More disparaging news coming off the wire, as FantasyKnucklehead’s own Rustyn Rose reports about Cedric Benson adding his name to a growing list of NFL players currently losing the battle with Johnny Law.
Don’t worry, this could actually be good news to fantasy managers everywhere.
Bernard Scott has the opportunity to become much more involved in the Bengals’ offense this year, especially since Benson could face up to a year in jail.
Last year, Scott primarily filled in when Cedric Benson was hurt, playing a total of 9 games and providing fantasy owners and the Cincinnati coaching staff plenty of reason to think that with more action, Scott could be yet another viable offensive weapon which adds to his overall fantasy value.
Bernard Scott – RB – Cincinnati Bengals
ADP: 236th overall – 36th RB selected
- Last year, Scott filled in admirably garnering 321 yards on 74 carries. If that doesn’t seem like much then think about this: If you prorate those numbers to a whole season then Scott would have wound up with 1,284 yards—33 more than Benson. Scott also contributed 67 receiving yards on 5 catches for a healthy 13.4 yards per catch.
- Cincinnati is a run first offense, hands down (very opportunistic for any RB), and they have a more than capable O-line to make that happen, as Benson owners quickly found out in 2008 and '09. But before Cedric Benson’s problem with the law, running backs coach Jim Anderson had already said that "We're counting on him to be bigger and better than he was last season. He will play a bigger role in what we do."—Dayton Daily News which basically means more scoring opportunities, and more playing time—now that Benson is facing possible jail time this could explode into something more meaningful.
- Scott is patient, reliable, and at times a bruising back that can be a dual threat in the ground game and passing game. Let’s not forget the 2008 Harlon Hill Trophy winner, and two-time AP Little All-American, rushed for 4,321 yards and 63 touchdowns from 2007-08 in his collegiate days, adding 93 receptions for 1,391 yards and 10 scores. He was touted as “one of the most productive running backs in college history” when he was drafted by the Bengals.
Summary: Even if Cedric Benson avoids jail time, it is evident that the Bengals staff have already begun looking into the crystal ball towards the future. In addition to that remember that Benson will ultimately face a single game, or multiple game suspension for his infraction. UPDATE: Benson proclaims his innocence and NFL seems to agree.
Additionally, the Bengals are not known to score a lot of points, and you can believe they are looking to reverse that stigma, and it begins—as always in football—with the ground game.
Bernard Scott is bound for much greater heights in the 2010/11 season, and while you obviously won’t waste a super high draft pick on him (but c’mon, do you really need me to tell you that) you can justifiably spend a 10th or even 12th round pick on a player that is waiting to bust out, and a player that will be more than just a RB2 for your team.
Remember, a sleeper is a player who is on the cusp of a break out; something that Scott is on his way to doing—with or without Benson in the lineup.
ADP taken from our friend at MyFantasyLeague.com
