Giovani Bernard, Jeremy Hill to get plenty of carries

The Cincinnati Bengals are among the most impressive teams early in this NFL season. They are 2-0 after decisive wins over the Baltimore Ravens and the Atlanta Falcons and will get the Tennessee Titans at home this Sunday. One of the main reasons the Bengals have been so ferocious is because of the efforts of their two running backs Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill.

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The Bengals are leaning on them, too. According to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com, the two are on pace to rack up the most carries ever by any two Bengals running backs, with Bernard projecting 328 carries and Hill 152.

With both backs being so impressive, offensive coordinator Hue Jackson won’t decide how to split up the carries ahead of time.

"“It’s the way things unfold. But Gio is the starting tailback on this football team. So at the end of the day, he’s going to get some chances that maybe everybody else doesn’t get until he proves that he can’t or the other guy proves that he’s better. That’s the only way to do it,” Jackson said. “I don’t have a number. It’s how the game is flowing and how the guys are flowing in the game…And the first game I didn’t do it as well. I’ll be the first to tell you I could have done it better. But last week I think I improved in that area, making sure (Hill) was out there and he made some plays. My comfortability with him, I had to talk to myself about. You have to do that. When you’ve been around a guy like Gio and his talents and what he’s able to bring to the team, you get used to that. But the other guy’s very talented, too. That’s why we drafted him… whatever their name is, whatever it is they want to (call) themselves after, they’re just a tandem.”"

In his rookie year last season, Bernard was among the most impressive rookies of his class. The 22-year-old back is explosive and a great receiver out of the backfield (he is the teams leading pass catcher so far this season with 11 catches and 16 targets).

On the other hand, Hill is just a rookie and is already demanding more carries with his play. He’s averaging 4.9 yards per rush compared to Bernard’s 3.4. He’s bigger, too, at 6-foot-1, 238 pounds.

For the Bengals, it is a good problem to have. Especially in the age of running back by committee. Oh, and for your fantasy team? Either one is a solid pick. Especially with A.J. Green injured and Andy Dalton still the quarterback.

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Cincinnati Bengals: Expect plenty of carries for Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill

By Wes Goldberg | Sep 17, 2014

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