The bright side of Andy Dalton’s inexperience is it will spawn more carries for Cedric Benson. The Bengals' offense is built to be run-first anyway. Benson has the sturdiness and downhill style to get stronger throughout the game. He also has vastly underrated initial quickness and the ability to change tempo based on the action around him. On passing downs he’ll be replaced by Brian Leonhard, a solid blocker and screen pass receiver, though if the Bengals were wise, they’d give more touches to the speedy, space-creating Bernard Scott.
Benson’s not actually the main reason this offense is better suited for the ground than air – the front five is. It’s an unathletic but good-sized group that drives in run-blocking but plods in pass protection.
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