Fix the run game

[ArmyBengal]

I'm still having a hard time with the thought of a RB that fits the role of an upgrade to Scott and not Benson.

Why spend a 2nd round pick on a guy that doesn't run between the tackles ??

Why spend a 2nd round pick on a guy that would replace the guy we have that doesn't get utilized in our offense ??

Don't get me wrong, if they were to find an upgrade to Benson (who I don't want back) in free agency, then I could get behind it more. However, they would still need to utilize that change of pace guy far more to make it worth spending a second rounder on when we have the holes we do.

If there is no increase in the use of the change of pace back, just keep Scott and grab another position of need in the 2nd round.

[cHaD711Johnson]

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.

We need a big play guy at RB, and Benson just isn't capable of doing that. Being a 1,000 yard back is not anything to go crazy over IMO when we play a 16 game schedule. You don't even have to average 100 yds/game to reach 1,000. The more telling number is his YPC. His career high in YPC is 4.2. That's not good at all for a career high. We should certainly be looking to upgrade this position. He also isn't a great receiving threat out of the backfield.

[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.

His career high in YPC is 4.2. That's not good at all for a career high.

But that's what I'm saying ... with a decent line infront of him could he be the back we want/need ???

Totally agree with you re the receiving threat though.

[derekshank]

But that's what I'm saying ... with a decent line infront of him could he be the back we want/need ???

I won't dismiss that a RB of Benson's style might be a need. You must have the ability to run the ball between the tackles in the AFC North... but I don't think it's him anymore. The Bengals wore down the tread on his tires the last 3 years. He just doesn't look very good most of the time.

Besides that, he's got an attitude problem that the Bengals would do well to separate their young guys from.

[TJJackson]

I won't dismiss that a RB of Benson's style might be a need. You must have the ability to run the ball between the tackles in the AFC North... but I don't think it's him anymore. The Bengals wore down the tread on his tires the last 3 years. He just doesn't look very good most of the time.

Besides that, he's got an attitude problem that the Bengals would do well to separate their young guys from.

Exactly

Also - recall Rudi was let go when he started fumbling as well. Although I generally liked Rudi's demeanor better than Cedric's, all else is quite similar. Time to go.

[Stripes]

I don't want Pead in the second round. That smells like Bearcat bias.

[wpeldios]

Yeah I wouldn't touch pead before the 4th, and maybe not even then. Lets remember the outcry that I believe happened on this board as well from some members when we took Jordan Shipley in the 3rd over Gilyard. Gilyrad has since put up 6 receptions for 63 yards. I know its hard to not want the guys from your college team. Luckily being a Kentucky fan I dont have to worry about that, they suck.

[cHaD711Johnson]

But that's what I'm saying ... with a decent line infront of him could he be the back we want/need ???

I won't dismiss that a RB of Benson's style might be a need. You must have the ability to run the ball between the tackles in the AFC North... but I don't think it's him anymore. The Bengals wore down the tread on his tires the last 3 years. He just doesn't look very good most of the time.

Besides that, he's got an attitude problem that the Bengals would do well to separate their young guys from.

Yes. He was a good guy to fill the gap for a few years, a la Rudi. We need to revitalize the run game with guys that can make that big play, as well as new OLineman. How many runs over 20 yds did Benson have? Our backfield had no big play ability. I wouldn't mind drafting a RB in round 2 and then taking another guy in 4/5. I don't think that Bernard Scott is ever going to pan out and be what we wanted him to be here either.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Yeah I wouldn't touch pead before the 4th, and maybe not even then. Lets remember the outcry that I believe happened on this board as well from some members when we took Jordan Shipley in the 3rd over Gilyard. Gilyrad has since put up 6 receptions for 63 yards. I know its hard to not want the guys from your college team. Luckily being a Kentucky fan I dont have to worry about that, they suck.

If it wasn't for college hoops, UK wouldn't have anything to crow about.

[ArmyBengal]

Again with Scott, i'd really like to know what everyone else is thinking about him.

Is he just not utilized enough?? Does he need a better o-line?? Does he just suck??

I personally still don't think they utilize the change of pace back enough, but maybe that has something to do with their confidence in Scott. I don't know, but I still have issue with spending a high draft pick on his replacement if there is no further committment to more touches.

Agree with the need for an between the tackles runner in the AFCN and that it isn't Benson any longer.

[jjakq27]

Isiah Pead from UC was named MVP of the Senior Bowl with two punt returns for an all-time game record of 98 yards and a game high 31 yards rushing.

/>http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7514605/north-claims-23-13-senior-bowl-victory-south?eleven=twelve

[volcom69]

I really like Pead, but something about Martin, and Polk that i like better. If they have no shot at Richardson, then any of those 3 i wouldnt mind.

[jjakq27]

I don't want Pead in the second round. That smells like Bearcat bias.

What about the third round? Although I doubt he will be there for us.

[HoosierCat]

Ced is whining again.

We told you over a month ago that the Bengals and running back Cedric Benson were likely headed for a breakup. That appears to be the case more than ever.

Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio’s Late Hits show with Ross Tucker and Alex Marvez, Benson said he has yet to hear from his employer of the last four years.

“I’m not sure [where things stand]. We haven’t had any talks about a new deal,” Benson said via FOXSports.com.

Benson is a one dimensional back that no longer breaks tackles. Cincinnati got great value out of Benson with more than 1,000 yards in the last three seasons at a fair price, but his time in town has run its course. He turns 30 this year and keeps complaining about the direction of the offense.

“We didn’t stick on what the offense was built on. When we had Carson and Chad we kept a strong identity in the run game and we kind of got away from it and didn’t let that part of the offense grow and bit the bullet on it a little bit,” Benson said.

