Giovani Bernard

Pyro's take: Bernard tore his ACL Sunday.

Fantasy Goo: Jeremy Hill may not get all of the passing downs snaps, but he is now the man in Cincy. Must start going forward.

11/21/16, 01:08 PM CST by The Hartbeat
Source: twitter.com

Pyro's take: After just 4 games, Le'Veon Bell is already tied with Giovani Bernard for the lead among running backs in receptions with 30.

Bell has run more routes over the last 4 weeks than many of the top receivers in the league including Julio Jones.

Player with the most yards and yet to score a touchdown? It is not Alshon Jeffery, it's actually Le'Veon Bell #TDregression

10/25/16, 03:36 PM CDT by Stagg Party
Source: pyromaniac.com

The Bengals

Pyro's take: The Bengals have suffered a ton of losses on the offensive side of the ball this offseason. WRs Marvin Jones and Mohamad Sanu both left via free agency and ProBowl TE Tyler Eifert may not be ready for the season opener because of injuries. To make up for these losses, Cincinnati Bengals editor Geoff Hobson reports that the Bengals may use more two-back sets involving both Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill. (CincinnatiBengals.com )

Fantasy Goo: This would be great for the fantasy value of both Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill, who are both way too talented to split carries the way that they did last season. Bernard in particular, provides plenty of value in PPR leagues because of his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. If Eifert misses a significant period of time, I wouldn’t be surprised if Bernard was the second leading receiver in yards and receptions on the Bengals. The loss of Eifert also helps Hill’s value as well. Last year on the goal-line, QB Andy Dalton basically stared down TE Tyler Eifert on route to a league leading 13 TDs. If Eifert is out, those goal-line throws may turn into handoffs for Hill.

07/01/16, 08:49 AM CDT by PK Ripper
Source: www.cincinnatibengals.com

For all of the talk that 2015 was a down year for Hill, he still wound up being one of the best fantasy backs in terms of scoring...

Pyro's take: For all of the talk that 2015 was a down year for Hill, he still wound up being one of the best fantasy backs in terms of scoring... Just not on a consistent basis. But this is also a good example of how a good fantasy player doesn't always translate into an actual good player.

Fantasy Goo: A sophomore slump or sophomore jinx or sophomore jitters refers to an instance in which a second, or sophomore, effort fails to live up to the standards of the first effort. In 2014, Hill had 1,339 combined yards vs 873 in 2015. Oddly, Hill improved his touchdown numbers from a very nice 9 rookie touchdowns to an even better 12 touchdowns in 2015. I loved Jeremy Hills tape from Tennessee and believe the Bengals are still all-in on Hill for this upcoming season. Fantasy football is about touchdowns for most leagues and Hill could easily put up 10 in 2016. Jeremy Hill should get his 225 touches as well with no real goal line or between the tackles threat on the roster. Do not fear Giovani Bernard.


06/23/16, 08:44 PM CDT by STiFFKiTTY
Source: www.cincyjungle.com

The extension puts Bernard under contract through the 2019 season.

"It's great to be able to extend our commitment with Gio," coach Marvin Lewis said in a statement. "It's all a part of what I keep saying -- draft the right players, develop them and retain them. We're excited about the great things Gio will continue to add to our offense."

Pyro's take: The extension puts Bernard under contract through the 2019 season.

"It's great to be able to extend our commitment with Gio," coach Marvin Lewis said in a statement. "It's all a part of what I keep saying -- draft the right players, develop them and retain them. We're excited about the great things Gio will continue to add to our offense."

Fantasy Goo: The Bengals backfield will once again be a timeshare in 2016, with Gio doing dual work as the receiving threat. Jeremy Hill will once again frustrate his owners when Gio steps in if he struggles. Bernard had a 4.7 YPC average last season.

06/08/16, 09:06 PM CDT by Houdini
Source: espn.go.com

The Cincinnati Bengals singed running back Giovani Bernard to a three-year, $15.5 million contract extension, locking him down through 2019.

Pyro's take: The Cincinnati Bengals singed running back Giovani Bernard to a three-year, $15.5 million contract extension, locking him down through 2019.

Fantasy Goo: Giovani Bernard had a nice season for a backup running back in 2016 with 1,202 and 2 touchdowns. Jeremy Hill owners will want to handcuff Giovani Bernard sometime late in the draft after round 10 or so based on how fast running backs are going in your own draft. Jeremy Hill came out smoking his rookie season but, last year he did not seem to be mentally prepared for the lion’s share of the running duties. Jeremy Hill produced touchdowns but was not dependable especially considering his high draft spot. Gio is one of those guys nobody else will care much about unless they have Jeremy Hill. Gio is a very nice PPR play for a late rounder.


06/08/16, 04:04 PM CDT by STiFFKiTTY
Source: www.bengalsbulletin.com

GB

Pyro's take: He out-snapped backfield mate Jeremy Hill 50-22, according to PFF's Nate Jahnke, and out-gained Hill 79-20 on just three more touches.

