Last year Cedric Benson was so irritated with Cincinnati's offense that the running back declared that if offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski returns, he's gone. When Bratkowski was fired, Benson praised the move saying that "there is a time for change and I think now is a pretty good time." The Bengals signed offensive coordinator Jay Gruden and not five games into the regular season, Benson was frustrated again with the lack of carries.
The truth is that Cedric Benson is the type of player that will deflect blame on everyone else when he has a bad year. Last year's lack of production was due to the offensive system the Bengals used. This year was a complete disregard to the rushing offense, according to the running back.
"We kind of just went away from it," Benson said. "There wasn't a big emphasis on it throughout the week in preparation going into games. It just kind of became not important."
First of all let's not completely disregard Cincinnati's issues running the football. It just wasn't very good and much of that blame has been distributed to the interior of the offensive line. Additionally Benson registered only 20 carries or more six times during the 2011 season after posting 16 games with 20 or more carries in the two years combined before that. Additionally Benson averaged only 18.2 carries, his lowest in Cincinnati since averaging 17.8 in 2008.
But is that a change in philosophy or the fact Bernard Scott and Cedric Peerman achieved career-high rushing attempts this season? Alright, in Peerman's case he surpasses his previous career-best of two rushing attempts in 2010 by adding a third in 2011.
That being said the Bengals ran the football 44.8 percent of their 1,105 offensive plays in 2011, third-highest since Cincinnati's 2005 AFC North Championship run.
| Season | Percentage Runs |
| 2009 | 49.9 % |
| 2005 | 45.1% |
| 2011 | 44.8% |
| 2006 | 43.8% |
| 2008 | 42.7% |
| 2007 | 41.3% |
| 2010 | 40.9% |
Maybe something else is at play. Rather than breaking down blocking schemes or using personnel better, perhaps the entire team was playing Sudoku while Benson frustratingly demanded some attention on the rushing offense.
0 recs | 86 comments
argh
yeah when a team moves away from a sub 4 yard per carry running game, there is a reason.
“It is not working.”
palewook - January 9, 2012
SHUT UP CED!!!!!
Does he not say this every time we freakin lose. Get outta here. Why would we want to give you carries when you can’t gain a yard on 3rd and 1
Helmsy - January 9, 2012
Plus our guards suck
Helmsy - January 9, 2012
I agree we couldve been special if we signed Waters.
And of course Shipley doesn’t get hurt.
pray4gm11 - January 9, 2012 via mobile
waters, leonard davis
Really any starting caliber guard would have made this team way better, and then Williams injury wouldn’t have hurt us near as bad as it did.
JCompton41 - January 9, 2012 via mobile
+1000
Helmsy - January 9, 2012
I agree to certain extent.
I was telling my pops last night even though we made the playoffs I believed we switch up from what got us off to good start when division play started. Marvin started letting Gruden open playbook up too much. How many times did we try to score before half and it came back to cost us game. And that explains why passing game tried to be creative when we seen same 3run plays all year. But hell if I had Benson as my running back I wouldn’t run either. I just don’t understand how Leonard just run ball he is our back were looking for we this offense. Get a big back and James in draft and let Leonard start. I guarantee he avg more than 3.9yds touch. And he can CATCH!!!
pray4gm11 - January 9, 2012 via mobile
You move away from things that don't work........
because A) Our interior line couldn’t hold blocks B) Benson looked slow and unsure all year. Luckily next year after something in the running game doesn’t go perfect, we won’t have to hear this anymore. Sign a G, draft a G and draft a RB (or some variation).
The Van Buren Boys - January 9, 2012
Dont forget the constant loss of footing
Besides the fact the line wasnt very good,
keithp - January 9, 2012
it became "not important"
because we couldnt do it……….
ticalcaldwell - January 9, 2012
Maybe Teams Spy Benson to Allow Dalton To Beat Them
8 in the face is Benson. No Way Out is Benson. What can Benson do when he is ganged up?
Dalton cant spin the pigskin. Opponnets understand this fact. Benson deserves better. Daltons Arm brings NO FEAR. Contain Benson and let Dalton lose the game is the gameplan. Think about it. Does Dalton have an Arm that can BRING IT! If he did , would Dalton not SHOW IT OFF!
