Updated RB Thread: Bengals Sign Law Firm

[wpeldios]

This signing to me is similar to the Wharton signing, its not big money, its not flashy, and it shouldnt take you out of the market if someone falls in the draft(Pipe dream Richardson in 1, or Polk in 2) but it upgrades a position of need immediately with a seemingly solid consistent player who has been a positive influence in the locker room. I like it. Yes I liked Bush a little bit better, but only a little and I still like the strategy here.

[kingwilly]

I like the signing. He is a bit underrated but reminds me of Edgerrin James.

Mixed with Scott and Peerman, I am liking this backfield quite a bit. Not sure how Leonard fits now, but we will see.

It does take the pressure off a run at Richardson.

[bwillycuse]

I wanted Bush. But now that we have Green-Ellis in the fold. I am happy. Good job Bengals. Keep filling in holes.

One think I like is the 3-4 year deals. No 1-2 year deals so far.

[BengalPimp]

Bengals no doubt signed the "less expensive" back. I'm good with this signing though.

Everybody here knows my feelings on Benson the past couple of years (and some repeatedly ripped me for it) his low yards per carry, the fumbles, the lack of big plays, the inability of a back his size to get into the End-Zone or even convert 3rd and inches, and most importantly, the bitching about not enough carries when every year he was in the top 5 in Carries......anyways, at least i don't have to worry about that piece of garbage anymore.

It appears we now have a RB who will get more than 6 TD's a year (BGE) and Scott will FINALLY get his fair share of touches.

It might not be the outcome most wanted, but still a DEFINITE upgrade in my opinion.

[Kazkal]

I wanted Bush. But now that we have Green-Ellis in the fold. I am happy. Good job Bengals. Keep filling in holes.

One think I like is the 3-4 year deals. No 1-2 year deals so far.

Allen was 2 would been nice get him 3-4.

Mixed with Scott and Peerman, I am liking this backfield quite a bit. Not sure how Leonard fits now, but we will see.

I don't see peerman beating out Leonard,Rookie maybe if drafted early enough

[Stripes]

I'm a bit torn. I honestly haven't ever thought of BJGE as a very good back, but he has had his moments I guess. At least they addressed the weakness.

[bwillycuse]

I'm a bit torn. I honestly haven't ever thought of BJGE as a very good back, but he has had his moments I guess. At least they addressed the weakness.

We will see. Most defenses I would assume were keying on the pass. So he may have gone a little unnoticed. But in short yardage, he did do well as got the ball often.

Now we have to hear all the law Firm talk with the criminal history of the bengals.

[volcom69]

New England didn't really run the ball that much but when he got his shot he did pretty good. He fits what Gruden wants to do with a RB rotation

[kenyon1977]

Trash IMHO. If belicheat doesn't want him in the rotation there's a reason. For once id like to see the Bengals hand off play after play and have the hope that the damn thing will go for more than 4the yards. Someone with some speed and power. Uggghh. Tired of the same ole "Its the AFC NORTH power football" crap with ground it and pound it s**t. Bummer. I wanted a back that could break a 50 harder now and then. He'll start fumbling now that he'll be getting the carries that normal starters do. Blah. And as for Scott? I hope to hell they draft someone to replace his sorry ass. Pitiful at every aspect of the game.

[Kazkal]

Patriots did want to resign him

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

I wanted a back that could break a 50 harder now and then.

I'll settle for a back who can break a tackle now and then.

[wpeldios]

In reality there were 2 backs on the market that would be solid upgrades over Benson. Micheal Bush and Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis. The Bengals wanted to get one of the two and reportidly 4 teams are after Bush so he will probably get significantly more money. So we did get the cheaper one. And honestly he isnt much worse. Looking at the last 2 seasons comparing these 3.

Bush Carries 414, Yards 1632, ypc 3.94, Long 44, td 15, rec 55, yds 612, ypr 11.1, td 1, long 55, fumble 1

JGE Carries 410, yards 1675, ypc 4.09, long 30, td 24, rec 21, yds 244, ypr 11.6, td 0, long 53, fumble 0

Benson carries 594, yds 2178, ypc3.67, long 42, td 13, rec 43, yds 260, ypr 6.05, td 1, long 24, fumble 12

I would be curious to see dropped pass stats, I just don't know where to find them. But as for the stats here, Benson clearly has the worst numbers of the 3. Lowest yards per carry, td(despite the most touches), yards per reception, longest catch, and an astounding 12 times as many fumbles as the other 2 combined. I dont think anyone is arguing the position needed an upgrade. Moving on to the other two that the bengals were deciding from.