Its obvious that Hill isnt much more than a short yardage goal back, and Bernard is doing all the other work, he is especially a hot commodity in PPR leagues, and should be treated as a number 2 or flex play.

11/16/15, 12:59 AM CST by Vaaal-verde
Source: www.pyromaniac.com

Gio Bernard is not expected to suit up this weekend. According to NFL reporter Albert Breer "The Bengals are expecting to be without RB Gio Bernard on Sunday at Superdome, which means plenty more Jeremy Hill."

Pyro's take: If you have Jeremy Hill continue to put him in your lineup. He wont be the PPR player that Gio is, but is still valuable around the goal line, and will grab one or two receptions for your team.

11/13/14, 01:25 PM CST by Vaaal-verde
Source: twitter.com

According to Albert Breer, NFL reporter, and via his twitter has stated that "Bengals RB Gio Bernard is out tonight, and could miss more time. And when he gets back, coaches won't be going away from Jeremy Hill."

Pyro's take: Its been rumored that Jeremy Hill has been moving up the board in Cincinnati, and has already cut Bernard's playing time in half when he returns.

Bernard's validity as a starter on your fantasy team is now up for debate, at the very worst he makes a good flex option, but see if you can get some high value for him.

11/06/14, 01:58 PM CST by Vaaal-verde
Source: twitter.com

Giovanni Bernard will be out for Thursday's night game according to beat writer Paul Dehner Jr. "I may have missed this but is gio bernard good to play this thursday? // Won't happen."

Pyro's take: It would of been surprising to see him in the lineup after this short week. He will get more than 2 1/2 weeks of rest now, and should be ready for the following week.

Jeremy Hill can more than handle himself as the feature back and Bernard appeared to be wearing down a bit before his injury. If Gio is inactive, Hill will be a no-brainer RB1.

11/03/14, 05:18 PM CST by Vaaal-verde
Source: twitter.com

Giovanni Bernard has not practiced all-week and hasn't even taken part of workouts, being ruled out on the injury report. The 208-pound second-year back is recovering from an injured clavicle and a hip pointer. He also battled a rib injury earlier this month.

"The rest will be good for him," head coach Lewis said.

Pyro's take: Jeremy Hill will have the backfield to himself, and should put up some good numbers against the Jaguars defense, and should be a must start on most rosters.

10/31/14, 01:05 PM CDT by Vaaal-verde
Source: www.cincinnati.com

Gio Bernard was one of the stars of Friday night's Bengals practice, including a 1-yard touchdown where he bulled his way into the end zone.

The 5-9, 208-pound halfback displayed his familiar shake early on, as he broke some long runs. Near the end of practice, Bernard also showed his power as he charged in to score. It was as plausibly "live" as could be, with tackling allowed.

"Goal line is just all about determination, who wants it more," Bernard said.

Pyro's take: Jeremy Hill may weigh 20 more pounds than Gio, but the rookie has yet to prove it on the big stage. Bernard ran for five touchdowns last season, and with a more run focused offense that number should rise in 2014.

The good news for those who are fans of Gio, like me, is that he will get work in the redzone, and on the goal line. While he is not a true workhorse back, he is also not a back that is pulled inside the five-yard line. He is a determined runner, and should be able to build on his rookie season where he had 1,209 yards from scrimmage with 56 receptions.

08/01/14, 09:45 PM CDT by Houdini
Source: www.cincinnati.com

Asked when Bernard might become the feature back, offensive coordinator Jay Gruden said "when Coach (Marvin) Lewis," says so, but they aren't looking to displace BenJarvus Green-Ellis. So it sounds like it is going to remain by committee.

"Eighty-five or 90 percent of the teams in the league have two or three running backs that they use. So I think it's important to have two or three. These games are physical man, these 16 games. You play on a Sunday and a Thursday, then go to Baltimore and Cleveland, its non-stop," Gruden said.

"So to say we're going to give the ball to Gio 25 times each week is kind of unrealistic. He needs spelling. He needs a bigger back in there like BenJarvus to take 10, 12, 15 carries and a game…It keeps him fresh, too. Some of these guys, it's important for them to be fresh, fast. That's the way he is. He needs to have full stamina and be fresh coming out of the backfield running fast because that's what he is. If he's tired after his 17th, 18th carry and all of a sudden he becomes a 4.8 guy and tired, he becomes an ordinary guy."

Pyro's take: Gio is a fantastic back, who has the potential to turn any play into a big gainer. I do also feel what Gruden says is correct. Bernard is not going to be as effective if he is taking the punishment of 20+ carries.

We have seen what happened when the Bills decided to make C.J. Spiller a 20 carry player, and the Bengals should learn from that. Gio is a special talent, and he should be on the field more, but he does need to stay fresh.

