Running Back Lamar Miller Reportedly Reaching 4.3s During Combine Training

by Jack Cassidy on Feb 22, 2012 5:00 PM EST

One of the several positions Cincinnati must fill this offseason is running back. Reports this morning of Benson's displeasure with the Cincinnati offense all but confirmed what Bengals fans had been thinking all offseason--Cedric Benson will not be a Bengal in 2012. To say Benson "lacked explosiveness" is a drastic understatement. On his best day he would not fumble in the fourth quarter and pick up no more four yards with holes you could drive a bus through. Watching Arian Foster run all over the Bengals in the playoffs left a lot to be desired from our own backfield, and Benson is clearly not the answer. His loss is nothing to mull over.

The question now is do the Bengals address running back in the 2012 NFL Draft? And if so, how high of a priority is the position? A popular trend in mock drafts, including ESPN's Mel Kiper's first draft, is Cincinnati selecting a running back in the first round, usually Miami's Lamar Miller. Miller has top level speed and is a constant homerun threat--everything Benson is not.

Miller has reportedly ran a 4.3 40-yard dash during Combine training.

@NFLDraftBible
NFL Draft BibleMiami RB Lamar Miller has reportedly recovered from shoulder surgery and has been timed in the mid-4.3s during combine training #Rotoworld 42 minutes ago via web · Reply · Retweet · Favorite · powered by @socialditto

Miller's speed is well known, but for it to be documented at such an impressive number is encouraging for his first round hopes. His stock is steadily rising and is becoming a very probable pick for Cincinnati at the No. 21 spot.

Public opinion is usually against first round running backs, but Miller has the makings of a legitimate prospect. Would such a turn from Cedric Benson really be that bad? Then again, Miller is not a consensus first round pick and selecting him at No. 21 may be considered a reach.

What do you think?

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Comments

I have a really hard time getting excited about this guy.

His numbers are great, but when I watch him he simply doesn’t impress me that much.

I hope my instinct is off, because to be honest, I expect him to be a Bengal.

by RHSNEYES on Feb 22, 2012 5:02 PM EST reply actions

I agree

I just cant get excited about him, seemed everything I have seen with him he has ran through wide open holes and then if anybody got 1 hand on the guy he went down, Dont think ive seen one play where he has kept going after first contact( maybe an exaggeration but honestly he goes down way to easy).

I dont get why everyone is in love with the guy but he just isnt for me.

by BobJones4980 on Feb 22, 2012 5:59 PM EST up reply actions

I am always nervous about a first round RB selection

But I said the same exact thing last year about WRs….

"Mahmoud, Kim Jong, 86 ya sh__ bitches, or Ima do it fo ya"...Luther...Obama's anger translator

by ticalcaldwell on Feb 22, 2012 5:09 PM EST reply actions

Thats a different question

Is he worth a first rounder? I don’t really know. As of now, the Bengals have a lot of holes and I think taking a running back in the first is more for luxury. He won’t be what we are traditionally use to but I love him as a player and it would be interesting to see his big play abilities added to our offense.

by EPK1979 on Feb 22, 2012 5:13 PM EST up reply actions

I don't know..

I think Cedric Benson not returning makes RB more of a need then a luxury.

by MikeFlorioSucks on Feb 22, 2012 6:00 PM EST up reply actions

I meant its a luxary to draft RB in round 1

Especially with how deep this class is with running backs.

by EPK1979 on Feb 22, 2012 9:29 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Agreed

by oosterling on Feb 22, 2012 6:30 PM EST up reply actions

He will blow up at the combine

I said a couple days ago I saw his combine training video from Nick Pompitos training facility. I came away really impressed by what he brings to the table. Thats even after seeing him play up close 3 times this year. Does he need some tweaks to his game? Yes, without a doubt but he is only 20 and after Richardson, I think he has the most upside of any running back in the draft. I will say he needs to get stronger and could add 8-10 pounds but that will improve also from being in the pros.

by EPK1979 on Feb 22, 2012 5:10 PM EST reply actions

"That's even after seeing him play up close 3 times this year"

Hey “EPK1979”, Do you live in South Florida? I do and am looking for some Florida Bengals.

"What we do in this life echoes in eternity"

Maximus*

by gratefulmax on Feb 22, 2012 6:23 PM EST up reply actions

FT Myers here!

by ashunte23 on Feb 22, 2012 6:28 PM EST up reply actions

Key West here!

by oosterling on Feb 22, 2012 6:32 PM EST up reply actions

hate you~

lived in ohio most of my life, lived in florida for a bit, then back to ohio. damn do i miss southern florida.

