NOWHERE TO RUN

The Bengals run game started as a point of emphasis the moment Hue Jackson took over
as offensive coordinator. The need grew once Jeremy Hill and Russell Bodine were drafted
and given significant roles in the offense. Thus far, the basic numbers of the running game
have not been overwhelming. They are averaging 4.0 yards per carry overall, a slight
bump from last year when they finished the season at 3.6, tied for the lowest under Mar-
vin Lewis. Generating more specific stats related to running back yards, here are the Ben-
gals average yards per carry by the running backs each of the last six years under Marvin
Lewis (2012 assisted by long Cedric Peerman runs on fake punts).
The interesting element of why the number hasnt been higher
reveals itself when looking at where the tackles are being made
against Giovani Bernard and Hill. The Bengals actually lead the
league in the fewest percentage of running plays stuffed at or
behind the line of scrimmage, according to Football Outsiders:
1. Cincinnati ......... 13%
2. Miami ............... 14%
3. Seattle .............. 14%
4. NY Jets .............. 15%
5. St. Louis ............ 15%
However, once the Bengals break past the line of scrimmage to the second level the re-
sults arent as encouraging. In fact, they are among the worst in the NFL. This second-level
yards stat is derived by taking yards which this teams running backs earn between 5-10
yards past the line of scrimmage, divided by total running back carries.
Those numbers suggest far too many runs by the Bengals running backs are dying be-
tween the line of scrimmage and the five yards without breaking to the second level. That
can be a combination of the running backs not breaking enough tackles or linemen strug-
gling to move to the linebackers to connect the breakaway block. Regardless, the differ-
ence between the Bengals going from the moderate jump in rush offense to the type of
spike Jackson desired when taking the job can be found at the linebacker level.
advanced
analytics
THE ENQUIRER/GARY LANDERS
4.15
2009
3.74
2010
3.82
2011
4.17
2012
3.69
2013
3.98
2014
0.97
OAK
27TH
0.93
CIN
28TH
0.89
DET
29TH
0.89
CAR
30TH
0.86
BUF
31ST
0.79
SD
32ND
Mohamed Sanu
12 WR 6-2 210 3
A.J. Green
18 WR 6-4 207 4
Andrew Whitworth
77 LT 6-7 335 9
Clint Boling
65 LG 6-5 310 4
Russell Bodine
61 C 6-3 306 R
Mike Pollak
67 RG 6-3 300 7
Andre Smith
71 RT 6-4 340 6
Jermaine Gresham
84 TE 6-5 260 5
Ryan Hewitt
89 HB 6-4 254 R
Andy Dalton
14 QB 6-2 220 4
Jeremy Hill
32 RB 6-1 235 R
Carlos Dunlap
96 DE 6-6 280 5
Geno Atkins
97 DT 6-1 303 5
Domata Peko
94 DT 6-3 322 9
Wallace Gilberry
92 DE 6-2 275 7
Emmanuel Lamur
59 LB 6-4 240 3
Vinny Rey
57 LB 6-0 255 4
Jayson DiManche
51 LB 6-1 244 2
Leon Hall
29 CB 5-11 195 8
Terence Newman
23 CB 5-10 197 12
George Iloka
43 S 6-4 220 3
Reggie Nelson
20 S 5-11 210 8
PROBABLE OFFENSE
PROBABLE DEFENSE
cincinnati
starters
Cecil Shorts
84 WR 6-0 202 4
Luke Joeckel
76 LT 6-6 306 2
Zane Beadles
68 LG 6-4 305 5
Luke Bowanko
70 C 6-6 300 R
Brandon Linder
65 RG 6-6 311 R
Austin Pasztor
67 RT 6-7 308 2
Clay Harbor
86 TE 6-3 255 5
Allen Robinson
15 WR 6-3 210 R
Blake Bortles
5 QB 6-5 232 R
Denard Robinson
16 RB 6-0 197 2
Will Taufoou
45 RB 5-11 247 3
Red Bryant
79 DE 6-4 323 7
Roy Miller III
97 DT 6-2 310 6
SenDerrick Marks
99 DE 6-2 294 6
Chris Clemons
91 LB 6-3 254 11
Geno Hayes
55 LB 6-1 226 7
J.T. Thomas
52 LB 6-1 236 4
Dekoda Watson
57 LB 6-2 240 5
Demetrius McCray
35 CB 6-2 200 2
Dwayne Gratz
27 S 5-11 201 2
Johnathan Cyprien
37 S 6-0 217 2
Josh Evans
26 CB 6-0 205 2
PROBABLE OFFENSE
PROBABLE DEFENSE
jacksonville
starters
THE ENQUIRER /// SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2014 I3