"From a consistency standpoint, you’d like to get Bernard more carries, more touches and Cedric has earned the right to be a feature back in this offense the last couple of years," Gruden said. "So there’s a fine line there. Know what I mean? The more you give it to Bernard, the more you’ve got Cedric over there scratching his head and not real happy. Really, to me, on a good football team nobody should worry about who’s scoring or who’s getting the ball. So long as the team is moving."
"You look at the great offenses right now and it’s somebody different all the time," he said. "It could be Gronkowski, it could be Welker, it could be Green-Ellis one game. It could be Jordy Nelson, Driver, it could be Jennings, it could be the back. That’s the way it’s got to be. In New Orleans it’s the same way. It could be Colston, it could be the big tight end, it could be Sproles. So everybody is a viable option on every play.
"We’ve just got to make sure if Cedric is out there, it’s just not Cedric’s deal. You’ve got to be able to do some other things," Gruden said. "You’ve got to be able to come out of the backfield, pass protect better and still do our play-action and drop back and throw. We’ve got to be more versatile in that regard, but overall we do have to get better in the running game."
That's what Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden had to say about Cedric Benson and the Bengals running game on Monday, just two days after they were eliminated from the playoffs in Houston. He didn't say, "Benson had a good year," or "he went over 1,000 yards again, you have to respect that," or even "I think Ced is a swell guy." Instead, Gruden kind of dissed Benson's attitude and talked about how it's not all about him, it's about the team.
We've talked about Benson's future with this team and I have said, more than once, that I don't see him coming back in 2012, especially after the way he played in the last quarter of the season, but I feel that this quote from Gruden shows that it isn't just Benson's play on the field, but his attitude that will cause the Bengals to sign a different running back in 2012.
Benson did have another 1,000-yard season, but I for one am not impressed. His biggest strength seemed to be his ability to carry the ball up the middle 25 times a game but he seems to have lost all ability to make big plays, break tackles or gain the tough yards on third- or fourth-and-short. Actually, it seemed to me that when the team needed Benson the most, even if it was to just hold on to the damn ball, he let them down.
And then there's the attitude.
Gruden hit the nail right on the head. I've never seen BenJarvus Green-Ellis openly complain about Danny Woodhead (who looks like a fifth grader by the way) getting all the carries in a game. The Patriots game plan for teams and they play Green-Ellis when it benefits them and they play Woodhead when they feel like doing so would give them an edge. You'd think that as long as Benson's team was winning, he wouldn't have much of a problem with that. Unfortunately for him (and us), that didn't seem to be the case.
There's no question in my mind that re-signing Benson in 2012 would actually be counterproductive to what the Bengals are trying to do, which I assume is get in the playoffs and stay in the playoffs. Benson is one of the last remaining link to the Carson Palmer-Chad Ochocinco era and if the team wants to start fresh, they should thank Benson for his four years of hard running and wish him good luck in the future. Hopefully the future running back understands that Bernard Scott can give them a chance to win in certain situations and deserves to get the ball.
But this is something we have (especially me) talked about for a long time and I've gone beyond being a broken record that's playing the sound of a dead horse being beaten, so I'm going to stop now. After reading Gruden's comment, I'm fairly confident that the Bengals will do the right thing.
0 recs | 152 comments
Yep this pretty much seals the deal
for me that Benson is gone.
Helmsy - January 10, 2012
gl to benson
i wont shed a tear over his departure. time to move on.
palewook - January 10, 2012
+ 1
njbengalstat - January 10, 2012
Before the game on Saturday, the cameras showed Cedric on the sideline, laughing and relaxed.
I thought maybe returning to Texas was good for Benson?
Nope. Only play he made all day was at the goal line. Whiffed on a block, dropped a pass, and sucked. No big loss to get rid of him. In fact, probably a gain.
Grizzlyfox - January 10, 2012
But he didn't punch anybody in Texas.
