Bernard Scott & Brandon Tate Are The Biggest Dissapointments This Year

by bengalsfanatic on Nov 28, 2011 9:23 PM EST

Earlier in the year I was angry at Marvin Lewis for not giving Bernard Scott enough cariies this year. I thought it was a lack of carries behind his lack of production this year but it simply isn't. When Cedric Benson missed the seattle it was his oppourtunity to prove he deserved more carries and he didn't. He carried the ball 22 times for only 76 yards! He has shown flashes but he doesn't sustain it. I wish he did more with the carries he gets.

Brandon Tate is another dissapointment. He has been just as inconsistent. These past few weeks he hasn't been explosive at all. He's back to calling fair catches when he can run it and taking chances when he shouldn't. In Seatle he looked unstoppable on punt returns. I think he needs the threat of losing punts to Pacman Jones for motivation.The bengals are keeping Adam Jones off them so he won't reinjure his groin or hamstring. Quan Cosby might not have been as explosive but he was consistent.

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Are you dissapointed in Scott and Tate

Yes

110 votes

No

74 votes

184 votes | Poll has closed

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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Bernard Scott hasn't been that much of a disappointment...

other than he hasn’t been in there a whole lot. But when he’s gotten opportunities he’s played well. I see him having a bright future with us, albeit as a change of pace scat back in the mold of Darren Sproles. But Benson will likely be gone next year and despite the fact that we more than likely will use another option as our feature, Scott will most certainly have an increased role because of his familiarity with the offense.

by dstacify on Nov 28, 2011 9:56 PM EST reply actions

Bernard Scott

Has averaged over 4 ypc in 5 of the 11 games this year in limited chances.

The game against the 2 or 3 of his carries he was hit as soon(or even before) Dalton handed him the ball. It was a miracle that he didn’t fumble any of those.

Scott has done good in a backup role. In fact, I think he would be having a great year if the coaches were more apt and letting the RB with the “hot hand” get the reps in the game situation. Against the Steelers he averaged 5.4 ypc and against the Ravens he averaged 4.4 ypc. Not quite disappointing in my view.

Oh and the Seattle game you mention, I thought he performed admirably.

by C1ncy4Life on Nov 28, 2011 10:09 PM EST reply actions

Should say "game against the Browns"

by C1ncy4Life on Nov 28, 2011 10:10 PM EST up reply actions

True

but most part against the browns he averaged negative ypc

by bengalsfanatic on Nov 28, 2011 10:25 PM EST up reply actions

because he was hit as the ball was being handed to him

on at least his first 2 carries, I think 3. Scott hasn’t disappointed at all. Tate has, Scott hasn’t.

by indesignkat on Nov 29, 2011 12:26 AM EST up reply actions

Scott has stepped up when asked to......

he just isn’t asked to that often. Sunday he had no chance to gain yards, he ran the ball on predictable downs and was met in the backfield simultaneously when receiving the hand off for about a five yard loss on one play.

by The Van Buren Boys on Nov 29, 2011 8:10 AM EST up reply actions

It was a five yard loss on 2 different plays for the reasons you mention

It was amazing that he didn’t fumble the ball.

Scott hasn’t disappointed and in my opinion has been much more consistent then Benson in most games. The Browns game he only had 4 carries and a couple of those were when he was hit int he backfield.

by C1ncy4Life on Nov 29, 2011 7:09 PM EST up reply actions

And he played well against Seattle when Benson was out......

against a great Seattle run defense. His totals were below 100, but he still helped us keep our offense balanced and picked up some big first downs.

by The Van Buren Boys on Nov 30, 2011 10:32 AM EST up reply actions

blame nate livings for this

his guy was thru the line like he wasnt even there….

