As I mentioned in the 2013 Steelers thread, this year's most talented all-around rookie running back is in a battle just to make the roster:
Burkhead, Herron in Tight Race for Bengals' Roster Spot
by Joe Reedy
With two preseason games remaining, there isn’t any separation in the battle for the last running back spot between Dan Herron and Rex Burkhead. Neither one is making it easy.
Herron is tied for the team lead in carries (17) and has the highest yards-per-carry average among the running backs at 6.5. Burkhead is averaging 5.5 yards per carry, with two of his 15 carries being for 15-plus yards.
“They both have shown a lot of promise in every phase of the running back competition. That’s what makes it tough, and it’s going to be important they keep doing that in the last two games,” said offensive coordinator Jay Gruden.
After being under the radar for much of training camp, Herron made his case with 81 yards on nine carries in last Saturday’s 27-19 win over Tennessee. That also included a 40-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter where he went right, got bottled up and then quickly reversed field.
Herron was among the final roster cuts during the preseason last year but was signed to the practice squad. He remained there until being added to the 53-man roster before Week 13 and played in three games. His greatest impact came on special teams, when he partially blocked a punt against Dallas and blocked a punt at Philadelphia.
Coach Marvin Lewis has been pleased with Herron’s progress throughout the offseason, and running backs coach Hue Jackson has been pleased with how physical Herron has been, not only running but in pass protection as well.
“My thing was trying to get better overall – blocking, catching the ball out of the backfield,” Herron said. “Any time you have a pretty good game it is encouraging, but you have to understand you can’t read too much into it. I have to keep working.”
Burkhead had the most yards for the running backs in the preseason opener at Atlanta (52 yards on nine carries). Against the Titans, he had a 22-yard carry around right end to the Titans 23.
During the combine, Burkhead’s 40 time was a subpar 4.73, but he shows a quicker burst on the field, especially getting to the outside.
“I feel like I have good speed and I feel like game speed is a lot more important than what you time out at. I feel like I see the game fast and play fast,” he said.
In the end, the decision on who to keep could come down to two factors – who can make a bigger contribution on special teams immediately and who has more potential.
Both play all four units on special teams. Burkhead is a personal protector on punt coverage and a guard on punt returns. Herron’s forte is blocking punts. Besides what he did last year, he nearly got his hands on one at Atlanta.
When it comes to potential, Burkhead might have the edge. Some projected him as a second- or third-round pick going into his senior year at Nebraska before his stock dropped due to injuries. Burkhead has also drawn comparisons to former Bengal Brian Leonard because of what he can do catching the ball and his ability to pass block. If Burkhead is released, there are doubts that he could clear waivers and be added to the practice squad. Herron still has practice squad eligibility.
“Part of it is the 46-man roster (who is active on game days),” Lewis said. “The way I look at it is if I woke up tomorrow and I didn’t have that guy, how would I feel between A or B. Tomorrow and a week from now, who would disappoint you the most if they were no longer on the team and how that fits going into Sunday.”
When it comes to potential, it’s also about who can help you win today. In that respect, Herron might have the edge based on special teams play.
Burkhead will have a homecoming during Saturday’s game at Dallas. He is from Plano, Texas, and has played at Cowboys Stadium twice, when Nebraska was a member of the Big 12 and played in the conference championship games.
With the third preseason game usually being the dress rehearsal for the starters, both players don’t figure to get that many carries. Both, though, will see plenty of work in the Aug. 29 preseason finale against Indianapolis.
“We still have a lot of work to do, like I told our guys. The second week there was improvement. We just have to put our head down,” Jackson said. “I’m not surprised by anything the guys are doing or aren’t doing. I see it every day. My job is to try and enhance their strengths and try to make their weaknesses stronger. We’re just trying to create that environment so they can keep getting better.”
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/...tight-race-Bengals-roster-spot?nclick_check=1