That’s a new one for him.
ddbumpus - January 10, 2012
true
and it’s not like he made the play to get the TD, the line (as usual) opened up the hole for him and he just jogged through untouched. That’s how he gains 99.6% of his yards. The only exception is on the rare occasions, once every few games, when he suddenly seems to care and tries for more yards after contact. Lately when he does that he fumbles it, so it’s better for us when he just does his usual stop drop and roll.
indesignkat - January 10, 2012
He's selfish and only cares about how many touches he gets. Thats been obvious since the 2010 season
GodFather07 - January 10, 2012
You have to think that if Gruden stays in Cincinnati,
Benson is gone. I don’t think Jay is comfortable with Cedric here; he wants to run a high-octane offense that spreads the ball around, and Benson isn’t willing to be a part of that.
Pardon_My_French - January 10, 2012
"We’ve just got to make sure if Cedric is out there, it’s just not Cedric’s deal"
thats about it…thanks for coming out…..peace buddy….another selfish player……
ticalcaldwell - January 10, 2012
how awesome would it be
for the bengals to draft 2 rbs, taking someone like miller or richardson early in the draft, then sneaking pead off the boards in the 4th or 5th round.
(this is of course assuming the bengals use FA and the draft to fix the 2 holes at G)
palewook - January 10, 2012
yeah, I wouldn't be so eager to draft an RB
If we address our O line with possible two high draft picks, then we can maybe draft only Pead or Wilson or Martin or Gray and possibly get insurance via FA. Either way, our O-line is priority.
jimbasa - January 10, 2012
Don't forget about Leonard. I think draftin one first pick and then worry about cb and ss in the 2nd and 3rd
njbengalstat - January 10, 2012
leonard is perfect as a situational back
clutch, hands, not durable. he will not be a guy that can carry 200-300 times a season.
palewook - January 10, 2012
+1
I highly doubt that leonard will ever be a feature back
ticalcaldwell - January 10, 2012
2nd and 3rd round
njbengalstat - January 10, 2012
now that was the ultimate bitch slap he could have.
benson is a grown man but has the mind of a child. I loved every word that gruden said becouse its all true.
bengalinflorida - January 10, 2012
dont see one person here defending benson
b/c we’ve all heard this groaning and moaning from benson for the past 3 years. if benson averaged more than 4 yards a carry, ok, he might have a case and there would be some people defending him.
however, benson ain’t that back. never has been that back. and never will be that back. matter of a fact, benson wont be back in cincy either..
palewook - January 10, 2012
i know and how many times did all us fans have to sit through 1st and 10 and benson up the middle for 2 yards everytime. That started getting on my nerves because he just can't break any tackles
bengalinflorida - January 10, 2012
Also, remember....Benson is not grudens guy
he was already here….Lets wait and see what Jay does with the RB position…..if he is still here
ticalcaldwell - January 10, 2012
i know we technically signed him again this year....but you know what I mean
ticalcaldwell - January 10, 2012
+1
I had the same thoughts when I read Gruden’s comments about Ced.
Even if Ced was a model teammate, he still does not make enough big plays and needs to be replaced.
AWC71 - January 10, 2012
+1
palewook - January 10, 2012
Makes me wonder
That if hes let go, and after his attitude this season, many teams im sure have seen the way his attitude is and what gruden said. If ced will even be a starter ever again is this league!
steelerhater - January 10, 2012
he wont be
benson will be old, slow, and off the field baggage. sub 4 yards per carry his whole career, fumble issues, and immature when it comes to dealing with his attitude.
benson will depth for someone in 2012 at a vet min contact with incentives or he’ll be out of the nfl.
palewook - January 10, 2012
Could he even stand being a backup?
