Bengals Still Possibly Searching for a RB

by Jason Garrison on May 18, 2010 6:16 PM EDT

Bengals offensive time line:

2005: Pass heavy offense (3,820 regular season passing yards) that takes the Bengals to the playoffs for the first time in a long, long time. Decent running game.
2006: Another pass heavy offense (3,833 yards) but miss out on playoffs. Somewhat less decent running game.
2007: Once again, pass heavy offense (4,012 yards. Once again, miss out of playoffs. Not much of a running game.
2008: Carson Palmer gets hurt, the Bengals have no offense but sign Cedric Benson. Running game started to get better by the end of the season.
2009: Overnight, the Bengals switch from a passing offense to a powerhouse running offense. The Bengals (mostly Benson) racks up over 2,000 rushing yards. No passing game.
2010: ?

Who knows what's going to happen this year (other than awesomeness) but it's clear that the power running game isn't going anywhere. I like Benson. I like his style of running. I like his "I'll run over you" attitude. I love the fact that he gave Troy Polamalu a concussion.

The only bad thing about a running back like Benson is power backs tend to not last too terribly long or be very durable. Benson stands a decent chance of getting hurt running the way he does and carrying the ball as much as he does. I think that the Bengals need to find a guy to back Benson up if he goes down. A guy who can carry the ball 30 times in a game if he needs to. A guy like they had last year in Larry Johnson. Joe Reedy agrees with me.

Future watch: While Benson and Scott are a nice 1-2 combination and have different styles (Benson more physical and straight ahead while Scott is an outside and shifty back), the Bengals are looking for another back who can get the tough yards between the tackles if Benson got injured. Peerman and Mendenhall will get the first opportunity to see if they can fill that role. Brian Leonard should continue in the third-down role.

Scott wasn't as involved in the offense last season as some fans hoped he would be. I think a lot of people were hoping to see a LenDale White/Chris Johnsonish or Ronnie Brown/Sticky Ricky Williamsish combination. Eventually, Benson and Scott might get to that point but it seems that the Bengals don't think Scott is ready to carry the entire load by himself quite yet and just in case their main man goes down, they'd like to have a guy to share the load with Scott.

The Bengals signed a few free agent running backs and there are some more left on the market. One of these guys could be the guy that fills Benson's huge shoes if they need to be (I for one, hope they don't).

Tweet Comment 26 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Around SB Nation

Alleviating the no first and second rounder blues: A look at first and second round success in the past decade and half...

Apr 2012 from Silver And Black Pride - 21 comments

Raiders first and second round selections 2008-present; It's Reggie McKenzie's turn now

Apr 2012 from Silver And Black Pride - 36 comments

How Close Is Close Enough For Steelers to Trade Up?

Apr 2012 from Behind the Steel Curtain - 90 comments

Raiders choose instant starter with 2012 first round pick

Apr 2012 from Silver And Black Pride - 62 comments

2012 NFL Draft Grades: Buccaneers First Round Grades and Evaluations

Apr 2012 from Bucs Nation - 44 comments

Comments

Wait for one of the Redskin's RB's to get cut and sign him at minimum..

by JamesShively on May 18, 2010 7:34 PM EDT reply actions

WillieP?

by quickslant on May 18, 2010 8:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Re

They have to cut one of those big name vets eventually..

by JamesShively on May 18, 2010 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Fargas would be a great backup, but I don’t know if he’s in the price range that Mr. Mike Brown is looking for though.

This is our year!

by Paul Cannon on May 18, 2010 7:35 PM EDT reply actions

I really like Cedric Peerman but

If they can find a veteran available then I would like that even more.

by C1ncy4Life on May 18, 2010 8:01 PM EDT reply actions

Fargas would be a great addition…I also feel Jamal Lewis would not be a bad option for a year.

by Bdub14 on May 18, 2010 8:19 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Yeah, I was thinking either Fargas or Lewis could possibly be a good move.. probably cheap and similar styles of running as Benson.

by Jason Garrison on May 18, 2010 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions

FREE AGENT RBs

I would love to have Fargas on the team, he would be an excellent change of pace back. Also, you know he can carry the load because of Mcfadden being hurt all of the time. Jamal Lewis wouldn’t be a bad option but he is injury prone because of his age and wear and tear. Another great option is to pick one of the Redskins or Seahawks backs if they get released, maybe like a Willie Parker or Julius Jones. Both teams have crowded backfields.

by diehard fan on May 18, 2010 8:47 PM EDT reply actions

We cant afford to carry 4 rb's and a fullback,..

Why not let fui get the load?.. Or keep one of the 3 backs we have right now on the PS and bring them up if needed…

by Tdlong85 on May 18, 2010 9:41 PM EDT reply actions

True, we can only keep so many RBs but I don’t know that Fui could produce a whole lot in terms of yards. It’s possible that Brian Leonard could handle the duty if they needed him. He was first in the league in yards after first contact last year. I don’t think he’d be a long-term solution, but he’d be serviceable in the case that Benson tweaks and ankle or something.

This is our year!

by Paul Cannon on May 18, 2010 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I think that is most likely what will happen

Most likely we are looking a Cedric Peerman as that guy. I really like this guy and the Bengals do to. I think he could come in and bring a little power to Scott’s speed if Benson went down. In the case Benson goes down I would think that Scott would get over half the carries so Peerman wouldn’t have to do a lot. The only way I don’t see Scott getting half of the carries is if we do sign a RB. I don’t think we keep 4 RB’s though. As long as Benson isn’t out for an extended period Peerman would do just fine behind our tough run blocking line.

by C1ncy4Life on May 19, 2010 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

other than Fargas..

