NFL Rumors: Cincinnati Bengals think Giovani Bernard will be like Ray Rice

Nov 10, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) runs with the ball during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) runs with the ball during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) runs with the ball during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) runs with the ball during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

The Cincinnati Bengals have some big plans for second-year running back Giovani Bernard, and their head coach has a grand vision for what Bernard can become. At the NFL owners meetings, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis spoke about his young back and who he envisions Bernard growing into.

That’s a bold comparison, but it’s one that doesn’t feel that far off given how well Bernard played last season and his comparable size to Rice.

Cincinnati would love to get a Ray Rice player on the field, but Bernard still has a lot of work to do before he’s on that type of level. The good thing about that is a running back just needs a single season to explode and Bernard seems primed to exactly that in 2014.

Nothing is guaranteeing he’ll be a stud in 2014, as a sophomore slump could still happen, but Bernard has a lot going for him and it’s clear the Bengals are excited about what they have.