Best news? "Benson said he has yet to hear from his employer of the last four years." Memo to the FO: let''s keep it that way.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

They didn't run the ball as much, because they couldn't.

I really hope this franchise quits drafting CB's, WR's and RB's in the 1st two rounds every single year. You have to be able to find those guys later in the draft more often.

A Charlie Brown Christmas tree with nice ornaments, still ends-up being a crappy Christmas tree.

There's really no CB's in the 1st round this year that stand out, sadly, but they do need to find at least one starter there, and probably will.

But they need LB's, Guards, and Safeties in the worst possible way. Not addressing those positions with quality guys just makes this team worse or no better than last year. In other words, no playoff wins if they even get there.

[BengalszoneBilly]

They didn't run the ball as much, because they couldn't.

I really hope this franchise quits drafting CB's, WR's and RB's in the 1st two rounds every single year. You have to be able to find those guys later in the draft more often.

A Charlie Brown Christmas tree with nice ornaments, still ends-up being a crappy Christmas tree.

There's really no CB's in the 1st round this year that stand out, sadly, but they do need to find at least one starter there, and probably will.

But they need LB's, Guards, and Safeties in the worst possible way. Not addressing those positions with quality guys just makes this team worse or no better than last year. In other words, no playoff wins if they even get there.

IMO the reason they couldn't was the lack of holes to run through. You could have the best RB in the NFL, but when he is constantly met at the LOS by defensive linemen on linebackers as Cedric was, the results won't be any different.

[Spor_tees]

They didn't run the ball as much, because they couldn't.

I really hope this franchise quits drafting CB's, WR's and RB's in the 1st two rounds every single year. You have to be able to find those guys later in the draft more often.

A Charlie Brown Christmas tree with nice ornaments, still ends-up being a crappy Christmas tree.

There's really no CB's in the 1st round this year that stand out, sadly, but they do need to find at least one starter there, and probably will.

But they need LB's, Guards, and Safeties in the worst possible way. Not addressing those positions with quality guys just makes this team worse or no better than last year. In other words, no playoff wins if they even get there.

IMO the reason they couldn't was the lack of holes to run through. You could have the best RB in the NFL, but when he is constantly met at the LOS by defensive linemen on linebackers as Cedric was, the results won't be any different.

Well I think the biggest problem is, they didn't have the right style of running back to fit the style of offense they run. They had a 'power back' that should be in a running game that has more of a vertical passing game to compliment the running game, instead of a West Coast Offense with a series of short passes like the Bengals run. With a vertical passing game with lots of intermediate and long routes, it draws the safeties and line backer further out of the box so that the lineman have more one on one blocks that is essential in a power running game.

The Bengals West Coast Offense relies more heavily on quick hitting runs and the ability to cross the defense up with a more versatile running back that can also catch the ball out of the backfield. Also with more guys in the box and a more speed back in the back field, it allows the potential for more long runs because there is less guys in the second tier. Once the running back breaks the first line of the defense in the first 10-15 yards, it becomes a foot race.

[combatbengal]

Benson fumbles to much. Scott averaged more yards per carry when he was in! We need a new running back. Bye Benson.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

They didn't run the ball as much, because they couldn't.

I really hope this franchise quits drafting CB's, WR's and RB's in the 1st two rounds every single year. You have to be able to find those guys later in the draft more often.

A Charlie Brown Christmas tree with nice ornaments, still ends-up being a crappy Christmas tree.

There's really no CB's in the 1st round this year that stand out, sadly, but they do need to find at least one starter there, and probably will.

But they need LB's, Guards, and Safeties in the worst possible way. Not addressing those positions with quality guys just makes this team worse or no better than last year. In other words, no playoff wins if they even get there.

IMO the reason they couldn't was the lack of holes to run through. You could have the best RB in the NFL, but when he is constantly met at the LOS by defensive linemen on linebackers as Cedric was, the results won't be any different.

I don't disagree. And because of that, they need a shiftier, more dynamic back. But, they don't need to blow a 1st or 2nd round pick on one either, go with a 2-back system for a year with a 3rd or 4th rounder and see how it works out. Ced didn't do anything last year that a middle-round guy couldn't do, and they still made the post season.

I just get frustrated with the Bengals'/Brown's infatuation with Rb's and WR's every season, they reach, go after high ceiling, poor character guys too often still. Play the cards you're dealt well, and good things will happen. Take the best guys available at any one of 3 positions of ranking need. I have no issue jumping for a can't-miss guy like Green or a MegaTron or a Larry Fitzgerald or a Peterson type when they come around. But no more Kenny Irons or Peter Warrick's.

RB's get hurt all the damn time anymore, they are a rotation position like WR, find a 2-3 guys who can play. The Patriots make a living of going to Superbowl's that way.

This is my (rather lengthy) point. If someone can dispute it instead of just reaching for "you're a Mike Brown hater!" slams, I'd love to hear it, and why. I'd LOVE to see a CB, O-lineman (or 2) and a LB on day one this year, no particular order.

[HoosierCat]

Speaking of the run game, Trent Richardson wont run drills at the combine. Just had a "minor" knee scope.

/>http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8271f922/article/richardson-has-knee-injury-wont-do-onfield-drills

[combatbengal]

I agree, we need DB's and linemen first!!

[TJJackson]

Gimme a lineman

Hair liked it when I wrote that

[Sea Ray]

Hair liked it when I wrote that

Looks like he took his toys and went home. Where'd he go?

[HoosierCat]

Wore out his welcome.

[Sea Ray]

Wore out his welcome.

I think there are all sorts of sports forum sites left in his wake. This pattern has been commonplace for him.