Battle of the Running Back Stable

Due to the efforts to improve the running game, Marvin Lewis and the Bengals now have one too many quality running backs in their stable and will likely have to send someone home by the end of the preseason.

Cedric Benson did fumble, but looked good otherwise and won't likely be challenged for his starting spot. The offensive line opened up gaping running lanes for Benson early on, and he showed speed getting to the outside and bursting through the line. The Saints wrapped him up eventually but Benson overall impressed me.

His backup for now, Brian Leonard, could be looking over his shoulder after the performance that Bernard Scott gave. The talented sixth-round draft-pick looked agile and hard to tackle in his six runs for 30 yards. The kid has been highly touted as a showstopping tailback with electric moves and excellent instincts. If he keeps turning heads, not only could he pass Leonard on the depth chart, he may force DeDe Dorsey off the team.

DeDe only had three carries for five yards in the first preseason game. He's been with the team for a while and should know the offense well enough, but Scott has a higher ceiling than does DeDe and Leonard is a player that many consider bulky enough to carry the load should Benson ever go down. Dorsey isn't frail (210 lbs.), but may have a hard time physically if he's asked to carry the majority of the hand-offs.

Teams will be forced to prune their rosters back to 75 players by September 1st and then back to 53 players by September 5th. Veteran Kenny Watson has already become part of the trimmings and there will likely be another running back added to that pile. Every moment counts for every player in training camp, but the pressure is amplified within the stable of running backs. Don't fumble, don't miss blocking assignments and don't ease up, or that glue truck's a comin' for ya.

Mojokong---ode to Boxer.