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BenJarvus Green-Ellis RB CIN
19 Days Cincinnati Bengals 8 Comments

The Cincinnati Enquirer's Joe Reedy predicts that BenJarvus Green-Ellis will play the most snaps in the Bengals' backfield this season.

We fully expect Green-Ellis to handle much of the early-down and short-yardage work at the onset of the season, while second-round rookie Giovani Bernard mixes in on passing downs. But Bernard could eat up some of Green-Ellis' snaps as the season goes on if he shows the lateral agility and quick feet that made him so elusive at North Carolina. The "Law Firm" averaged just 3.9 YPC last season.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis RB CIN
3 Months Cincinnati Bengals Comment

Bengals OC Jay Gruden believes BenJarvus Green-Ellis "would embrace" being paired with a more explosive change-of-pace back.

In other words, Green-Ellis will have to embrace it. The Bengals are dead set on upgrading the burst in their backfield, and Green-Ellis would ideally be phased out. "It takes some carries off of him," Gruden said of Law Firm. "Some guys want the ball every single play, but some guys like to get that rest and come out and have that change of pace guy. It would be nice."

BenJarvus Green-Ellis RB CIN
3 Months Cincinnati Bengals Comment

BenJarvus Green-Ellis is still recovering from his hamstring issue that first popped up in Week 17.

The injury occurred exactly six weeks ago, so he should be coming around to full health in the very near future. Green-Ellis sat out the meaningless Week 17 affair before starting the Divisional Round game against the Texans and rushing for 63 yards on 11 totes. He should be good to go for OTAs, which start in mid-April. The Bengals are expected to add a complementary back to pair with BJGE via the draft or free agency.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis RB CIN
3 Months Cincinnati Bengals Comment

Bengals.com believes the team will recommit to running the ball more in 2013.

The Bengals are expected to add a complementary back this offseason to pair with BenJarvus Green-Ellis, but beat writer Geoff Hobson says not to look for that player to come via free agency. Reggie Bush and Ahmad Bradshaw have been linked to Cincinnati. Hobson suspects Cincinnati will use one of their top picks on the position, and North Carolina's Giovani Bernard could fit the bill in the second round. The Bengals were 8-2 in games they ran the ball at least 25 times in 2012.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis RB CIN
5 Months Cincinnati Bengals 3 Comments

Bengals OC Jay Gruden confirmed that it will be a high priority this offseason to find a "game changer" at running back.

The coaches planned for Bernard Scott to take that role last season, but he could never stay healthy. Although the Bengals are happy with BenJarvus Green-Ellis in the red zone and short-yardage situations, they want to add a speedier big-play back to push BJGE into a complementary role. The team's website has suggested the position could be addressed in the early rounds of this year's draft.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis RB CIN
5 Months Cincinnati Bengals Comment

The Cincinnati Enquirer and Bengals.com both expect the team to make it a priority to find a speedy back to pair with BenJarvus Green-Ellis this offseason.

Green-Ellis can move the chains behind a strong run-blocking line, but the Bengals desperately need a back with speed to get to the edges. Bengals.com's Geoff Hobson believes the first round of the draft "would appear to be the perfect spot to get a playmaking running back." Injury-prone Bernard Scott is a free agent.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis RB CIN
5 Months Cincinnati Bengals Comment

BenJarvus Green-Ellis rushed 11 times for 63 yards and caught two passes for a net loss of nine as the Bengals were eliminated in the Wild Card Round.

Green-Ellis ran to contact instead of away from it, danced too much in the hole, and the Bengals' lack of competitiveness offensively contributed to decreased touches. Cedric Peerman didn't even touch the ball against the Texans, which we'd argue was a mistake by playcaller Jay Gruden. Green-Ellis finished the regular season 19th in running back scoring and in the mid-20s as a PPR back. He turns 28 next July and will not be a recommended 2013 fantasy pick, at least by Rotoworld.

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