Chili Dog - January 9, 2012
ganged up???
did you watch the games? he went down with finger tackles…washed up bum, oh yeah, bye!!!
joeb69 - January 9, 2012
Only seen dalton make couple bad throws all year.
pray4gm11 - January 9, 2012 via mobile
Chili dog
Is it possible for you to make a post without talking trash about Dalton?
SCbengalsfan - January 9, 2012 via mobile
But his arm is soooooo weeeeaaaakkkkk!!! NO FEAR!
CBJKing - January 9, 2012
no
Chili Dog - January 9, 2012
the ARM AGAIN CHILI
everything you post is about his arm
-100000
ticalcaldwell - January 9, 2012
* in the box was early in the season
Thats like saying Ocho was still drawing double teams
Just not any truth to it at all
keithp - January 9, 2012
Don't let the door hit you in the a$$ on your way
I said this in another post. I’ve heard Ced in interviews and I really think he was the only on the team who did NOT buy into the “team” philosophy. Ced is all about what is good for Ced. I still think he has talent and can help another team, I just do not think he is any longer a featured back who could carry a team and I do not think he fits our sheme well either. Therefore, I will NOT be sad to see him go
biggie22 - January 9, 2012
Again Benson is ONLY AS GOOD AS THE BALANCE BETWEEN RUN AND PASS
Poor ARM allows Benson to be targeted, Consider Dalton. Who is afraid of Andy Dalton?
Chili Dog - January 9, 2012
Are you kidding
Please get off the poor arm issue!!! His arm is plenty strong enough and it has absolutely nothing to do with Ced’s lack of production. Teams were terrified of AJ on the outside and were always giving safety help over top, especially in the 2nd half of the season. Safeties helping out on AJ means one less player in box to help against the run. Get off the weak arm angle, it’s not an intelligent argument at all!!!!
biggie22 - January 9, 2012
if anything ceds failure to produce
held up our play action pass….
If you can stop the run with just 7. makes it hard to pass.
But this could also be game planning. if they stacking the box fire a few deep.. to pull that saftey back out of the box.
but benson with 5 fumbles in 2 games. after 2010 and he completely disappears even when hes getting breaks.
new blood is needed at RB
Bengalsfan024 - January 9, 2012
ARM AGAIN
Is there some type of arm filter on this site Josh??I think you and Chili need to work together to write the greatest article of all time about how weak Dalton’s arm is….Then maybe…he will be happy….whodey
ticalcaldwell - January 9, 2012
+1 LOL
biggie22 - January 9, 2012
Benson is starting to remind me of Corey Dillion for some reason
AMAS85 - January 9, 2012
nah
Dillon was good, Benson isn’t. Benson running his mouth is because he sucks, dillon ran his mouth because the team sucked.
JCompton41 - January 9, 2012 via mobile
I agree that Dillon was way better but i think their demenor is the same
just as long as I get paid and get carries, Im good.
AMAS85 - January 9, 2012
if it was just about carries and money dillion wouldnt have wanted out.
Bengalsfan024 - January 9, 2012
i believe Dillion was spliting carries with Rudi Johons the year before he was traded
AMAS85 - January 9, 2012
but yea i think dillion did care more about winning than benson does now
I think benson thinks he is the real reason why they won so many games.
AMAS85 - January 9, 2012
Dillion was a mf beast!
Bigcatdaddy - January 9, 2012 via Android app
oh i know... i wish he we can find another one like him
his stiff arms were legendary. no homo
AMAS85 - January 9, 2012
how old is dillion?
he should be well rested now…
j/k
Bengalsfan024 - January 9, 2012
New England probably would sign him.....
along with Fred Taylor.
The Van Buren Boys - January 9, 2012
benson got more carries in 2010 than 2009
and look how that panned out
Bengalsfan024 - January 9, 2012
I`m just tired of benson
From his funky attitude,lack of clutch production,bad hands,get rid of him,draft lamar miller,cut livings,draft a real guard,move smith to guard resign and start collins.Doing those things will create a more dynamic running game.
tgam - January 10, 2012
Dillion was a beast though
No comparison,unless your referring to Corey’s frustration with playing losing football all those years
keithp - January 9, 2012
Send his ass back to Texas so he can beat on his boyfriend some more! Get the hell outa cincy, I’m so sick of his crybaby ass. He never blames himself, ask him whose to blame for fumbling the ball all over the field.
bnglsfan - January 9, 2012 via mobile
Benson who?