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Feb 22, 2012 10:07 PM EST up reply actions

Next time I go fishing, I'll let you know and look you up on this site.

"What we do in this life echoes in eternity"

Maximus*

by gratefulmax on Feb 27, 2012 1:11 PM EST up reply actions

Damn! I don't make it up to the Gulf Coast much.

"What we do in this life echoes in eternity"

Maximus*

by gratefulmax on Feb 27, 2012 1:07 PM EST up reply actions

I use to live in Cutler Ridge but live in Cincy now

but my brother works for the ACC and he got us tickets to a lot of games. Saw Miami play at Maryland,Va Tech and Georgia Tech. I was lucky enough to see a lot of good players in this draft play because he had the hook up. Went to the O-State-Miami game last year and thats when Miller first caught my eye. He didn’t disappoint when I saw him this year. If he would have went back to Miami next year he would be in the Heisman discussion,imo.

by EPK1979 on Feb 22, 2012 9:39 PM EST up reply actions

Lamar isn't likely unless they fix their CB problems in FA.

If they do, I would be happy with
Lamar and DeCastro in round 1.

by BENGALS69 on Feb 22, 2012 5:18 PM EST reply actions

this isn't going to be the big news out of the combine as far as 40 times

I heard L. James out of Oregon is running a 4.2 in the 40.

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Feb 22, 2012 5:56 PM EST reply actions

Hah! Miller just ran (officially) the fastest time at the Combine! 4.0

Faster than LaMichael & Rainey!

"What we do in this life echoes in eternity"

Maximus*

by gratefulmax on Feb 27, 2012 1:10 PM EST up reply actions

I love Miller's potential

I want him if we can’t get Richardson.

by Mexal on Feb 22, 2012 6:05 PM EST reply actions

I've been trying to tell people for over a month now, You know what.....F#%* %& !!......

…I’ll Just copy & Paste “Just One” of my comments from last month…………………..

…………………..Ranked on the “RB” who I think will have biggest Impact in the NFL.
Before you attack that I ranked Miller over Richardson, remember when everyone
thought that Mark Ingram (Bama) would be the second coming?

Bottom line……Miller did “more” with a lot less in front of him than Richardson.

Speed “does matter” in the NFL and Miller is the fastest player in college, period!
Faster than WR’s. Faster than CB’s. Faster than LaMichael James and Chris Rainey.

Speed, Shiftiness, Ability to run into the 3 C’s (my patent)
Creases,Cracks, and Crevices before they close up.
That’s what this kid does!

I’m from Miami and have seen this Kid play, and believe me when I tell
you that he will have the biggest Impact as a RB out of this years crop.

#1Miller
#2Richardson
#3Martin
#4Polk
#5James
#6Pead
#7Wilson
#8Rainey

Nobody else worth talking about.

“What we do in this life echoes in eternity”
Maximus*
by gratefulmax on Jan 26, 2012 2:08 PM PST

"What we do in this life echoes in eternity"

Maximus*

by gratefulmax on Feb 22, 2012 6:38 PM EST reply actions

He's comin out as a red shirt sophomore

So if his size is concerning for some people, would he not be expected to be able to put on muscle with an NFL training regimen?

by whodeyATL on Feb 22, 2012 6:48 PM EST via mobile reply actions

I was thinking the same thing.

If people are saying he needs to put 8-10 lbs on, then that’ll happen before training camp even starts.

by whodeycommish14 on Feb 22, 2012 8:20 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I don't think his size will make or break him

He is a good size back 5’11 and 212 pounds. I think if he adds 8-10 pounds, his speed shouldn’t suffer much and it will make him a durable 20 carry back. Like whodeyATL said, just being in a professional environment that shouldn’t be too hard for him to do.

by EPK1979 on Feb 22, 2012 9:48 PM EST up reply actions

ray rice ran a 4.47 at the combine

who cares about 40 times. get somebody who can catch and run. take a rb in the second please!

I love the Bengals more than you love anything in your life

by cincybengals on Feb 22, 2012 7:11 PM EST reply actions

+1

Unless it’ Richardson

by biggie22 on Feb 22, 2012 7:24 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

of course.

i hope we can at least watch him at his pro day. not healthy enough to go at the combine

I love the Bengals more than you love anything in your life

by cincybengals on Feb 22, 2012 7:31 PM EST up reply actions

I honestly do Not think we will take him

Especially in the first. All indications are we are looking for a complete back who can run between the tackles and he’s that back

by biggie22 on Feb 22, 2012 7:27 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Not that back

by biggie22 on Feb 22, 2012 7:27 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

+1 me to

I’m not sure on how the guy catches out of the backfield but we already have a smaller speed back. I’m thinking they go bigger. Polk?

by Bigcatdaddy on Feb 22, 2012 8:59 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

He's not 1st round talent.

