Cincinnati Bengals working to give Giovani Bernard an increased role
By Josh Sanchez
The Cincinnati Bengals made Giovani Bernard the first running back off of the board in the 2013 NFL Draft and the rookie has made a big impact early this season, despite having a limited role in the team’s offense.
In the Bengals Week 2 match up against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football, the rookie totaled 65 yards and two touchdowns on just nine carries.
Bernard began the season as the primary back up to starter BenJarvus Green-Ellis, but he is simply too talented to keep on the bench and the team is ready to increase his role sooner rather than later.
Green-Ellis had 22 carries in the Week 2 win compared to Bernard’s 8, but the offensive coordinator Jay Gruden said that the team is working to even the workload between the two backs.
“I think they are going to get more to 50/50 sooner than later, probably,” Gruden said, via Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Considering how explosive Bernard has shown to be, you can’t argue getting him more touches.
Throughout the first two weeks of the season, the Bengals have looked like the class of the AFC North. By adding a stronger running game and having a dynamic threat like Bernard in the backfield, it is hard to bet against the Bengals finishing the season with the division lead.