It's Cedric Benson Or Nothing And Kevin Huber On Pace To Break Franchise Punting Record

by Josh Kirkendall on Sep 26, 2011 4:41 PM EDT

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 25: Cedric Benson #32 of the Cincinnati Bengals is brought down after a gain by Carlos Rogers #22 of the San Francisco 49ers at Paul Brown Stadium on September 25, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. San Francisco defeated Cincinnati 13-8. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Think of it this way, punter Kevin Huber is on pace to set a franchise record for most punts in a season, six more than Kyle Larson's record of 100 punts in 2008. Now that's perspective.

There's no doubt. When Cedric Benson is active for the Cincinnati Bengals, he's clearly the team's feature back. This year more so than any since the 2009 season -- when Benson became the team's focus on offense during their most recent AFC North championship season. The Bengals have run 73 running plays this year with 58 attempted by Benson, achieving nearly 80% of the team's total running plays. Considering that Benson has the best yard/rush average (4.2) on the team, save for Brian Leonard who only has two rushes, maybe that's not a bad thing. But there's a need for consistency and that's not happening with Benson and the Bengals rushing offense this year.

It's the most Benson has been featured as the team's running back dating back to the 2009 season. Last year Benson carried the football 321 times out of 428 called runs by the Bengals (75%). And in 2009, if we exclude games he didn't play (Oakland, Cleveland, NY Jets, Benson mirrored 2010, rushing 301 times out of a possible 399 called runs (though was slightly better). That year Benson missed three games, allowing Bernard Scott to receive a significant number of snaps in a three-game stretch between the Steelers, Raiders and Browns, posting 239 yards rushing, a 4.59 yard/rush average and his lone career NFL start against the Cleveland Browns (Brian Leonard started against the Raider).

	Rushes	Benson	Scott	Leonard
2011	73	58	8	2
2010	428	321	61	9
2009	505*	301	74	27
* Team ran 399 times during games Benson played.

During games Benson played dating back to 2009, he's carried the football 75.6% of the team's total rushes for an average of 3.8 yards/rush.

That being said, the Cincinnati Bengals are on pace to run the football 389 times this year, which will be the first time they've rushed less than 400 times in a season since 1995 (364). And it's not because the Bengals are throwing at a 59% clip this year; it's because they're unable to sustain drives averaging only 28:16 on time of possession, which will be the lowest since 1997 (27:56).

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

run to win

been saying that all season.

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

by palewook on Sep 26, 2011 4:47 PM EDT reply actions

Where are the ratings?

That’s the icing on the cake of the most miserable pile of trash of a home opener that could ever be served up! I wonder where the bengals.com favorite sandwich poll from last week ended up near the end of the fourth quarter? My stomach’s churning.

Where’s the Guinness, Josh?

by wiseking on Sep 26, 2011 5:03 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Our biggest problem with the running game is

inconsistent O-line play. I watch so many other O-lines PUSH the defenders out of the way. Our O-line seems to stay in one spot holding off defenders (not always holding them off though) or getting pushed back. They never seem to get the push that other O-lines get to allow the RB or even QB (although I don’t expect to see QB draws or sneaks much) to pick up that short yardage for the first down or TD. All this Benson sucks, Benson can’t do it is BS. He can do it, he has done it… when the O-line is playing well. No he’s not the big bruiser back that punishes defenders, but he is the bell cow back that can pound it and tire the defense down. I don’t think there is a better option available at RB. Larry Johnson? That’s laughable.

by Oregonbengalsfan on Sep 26, 2011 5:03 PM EDT reply actions

Marvin Lewis Football Is Not Working

Where is the Fear Factor. Who is afraid of the Bengals. I would have tossed the dice and would have fired Marvin Lewis. Then i would have drafted the best arm i could find. Ryan Mallert comes to mind. Marvin had his chance to turn the Bungles into the Bengals. Marvin is as always rebuliding. And THATS IMPORTANT!

by Chili Dog on Sep 26, 2011 5:05 PM EDT reply actions

Dalton is the one

not Mallet… now way

by Oregonbengalsfan on Sep 26, 2011 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Mallet

I was a big believer in Mallet, but Dalton really does look to be a little better. He doesn’t have the arm, but he’s more mobile(not hard to be) and seems to have all-around better character. Mallet and Simpson might have made a good pair though. Lol

by SCbengalsfan on Sep 26, 2011 8:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I would say the Cincinnati Police Department

has a healthy fear of the Bengals.

by occams_tiger_teeth on Sep 26, 2011 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions

That time of possession stat is startling

I’m not surprised our offense has had trouble, we all knew this year was a work in progress. But the fact that our D hasn’t kept the stellar QB play of McCoy, Orton, and Smith limited to 3 and outs is suprising.

by Black&Orange on Sep 26, 2011 5:50 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Why not change players and formation more often.

I believe the bengals would convert more third downs if they played different personnel and formation. Why not put Scott and Leonard in split backs and stand up Gresham on third downs. It would be a differnt look and put some pressure on the D. I think it would cause matchup problems. You can run to either side and throw out of it. Just a thought.

by i am will on Sep 26, 2011 6:27 PM EDT reply actions

No one likes to be patient

When the Bengals have lost so much, and it sucks to hear people laugh at them…. but really, no offseason, rookie QB, rookie WR, 2nd year TE, inexperience in spots on the O line… I am willing to wait it out, not fun to do when every week I go to the sports bar and am the only Bengal fan there..

by txbengal29 on Sep 26, 2011 7:08 PM EDT reply actions