As Giovani Bernard scampered up and down the field Monday night, it was evident the rookie running back should be a bigger part of the Cincinnati Bengals' offense.
The electric Bernard has 95 yards and two touchdowns on just 14 touches through two games. Staring running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis has only 14 more total yards on his 38 touches so far this season.
Offensive coordinator Jay Gruden admitted he would try get Bernard the ball more.
"I think they are going to get more to 50/50 sooner than later, probably," he said, per The Cincinnati Enquirer on Thursday.
Bernard's added dimension to the Bengals' offense is unmistakeable. He's a home run threat every time he touches the ball. Outside of wide receiver A.J. Green, Bernard is the Bengals' most explosive player.
Gruden confessed he's still working out ways to deploy Bernard.
"That's something I'm trying to figure out," Gruden said. "Sometimes I need to know when Gio is in there because there might be a different set of plays for Gio more so than Benny. But really, they complement each other and both can do similar things. Gio, obviously, out in space is more productive. I try not to alter my play-calling too much when one is in there."
Gruden also praised Bernard's pass protection, meaning Gruden is comfortable with Bernard on the field in most situations.
Green-Ellis will still get starts and be leaned on to salt away the clock late, but in between we should see more and more of the dynamic Bernard.
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