I say no to any current skin no to Lewis and no to Julius. Come on people

by quickslant on May 18, 2010 9:58 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

agreed we need to pick up a Vet RB

by quickslant on May 18, 2010 10:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I'

by occams_tiger_teeth on May 19, 2010 2:59 AM EDT reply actions

I'd rather they sign T.O.

If they add on more free agent I hope it’s T.O.

There’s a thing about having a team of “problem children”… it sucks if they’re losing. But if they’re winning, there’s enough feel good vibe to keep the whole thing together for one glorious run.

by occams_tiger_teeth on May 19, 2010 3:00 AM EDT reply actions

Although I think it would be beneficial

We have good chemistry on the team at this point. And I definitely want to see the return to the passing attack that used to rank #1 in the NFL…..but T.O. isn’t the answer in Cincy.

Everyone knows you don’t do business with friends and family. This is no different. T.O. and Ocho might be friends, and that’s great; but I don’t think that’s a beneficial situation for either of them or the team. It has implosion written all over it, if were to happen. That’s my opinion.

First, it’s a lot of money to give to a guy that age. (L. Coles, anyone?) And I realize comparing Coles to T.O. isn’t really even a comparison. But still……

Second, we need to be looking to the future. Ocho has this year and the next left on his contract. We need to be bringing in people that we can sign to long term deals and let them learn under Ocho. It wouldn’t be wise to spend the kind of money it would take to get T.O. in Cincinnati.

Third. We already signed Pacman. We don’t need anyone else as an attitude project this season. I know Brown is all for giving someone a second chance, but one a season is enough. We have a great bunch of guys in the locker room now. We need to keep that maturity and chemistry going in the right direction. The time is now!

by Whodey4life88 on May 19, 2010 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Only way I see us sign TO

Is if our Receivers are decimated by injuries like the TE position last year. We are pretty deep at Receiver and I would rather some of the receivers we have get those snaps. Unless he was willing to come down off that 5 million price its not going to happen.

by C1ncy4Life on May 19, 2010 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Of the Free Agents

Jerome Harrison is the best of the bunch but it says he’s an RFA.

by occams_tiger_teeth on May 19, 2010 3:05 AM EDT reply actions

Ummmm.....did we forget Leonard in the backfield?

I realize that they are bringing in a lot of backs and a lot of people at every skill position we are looking to improve; so that there can be heavy competition. I get it.

But all this talk of trying to find a backup doesn’t make any sense. We have a good running back corps.

I mean afterall we have:

Benson who is a powerback with decent hands.
Leonard who can go either HB or FB and has great hands (and did we forget his power running when we needed it most…the guys a stud!)
Scott who has great speed (I know you didn’t forget that run back during the Steelers game for a 92 yd TD!!!!) and decent hands

The bottom line is, yeah it’s good to be working on the future still, and sure we want people coming in so we can have hard competition at that position to keep them working hard and avoiding complacency; but we have a great corps. If we revive the passing game this season, then we open up the running game even more and last season was an impressive turn around and return to the running game!

LEONARD IS THE MAN!!!!

by Whodey4life88 on May 19, 2010 9:08 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah, I don’t think there’s room to sign another backup RB before Benson actually gets hurt. In the event he does, there’s certain to be a serviceable vet sitting at home waiting for a call who will look like a stud behind our o-line.

by Todd G on May 19, 2010 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions

.....

And hopefully FB Fui Vakapuna comes around. We could use his size and strength. That would be a huge plus for our running game!

by Whodey4life88 on May 19, 2010 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Echo my sentiments in a post above

I will also add that Cedric Peerman is better than I think some people realize. If he makes the PS then we would be fine. In the event that Benson went down we would still have Scott, Leonard, and Peerman/Mendenhall/whoever else may make it. I think its likely to be Peerman. I also think he would do just fine for a game or two. If it was more than a game or two I see the Bengals try to sign a street FA.

by C1ncy4Life on May 19, 2010 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I like Leonard also

he was clutch for us last year time and time again.

I hope to see him get more carries on downs other than 3rd down.

Benson does a great job establishing the run with his punishing in your face style. Scott is the outside edge burn and turn runner, but Brian gives us an off the tackle runner who also has great hands. When the defense is using their last options to try to keep Gresham busy, Leonard will be right there for the dumpoff pass wide open.

by UpStateMike on May 19, 2010 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Scott can run between the tackles also

I think he will start to show this year he is more of a complete back. He think he has the size to come in and take the ball 20 times. A team may not want to for an entire season but he could easily handle it 20 times a game for a few games if Benson was out. Especially how our line blocks. Leonard and the PS player/Street FA could handle the ball the other times. I think he done fine when he was the featured back for the 1 game he was when Benson went down.

by C1ncy4Life on May 19, 2010 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

The other point is

We have both lines fully intact.

If we ran as good as we did last season with patched together lines, then we should definitely be able to run between the tackles this season. Smith should play a major role this season (FINALLY!)

I think honestly, Shipley is the key to this season. Can he come in and be the over the middle guy we need to replace the player we lost in Housh? We’ve got both sidelines covered well and defenses are going to have to play us honest this season. We’ll be much improved and more dangerous than we’ve been in 20 years.

IT’S GOING TO BE A GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREAT SEASON!

by Whodey4life88 on May 19, 2010 9:40 AM EDT reply actions