In 4 less carries JGE went for 43 more yards. So very close in both stats. And .1ypc more is a small difference. However I feel the 24 tds clearly add to the ypc because it shows he was used in short yardage a lot, often bringing that total down and was the most successful of the 2. His reception numbers underwhelm but I expect him to have career numbers there because he was never asked to perform in that role. I dont think hell set the world on fire, but I would say 20 catches for 200 yards shouldnt be out of the question. In 2010 He was only thrown to 16 times(12 receptions), bush was thrown to 24 times(18 rec). I cant find 2011 numbers for that, however that is the same completion percentage so hands cant be terrible. And the 0 fumbles in 410 carries should speak for itself. But as for concerns he will fumble more, only 4 times in the last 2 seasons has a back carried atleast 175 times with 0 fumbles. Ray Rice 2010(307), Matt Forte 2010(237), JGE 2010(229), JGE 2011(181). As for breakaway speed, clearly it wasn't available on a good back this year. Not one of the 3 has excelled in that department.

Really when you look at it all, Bush has an advantage as a reciever, and JGE has a slight advantage as a runner. Along with his lack of fumbling I would rate them pretty close. Take into consideration it is a high character player and that I expect he will be a bit cheaper it can be argued he was the right player to go after. His contract isnt backbreaking and if you do get the shot at that guy with the power and speed, you can still pounce on it. But worst case scenario you have a good back who can consistantly perform.

[ArmyBengal]

Look at it this way, Gruden says they got the guy they wanted and if that is in fact the case, why would you question who he gets in his backfield ??

Again, it's hard to be upset about this signing.

[cHaD711Johnson]

I wanted a back that could break a 50 harder now and then.

I'll settle for a back who can break a tackle now and then.

The back that can break a 50 yarder will come in the draft. Bush might've been more expensive but it doesn't seem warranted.

[ct_bengal]

I don't know what to think of this, he did have a hall of fame 5000 yard passer at the helm. Gotta wait til he hits the field I guess. I think this was more about freeing up the draft than BJGE being the answer to our running woes. But from what I hear he's a hard worker and a great locker room guy so I can dig it.

[TJJackson]

How is he as a blocker?

[HoosierCat]

How is he as a blocker?

I assume you mean how is he when called on to protect the QB. From all I've read, very good.

[Scottishbengal]

As you all know I was a great admirer of Benson but we've moved on. Law Firm is the guy in a rotational system and I am very happy with that. Less expensive then Bush? For sure, but perhaps that gives us more leverage to pursue a proven wideout be it Wallace or A.N.Other and address some of the other holes thus making the drafting process more purposeful.

A thumbs up from me

[TJJackson]

How is he as a blocker?

I assume you mean how is he when called on to protect the QB. From all I've read, very good.

You assume correctly :-)

Got any links that talk about the blocking and pass receiving elements of his overall game?

[redsbengalsbucks]

I'm really starting to like this signing. I was hoping for Bush, but BJGE will upgrade the RB spot. Hopefully the team will start to use Scott in better situations and work more with all the RB's on the short passing game. Leonard, Scott and even BJGE could make potent weapons in the passing game. The problem is, those plays always seem to be missing during the Bengals Offensive possesions.

[membengal]

My understanding from reading a few spots is that he excels in qb protection. Cant link as on mobile.

[derekshank]

Bush just signed in Chicago for 4 years $14 million.

Have the terms for Green-Ellis been revealed yet? It can't be much cheaper than that, can it?

Of that's all Bush was asking for... I'm guessing the Bengals aren't lying. They preferred Green-Ellis.

[volcom69]

Yea I think Gruden got his guy he wanted!

I really don't think it was about the money

[membengal]

Seems clear to me bengals preferred law firm. Which I am good with.

[ArmyBengal]

Which furthers what I was saying about actually "getting their guy" and being happy with the signing.

Oddly enough, the Bush deal is the best FA RB deal had so far this free agency.

All the RB talent in the draft screwed these guys...