B Scott has looked better than benson the majority of the time hes in in fact i think without B scott ripping some of those 1st downs benson would be less motivated…

Tate has been excellent bengals have the 3rd best starting position average.

by Bengalsfan024 on Nov 30, 2011 3:49 PM EST up reply actions

I'm not sure of other times

but on Scott’s first attempt (I think it was), an edge blitzer came in and was there before Dalton was even able to complete the handoff. That wasn’t on Nate. The blitzer came from Andre’s side, but he also had his man to cover on the line.

by Oregonbengalsfan on Nov 30, 2011 3:54 PM EST up reply actions

This is correct, atleast the ones against the Browns

Normally I have no problem blaming Nate Livings, trust me :O

These werent’ his fault actually. One it looked like a mix up between Smith and Cochzart.

by C1ncy4Life on Nov 30, 2011 4:57 PM EST up reply actions

Oh I've blamed Nate for alot myself :)

But he does seem to have improved some.

by Oregonbengalsfan on Nov 30, 2011 5:02 PM EST up reply actions

why are so many on this site whining about Tate?

jesus, we are having an incredible season with an amazing team, and a bright future ahead of us and all I see are posts nitpicking players that dont deserve it. how about a little POSITIVE THINKING! Tate has not been explosive lately and he is a disappointment? now i liked Cosby, but really? do you think Cosby would have done anything exciting? and putting PacMan back there to return punts is stupid. we are lucky to have him filling in well for Leon, dont risk going thin at corner when we are fighting for a playoff spot.

Scott is what he has always been, an average change of pace back.

GET OVER IT AND ENJOY THIS AWESOME SEASON!

by 70sav on Nov 29, 2011 1:15 AM EST reply actions

Agreed

Nothing wrong in being critical, however. That said, I’m not sure Tate deserves the severe bashing he takes. The only justified criticisms are the stupid stutter step instead of bolting forward. He also was taking punts inside the ten that weren’t reasonable. (The one Sunday was actually wise, I hear, because the coverage was there to maybe pin it) He’s getting blasted for not getting big returns… but he’s also not fumbling. That part is kind of a wash, I guess.

... I still say it was a touchdown, got tammit.

by supergrover on Nov 29, 2011 7:09 AM EST up reply actions

People also need to consider

that our coaches do call plays on punt returns. if a full rush is called 9 times out of 10 the return man is going to fair catch because he has no blocking set up, same is true if we have a return to a particular side set up and the kick goes the other way. it’s not black and white, and i do trust that our coaches consider our best option when they send him back there to return kicks.

would i like to see adam back there? hell yea, but not if he pulls a hammy and cant help our secondary. tate’s fine and considering our injury list, i think he is the best option returning.

by 70sav on Nov 29, 2011 8:18 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd

I hadn’t really even considered that.

by sexsalad on Nov 29, 2011 8:20 PM EST up reply actions

I am okay with Tate. The primary thing I look for in a PR or KR is to catch the ball

and advance it a bit without giving up the rock. Tate does that. Our O can move the ball and eat clock as long as he gives them the chance to do that I am okay with him. I do dislike his indecisiveness and stutter steps. He needs to stop trying to put a bunch of moves on defenders and simply make his first cut and go. That is what Jones does. So does Cribbs. You cant’ be standing there or running sideways until the D get there. That being said, I do think that this is one of the several positions that need to be targeted for improvement if we expect to climb into the elite category.

Replace Livings with a true big time Guard and let Smith, who has rookie like playing time learn to play better and the running game will do nothing but get better. Scott fills his role very well. I am beginning to think we need 2 Guards in the draft and/or FA next year. Our Oline is decent but not playoff calibre and that is the most important position group on the team IMO. I would also like to see Peerman carry the ball once in a while.

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

by JUNGLEJOHN on Nov 29, 2011 8:54 AM EST reply actions

my concern with Tate

is the decision making. It has gotten better the last few games, but there was one game where he fair caught a punt inside the 10 and another where he let one drop behind him from around the 20. The first thing you teach someone on punt returns is to stand on the 10, if it goes over your head then let it. He never seems to have learned that. Between his dumb mistakes and bobbles early in the season, I was really missing Cosby. He wasn’t spectacular, but he was at worst slightly above average and I don’t remember ever screaming at the tv because of something stupid he did. I did that at least 6 times in the first 5 games with Tate.

by indesignkat on Nov 29, 2011 11:41 AM EST up reply actions

I remember a huge gripe of mine with Quasby being fair catches inside the 10 and sometimes even inside the 5.

by sexsalad on Nov 29, 2011 8:21 PM EST up reply actions

if a defender is already behind you it can be worst than getting it on the 10

by Bengalsfan024 on Nov 30, 2011 3:50 PM EST up reply actions

Definitely need to look at 2 Guards if possible

1 would improve the line but 2 could make the OL dominant which would help this team get to the next level.