Definitely wont get all the carries then!
steelerhater - January 10, 2012
i dont think benson will last long as a backup in the nfl
no way a guy with the mememe attitude can sit on the bench quietly and mentor younger backs. coaches will bounce him after a single season in any other city for pulling this while sitting on the bench. figure he has 2 more years left, 1 season deals in 2 cities as a backup and he’ll be out of the nfl. if he’s lucky…
palewook - January 10, 2012
I agree competely
Shows how irrelevant and deceiving a 1000 yard season can be now days. .
steelerhater - January 10, 2012
+1
Helmsy - January 10, 2012
Benson is gone
Gruden put it out there plain and simple, Benson doesn’t fit the offense. I’ve enjoyed watching the guy run up until this season he came in and helped us when we really needed it but it’s time for him to go. I just hope that Gruden doesn’t get to far away from the AFC North smash mouth style and I hope they can land Richardson even if it takes trading next years Oak pick to get him.
Bigcatdaddy - January 10, 2012 via Android app
we damn well better not trade picks
to get a RB. we have bigger needs, and i feel like finding a RB in the later rounds or even undrafted has the potential to be elite, whereas that very rarely happens at safety, cb, or o-line. you can find a productive back just about anywhere, and the same can very rarely be said about other positions.
dqniel - January 10, 2012
Thanks Benson but GOODBYE
Benson dnt have the power he had in 2009-10. Changes need to be made and he is one. It happens and its his time to go. Get a good young RB in the draft. The Bengals have been drafting good the last two years. If they can keep that up then I see them having a good draft this year and picking up 2-3 players that can play and help the team next year.
i am will - January 10, 2012
At least Benson
runs hard out of the tunnel during the pre-game annoucements :)
EarthwormJim - January 10, 2012
Benson is a proto-typical "bell cow"...
…between the tackles type back. The type of back you have if you run an “Air Coryell” style offense like we had when Palmer was quarterback. You counteract the deep threat, which loosens the safeties up, with a potent inside running game.
This isn’t our offense anymore. Benson is a remnant from an offensive scheme that is long gone. Sure he wants the ball, but in our offense, you have to be able to pass block, catch passes out of the backfield, etc. These aren’t Benson’s strengths.
Remember this name—Lamar Miller.
goffchile - January 10, 2012
trent richardson i like
bengalinflorida - January 10, 2012
The thing with Richardson is...
…that he’s a very similar back to Benson. Between the tackles type guy, probably a better receiver but doesn’t have “breakaway” speed. We need a playmaker who can take it to the crib on any play. Miller is that guy.
goffchile - January 10, 2012
+1
I agree….I dont want richardson…we need speed…speed….speed
ticalcaldwell - January 10, 2012
i seen him break away just last night and left the corners in the dust for the only td in the game
i don’t know what either of there 40 time is ( of course 40 time is overrated anyways)
bengalinflorida - January 10, 2012
simple if richardson falls to the bengals, which I highly doubt
we pick him. There are two teams I think that would go after him. Washington if they can’t get RG3 and the Seattle if they can’t resign lynch.
AMAS85 - January 10, 2012
what's the deal with lynch is he a free angent?
bengalinflorida - January 10, 2012
i believe he is.
AMAS85 - January 10, 2012
Yea he is
Helmsy - January 10, 2012
how do you think he would fit in our system?
bengalinflorida - January 10, 2012
Not well.
He’s due for a Benson-like decline in a year or two.
jsl413 - January 10, 2012
yeah the problem with running backs is they have a shelf live shorter than milk
bengalinflorida - January 10, 2012
life
bengalinflorida - January 10, 2012
That's why I wouldn't jump on Richardson or Miller.
Maybe Miller – I think Rice and Sproles will be good for a while.
But guys like Benson/Lynch wear down quickly. Jerome Bettis was the last of his kind to sustain success for a long time. But a lot of it really comes down to interior line play.
jsl413 - January 10, 2012
By which I mean, I think you'll see a run on guards in the next few years.
Their value is catching up to tackles just because it’s so important to have quick, strong guards that can pull and get to the edge effectively. Or maybe teams won’t realize that.
jsl413 - January 10, 2012
yes guards are the new thing this year
just like corners were the hot topic the last couple of years
bengalinflorida - January 10, 2012
We have to go RBBC...
…spread the ball around. We are moving past the days of the 25 carries a game for the bell cow.
goffchile - January 10, 2012
Yeah, my offensive model is that of the Saints.
