Posted June 25, 2009 @ 4:15 p.m.
Bengals RB Cedric Benson will continue to carry the heavy workload he bore at the end of last season. Pencil him in for about 20 carries per game, which leaves only a handful of touches for the Bengals' other backs. The pecking order behind Benson is not set, though we're hearing ex-Rams RB Brian Leonard probably rates a small edge to win the No. 2 job on the basis of his ability to play fullback and to pick up the blitz. Sixth-round pick Bernard Scott is talented, but he is spotting valuable experience to Leonard and longtime reserve Kenny Watson, and he will have to do the little things to have a chance to be a contributor early. At fullback, the big question is whether veteran Jeremi Johnson, who has struggled with his conditioning in the past, will be in the type of shape the Bengals would like at the beginning of training camp. We're told this much is certain: the Bengals won't hesitate to move on without Johnson if he is not in shape.