BENGALS69 - January 9, 2012
Anyone want to play lob?
I take Dalton. Did anyone ever expect Dalton to win from behind? Has Dalton ever taken over a game? Dalton is a caretaker QB!
Chili Dog - January 9, 2012
Sounds like your missing Palmer or better yet you would of rather us drafted Gabbert. Come on dalton plays with ice in his veins. Givin a full offseason I can’t wait until next season. There is room on the tebow express for you if your not liking dalton cause he’s going to be around for awhile
bnglsfan - January 9, 2012 via mobile
Far from the case
Dalton had a fine rookie year and we should expect much better next season.
Get him a better offensive line and a good RB and he’ll pick a defense apart as long as AJ Green is healthy and in the game.
BENGALS69 - January 9, 2012
i like pead out of UC
he isn’t the biggest or fastest back. But he has great vision and good hands! and we wouldn’t have to waste an early pick on a RB
AMAS85 - January 9, 2012
I think Chili Dog is Benson in disguise
Diesel2405 - January 9, 2012
sweet surprise? Just Get Better
Benson is a back that is Spyed because our opponnets consider Dalton a NON FACTOR, signed Kim Carnes
Chili Dog - January 9, 2012
you have to be one of the players
no one on the planet is that disgruntled about Dalton….lol…negative nelly
ticalcaldwell - January 9, 2012
better a care taker QB
than an INT machine
Bengalsfan024 - January 9, 2012
well we probly didnt work on the run game
cause we knew benson just couldnt get it done
Bengalsfan024 - January 9, 2012
It all starts with the o line
If you can’t block no running back is going to be good. Outside of Barry Sanders no RB could’ve helped us in the run game.
Bigcatdaddy - January 9, 2012 via Android app
Scott wasnt any better so maybe it is the system!!!
We were winning win we were run 1st and control feild position. Started losing when we started passing 1st and Nugent started missing every game it felt like. Benson wasnt all that effective but we were winning with that formula.
pray4gm11 - January 9, 2012 via mobile
i would of loved to see scott in with that first pass to Benson
i know it was high, but if he would have caught that, that could have been a TD. I was on the offensive side behind the endzone , so I could see the hole to the opposite endzone.
AMAS85 - January 9, 2012
If you dont have the personnel to run the ball
you cant run the ball, O LINE SUCKS, you cant run the ball period!!!!
cincity8285 - January 9, 2012
After being pulled from the game
which he had 7 carries for 14 yards I think the coaches showed Benson “Kind Of Became Not Important” for the Bengals franchise. Elated at the formation with Benson and Leonard in the backfield for that play. So many creative options to keep the Defense guessing! Just as long as the don’t throw to Benson. Oh shit, they did, but it’s going for a huge gain right? Nope, he dropped the pass.
frickja - January 9, 2012
leonard
Starting RB he fits the system the best right now.
Bengalsfan024 - January 9, 2012
thank God he got in trouble during the offseason
Or we would have signed him to a big deal. It was a blessing in disguise. He couldn’t stay out of trouble and that cost him millions and his mouth is now costing him the rest. His true colors have shown. He has shit on the only team that gave him a chance.
D-Day77 - January 9, 2012 via iPhone app
+1
AMAS85 - January 9, 2012
Those little feet
Must be hard to shower in the same locker room as Rome
keithp - January 9, 2012
bengals need a blocking back
One who can make a difference. One who can protect QB and also be a Bull in the running game. Blocking is 101 Football. Lead Blocker for RB and Lead Protector for QB is the deal. Hire a BULL and the Bengals will expand as a unit. Blockers win the game.
Chili Dog - January 9, 2012
Leonard
best pass protector and best pass catcher..
WCO throws to the RB.
Benson catches like dan coats. i acctually think that insults coats more than benson
Bengalsfan024 - January 9, 2012
Hell go pick up Hillis too...
The bruiser and the 1st down machine. 1 2 punch
Bengalsfan024 - January 9, 2012
i would take hillis over benson in this offense
AMAS85 - January 9, 2012
Hillis plus a speed back
I wouldnt hate that.