They have a very underrated running game, and clearly a great QB, but they also have the best offensive gameplan it seems week-in and week-out.
jsl413 - January 10, 2012
I think the biggest problems with the Bengals' running game are:
1) Guard play – power run blocking has been abysmal
2) Andre Smith – not the run blocker he was at ‘Bama, but has been very good in pass pro. He’ll be worth hanging onto because I think he’s undervalued.
3) Scheme – not enough creativity or zone blocking. Look at Houston’s running game, or Baltimore’s, or Denver’s to see what a real running game looks like. The Bengal rushing attack is too straight forward. Maybe having legitimate guards that could get to the second level or pull would help.
jsl413 - January 10, 2012
It's too easy to defend against us...
…because our backs are all one dimensional. When Benson’s in, he’s going up the middle or off tackle. I like Scott for his receiving skills, but he isn’t that fast. Leonard is same thing.
We need a playmaker—he doesn’t have to carry the ball 30 times, 15 is plenty, but when he gets the ball—watch out!
goffchile - January 10, 2012
I agree with most of this.
But I think Leonard is an amazing 3DB. He’s excellent in the screen game and can get tough yards when he needs to. Scott lacks the vision and elusiveness to be an effective NFL back. Benson is the same, but he occasionally throws in a power move to pick up extra yards. More often than not, those 2 just run into OL’s backs, miss cutback lanes, or fall over when they’re touched.
I’d like to see Justin Forsett, a RB in the draft, and Leonard next year.
jsl413 - January 10, 2012
I'd like to see Pressley get some carries...
…or at the very least us take a run at a FB that can run/catch in addition to blocking.
goffchile - January 10, 2012
Really? Why?
Just curious – what makes you think that’d be successful? I’m not seeing it, but I want to understand what your thought process is.
jsl413 - January 10, 2012
i like staggering the attack.
make defenses fear the power run to open up the flats.
palewook - January 10, 2012
I guess I don't see why you'd want your FB to take those carries.
The chance of success on a FB dive (> 3yards) has gotta be like 20%..
jsl413 - January 10, 2012
3 yards is better than bensons 2 yards on 1st down lol.
bengalinflorida - January 10, 2012
modern nfl has forgotten how to use the fb
days of alscott or pete johnson are over
palewook - January 10, 2012
Ray Rice runs behind a heck of a fullback
But yea I agree
Helmsy - January 10, 2012
I think we do need a bruiser for short yardage situations...
…whether or not Pressley is that guy, I don’t , know, but if he’s not we should find one. I’d be ok if we took a run at Hillis, drafted Miller, and kept Scott and Leonard. That would be a fearsome foursome in the backfield.
goffchile - January 10, 2012
The offense doesn't use RBs enough to carry 4 IMO.
I wouldn’t mind that, but Miller won’t be around in the 2nd round and I’d rather see CB and OG/S addressed in the first – of course, depending on free agency. If they can ransack NO for Colston and Nicks (I think that’s the OG’s name), then they could go CB, RB in the 1st and S in the second, though I really like Barron. They’ll also need to draft a DT. This off-season is the most important one in years, though, which is why you see so many people asking about it on twitter, etc.
jsl413 - January 10, 2012
i dont really feel like any of the safeties on the board
are worthy of a 1st round pick
palewook - January 10, 2012
Barron might be a bit of a Tweener.
Maybe they’ll be able to move Clements to SS, but I’m not sure he could make that transition.
jsl413 - January 10, 2012
yeah i think barron is 1st on safety prospects
bengalinflorida - January 10, 2012
Barron is 1st......
by a mile. After that, there is a huge dropoff. Marcell, safety from Okla State, is one of the next ranked. They had one of the worst overall Defenses in college football.
