Run, Run, Run: Bengals' Offense Will Be More Grounded In '09

Drastic times call for drastic measures.

After a disappointing 4-11-1 season, the Cincinnati Bengals will trade their patented aerial attack for a more consistent ground game.

The 2008 Bengals posted an NFL-worst six rushing touchdowns and finished near the bottom of the league in every other rushing category, including time of possession.

The result?

Quarterback Carson Palmer broke his nose, sprained his ankle and partially tore a ligament and tendon in his right elbow.

Head coach Marvin Lewis thinks a more effective ground game will protect both his quarterback and his defense.

"The best defense is sitting on the bench drinking Gatorade," Lewis said. "I think, offensively, our inability to run the football earlier in the year really hurt our defensive football team."

During the offseason, the Bengals revamped their backfield to give it more potency and depth.

They added three running backs—Brian Leonard (trade), Benard Scott (draft pick) and Fui Vakapuna (draft pick)—and they signed a bruising fullback, Chris Pressley, to open holes for those backs.

Adding to the optimism, starting tailback Cedric Benson has earned glowing reviews during offseason workouts from both his teammates and coaches.

They believe Benson can carry the load of a featured back.

"I know it's going to be a huge year and people are going to be shocked," Palmer said of Benson. "I love the attitude he brings. The offensive line loves blocking for him, which is huge.

"He loves to work, which is hard to find that in a running back because all the running backs want to do is preserve their bodies and Cedric wants to go, go, go. I should probably try to slow him down if I can."

A No. 4 overall draft pick in 2005, Benson earned a reputation as lazy and disinterested during his first three years in Chicago.

But Palmer said the Bengals have a different Cedric Benson.

"He’s everything you’ve heard positive about him and nothing you’ve heard negative about him," Palmer said. "He’s explosive, smart, instinctive and strong. He’s everything you want in a tailback."

From 2004-06, Bengals running back Rudi Johnson had three of the top four single-season carry totals in team history, including a record 361 in 2004.

But the Bengals have struggled to replace him, finishing near the bottom of the league in rushing two consecutive years.

Benson envisions being that workhorse.

In his four college seasons at the University of Texas, his low for rushing attempts was 223 over 12 games as a freshman. He had a high of 326 over 12 games in his senior year.

After signing with the Bengals in September 2008, he showed flashes of being that same guy from Texas.

After having just four games of 20 carries or more in three seasons with the Bears, Benson had five for the Bengals last year, including a 38-carry game at Cleveland Dec. 21, during which he set career highs with a total of 171 rushing yards and a long run of 46.

Benson said last year was just a glimpse of what he can do.

“I can take the load,” he said. “It’s something I know how to do and I enjoy it. We’ve been working on the run game a lot. When we first started OTAs, [head coach] Marvin [Lewis] reiterated the fact that we’re going to run the football. I’m banking on us getting a foundation of our offense started on the ground.”