Updated RB Thread: Bengals Sign Law Firm

[Takeo51]

La Canfora tweets that RB Mike Tolbert agrees to 4yr deal with Panthers. Would RB Jonathon Stewart be a better back for us than Bush depending on what Carolina wants in return, possibly a 3rd might do it as he's in the last year of his contract?

Did anyone hear our newly signed offensive guard Travelle Wharton on Sirius this morning, IMO he sounded grounded and focused stating that he can't wait to get in and get at it and feels like he's way behind...just what I like to hear!

Coupled with the addition by subtraction loss of Nate Livings and the signing of Reggie, things are starting to look up around Bengalville!

WHO DEY!

[bwillycuse]

Carolina - - Tolbert?

They already have Deangelo Williams and Stewart. Hmm. Interesting.

Still want Bush.

[ArmyBengal]

Still want Bush.

So do I, but apparently Seattle wants to pair him with Lynch for a nice 1-2 punch.

[redsbengalsbucks]

Still want Bush.

I, along with most of my fellow men, have been longing for Bush since puberty. I do prefer mine to be well trimmed though.

[Wraith]

Still want Bush.

I, along with most of my fellow men, have been longing for Bush since puberty. I do prefer mine to be well trimmed though.

This is until you get married :/

[redsbengalsbucks]

Still want Bush.

I, along with most of my fellow men, have been longing for Bush since puberty. I do prefer mine to be well trimmed though.

This is until you get married :/

You must have found the wrong woman, I've been married for 14 years and I still crave the Bush I put a ring on.

[ArmyBengal]

This thread is going downhill fast...

[BengalPimp]

This thread is going downhill fast...

Although I like where it's going, let me put things back on track.

I would LOVE to trade for Jonathan Stewart. He is a perfect fit (not to mention a fellow former Duck). Stewart is a BEAST, with speed, power and good hands. Carolina didn't use any of their RB's right after Newton came aboard, but they did show the league one thing it hadn't previously seen...How good Stewart's hands were. His 47 receptions last season (in split duty) would be a welcome addition to this West Coast Offense, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE a 5'10" 235 lb back who has a career 4.8 yards per carry average......Gimme 5 yards a carry and I'll gladly give you a 2nd Rd pick.

Stewart would make this offense EXPLOSIVE, whereas Bush will give you more of what Benson gave (3.8 average last year) with a little better hands, and minus the fumbles.

I would GLADLY take either, but If it's at all possible, give me Stewart!

[redsbengalsbucks]

This thread is going downhill fast...

Although I like where it's going, let me put things back on track.

I would LOVE to trade for Jonathan Stewart. He is a perfect fit (not to mention a fellow former Duck). Stewart is a BEAST, with speed, power and good hands. Carolina didn't use any of their RB's right after Newton came aboard, but they did show the league one thing it hadn't previously seen...How good Stewart's hands were. His 47 receptions last season (in split duty) would be a welcome addition to this West Coast Offense, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE a 5'10" 235 lb back who has a career 4.8 yards per carry average......Gimme 5 yards a carry and I'll gladly give you a 2nd Rd pick.

Stewart would make this offense EXPLOSIVE, whereas Bush will give you more of what Benson gave (3.8 average last year) with a little better hands, and minus the fumbles.

I would GLADLY take either, but If it's at all possible, give me Stewart!

One of the two, would be fine with me. Benson was a solid RB, but he seems to have hit his peek and is on the downside of his abilities.

[ArmyBengal]

Well, from all reports i've seen at this time, the Panthers will be using Tolbert as a fullback and not looking to trade either of their RB's. Tolbert knew that was how the team had envisioned using him and was so good with the thought, that he took less money to go to the Panthers than what the Chargers were offering him.

[Takeo51]

well that's a shame as Stewart(1a) seemed like a perfect back for our system although Bush(1b) is right there from my perspective as the Lawfirm seems like a non fumbling version of Benson. Color me all in on the Bush bandwagon. I believe he's still in Cincy, lock him up!

[HoosierCat]

Bengals reportedly on the brink of adding The Law Firm.

/>http://www.cincyjungle.com/2012/3/21/2890600/2012-nfl-free-agency-bengals-close-to-signing-rb-benjarvus-green

[skyline]

Bengals reportedly on the brink of adding The Law Firm.

http://www.cincyjung...benjarvus-green

Interesting. I really didn't expect it, to be honest.

Mixed feelings. I'm glad that he never fumbles. After Cedric's recent issues, that comes as welcome news. I also thinks he has a lot of talent, but I'm very nervous about his durability. He seems to be banged up every year and I wonder if that's why NE rotated him so heavily. If he's expecting a larger role here, then I hope his body's able to hold up.

[Kazkal]

Bengals reportedly on the brink of adding The Law Firm.

http://www.cincyjung...benjarvus-green

Interesting. I really didn't expect it, to be honest.

Mixed feelings. I'm glad that he never fumbles. After Cedric's recent issues, that comes as welcome news. I also thinks he has a lot of talent, but I'm very nervous about his durability. He seems to be banged up every year and I wonder if that's why NE rotated him so heavily. If he's expecting a larger role here, then I hope his body's able to hold up.