The Van Buren Boys - January 10, 2012
drives me nutz
the modern afc north has forgotten how to use the fb like the afc central used to. who cares what the rest of the nfl is doing. old style afc central football was pound the rock with the fullback or a rb that was so damned huge he was fb sized.
palewook - January 10, 2012
+ 1
It doesn’t matter how many NO or GB type teams there are in the league, smash mouth football will always work. We didn’t see any bad weather games but the Bengals play in the Ohio Valley it’s inevitable. I don’t want us to be a copy cat offense, I want to break the mold.
Bigcatdaddy - January 10, 2012 via Android app
Smash mouth football hasn't worked in years though...
I don’t think it’s true that it will always work. When teams go big, unless they have a great TE, it tips run and infrequently works.
jsl413 - January 10, 2012
b/c benson sucks
and alexander places pet projects over talent on his depth chart
palewook - January 10, 2012
i think alexander should be the next coach out the door imo.
bengalinflorida - January 10, 2012
I just don't see us passing like
NO or GB. It’s not what this team is built for. We have to have a good run game to open up the pass and at the end of this season we were trying to do the opposite. The best thing we can do for Dalton is get him a line and RB.
Bigcatdaddy - January 10, 2012 via Android app
I don't know if it's a good idea to play into what they do today. It doesn't work well.
They should be trying to evolve the offense by adding weapons. I agree that OG is the highest priority, and that RB should be close, but they have extra draft picks in the next two years and should use them to try to improve the offense and make it more flexible.
jsl413 - January 10, 2012
Look at the really good running teams we recently played....
Baltimore, Texans, etc. Those two have one thing in common……tough FB’s. Vickers and Leach. Reminds me of the days when we had Lorenzo Neal…..very underrated and underappreciated position.
The Van Buren Boys - January 10, 2012
Leach is terribly overrated, and Houston's run game is predicated on zone blocking and mobility.
I’m not saying a FB is a bad idea, but I think the Bengals use Pressley enough and I don’t think I’d emphasize it in the off-season.
jsl413 - January 10, 2012
what?
leach owned us twice in 2011. he blew up the middle of the field for rice repeatedly. he made rey look sorry a couple of plays. do you really think its a fluke this is the 1st season rice has ever owned the bengals, not once but twice?
palewook - January 10, 2012
I dunno, maybe I trust PFF too much.
But I believe Leach is one of the more overrated players in the NFL.
jsl413 - January 10, 2012
PFF listed him as the #1 FB for their all-pro team.
Leach gets critical blocks. He’s a top FB.
dqniel - January 10, 2012
Oops.
Must be confused and thinking of someone else.
jsl413 - January 10, 2012
Agree with palewook....
ask Rey how overrated Leach is? He made Rey look like a rookie……
The Van Buren Boys - January 10, 2012
neal
that dude should be a hall of famer. never will be though, writers don’t recognize that, which is sad.
palewook - January 10, 2012
Every where he went the RB blew up
Dillon, George, and , LT. Maybe another someone can name.
Bigcatdaddy - January 10, 2012 via Android app
+1
Oregonbengalsfan - January 10, 2012
Richardson is really not a good Benson comparison at all.
He’s an excellent receiver out of the backfield, has better balance, much better cutback ability, probably better vision. He’s just an all-round better talent than Benson.
jsl413 - January 10, 2012
That said, Richardson will be long gone and it's not worth trading up for him.
I’d say James is good choice, but he can’t catch the ball out of the backfield. I think Justin Forsett from Seattle might be a good pickup.
This offense really doesn’t look to use TEs down the field or RBs, like NO and Baltimore do so much. Which is dumb, because it works. It’s definitely true that the offense needs more playmakers, but I think the team would be better served looking for those in FA and later rounds, and addressing the abysmal guard position in the first round if they can’t get Nicks from New Orleans.
I’d prefer to see:
G – Nicks, FA
CB – Dre Kirkpatrick or Jannoris Jenkins
WR – any of Jeffrey, Floyd if available at 21
RB – I liked Ball a lot, but it looks like it might be Pead in the 3rd, since I think they go OG/WR/CB in the first.
