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30	Oktober 2018

Giovani Bernard could exceed expectations for the Bengals this season

Bernard has frequently found himself as the second option on the Bengals running back depth chart Womens Customized Cincinnati Bengals Jerseys , despite often outplaying whoever has been in front of him. As a rookie, it was BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and over the past four years it was Jeremy Hill. Last year, it was also Joe Mixon.For his career, Bernard has taken about a 40/60 split with his fellow running backs with the rushing duties and often ceded short yardage and touchdown carries. Despite this, since joining the Bengals in 2013, Bernard has almost an identical yards from scrimmage as Green-Ellis, Hill, and Mixon combined, despite touching the ball 285 fewer times.Bernard has gained over 2,000 receiving yards since being drafted which is good enough for tenth best in the entire 2013 draft class, even outpacing a trio of wide receivers and a tight end who were drafted in the first and second rounds, ahead of him.What are his chances of making the roster, and where does he currently stand in the pecking order at his position?Giovani BernardHeight: 5�9�Weight: 205 poundsCollege: North CarolinaHometown: Fort Lauderdale, FLExperience: Sixth-Year PlayerCap StatusBernard has two years remaining on a 3-year, $15.5M contract that he signed with the Bengals which took effect after his original rookie contract. The deal will keep him in Cincinnati until 2020, when he is scheduled to enter free agency.The annual average compensation of $5.167M per season makes Bernard the ninth highest paid running back in the NFL. Among the Bengals his average is eleventh highest on the team. BackgroundMost of the self-appointed draft experts had Bernard near the top of their running back board, if not at the very top www.bengalscheapstore.com , for the 2013 draft. He joined the Bengals as a second round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. With no running backs selected in the first round, Bernard was the top overall running back selected in 2013 and has arguably been the second most successful, behind the Steelers� Le�Veon Bell who was drafted 11 picks later, at #48 overall.Bernard was selected with pick #37 overall, which came to the Bengals as a package of two picks from the Oakland Raiders in exchange for Carson Palmer. Bernard was actually one of two running backs that the Bengals drafted in 2013, selecting Nebraska�s Rex Burkhead in the sixth round.As a freshman at the University of North Carolina, he tore his ACL on the third day of practice and missed his entire first season. In his second season, his redshirt freshman year, he emerged as the team�s starter, compiling 1,253 yards and 13 touchdowns on the group, as well as 362 yards and 45 receptions thru the air. UNC changed their offense for Bernard�s redshirt sophomore season, but he still did well, rushing for over 1,200 yards and added 12 touchdowns. He also collected 47 receptions for 490 receiving yards and five touchdowns.In college, he was an elusive, shifty type of running back who could also serve as a good receiver. He was quick with good vision with the ball in his hands and operated well out in space. Essentially, his traits were that of a great third-down back who could be productive on first and second down Cincinnati Bengals T-Shirt , as well.In hindsight, the 2013 draft was rather awful at the top. Eric Fisher, Luke Joeckel and Dion Jordan were the top three picks, with Barkevious Mingo, Jonathan Cooper, Tavon Austin and Dee Milliner also in the top 10. So, to find anything of value was a job well done, and the Bengals did a good job selecting Bernard.2018 outlookBarring an unforeseen and abrupt retirement from the NFL, Bernard is essentially assured of a spot on the Bengals roster and a big role in the offense. The Bengals have little depth and experience behind him and Joe Mixon, so there is zero percent chance of Bernard being outplayed and losing his roster spot at any point � especially given Marvin Lewis� penchant for favoring veterans to a fault.Bernard is a good, veteran player at a position that doesn�t have a lot of depth on the roster.NFL Fantasy Football Week 1: Bengals at Colts starts and sits Are you ready for some football? How about some fantasy football? It is that time of year again, and we have a pretty great fantasy matchup for Week 1. The Bengals and Colts have pretty great offensive weapons, and the Colts have a terrible defense, and the Bengals have some holes that can be exploited as well. Here are this weeks starts and sits for the Bengals game at the Colts.Must startsA.J. Green (Bengals WR): Green is pretty much a must start any week. However, who on the Colts can cover Green? He is in line for a huge game.Favorable matchupsJoe Mixon (Bengals RB): Mixon didn�t have a great preseason behind the Bengals offensive line. He only gained 1.8 yards per carry. He still figures to be a massive part of Cincinnati�s game plan, and the Colts run defense may end up being one of the softer against the run this season.Jack Doyle (Colts TE): The Bengals are notoriously bad a covering tight ends. Doyle caught 80 passes last season without Andrew Luck as his quarterback. This seems like an easy one, especially for points per reception leagues. You may even be able to get away with rolling with Eric Ebron if you are in a real pinch at tight end for some reason.T.Y. Hilton (Colts WR): Many Bengals fans may be wary to play Hilton because of William Jackson, but the Colts will likely be able to get Hilton on Dre Kirkpatrick a couple of times. It only takes one big play to make Hilton worth the play.Andy Dalton (Bengals QB): Dalton�s day won�t be taken advantage of by many fantasy owners. He will have have all of his offensive weapons and what looks to be a decent offensive line. It should be a pretty nice day for Dalton Cincinnati Bengals Hats , who could become a pretty hot waiver wire pick up after a big game against a weak defense.Good but not greatAndrew Luck (Colts QB): Luck may be running for his life on Sunday. The few times Luck is actually able to get the ball off may be fruitful, but the thought of him throwing it under duress the whole game isn�t ideal.Marlon Mack or Jordan Wilkins (Colts RBs):Mack is questionable right now, but of he goes he is a nice flex option. If he doesn�t then Wilkins is more of a possible flex option if you�re in a pinch. I�d feel far safer with Mack, but I understand Bell owners may be looking over the waiver wire Week 1. The Bengals have had trouble giving up yards, and more importantly, points to opposing running backs. I wouldn�t expect anything spectacular, but they could have a few big plays.John Ross (Bengals WR): Ross isn�t a guy that you should start week in and week out. He just won�t see the necessary volume over the season. However, the Bengals will look to prove people wrong by hitting a few big plays to their first round pick from last season against the likes of Kenny Moore and Nate Hairston. (Actual Colts� corner backs)Tyler Eifert (Bengals TE): If Eifert is healthy he should be in your line up. He is a red zone monster, and he is a huge mismatch anywhere on the field. He isn�t higher because between Green, Mixon and Ross there are only so many opportunities, but Eifert will make the most of his.Just sit themBoth defenses: This game could turn into a shoot out very quickly. The saving grace for the Bengals defense is that they could pile up plenty of sacks, but that will only get them so many points. This is still Luck�s first game in quite some time, so it is hard to believe the Bengals will totally shutdown their offense. As for the Colts, there are just too many Bengals players capable of hurting them. They could try and take away Green, but with guys like Eifert, Mixon and Ross, Cincinnati should still be able to move the ball pretty easily.