Seems like a Younger version of Cedric,Won't complain but I dunno really not that impressed atleast Bush offered something to the passing game.

[volcom69]

What's there not to like here's a guy who has 0 fumbles scored more TDs then a bengals back in awhile, and he can catch out of the backfield otherwise I don't think Gruden would want him. People still complain about not having that faster back but isn't that what Scott if for? I think it's a pretty good backfield when all said and done and won't complain.

[blueridge]

Why is the BJGE news in a Mike Tolbert thread?

Anyway, I really like this signing. I've seen BJGE play more often than Bush and he has impressed me as a tough hard-hitting back who has thrived in a RB-by-committee system. I'll take a younger version of Ced who doesn't fumble and will not insist on being the feature back or getting 25 to 35 carries a game. I like Bush and Green-Ellis, and would have been glad had we got either.

[UK Bengal]

I really like this signing big back who has never fumbled paired with a fast pass catching back hopefully working together in the same formation.

[BengalByTheBay]

To me this is an "okay" signing. I would have preferred Michael Bush, but not so much as to sour me on this. As much as anything, I would hope to get out of him what we got out of Benson in his first season and a half. That would require Green-Ellis to improve on his current Yards/Per average, but I am hopeful he can do that as a feature back. Solid, but not spectacular works for me. I hope they will actually use Scott catching passes and outside the tackles now (but I've been hoping for that for the last 2 years).

[HoosierCat]

3 year deal, per schefter. Young guy, not a lot of tread wear, comes from a winning organization. What's not to like? Good job, FO.

[volcom69]

I agree with u Hoosier what's not to like. I see people complaining about this because they wanted Bush. I don't mind Bush at all but his ypc were actually lower the bensons but either guy I liked. Good pick up here!

[Kazkal]

To me this is an "okay" signing. I would have preferred Michael Bush, but not so much as to sour me on this. As much as anything, I would hope to get out of him what we got out of Benson in his first season and a half. That would require Green-Ellis to improve on his current Yards/Per average, but I am hopeful he can do that as a feature back. Solid, but not spectacular works for me. I hope they will actually use Scott catching passes and outside the tackles now (but I've been hoping for that for the last 2 years).

Ya not unhappy over it It's not Cedric and he's use to being running back by committee so won't have to worry about him whining for more Carrys.

[HoosierCat]

His YPC doesn't worry me too much because 1. he was well over 4 yards per carry in 2010 and 2009 and 2. he was often used as the short yardage goal line guy (24 TDs in the last 2 seasons). And I love espn's Mike Reiss' take:

Green-Ellis was a reliable player for the Patriots. Ball security was never a concern -- he simply doesn't fumble -- and his hard-charging running inside the red zone was another top asset. He isn't a breakaway threat, but offensive linemen often talked about how much they liked having him behind them because he's efficient, patient, and takes what is there for him.

"Green-Ellis is an excellent locker-room presence who worked his way up from rookie free agent, to special teams contributor, to lead back. He played 34 percent of the team's offensive snaps last season, teaming with Danny Woodhead (33 percent) to form a 1-2 combination in an offense that skewed heavier to the pass. The Patriots drafted Shane Vereen (2nd round) and Stevan Ridley (3rd round) last year, so they're ready to turn a big part of the position over to the youngsters. One other thought: This isn't a player who will get comfortable now that he's signed a new contract. If anything, it will drive him harder to prove he's worth the investment.

[ArmyBengal]

I simply always thought Bush was the better option for what Gruden wanted in his new RB in the rotation.

From what i've read Gruden simply viewed BJGE as the better of the two for what he wanted in his new RB in the rotation.

It's hard to argue with that thought process and will be more than happy knowing the coach and FO went out and got their guy.

I love that he's sure-handed and am absolutely thrilled with what he brings in the short yardage game. Unless you enjoyed seeing Benson constantly get stuffed on 3rd or 4th and short, you should LOVE this pickup. Bringing in a guy who is also a locker room leader and has thrived in a RB rotation is a great thing as well with a team that appears to be getting younger again this coming season.

I can't say this changes things in the draft that much because I can't say as I have been overwhelmed by Scott.

This is the thing that should be interesting to watch. If they think this solves the RB spot for at least another season, it would free things up a bit.

With everything i'm thinking above, it's hard not to look at this in a positive light.

Good job Bengals !!!

[membengal]

Thrilled. In all respects.

Can get a complementary back in 2nd round and call it a day.

[derekshank]

Unless you enjoyed seeing Benson constantly get stuffed on 3rd or 4th and short, you should LOVE this pickup.

The Bengals were terrible in short yardage last year. I'm not sure how much was Benson and how much was the O-Line... but BGE has been an awesome short yardage back.

Hopefully Wharton will also help in that regard. I'm not opposed to another year with Bobbie Williams as the RG either. He's no youngster... but he gets the job done.

I'm relatively happy with the offseason thus far. Still a bit anxious about the D-Line and WR though.