I’d like to see Lawson and Howard back too.
jsl413 - January 10, 2012
+1 there is no comparison imo
bengalinflorida - January 10, 2012
+1
Oregonbengalsfan - January 10, 2012
And he is a very good receiver
Oregonbengalsfan - January 10, 2012
yep he reminds me a lot of ray rice
AMAS85 - January 10, 2012
miller, willson, pead
all super fast.
palewook - January 10, 2012
And that's what we need on offense...
….with a west coast style, it’s all about getting favorable matchups and speed. Dalton isn’t going to beat people with the deep ball, but get Miller in man coverage with a linebacker…that’s what we want.
goffchile - January 10, 2012
i'm still living in my fantasy gm mode
i want a serious running back drafted in the 1st or 2nd (depending on who is available in the 1st) and pead drafted in the 4th or 5th.
palewook - January 10, 2012
Marvin would never call a player out like this.
He would just put up with it and no changes would ever be made. This is one of the reasons he sucks as a head coach. Were about to see both of our coordinator’s go, both of whom would make this team more disciplined and better. Were screwed.
Hoke Hogan - January 10, 2012 via mobile
I guess your a glass half empty kinda person...
Helmsy - January 10, 2012
He said something along the lines of "It's just Ced being Mopey"
Sounds like I’ve heard that about a player before….
ddbumpus - January 10, 2012
Ochocinco?
Marvin said Chad was always mopey.
DTFCPDX - January 10, 2012
to be honest
I think both of our coordinators stay. Zimmer may be in a better position next year if he waits because he may be able take over the Bengals HC position or another team that has a better out look than tampa bay or miami. And Gruden needs more expirence and has admitted it to the media. So I think they both stay at least for one more year.
AMAS85 - January 10, 2012
I hope so
Hoke Hogan - January 10, 2012 via mobile
dunno about that
i recall marvin calling chad out back in 2008 during a press conference when he referred to the wr as “ocho physco”
palewook - January 10, 2012
Yea I remember that too
Helmsy - January 10, 2012
Big deal, it took him nine years to get him out.
Hoke Hogan - January 10, 2012 via mobile
It took those nine years
For Marvin to get any control from MB. Marvin had no power to make any choices when it came to personnel. Those days have definately changed. Marvin . for all his faults, has this team headed on a path that actually seems to be going somewhere now.
Yarin - January 10, 2012
^^^This
Helmsy - January 10, 2012
+1
Oregonbengalsfan - January 10, 2012
+10000000
totally Agree
Touhue Cha - January 10, 2012
Nope just living in reality.
This craps been going on for 10 years now. Marvin kisses the ass of the malcontent players while they ruin the locker room. Doesn’t sound like you know this team very well there chief.
Hoke Hogan - January 10, 2012 via mobile
U either pal!!!
What malcontent players are u talking bout? Only one I can think that he had is back was Palmer.
pray4gm11 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Seriously? Palmers the only one you know of?
Thats just dumb.
Hoke Hogan - January 10, 2012 via mobile
if you want people to chat with here
you’re going to need to be a little more constructive, a little less confrontational.
palewook - January 10, 2012
+1
AMAS85 - January 10, 2012
What other players he took up for?
Didn’t like Chad, odell, to, or dillon list goes on. Brown put them players on team. How many times did Marvin say he’s not a babysitter?
pray4gm11 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
LOL
Hoke Hogan - January 10, 2012 via mobile
i can recall marvin basically clearing out odell's locker in the press
marvin had odell off the team long before brown accepted that fact.
palewook - January 10, 2012
Remember Marcin just now probably making personell decisions
Brown gave Marvin freedom and everybody gone now besides Benson.
pray4gm11 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
I agree Marvins been drafting well but that
doesn’t make him a good coach (see last 3 playoff games).
Hoke Hogan - January 10, 2012 via mobile
how many coaches can say they been to 3 of 6 last playoffs.