1st RD-Kendall Wright-WR
1st RD-Cordy Glenn-OG
2nd RD-Brandon Thompson-DT
3rd RD-LaMicheal James-RB
4th RD-Keenan Robinson-OLB
5th RD-Devon Wylie-WR
6th RD-Julian Miller-DE
7th RD-Bob Hebert-C

FA:
OG
RB
SS
CB

by Bengal4ever on Feb 22, 2012 7:35 PM EST reply actions

WOW!!!

Miller sound like the second coming of Barry Sanders!:) Awesome back!

by Makebelieve on Feb 22, 2012 7:46 PM EST via mobile reply actions

thought the same thing couple months back

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

by jimbasa on Feb 22, 2012 8:10 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

or ki-jana carter

who also was known for his speed in college, running sub 4.3s in college from time to time.

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Feb 23, 2012 6:13 AM EST up reply actions

If James or Miller

Runs 4.2 at combine or pro day we would be stupid not to take one or the other in draft. Speed kills and nobody in football is running.g that fast. What lb or safety would be able to cover them in flat?

by pray4gm11 on Feb 22, 2012 8:18 PM EST via mobile reply actions

this might be one of the fastest running back class of all time

if you run a 4.5 you would be considered slow lol

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Feb 22, 2012 8:21 PM EST up reply actions

TR better run a 4.4 or he gone be in trouble. Lmao, that would be a hood thing for us though…

by pray4gm11 on Feb 22, 2012 8:26 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Or even on a simple swing pass.

I love this kid’s speed and his lower body strength.

by whodeycommish14 on Feb 22, 2012 8:22 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

If they're both in that area...

I’d much rather have LaMichael in the third than Miller in the first.

by RHSNEYES on Feb 22, 2012 8:53 PM EST up reply actions

James run a 4.2 he wont last past 2nd

by pray4gm11 on Feb 22, 2012 9:16 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

"pray4gm11".............That's what I'm talking about!

"What we do in this life echoes in eternity"

Maximus*

by gratefulmax on Feb 23, 2012 10:19 AM EST up reply actions

TR without doubt should be a Cincinnati Bengal

With the #17 pick. Just had " minor knee scope" will not participate in agility drills at combine. Not nothing to serious, but our blessing keep getting answered. It’s basically up to the players now to work on their games in off season. Front office I believe is prepared to put best team in feild right now that can win SUPER BOWL!!!

by pray4gm11 on Feb 22, 2012 9:29 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Don't get me wrong

I love Miller but Richardson is the top dog. He just does everything great. In saying that I think over time Miller will definitely be a good all around player also. He is raw and needs some consistent coaching but with his size, speed and vision, he is going to be a very good back in the league.

by EPK1979 on Feb 22, 2012 9:45 PM EST up reply actions

If TR is Gone & OG/CB are addressed in FA

Yes, Miller would be worth the 21st pick. Again, he is the fastest back as it shows and translates into game speed. He runs with good balance and vision. Finds a crease in the hole and bursts through quicker than anyone. This is the kind of back we need that can take it to the house anytime. He can take it through the tackles, up the gut, and tosses all day. Tosses to the outside is something we have lacked for sometime. I really would like to see some speed out of the backfield. TR, Miller, Martin, Pead, or James in that order. All have speed and big play ability. I am not high on Polk or the other backs that can easily be compared to Benson due to there style of play.

by TonyToa08 on Feb 22, 2012 11:05 PM EST reply actions

+1

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Feb 23, 2012 8:49 AM EST up reply actions

The tosses haven't worked because we don't have a guard that can get over there quick enough to block...

"Men often become what they believe themselves to be. If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. But when I believe I can, I then acquire the ability to do it even if I didn't have it in the beginning."

by Dwight Carter on Feb 24, 2012 12:45 PM EST up reply actions

+1000

"What we do in this life echoes in eternity"

Maximus*

by gratefulmax on Feb 23, 2012 10:22 AM EST reply actions

One thing is for sure...

Whoever we draft or sign at Running back has to be a badass in our tough run-stuffing division. If Millers speed can break more big play runs than we have had then I’m all for it. We’ll see if he can take the pounding If we don’t draft him I’m down for David Wilson/Chris Polk…

by Davey Boi Sully on Feb 24, 2012 8:00 PM EST reply actions