Cedric Benson On Bob Bratkowski Firing: It's Good To See The Bengals Making Some Moves

by Josh Kirkendall on Jan 31, 2011 4:15 PM EST

One person that might be as happy, if not more, of Bob Bratkowski's dismissal is Bengals running back Cedric Benson. On September 23, Benson said he was frustrated with the offense, claiming it to be a lack of identity. He also said that the frustrating part is that the coaches aren't listening to the players.

All of that being said, Benson said after the season that he'd still love to return to Cincinnati. But only if the team decided to make changes.

“There is a time for change and I think now is a pretty good time,” Benson said. “We found ourselves being very successful a year ago and kind of didn’t master the thing going into this year that made us successful the previous year. Somebody missed that somewhere.”

That someone was Bob Bratkowski. After the team let the team's offensive coordinator of 10 years go, Benson had this to offer up.

"It's good to see the Bengals making some moves," Benson said. "It's not just about going back to that '09 style, but being able to fit everything together and use our talent. And we've got a lot of talent and I don't see any drop off if those guys (Owens and Ocho) don't come back."

Benson, who says he could see himself here if Palmer isn't, hopes Palmer decides to come back.

"But he's got to be happy," Benson said. "He's such a big part of the puzzle that for him not to be happy, it would be tough."

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Seems to me...

… that we have far too many players who want to make demands as to what the offense will be next year.

by emeybee on Jan 31, 2011 4:20 PM EST reply actions

I think when you're offense has this much talent and sucks so bad,

everyone knows where the problem lies.

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by Pardon_My_French on Jan 31, 2011 4:21 PM EST up reply actions

Lied...

You should start thinking of that in past tense now. :-) Unless you’re talking about the evil Mike Brown. Then yea, lies..

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by Josh Kirkendall on Jan 31, 2011 4:22 PM EST up reply actions

Would it be "lay" then?

I know it’s a weird one. But yeah, Brat WAS terrible.

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by Pardon_My_French on Jan 31, 2011 4:34 PM EST up reply actions

This is nice

Benson will re-sign at a reasonable price, and hopefully he and Scott will be utilized with a better balance and better timing.

Plus, we can use the franchise tag on Johnathan Joseph if he’s too tough to re-sign, which is fairly probable with the shortened free agent period.

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by Pardon_My_French on Jan 31, 2011 4:21 PM EST reply actions

All in all,,,

I’m so hppy that I don’t think there can be many bad choices for 2011 so long at Bratkowski isn’t at the helm of the Bengals offense.

2012 - Playoff bound!!!

by Law1951 on Jan 31, 2011 4:23 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Me too!!!

by BonnieBengal on Jan 31, 2011 4:45 PM EST up reply actions

It sounds like Benson actually wants to play for the Bengals...

…I’m not used to players wanting to play for the Bengals.

by goffchile on Jan 31, 2011 4:26 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Yeh, throw in Maualuga wanting to play here and you've got some guys actually wanting to do it.

by Doc Scratch on Jan 31, 2011 4:33 PM EST up reply actions

I think with Brat gone the morale will go up among the players.

by BonnieBengal on Jan 31, 2011 4:41 PM EST up reply actions

Nobody in the NFL would pay Benson half what he makes in Cinncy

Bengals 2010. Road 2 The Toilet Bowl.
Paul Brown Stadium "The Home of the 2nd down 1yd Run" +
"More blue lines than google earth"

by bengals life on Jan 31, 2011 4:36 PM EST up reply actions

So does this mean

they will have Bernard Scott mostly being used on the outside, where he can use his speed and moves? And Benson mostly being used North to South? AMAZING!

2010 - The Year of the LOLCats.

by UpStateMike on Jan 31, 2011 4:26 PM EST reply actions

And if we are lucky...

…a FB that is good blocker and can catch passes as well. This may actually look like a real offense.

by goffchile on Jan 31, 2011 4:28 PM EST up reply actions

Chris Pressly!!

As for Benson, i’d be ok with him at a reasonable price. I’d sure like for us to take a serious look at Michael bush; if it’s any indication by the Bengals insider that was posting the last week or so it seems we will make a run at him. We’ll see though! I’m also excited for what Bernard Scott could do for us in a different scheme. Who Dey!

by ddbumpus on Jan 31, 2011 4:37 PM EST up reply actions

Hue Jackson wants to keep Bush

so how about we do a friendly swap…..Give them some Johnson for some Bush…hehe

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by TruWhoDey on Jan 31, 2011 5:00 PM EST up reply actions

by ddbumpus on Jan 31, 2011 5:02 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

hahahahaha

well played sir

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by TruWhoDey on Jan 31, 2011 5:07 PM EST up reply actions

Too Friggin funny!! LMAO-ROTF!

2012 - Playoff bound!!!

by Law1951 on Jan 31, 2011 10:06 PM EST up reply actions

This is another reason Brat needed to go.

He could not come up plays based on the strengths of his players. Hopefully Bernard will be used more next year.

by BonnieBengal on Jan 31, 2011 4:40 PM EST up reply actions

Using 2 backs is too futuristic for Marvin

Hopefully the new OC from the outside can enlighten tiger lewis

Bengals 2010. Road 2 The Toilet Bowl.
Paul Brown Stadium "The Home of the 2nd down 1yd Run" +
"More blue lines than google earth"

by bengals life on Jan 31, 2011 4:42 PM EST up reply actions

2 back system isn't futuristic

even in the Bengals’ organization. Lets not forget about the James Brooks and Icky Woods tandem.

"I gotta show em' how to eat right man, that's all...I got all five food groups. Pancakes, sausage-egg McMuffin, cinnamon roll, large orange juice... I just be juiced all day."

by hachigo! on Jan 31, 2011 4:56 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Good Point

by BonnieBengal on Jan 31, 2011 5:28 PM EST up reply actions

Or Chris Perry and Rudi Johnson..

by Cry on Jan 31, 2011 5:39 PM EST up reply actions

good point

And that’s how I’d like to see them use scott. Line him up in the backfield one play, in the slot the next, in motion the next. He may not get the ball every play but make them account for his playmaking ability every play

by goffchile on Jan 31, 2011 6:01 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Worried Benson will publicly bitch again he is not getting enough carries

No reason Scott should not get 120 + carries. That is only double what he got in 2010

Bengals 2010. Road 2 The Toilet Bowl.
Paul Brown Stadium "The Home of the 2nd down 1yd Run" +
"More blue lines than google earth"

by bengals life on Jan 31, 2011 6:03 PM EST up reply actions

players rarely bitch

When you win games. If we are going run heavy there is no reason benson can’t get the rock 20-25 times a game and scott gets it 10-15, some thru the air and some on the ground.

With benson and scott on the field from time to time it should force the defense to spread out to account for scott, thus opening up the middle for benson. I doubt benson will complain about that

by goffchile on Jan 31, 2011 6:13 PM EST via mobile up reply actions