I agree Marvin get head over heals sometimes but the man can coach. Personally I seen a different Marvin this year. He coached some very good games for us. I agree though ALL our coaches got out coached in playoff game.
pray4gm11 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
so true... in the past 8 years marvin has been here we have been to the playoffs 3 times
and how many times did we make it before Marvin while Mike Brown was the GM?
The only loss I really question was the loss to the Jets, we should have won that one. But with a rookie QB away with now fan support is a tough thing to over come. I think next year we see Marvin lay everything on the line because if doesn’t get to playoffs and make it far.. I think we cutt ties with him.
AMAS85 - January 10, 2012
Fair enough, dare I have the audacity to want better.
Hoke Hogan - January 10, 2012 via mobile
i don't think there is any one that doesn't want to be better
but the question is, “who can make us better at this point?” and I still believe its Marvin. Most people had us around 4 wins this year. Making it to the playoffs is pretty damn good considering the fact that only two other rookie QBs who started all year got their team to the playoffs.
AMAS85 - January 10, 2012
The pundits are usually wrong.
This team is good on paper. The HC is holding them back.
Hoke Hogan - January 10, 2012 via mobile
If this team was/is so good on paper
Why did the “experts” predict us to be in the running for the worst in the league
Helmsy - January 10, 2012
So youre happy with the way Marvin runs things.
Its good to know you’re the minority. I saw a brand new Marvin against Houston, wait, no I didn’t.
Hoke Hogan - January 10, 2012 via mobile
I think our loss had more to do with poor play by the QB than anything else
But Dalton will bounce back. The noise was tough to over come, but I think it was a good learning expeirence for him.
AMAS85 - January 10, 2012
Dalton was pretty awful down the stretch.
I know he’s a rookie, but I’m not sold that he’s the answer. He has another year and a half to improve in my book before it’s time to look for the future. I kind of wish the Bengals needed RG3 this year – I think he’s going to be a fantastic QB.
jsl413 - January 10, 2012
we will see soon enough when cleveland takes him
bengalinflorida - January 10, 2012
well
when you allow your qb or tell your qb, to focus on just tossing a jump ball to one player anytime your team is behind or in trouble or needs a 1st down. that becomes an easy trend to spot. and not so hard to defend when you know its coming.
blame that on dalton for becoming fixated on green or gruden being a rookie in the nfl too.
palewook - January 10, 2012
That's one thing he said he was going to work on
The article on Bengals.com had Dalton saying he was going to work with Green in the off season and with his eyes ect.
Bigcatdaddy - January 10, 2012 via Android app
+1
you can’t coach playoff expeirience you have to be there to get it.
bengalinflorida - January 10, 2012
now that i think about it
marvin lewis and his expeirience on the playoffs have declined the last 3 visits there. not sure what to make of it this year with new things around the team.
bengalinflorida - January 10, 2012
We got out played in Houston
Wasn’t anything Marvin could’ve done outside of giving the players pistols.
Bigcatdaddy - January 10, 2012 via Android app
we lost the battle of both lines
aside from turnovers (which we also lost), nothing decides a game quicker
palewook - January 10, 2012
Absolutely right.
Houston has great lines. Our D-line is young, but we could have used Pat Sims. No shame in all of that. The O-line play was inexcusable. The Texans’ pass rush is good, but we have to do better than that. Everyone here knows we need a guard (or two).
Pardon_My_French - January 10, 2012
let me guess
We should bring in Cowher or Jon Gruden.. maybe Jeff Fischer or Bill Parcells?
You state we need a coach but who do you think would be better.
Just a hint: That list above would NOT want to come coach this team.
Yarin - January 10, 2012
On a side note
How has all the coaching changes worked out for Cleveland or maybe Washington? Don’t forget Miami.
Yarin - January 10, 2012
Wait
but couldn’t he be the next _________ (fill in the blank)?
Oregonbengalsfan - January 10, 2012
When
Benson started referring to himself last season as “Employee #32” I knew the end was near. I was just hoping that end would come before this past season.
Yarin - January 10, 2012
yea I use to be a big Benson fan when we first picked him up
but he definately doesn’t show he is a team first type player. He is only concerned about his carries because he wants a big pay day.