This week Bernard is facing the Ravens who are only giving up 11.9 points a game to running backs, which is the best in the league. It would be wise to temper your expectations for him this week, but he can always break one.

11/07/13, 08:53 PM CST by Houdini
Source: www.bengals.com

Presently, the rookie Bernard is splitting carries with starter Ben Jarvis Green-Ellis.

“You can plug me into any type of offense and I’ll execute,” said Bernard. The explosive back had the same amount of carries as Green- Ellis in the Cleveland game.

“You have to find ways to get this guy the ball,” said Bengals radio analyst Dave Lapham who is awed by Bernard’s explosiveness.

Bernard has tortured teams by running, catching the ball out of the backfield, and being a decoy thus far this season. There’s a reason he was the first running back picked in the draft, said Bengals coach Marvin Lewis. Bernard was the 37 player picked in the draft. The Bengals knew they had finally acquired that versatile back so desperately needed.


Pyro's take: We hope you have this guy on your team, because we were all over this before the season started. Gio is by far the most talented back for the Bengals, and has shown the ability to do it all. Bernard will continue to see his role in the offense grow, and has become a solid RB2 with upside in fantasy football.

10/17/13, 06:45 PM CDT by Houdini
Source: thecincinnatiherald.com

The second-round draft pick had a 7-yard touchdown run in the first half before turning a short pass from Andy Dalton into a third-quarter score — a preview of what the Bengals (1-1) could become with a pass-catching threat out of the backfield.

“I saw green grass,” said Bernard, a second-round pick from North Carolina. “Once you see green grass, you’ve got to take it. You don’t get many chances like that. When you do, you’ve got to take it.”

“Gio’s done a good job,” Dalton said. “We drafted him to be versatile, move around the backfield and make big plays. And that’s exactly what we’ve gotten out him.”

Pyro's take: We have told you for awhile now that Giovani is going to be the real fantasy player for the Bengals, and this game was a prelude of things to come. Bernard was able to show off all the aspects of his game with running and receiving touchdowns. The bigger touchdown may have been the touchdown run against a tough run defense and he showed his determination pushing the ball over the goal line. The Law Firm is in trouble and will eventually give way to the rookie.

09/18/13, 10:22 PM CDT by Houdini
Source: www.yakimaherald.com

Bengals running back Giovani Bernard showed those special talents on Saturday that forced Cincinnati to use their No. 37 overall selection during the 2013 NFL draft. During the team's second possession with over six minutes remaining in the first quarter, Bernard generated 48 yards from scrimmage during a possession that led to a one-yard touchdown by the rookie running back.

"I want to be an every-down back. I don’t want to be a guy that’s just shifty or a guy that can just run outside or catch balls out of the backfield," Bernard said. "I want to be able to be a guy who can do it all. That’s the thing I bring to the table as a person that’s able to do it all. If I can add that to my game, it’s going to be awesome. Benny’s going to come back real strong, and we’re just excited for this entire thing going on and seeing how it plays out."

Pyro's take: Giovani Bernard has been climbing in my tiers since the start of training camp. This game performance is just another feather in this cap and reason to understand that Bernard is going to have much more value this season than The Law Firm.

Bernard is showing all the flash and ability that made him a coveted player by the Bengals, and with his addition, as well as Tyler Eifert, the Bengals should have a lot more pop in their offense this season.

08/19/13, 10:09 PM CDT by Houdini
Source: www.cincyjungle.com

Giovani Bernard had 10 carries for 28 yards with a 1 yard touchdown run. Bernard also added 3 catches for 16 yards.

Pyro's take: This is a decent showing for Bernard in his first NFL action. He was not able to break a big run, but being able to score in a goal line formation is encouraging. Bernard was able to be more effective in the passing game with his 3 catches, and that is where he should make a bigger impact in his rookie season.

Bernard is still trying to take the starting job from Ben Jarvis Green-Ellis and now has 3 more games to make a bigger impression.

08/10/13, 06:46 PM CDT by Houdini
Source:

Rookie running back Giovani Bernard has made a nice impression on his running backs coach, Hue Jackson, who said.

"He's so natural catching the ball. He can catch it like a receiver...I knew he could catch it really well, but I wouldn't be surprised if he could go out there and line up outside and catch balls like some other guys can because he has that skill set."

Bernard is being looked at not just a change of pace running back, but as a running back with Percy Harvin like receiving skills.

Pyro's take: Bernard was drafted to be the Bengals back of the future, and his pass catching skills were a big reason why they wanted him. Bernard had 92 receptions for 852 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2 years at North Carolina. Bernard was already going to be the change of pace from The Law Firm, but now it seems that he is going to see a lot of involvement in the passing game and could have at least 40 catches this season, making him a viable option in PPR leagues.

07/02/13, 10:00 PM CDT by Houdini
Source: www.cincyjungle.com