The Cincinnati Bengals running attack in 2011 was anything but spectacular. Despite being one of the top teams in the NFL in terms of % of rushing plays vs. % of passing plays, their running game was far from dynamic and left a lot to be desired.

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Despite all the rushing attempts, they only scored 10 rushing TD’s as a team, and only had 2 games with more than 1 rushing TD as compared to 8 games without a single rushing TD. Also, as a team they averaged under 4.0 ypc on the season, which is nothing to write (or text or twit) home about.

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So what was wrong with the Bengals’ rushing attack (or lack thereof) in 2011?

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The following chart show the # of rushes, the total rushing yards, yards per carry, and TD’s that the Bengals achieved via rushing the ball in 2011.

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The chart shows the running plays behind each component of the O-Line and the resulting success (or failure)

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Observation #1...The interior of the O-Line really hurt the Bengals’ rushing offense in 2011.

Running behind the LG, C, RG was attempted in 40% of the rushing plays, but only resulted in 32% of the rushing yards, and only 30% of the rushing TD’s.

Clearly there were issues as the interior of the O-Line was only able to sustain a 3.1 ypc average.

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Looking at the RG position more closely, since we had several starters at RG in 2011:

In the 9 games that Williams started the Bengals had a 2.2 ypc behind him (36 for 79).

In the 4 games that McGlynn started the Bengals had a 3.3 ypc behind him (10 for 33).

In the 3 games that Boling started the Bengals had a 4.7 ypc behind him (15 for 71).

Perhaps it was time to let Bobbie go, and perhaps it is good that Boling is now starting (at LG)?

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Hopefully with Livings gone at LG, Faine replacing Cook at C, and Zeitler at RG, the interior of the O-Line will be better at supporting the rushing game (although if preseason is any indication, it actually got worse)?

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Observation #2...Andre Smith was our best run blocker (in terms of ypc on plays run behind him)

The Bengals averaged 4.5 ypc on plays that were run behind the RT last year.

Whitworth wasn’t far behind at 4.2 ypc on the plays that were run his way

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Observation #3...the Bengals least favorite Lineman to run behind was Livings, while Whitworth was the most popular

The Bengals only ran 52 plays behind LG while they ran 93 behind LT

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Observation #4...while it’s debatable if going to the far left is best in politics, running to the far left was best for their running game last season

Running behind the LT or LE resulted in a 4.4 ypc and accounted for 50% of their TD runs while only being 34% of their total rushes. Whit did a good job as did the TE/WR’s who sealed off the left edge for the RB’s.

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Conclusion...

The Bengals coaching staff clearly has enough sense knowing where to run, since their 2 most frequented paths (behind LT and behind RT) were behind their most effective linemen in terms of ypc.

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The Bengals return their 2 best run blocking linemen from last year (Whit & Smith)

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The Bengals have changed (upgraded?) their weak interior o-line from last year

Bobbie’s 2.2 ypc, Cook’s 3.1 ypc, and Livings’ 3.3 ypc are now replaced by Zeitler, Faine & Boling (4.7 ypc)

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The Bengals even improved the RB running behind the O-line from Benson to BJGE

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Therefore..... the Bengals running game for 2012 should be better than it was in 2011, right?