If we don’t go with 2 Guards in the draft/FA combined in the offseason then we could take another G in the draft in 2012 with three picks in the top 2 rounds. I guess it depends on what the coaches see out of Boling and how he’s developing. Either way, I don’t see how it could hurt to bring in 2 Guard’s to replace Livings and Williams.

by C1ncy4Life on Nov 29, 2011 7:16 PM EST up reply actions

I don't think

much was expected from Tate, so to label him a dissapointment is misleading from my perspective.
The thing with B.Scott is that he’s not being used correctly. Instead of rotating series with Benson he should be brought in situtationally. The play calling has to change when he’s in also. He’s not a between the tackles bruiser, he’s a scat back that should be used on sweeps,screens and draws.

by Ochocinco on Nov 29, 2011 11:48 AM EST reply actions

I disagree

There’s this perception of Benson as a bruiser and Scott as a scatback. It’s almost exactly the opposite. Benson isn’t a true scatback, but on at least 95% of his runs the only yards he gets are as much as his speed will allow in the hole supplied until he gets touched, then he’s done. That’s not a bruiser, but that’s exactly what he does. He doesn’t break tackles or get yards after contact except for maybe a dozen really good runs per season, usually all in 2 or at most 3 different games. Scott, on the other hand, actually gets yards after contact. Is he an every down back? I don’t know. I do know that the only scoring drives against the Steelers were the ones that started with Scott at HB for the first few snaps, and that’s no coincidence.

by indesignkat on Nov 29, 2011 1:57 PM EST up reply actions

furthermore

didn’t it seem to be a little more than coincidence that the first 2 or 3 times they brought Scott in for a run against Cleveland the Browns immediately went to a CB rush blitz and nailed him before he had a chance to move? I’d say changing the lineup to suit a Scott run is too much of a tell. If he’s only in there when he’s going to get the ball, the defense knows to rush blitz with DBs. Dalton is outstanding and looks like a veteran, but not enough to audible out of plays when the defense is keying on them.

by indesignkat on Nov 29, 2011 2:01 PM EST up reply actions

not to nitpick buuuut

the bomb touchdown, dropped on a dime to caldwell was an audible by Dalton… he might not correctly audible out every single time, but he knows what he’s doing.

The Curse of Bo Jackson: Jan 13th,1991- present day

by TruWhoDey on Nov 30, 2011 2:14 PM EST up reply actions

he has audibled, not saying he doesn't know how

I’m saying he doesn’t always. Most good veteran QBs know when the D is going to send a DB in on a blitz, so they do a quick swing pass or something to take advantage of it.

by indesignkat on Nov 30, 2011 5:15 PM EST up reply actions

there has been several big 1st downs

that were run plays…

if AJ is 1 on 1 dalton will thru it even if its a called run….

Scott is getting whole series because its a tell

by Bengalsfan024 on Nov 30, 2011 3:53 PM EST up reply actions

+1

Benson would get better yds after contact if he wouldn’t stutter as soon as he gets to the line EVERY time. If the run goes to an inside gap he stutters, and without momentum goes down immediately. He did it on the 4th and 1 call Sunday. If it goes to the outside, or on a pull, he’ll hit it with full speed and pop thru for a bigger gain. I’d just as soon see Pressley run the ball on the interior.

Joel, get off the babysitter

by LookingDeep on Nov 30, 2011 7:41 AM EST up reply actions

they use benson and scott opposite of what i would expect.

but scotts ability is to see and hit a hole and change direction on the fly he has excellent vision hands and burst of speed he just needs a better OL..

