Bengals RB Giovani Bernard looks like the breakout star all expect him to be. There were a bit of kid gloves on Bernard last season, especially early in the year. That won't be the case this year.
He's excelling catching the ball from different spots on the field, explosive as ever, become a leader in the room and essentially a foundation of the Bengals weapons. There is everything to love about what Bernard will bring next season and how he's developing entering his second year.
"He's been fantastic," Hue Jackson said. "He had a tremendous practice (Tuesday). He's been doing that all offseason. I don't say too much to him right now because I don't have to. He's been doing well. He's taken a leadership role. He likes to play and he likes the ball and I like to give him the ball."
Bernard was the #16 RB in 2013, but his touches weren’t truly consistent until Week 9. Jay Gruden is gone, so the Bengals have turned to Hue Jackson, who was the team’s RB coach last season. Jackson likes to run the ball, so the team's total carries should increase. BenJarvus Green-Ellis was serviceable as a between-the-tackles grinder and the team picked Jeremy Hill to be the Law Firm’s eventual (or immediate?) replacement. Bernard’s carries are still under pressure, but it sounds like he’ll see an increased role in the passing game. 300 touches are not out of the question.
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