers. Splitting the carries between Pead and Green-Ellis with Leonard remaining the 3rd down back seems like a pretty good option.

Green-Ellis would be a good replacement for Benson. He's a hard runner between the tackles, has a nose for the endzone and has never fumbled in his NFL career. 500+ carries without a fumble is attractive to me.

[UK Bengal]

You know if we get the law firm he will fumble like mad if stripes that's just our luck

[UK Bengal]

In ^

[combatbengal]

What's funny is that nobody mentioned or suggested that we resign Benson!!! I'm not sure why we didn't use Scott more!! When he was in the lineup, he produced and produced more than Benson did!!

[ArmyBengal]

Well, Benson is a free agent, will be 29, and will certainly want more than I think the Bengals will offer.

That being the case and not being impressed any longer, I say good bye.

Scott still remains an unknown for me. I don't think they use him enough in the offensive plan, so it is hard to say how it would look if he were to get more touches each game for the entire season. THAT being said, he's not an inbetween the tackles runner and that is something to address when Benson is sent packing.

[Stripes]

I generally liked Benson in stripes, but the Bengals ran him into the ground and now it's clearly time to move forward. Whoever is his replacement, I really hope Gruden splits carries/touches. It's such a waste to have the #1 back handle 90% of the load.

[volcom69]

I generally liked Benson in stripes, but the Bengals ran him into the ground and now it's clearly time to move forward. Whoever is his replacement, I really hope Gruden splits carries/touches. It's such a waste to have the #1 back handle 90% of the load.

I think thats the big thing Gruden wants, and why i believe Benson wont be back. He hated the fact of even hearing about spilting carries!

I like things that im hearing about Doug Martin, and think they can get him in the second or third round.

[derekshank]

I generally liked Benson in stripes, but the Bengals ran him into the ground and now it's clearly time to move forward. Whoever is his replacement, I really hope Gruden splits carries/touches. It's such a waste to have the #1 back handle 90% of the load.

I think thats the big thing Gruden wants, and why i believe Benson wont be back. He hated the fact of even hearing about spilting carries!

This is another reason I'd be a big supporter of Michael Bush and to a lesser extent, Law Firm. Both have proven to be unselfish players that are willing to share carries... but have also been up to the task of playing the role of feature back when injuries have required it.

I would still love to have Trent Richardson, but I simply can't see that happening. I also like Chris Polk, but he's looking like a late 1st rounder, and I don't want a RB in the 1st round. Doug Martin from Boise is becoming one of my favorite options if he's available in the 2nd round.

But as happy as I would be seeing any one of those 3 RBs in stripes... a safe and relatively inexpensive option would be to draft a guy like Pead and also sign a veteran like Bush or Green-Ellis to split carries. A move like that is something I could easily support if it means using early draft picks on other needs.

[volcom69]

I generally liked Benson in stripes, but the Bengals ran him into the ground and now it's clearly time to move forward. Whoever is his replacement, I really hope Gruden splits carries/touches. It's such a waste to have the #1 back handle 90% of the load.

I think thats the big thing Gruden wants, and why i believe Benson wont be back. He hated the fact of even hearing about spilting carries!

This is another reason I'd be a big supporter of Michael Bush and to a lesser extent, Law Firm. Both have proven to be unselfish players that are willing to share carries... but have also been up to the task of playing the role of feature back when injuries have required it.

I would still love to have Trent Richardson, but I simply can't see that happening. I also like Chris Polk, but he's looking like a late 1st rounder, and I don't want a RB in the 1st round. Doug Martin from Boise is becoming one of my favorite options if he's available in the 2nd round.

But as happy as I would be seeing any one of those 3 RBs in stripes... a safe and relatively inexpensive option would be to draft a guy like Pead and also sign a veteran like Bush or Green-Ellis to split carries. A move like that is something I could easily support if it means using early draft picks on other needs.

I agree no running back in the first round unless its Richardson which i dont see him being there. So my next option is Martin, who im starting to really like, and if they get a vet running back then let them split carries, along with Lenoard who i think should stay on this team.

I still say they should try for free agent guards, and draft some later on. That way they can focus on fixing there holes on defense somemore, because they are pretty close to being a pretty dominate piece, so keep building that defense.

[cHaD711Johnson]

I don't want Green-Ellis or Bush. Let's find 2 guys in the draft.

[Sea Ray]

I agree no running back in the first round unless its Richardson which i dont see him being there. So my next option is Martin, who im starting to really like, and if they get a vet running back then let them split carries, along with Lenoard who i think should stay on this team.

I still say they should try for free agent guards, and draft some later on. That way they can focus on fixing there holes on defense somemore, because they are pretty close to being a pretty dominate piece, so keep building that defense.

I'd like to see them make a major splash in free agency and sign G Carl Nicks of the Saints. That would speak volumes of what they think about 2012 and open up their draft to really help fill holes

[jjakq27]

Isaiah Pead getting some positive pub during the Senior Bowl practices. I wonder if they would grab in in the second round? It might be a bit of a reach but his stock seems to be rising and I doubt he will be around when they draft in the third round.

/>http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120124/SPT02/301240131/Bengals-let-Coyle-talk-Dolphins?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|

PEAD IMPRESSES: University of Cincinnati running back Isaiah Pead has had two good practices, showing quickness to the outside as well as catching a couple screen passes and fielding punts during the special teams segment.NFL Network’s Charles Davis, who is part of the broadcast crew for Saturday’s game, has been a Pead fan since seeing him three years ago when the Bearcats were in the Orange Bowl against Virginia Tech.

“He was just a pup back then,” Davis said. “When Butch Jones got the job I told him he had a jewel. There’s a lot that I like about him. By fielding punts that shows added value. Any time you can do a little bit more so much the better.”

[volcom69]

Im just hoping the bengals dont reach in the first round for a RB, just because they have 2 picks. If i were them and Richardson is gone, then they should wait till the 2nd round for a guy like Martin, or Pead.

[cHaD711Johnson]

Im just hoping the bengals dont reach in the first round for a RB, just because they have 2 picks. If i were them and Richardson is gone, then they should wait till the 2nd round for a guy like Martin, or Pead.

Martin might work his way up into the 1st round.

[UK Bengal]

What about la Michael James small but fast

[Scottishbengal]

I'd still like to see what Benson could do behind a strong, consistent O-line. He's a proven back with regular 1000+ yard seasons, he knows the offence and can be effective immediately - would a draftee be able to function at that level straight away??

FA's to fix the O line, re-sign Benson, draft for the future.