Cedric Benson Suspension Opens The Door For Bernard Scott

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 21, 2011 3:07 PM EDT

CINCINNATI - DECEMBER 26: Bernard Scott #28 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium on December 26 2010 in Cincinnati Ohio. The Bengals 34-20. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Bengals running back Cedric Benson is expected to miss Cincinnati's October 30 meeting against the Seattle Seahawks, serving his one-game suspension that was handed down during the same beautiful morning that Cincinnati traded quarterback Carson Palmer to the Oakland Raiders; it's somewhat forgivable if the suspension still hasn't hit home with Bengals fans. However with the likelihood that the Bengals won't have their veteran long-term bellcow running back that's proven to eat carries, which directly affects the click management during games, the one player that could finally benefit is backup running back Bernard Scott. And it wouldn't be his first chance.

During Cincinnati's 18-12 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 15, 2009, Benson suffered a hip flexor strain with 4:02 remaining the second quarter that not only forced him to miss the rest of the game, but sit out the following three. The Bengals decided to sign Larry Johnson to the veteran minimum soon after, who would prove to be a reasonable productive running back later in the season.

Though he didn't start the next game against the Oakland Raiders as the team's running back (Brian Leonard did), Scott would take on the role as the team's feature back, posting 119 yards rushing on 21 carries and a career high 151 yards from scrimmage. Scott was nominated for the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week. The following week, while Benson was finally ruled out Sunday morning as a dame-time decision, Scott posted his first NFL start against the Cleveland Browns. For a time he was playing well, until suffering a mild toe injury that forced him to miss three consecutive games games against the Lions, Vikings and Chargers while failing to post a single rush against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The issue in Scott's case has been, and until further notice, will be his durability. Though he posted 21 carries against the Raiders, he still suffered leg cramps. If Scott gets the start next weekend and is defined as the team's feature back, and if Scott plays the game through relative health, it will go a long way towards building Scott's chances to take over as the team's feature back once Benson finally departs.

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IMO Scott will never be a feature back.

He is a custom made change of pace RB. He cannot run between the tackles consistantly and the recent development of speedier LBs and Safetys the edge isn’t the ground gaining play it used to be. I would think Peerman would be a better feature back in the Seahawks game with Scott playing a larger than usual role but still limited to a dozen or so carries.

Seattle has a pretty good run D but a suspect secondary. Thia is not a game where Scott neccessarily will need to step up but rather it is a game where Gresham and Caldwell need to rise to the occasion. They will double AJ and either Caldwell or Simpson which should leave Gresham in a good position to make plays.I don’t think the running game will be a major factor here, on either side.Leonard as ususal on 3rd downs will be a factor but he just could be the star of the game on screen passes, which may loosen up the running game a bit.

I don’t like this game. It is a long road trip to Seattle. Dalton will have to play the best game he has played so far and it is possible. I really don’t know the ceiling on this kid as he continues to raise it. IMO this is the game where we just may miss Shipley the most.

"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"

by JUNGLEJOHN on Oct 21, 2011 3:24 PM EDT reply actions

He's not the Bell cow this team needs

Dances in the backfield too much, doesn’t hit the hole with authority, don’t get me wrong he could be a game changer with his speed on screens and misdirections (if they ever ran a misdirection) but he’s never going to be a 20+ carry back, maybe Peerman (that kids stout) or Leonard (too valuable on third down)

by joeb69 on Oct 21, 2011 3:25 PM EDT reply actions

The Bengals know what they have in Scott. I want to know about Peerman.

This Sunday will be a good time to figure out what Peerman can do in the regular season. I hope Marvin Lewis doesn’t waste the opportunity.

by no kidding on Oct 21, 2011 3:48 PM EDT reply actions

This is exactly what I'm thinking

This should be an opportunity for Peerman more than Scott. I like Scott and want him to do well of course, but we’ve seen him several times and it’s been lackluster (besides his 1 TD, which last week was Benson who ran it in… looked like the same play too). I would like to see if Peerman has what it takes.

by Oregonbengalsfan on Oct 21, 2011 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

I’m hoping Peerman takes advantage of this oppurtunity.

If he fails atleast we know we need to keep looking.

by C1ncy4Life on Oct 21, 2011 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions

dude got cramps?

on 21 carries? hmmm.

by keithster on Oct 21, 2011 3:57 PM EDT reply actions

Cedric Peerman

SHOULD be prominent next week against Seattle. I have this feeling that the guy can outrun both Benson and Scott on the field on Game Day. I might be wrong, but I want to be proved wrong. Put his @$$ out on the field Marvin and let him show us what he can do!! Does anyone remember what James Johnson did at RB for the Bengals in 2009 during his brief tenure with the Bengals? He outperformed everyone on the field when he was given the ball. However, for some reason, Brown didn’t see the potential that was obviously there and now he is a Steeler…….

by Hoit214 on Oct 21, 2011 4:19 PM EDT reply actions

James Johnson was cut by the Steelers and is not on a team

And his ’08 stats for the Bengals

4 games played
9 attempts
29 yards
6 receptions
47 yards
0 TDs

Not seeing it

by Oregonbengalsfan on Oct 21, 2011 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions

This is true...

however, we’ll never know what Peerman can give us until we actually use him, while Marvin has always been hesitant to use unproven players (Jerome Simpson, Chase Coffman). What would anger me the most would be if Scott and Leonard split all the carries. That would not help our offense, particularly not in this game. I think Scott and Leonard catching passes out of the backfield will be key in this one. But Peerman should be the feature back. I mean think about it, going out on a limb like this on an unknown guy is how backs like Arian Foster are born. The Texans couldn’t run the ball worth a damn until Foster got in there because they were deluding themselves that Steve Slaton could be their feature back. I sense our current situation with Scott and Peerman is very similar.

by dstacify on Oct 22, 2011 1:46 AM EDT up reply actions