Game Plan for Houston and Beyond

by WOOD98 on Jan 6, 2012 5:48 AM EST

Since I know Marvin reads the Cincy Jungle and takes some of our suggestions into account when putting together his game plan I wanted to give my 2 cents. :-)

I think the Bengals should consider starting Brian Leonard. He is a strong runner, a strong blocker and provides a legitimate receiving threat from the backfield. The Bengals can't afford to risk the Benson fumble bunches and Scott is averaging less YPC than Benson. Peerman is unproven at this point.

I think Leonard would provide more production from the RB position and I think he would make Dalton more comfortable. We have seen countless times over the last several years that Leonard runs hard, catches everything, is always in the right spot and just makes big play after big play. I'm not a big advocate of changing things up in the playoffs but given the lack of production from the RB spot I think its a risk worth taking.

Thoughts?

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 am a big Brian Leonard fan

But I strongly disagree. Leonard just doesn’t hit the line hard on carries. He is definitely a great reciever out of the bckfield, and can get some yards on a draw play of a toss sweep, but I think he needs space to work with. I don’t think he works as well in a congested area. He is a great pass protector, and does a lot on special teams. The one way I could see him getting more time on the field is as a full back in a two back pro set where he can act as a lead blocker on the edge, and the set provides opportunities to hit either back in the flat. I think this set would work better with Scott than Benson.

It must be inordinately taxing to be such a boob. ~ The Brain

by jim0ijk on Jan 6, 2012 7:48 AM EST reply actions

I think he needs to stay healthy first to do anything more than he currently does.....

I think considering his abilities, he is currently in a good role. He just needs to stay on the field. He can hardly seem to do that now and he gets just a handful of carries a game, just imagine if he were a full time back…….I like Leonard, but after each game he makes a big play, then he’s out for a month.

"The next person you see that throws something, point em out! You don’t live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati!"
- Sam Wyche

by The Van Buren Boys on Jan 6, 2012 8:30 AM EST reply actions

I think they use leonard the way they should in this offense

I don’t think he has the make up of being an every down back… but I do like this hands better than benson and Leonard alawys seems to find a way to get those extra couple of yards on 3rd down…

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Jan 6, 2012 10:37 AM EST reply actions

Agree entirely..

Mostl brought in on 3rd down top save a drive. Seems like he’s always overlooked by the defense.. I would however like to see he and Peerman brought in as a package – if only for blocking and outlet. Bring Leonard in on some 2nd down plays.

I also think Andy needs to scramble for yards more. Nothing screws up the defense more than to cover the receivers and watch the QB make the 1st down. The LB’s will then start to wonder and hesitate in coverage – advantage Dalton..

I represent the Bengals of Cincinnati with extreme passion and prejudice and make no apologies for it!

by Law1951 on Jan 6, 2012 11:45 AM EST up reply actions

Don't know if I'd think about making many dramatic changes in this game

However, if and when we get past Houston and play NE, I’d seriously consider throwing Brandon Johnson in a lot more at middle LB for Rey. I still like Rey, I just think with NE’s dual threats @ TE and lack of a running game, Brandon Johnson might be a better option for this game. IMO he’s better in coverage than Rey and it would give us 3 LB’s (Manny Lawson, Thomas Howard and Brandon Johnson) who are all pretty descent in coverage to at least slow down down there TE’s .

by biggie22 on Jan 6, 2012 1:59 PM EST reply actions

I'd like Zim to throw more 3-4 looks if at all possible.

Peko’s not bad at it but I think we’d need Sims as well for that.

"It’s time people started realizing just how good a player Carlos Dunlap already is, and that starts with the Bengals. They gave him a season-high 58 snaps and what was the result? Carnage on the right side of the Seattle line." -Pro Football Focus

by Doc Scratch on Jan 6, 2012 7:38 PM EST up reply actions

Too bad we don't have Jason Shirley, he'd be the perfect NT for the 3-4

Paul Brown Stadium, where everyone's hopes go to die.

by DTFCPDX on Jan 6, 2012 8:27 PM EST up reply actions

This was my open thread comment yesterday to Josh Kirkendall

Rather see alot more BRIAN LEONARD out of the backfield.

WE need to get Brian a lot more touches.

He is clutch, has a nose for the sticks and would surprise the Texans.

Their not really expecting him.

Today’s comment………..As far as him not hitting the line hard, That’s mostly what he did at Rutgers in a very successful college career.

I feel he is the most under utilized player on the team with talent like his.

I agree with “Law” on the Peerman/Leonard pairing, from everything I’ve seen of
Peerman………..whenever he touches the ball, he goes strong and makes things happen.

I KNOW from watching Leonard’s career, that if he got the opportunity ahead of Benson, he’d be way more productive than Benson (how could he not be)? Haven’t you seen what Benson’s been doing?

What “WOOD98” is asking ……" given the lack of production from the RB spot I think its a risk worth taking". Thoughts?

I think it is worth the risk and it would surprise the hell out of the Texans.

Besides………..what’s the worst that could happen?

We could always put a “pouting” Benson back in the game if Leonard didn’t work out in the 1st half and it would probably light a well deserved fire under his ass and motivate him to run better.

Just my opinion.

"What we do in this life echoes in eternity"

Maximus*

by gratefulmax on Jan 6, 2012 2:22 PM EST reply actions

Exactly what I was asking (point of my post)

It wasn’t a “Brian Leonard is an every down #1 RB in the NFL” it was asking, when you consider the RB position this year, is Brian Leonard the Bengals best option. I think he is. You’re not asking him to do it for 16 games. You’re asking for a playoff run. If Leonard can average 4 YPC that is better than Scott or Benson. The blocking, blitz pick up and receiving are not even close between him and Scott or Benson, so why not give him the shot?

I’ve been the guy saying all season “Benson is going to come out motivated and we’re going to see the beast that we saw against the Jets last year” and I’m now convinced Benson has lost that. If Benson is not in beast mode he is useless. Given that it hasn’t happened this year lets go with the RB that gives the Bengals the most versatility.

by WOOD98 on Jan 7, 2012 3:11 AM EST up reply actions