Helmsy - January 9, 2012
Pass on Hillis
The guy was one and done. Can’t stay healthy to save his life and with his style, won’t be in the league in 3 years.
CBJKing - January 9, 2012
Why dont the Bengals USE HIM?
Chili Dog - January 9, 2012
Do you know what became unimportant after the bengals lost their playoff game
Cedric Benson
JerseyBengal - January 9, 2012
Benson is the bomb
He is right. He is our leader, our hope and a role model for this city. He moves great sideways and even though he rarely gets those short yardage plays he makes up for it with his big runs and pass plays that shake opposing defenses to their core.
He seems to inspire the young team when he is on the sideline and is a team first type of guy. He must be back or Dalton and Green will vanish into thin air like Laverneus Coles.
ExNFLScout - January 9, 2012 via mobile
+1
Would rec if I could.
JCompton41 - January 9, 2012 via mobile
Bye, Ced.
I hope the door knocks you on your ass on your way out.
Pardon_My_French - January 9, 2012
It would just take a feather or light breeze
to knock him on his ass
Helmsy - January 9, 2012
The ground seems to be his worst enemy
He must have like a size 3 shoe or something
keithp - January 9, 2012
Is Dalton in a Class of the Elite QBs in the NFL? yea or nay.
I watch the games and i can see the seams on the ball that Dalton throws. NO SPIN! Matt W with Scouts said the same.
Chili Dog - January 9, 2012
ARM AGAIN
lol…
ticalcaldwell - January 9, 2012
lol
Helmsy - January 9, 2012
Was any qb that is in the so called elite class (I’m assuming Brady, Brees, Rodgers, Manning) considered elite their rookie years.
Hell no, all but Manning had to sit and wait or got in a game due to an injured starter. Why so quick to judge such a young talent who’s had a better rookie season by far than anyone in the elite qb class.
bnglsfan - January 9, 2012 via mobile
Its a REDHEAD thing
I know why Chili dont like Andy,but i’m not going there
keithp - January 9, 2012
Lmao!
Bigcatdaddy - January 9, 2012 via Android app
Dalton doesn't have a big rifle arm
That was known long ago. Drew Brees doesn’t either.
Dalton has leadership, vision, mobility, dedication to understanding defenses, composure in the pocket and a good enough arm.
That will do.
BENGALS69 - January 9, 2012
+1,000,000,000
Helmsy - January 9, 2012
Not to mention
the almost identical scout report between Rodgers and Dalton
Oregonbengalsfan - January 9, 2012
yea but brees is very accurate. Definately has more zip on his passes than Dalton
but I think Dalton can get there
AMAS85 - January 9, 2012
"but I think Dalton can get there"
That’s the point of Bengals69’s comment I believe
Oregonbengalsfan - January 9, 2012
This reminds me of "OCHO"
Crying wolf,after awhile everyone just becomes numb,
In my case,he gets more attention for things he says off the field,than things he does on the field
I think Late 3rd quarter,early 4th quarter Benson had another loss of footing carry
Marvin had enough and pulled him,was obvious to me Marvin had seen enough,probably has heard enough also
keithp - January 9, 2012
wats up with the chili dog
diehard bengals fan 20 - January 9, 2012 via mobile
Not sure
trying to read most of his comments gives me a headache.
Oregonbengalsfan - January 9, 2012
Did anyone notice
the 4th and 3 play? ced lined up to the left of dalton in the shotgun. on the snap he runs out for a pass and andy looks his way and half pumps but ced never looks back or breaks. just ran straight down the field 15 yards got bumped and fell over.
rawazoo - January 9, 2012
I defend Benson no more
He has got to go. I understand he has shown an ability to put up great numbers when he is in the 25+ carry range BUT YOU CAN’T GIVE HIM 25+ CARRIES WHEN HE AVERAGES 3 YPC!!! THAT IS 3 CARRIES AND A PUNT. CED, YOU GET 15 CARRIES B/C THE BENGALS CAN’T GET FIRST DOWNS HANDING THE BALL OFF TO YOU!!
Uggghhhh!! His comments aggravate me. He will be unemployed next year, begging the Bengals to re-sign him. I just hope MB doesn’t go “Well, he is probably better than anyone else we could sign for a million dollars.”
WOOD98 - January 10, 2012
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