Bengals OC Jay Gruden reiterated that Bernard Scott and BenJarvus Green-Ellis both deserve the ball, but it's "fine" if one emerges. Gruden and the Bengals beat writers have consistently stated that Scott will see more playing time this season. While conventional wisdom suggests Green-Ellis will be the primary ball-carrier, Scott has a sizable playmaking edge. We suspect Scott's role will grow at Green-Ellis' expense over the course of the season.

FOX Sports Ohio believes Bernard Scott is set for the biggest workload of his career.

According to the Bengals' website, OC Jay Gruden will employ a "running back by committee" approach this season. Bengals.com's Geoff Hobson says the "The Bell Cow is extinct" at Paul Brown Stadium, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis will rotate with Bernard Scott and Brian Leonard. The Cincinnati Enquirer has also called the Bengals' backfield a "by-committee approach." It's a situation to avoid in fantasy leagues. If forced to choose between Bengals ball carriers with ADP in mind, we'd take Scott.

Coach Marvin Lewis insists the Bengals' starting running back has yet to be determined for the 2012 season. "I can't tell you if it's 1A or 1B, but [Green-Ellis] would be along with Bernard (Scott)," said Lewis, "and whoever else we get would have an opportunity to play." We suspect Scott will start out as the 1B to Green-Ellis' 1A, but it's a long season. BJGE doesn't have the talent to keep the job week-in and week-out in a lesser offense against defenses that will no longer be primarily in nickel and dime formations.

Offensive coordinator Jay Gruden made it clear Monday that he envisions running back as the Bengals' top offseason priority. The Bengals want Bernard Scott more involved, but not to the extent that he's a feature back. "With the running back situation the way it is we need to address it if there's a top of a line guy there," Gruden said, referring to the draft. "I think there are a number of them that can come in here and help out a lot." Gruden also said "this is a good year to need a back," and he'd be "surprised if the Bengals don't draft a good one." They'd love for Trent Richardson to slide to No. 17.

Appearing on ESPN's NFL Live Wednesday, Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer said the Bengals are hoping to increase Bernard Scott's role in 2012. "They want to go with more than one featured back," said Reedy. "I think they want to work Bernard Scott in a little more." Free agent Cedric Benson won't be back, and Reedy mentioned draft prospects Lamar Miller and Trent Richardson, as well as free agent Michael Bush as backs to potentially pair with Scott. Scott, 28, averaged a career-low 3.39 yards per carry in 2011, but played better than the numbers indicate. He'll be an interesting mid- to late-round pick in 2012 fantasy drafts.

Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer is confident that Bernard Scott will not be the Bengals' starter next season even with Cedric Benson expected to depart via free agency. Reedy cites "money and direction of offense" as reasons for Benson's expected exit. While the coaching staff wants to increase Scott's role, he's never been trusted to hold up to a starter's workload. The Bengals will pair him with an early-round rookie, free agent, or both.

Even if the Bengals end up re-signing free agent Cedric Benson, OC Jay Gruden intends to increase Bernard Scott's role. "From a consistency standpoint, you'd like to get Bernard more carries, more touches," said Gruden, conceding that Benson is "scratching his head and not real happy" when Scott is in the game. "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," added Gruden. "... That's the way it's got to be."

Bernard Scott rushed six times for 11 yards and added three receptions for 29 yards against the Texans in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. As we've seen for the past few seasons, Scott offers more play-making ability than Cedric Benson. He picked up extra playing time in comeback mode, but Brian Leonard was the most productive Bengals back with 70 yards on 10 touches. Scott has a chance for a bigger role in a tandem attack next season with Cedric Benson reaching free agency.

Bernard Scott rushed six times for 34 yards and a touchdown and caught an eight-yard pass in the Bengals' Week 17 loss to Baltimore. Scott's end-of-the-year numbers (112/380/3.4/3) look rather pedestrian, but he was often a sparkplug for the Bengals as a change-of-pace back and held his own when asked to make two midseason spot starts with Cedric Benson out on suspension. Scott should get 6-10 touches when Cincinnati takes on Houston in the first round of the NFL postseason next week.