Benson sucks. Livings sucks. Rabble, rabble, rabble...

by Blue Steel on Oct 3, 2011 10:54 AM EDT

Can we please end the bashing of Livings and Benson? This past game, Benson ran 100+ yards, predominantly to the left side. And there were zero sacks (and few if any QB pressures from what I saw) allowed from the left side. Are they Max Montoya and Corey Dillon? No, but they're not that bad.

While the RG (whoever was in there) was getting banged around like a screen door during a hurricane, I saw Livings holding off his guy throughout the game. And typically it was by himself while Cook assisted the RG. He actually does a very good job pulling as well, which I've noticed. Consider this as well: Evan Mathis who got beat out by Livings is now starting for the Eagles.

Scott may come into the game every once in a while to provide an exciting run - but its always after Benson has worn down the defense with tough downhill running (which Scott can't do). If Scott is the bellcow, do you think he'll average 5.5 yards on 20 carries against a defense with two of the best DT's in the game?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors.

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I can't beleive I'm saying this

But I agree, Livings looks like he has improved immensely. Ced is Ced, which is a good back, not great but definitely not bad. I almost forgot that Bobby returns this week as well which could be absolutley HUGE for the Bengals, especially with improved play of Livings.

by biggie22 on Oct 3, 2011 11:12 AM EDT reply actions

I can believe you're saying it

But only because I’m aware of the fact that EVERY player in the NFL will only do one of three things: 1) get worse (and eventually get cut), 2) stay the same (and eventually get cut), or 3) get better.

There are only those three options.

Look, Livings did suck… in the past. He’s still no superstar but he definitely has improved. And congratulations to him for that. Hopefully he’ll keep it up and become a solid contributor for at least a few more years.

by FriarBob on Oct 3, 2011 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions

I really don't think he was ever that bad

I think he has become the defacto scapegoat over the years for all the Bengals woes – since he was undrafted, came in at the same time as Roland, is replacing Steinbach, and most people don’t really watch interior line play.

Let’s not forget he has been starting since 2008, including the 2009 line that took us to the playoffs.

Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.

by Blue Steel on Oct 3, 2011 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions

he and Mathis played equal amount at LG in 2009

"At the very end, somebody took a dump right where I stood in the dugout every day." Dusty Baker

by featherman on Oct 3, 2011 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I pretty much agree, but...

I actually think that in any performance area there are only two options: 1) you’re getting better or 2) you’re getting worse. If you appear to be staying the same, you’re either getting gradually better or gradually worse. When I evaluate people in my discipline, if they seem to be staying the same and I like it, I conclude that they’re gradually getting better. If they seem to be staying the same and I don’t like it, I conclude that they’re gradually getting worse.

by fletchersmith on Oct 7, 2011 8:01 AM EDT up reply actions

All I can say about Livings yesterday is......

I didn’t hear his name all day, which for O-lineman is a good thing……

by The Van Buren Boys on Oct 3, 2011 11:26 AM EDT reply actions

What?

I did as Livings was knocked on his ass. If I can find it, I’ll post it.
But anyways the commentators were talking about how strong the DT was as Livings got knocked on his ass. He looked like Eric Guichump on that particular play.
I don’t think he did all that bad yesterday but on that one play I had to laugh..

by WHYUS!! on Oct 3, 2011 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions

+100

I remember the play you’re talking about.
Livings looked like Eric Guysuck on that play – he was terrible.
The DT was in the backfield before the ball was even in Dalton’s hands.

by ephram on Oct 3, 2011 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions

An offensive lineman is like a Western Swing drummer

If you notice him, he’s fucking up.

by fletchersmith on Oct 7, 2011 8:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Agree with BS too about Benson.....

the guy had a 100 yard day, I’ve never seen anyone who hit the century mark take so much grief. He couldn’t get going in the first half because we couldn’t complete a pass to save our lives. I like working in Scott and Leonard, would love to see formations with both Scott and Leonard on the field in a split backfield. Either can run between the tackles or catch out of the backfield (or serve as nice decoys to open the middle for Gresham/Caldwell).

by The Van Buren Boys on Oct 3, 2011 11:33 AM EDT reply actions

+1 Very excited to have bobbie williams back at right guard too

Hopefully the shots of test in his ass were worth the suspension.

by peko'sponytail on Oct 3, 2011 11:49 AM EDT reply actions

Yes!