Benson for some reason they are using more in the screen and outside rushes..

which allcould be to confuse the defenders.. but it confuses me too.

by Bengalsfan024 on Nov 30, 2011 3:52 PM EST up reply actions

No

Im very happy with B-scott and i kick azz with him all the time online madden Baby !!!

Whodeyyyyy !

Do you know what a super man Ass Whooping is ?... Its the type of Ass Whooping you wish you could Fly away from !....

by 77CincyRage on Nov 29, 2011 3:01 PM EST reply actions

Brandon Tate can only be a disappointment if you expected anything out if him.

Why do you think the (best run franchise in the NFL) Patriots let him go? They need help at WR and knew how inconsistent he was as a return man. Tate has never regained his agility & acceleration since blowing up his knee.

I didn’t expect much and he’s probably surpassed my expectations because hes still in the team and is still returning punts.

CincyJungle.com Contributor for the NFL Draft

Follow me on Twitter @JoeGoodberry for Bengals & NFL Draft talk

by Joe Goodberry on Nov 29, 2011 5:40 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Bottom line is that we should be looking to give Tate some competition in the offseason

Special Teams is much more important then a lot of people think and being able to flip field position consistently can be the difference in close games. Especially with a defense like ours that we can expect to get a few 3 and outs a game.

We need to find a good returner and it should be possible in the mid/late rounds. I would also be considering replacing Huber if he doesn’t start punting better.

These little things are area’s we can look to improve without using a lot of resources like first/second round picks.

by C1ncy4Life on Nov 29, 2011 7:13 PM EST reply actions

I'm not disappointed IN Scott

I’m disappointed in the coaches not giving Scott more opportunities.

Tate is fine. He’s middle of the pack in punt and kick return yards and has a punt return TD. I always liked Cosby, but have no problem with Tate. People need to remember that the new kickoff rules have handcuffed all great returners. Even the great Joshua Cribbs looked pedestrian on Sunday. We could be better and could be worse in the return game.

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by Anthony Cosenza on Nov 29, 2011 7:19 PM EST reply actions

the new kickoff rules have nothing to do with punt returns...

The Curse of Bo Jackson: Jan 13th,1991- present day

by TruWhoDey on Nov 30, 2011 2:15 PM EST up reply actions

Tate had a punt return TD

It was the first Bengals punt return TD since Peter Warrick’s return against the Chiefs in 2003. Almost a decade. He doesn’t fumble. I’m fine with Tate-he’s much less of a concern than our secondary.

CincyJungle Contributor
Follow me on Twitter: @CUIBengalsFan

by Anthony Cosenza on Nov 30, 2011 3:08 PM EST up reply actions

Whether he's less of a concern then our secondary we should look to upgrade

the PR/KR position. Especially since a dynamic PR/KR can be had in the middle rounds sometimes. If we do not trade our Draft Picks we should be looking for a few specialty players like PR/KR in the mid/late rounds to atleast compete with Tate.

by C1ncy4Life on Nov 30, 2011 4:59 PM EST up reply actions

"We could be better and could be worse in the return game."

Exactly… I mean we are 3rd in the league with drive starting field position. If Tate were so horrible we wouldn’t be close to that.

by Oregonbengalsfan on Nov 30, 2011 2:32 PM EST up reply actions

Exactly

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by Anthony Cosenza on Nov 30, 2011 3:08 PM EST up reply actions

I like Tate well enough.

I’d like to see Pacman returning punts if we could afford risking injury to him, but now we absolutely can’t. I wouldn’t mind seeing Hawkins return a few, though.

by sexsalad on Nov 29, 2011 8:23 PM EST reply actions

Definitley would like to see Hawkins

The reason I’m down on Tate is because I really like this team and do not want to settle for mediocratity. I keep hearing that his stats land him in the middle of the pack and at least he doesn’t fumble the ball and I’m sorry but to me that’s not good enough. I want us to excell in all fasets of the game including special teams, My eye ball test tells me Hawkins would be better now I could be totally wrong maybe he cannot field a punt to save his life but I highly doubt it.

by biggie22 on Nov 29, 2011 9:08 PM EST up reply actions