AMAS85 - January 10, 2012
I thought the New Orleans comparison was spot on
Nobody mixes it up on offense as much as Brees does with the Saints. End result? A high octane offense that’s hard to defend because you can’t key on one or two players all the time.
When this attitude started showing earlier this year, I thought Benson was sealing his fate. Based on Gruden’s comments, sounds like I was right.
spif - January 10, 2012
Whoops!
Forgot to finish my obvious point about the Saints…Brees spreads the ball around that offense, and it works. And (as far as I know) you don’t hear any of those players bitching about not getting the ball enough.
spif - January 10, 2012
I kind've want Hillis, but I wouldn't be sad to see 2 rookie backs and Leonard next year.
Scott and Benson both look utterly worthless. Scott looks better than Benson, but so what? He didn’t look good, that’s for sure.
Grizzlyfox - January 10, 2012
+1
We all wanted to see Scott get more carries prior to the start of this season. He got those carries and honestly he didn’t look much better than Benson. I don’t think our future RB is on the team yet.
I am not a Hillis fan personally. I would prefer we draft someone and let the guy grow with the team. If we can hit on a few guys this coming draft we could get younger at some really key positions.(hard to do when you are the youngest already, but we have the chance.)
It’s really hard not to be excited about the future of this team. Haven’t felt like this since Palmer and Johnson( prior to Ocho) first got together.
Yarin - January 10, 2012
The foundation is there........
the big question is do we get the next building blocks we need to go farther? What will really show that to me is what we do in Free Agency. If we don’t make any moves then it shows me we’re not serious about taking the next steps….if we at least address our biggest needs, then we’re ready and should take the next steps. We’ve got some money to spend, but will we do it until we have too (2013)?
The Van Buren Boys - January 10, 2012
very true!
look what happened to Tampa Bay this year.
AMAS85 - January 10, 2012
Yep, status quo will get us right back to where we are......
talking about who we needed to get farther.
The Van Buren Boys - January 10, 2012
+1
We’re in a very similar spot now
messjunk - January 10, 2012
I wouldn't mind improving the OL and sitcking with
Scott, Leonard, Peerman with taking a gamble on a 2nd round back to earn a spot.
Once Benson is gone I can see the rest of our
unselfish backs flourishing with their unique strengths working as a unit rooting for each
other. If you look up addition by subtraction in the urban dictionary Benson 2012 should be what you see.
ExNFLScout - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Benson is 29 - will be mid season pick up next year
For a team’s whos starter is injured
TX Bengal - January 10, 2012
I've been saying this since we signed him
He was a failure in Chicago because he didn’t bring the power everyone thought he would have. He was largely a failure in Cincinnati for the same reason. He’s had one season his entire career when he averaged 4+ yards per game. It’s rare for him to get yards after contact aside from his usual fall-forward as soon as he’s touched, sometimes even when he’s not. I’ve never seen a “feature back” that falls down untouched as much as Benson does. His ‘why didn’t I get the ball 25 times’ atttude isn’t going to cut it either.
So long and thanks for all the flops.
indesignkat - January 10, 2012
er..
4+ yards per carry, obviously. 4+ per game he can do.
indesignkat - January 10, 2012
Just barely
Helmsy - January 10, 2012
When the Bears kicked him to the curb
I think he got his shit straight realizing that he took the NFL for granted and that he wasn’t pampered like he was in TX. Unfortunately he fell back into that entitlement attitude and now it’s to late to get it turned around enough to be where I’m sure he would like to be. I kind of fell sorry for the guy only from the outside looking in, I’ve blown great opportunities to and he is going to hate himself for it.
Bigcatdaddy - January 10, 2012 via Android app
When Benson Walks
Do we rreally have draft a RB in high rounds. I’m all for Richardson if he Falls to us at #17 and there’s no real Guard option. But picking another one other than him in first round is a huge reach. If we can’t get one that fits in FA why not go in with the three that we have.
messjunk - January 10, 2012
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