Was like a turnstile on the right side yesterday up the middle……with he and Andre we can mix it up with running back to the right side to balance things out more. Yesterday was predominately left each time.

by The Van Buren Boys on Oct 3, 2011 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't understand it too.

I guess people just blurt out stuff out of boredome. Yes, Benson is not Adrian Peterson, but he is a bell cow, he is tough, and he hasn’t fumbled like he did last year. It bothers me that we don’t use Scott and Leonard more, because we could really have a three headed monster going on here. But I say kudos on signing Benson again. Every time he rushes for more than 100 yards he gives us a great chance at winning the ball game.

Livings on the other hand……..meh

What do you do when there's no way out? Find a way to get deeper in it.

by jimbasa on Oct 3, 2011 1:59 PM EDT reply actions

wait, mike brown sucks!

" I for one, welcome our new Buffalo overlords. " - Whokebe

by palewook on Oct 3, 2011 3:29 PM EDT reply actions

+1

Classics never get old.

Joel, get off the babysitter

by LookingDeep on Oct 4, 2011 8:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Benson looked awful in the first half, and wasn't ready for a tailor made HB pass to him.

What about his effort 2 weeks ago against the atrocious Broncos defense? What about his effort last week? What about his effort last season?

Let’s not get too excited. Well, actually, I can b/c I was able to trade Benson in my fantasy league based on Sunday’s performance.

Change gone come mane! Trust me! Cause i Bleed tigerblood!--Jerome Simpson

by Grizzlyfox on Oct 3, 2011 4:28 PM EDT reply actions

benson is not a hands back

coaching staff needs to be kicked in the balls for passing to benson. scott and leonard are hands backs and how many times did we pass to them?

" I for one, welcome our new Buffalo overlords. " - Whokebe

by palewook on Oct 4, 2011 8:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Sometimes

Other teams just make good plays too. In the first half our play calling was very predictable. Everyone knew first down was a run left, which is fine, but doesn’t mean you have to immediately pass on 2nd down.

Joel, get off the babysitter

by LookingDeep on Oct 4, 2011 8:17 AM EDT reply actions

Livings is vastly improved

used to think he was losing a contact lens every play, seemed like he was always on the ground, I agree he is much better, if he is signable to a similar deal as the center 5 years 14 mil, a steal for both of them, if he re-upps. If you consider, the Bengals were very inconsistent passing until the second half of the 4th game, tried to protect Andy with the rush offense which proved just not quite good enough, teams must have stacked the box, only airing out like they did would open things up and an unstable rg situation, to have ced what sixth in the league? Too bad Collins isn’t deemed serviceable, because Whit’s dominance at guard would make them a better rushing offense. I see why ML wanted Hue Jackson back. His attitude, what I heard in an interview, we are going to run or pass, AND YOU CAN’T STOP US! We don’t have McFadden, but Ced with either a rejuved Bobbie, he’s been at Ignition in Mason, and maybe he needed it, but ML was IMPRESSED, might have saved his roster spot, or a f/a or draft upgrade inside, but Ced is 29? Even with suspensions, he is racking up high miles, sign him for two years, but try to draft Stevenson, a Cory Dillon-esque runner, who wont be there at 20 if the B’s catch fire, but I would rather have WINS, ANYDAY and resign that fat slob from the Cardinals in March. Who I did not see on the field the other day. Not once. How do you pull fat? See you on Christmas, Duecie said when that 6 mil went slipping through his butter fingers, huge money when you play for near the minimum, he was mad as hell. See you at Christmas. Consider passing on the plum pudding and pecan pie, Fatso.

by melkiperwannabe on Oct 7, 2011 8:35 AM EDT reply actions