After a slow start, the Bengals' running game is gaining traction behind new faces and a familiar technique as they head to Buffalo for Sunday's game (1 p.m.-Cincinnati's FOX 19) against the Bills.
That just happens to be the home of Jim McNally, the Bengals' Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive line coach. Which works out nicely since McNally is the man who invented "Duo," the double-team concept that has been a popular Bengals' run play as of late.
McNally, who enthusiastically endorsed first-year offensive line coach Scott Peters for the job before the season, came up with the scheme in the early '90s with tight ends coach Mike Pope when they were with the Bengals. McNally then went on the road to teach it at his ubiquitous O-line clinics, where Peters, one of his players with the Giants and devout disciple, no doubt saw it again.
Basically, it's a power play without pulling the guard and can allow two double teams on the same play, and as many as three. Let right guard Dalton Risner tell you why the current Bengals linemen love it.
"A lot of double teams," Risner said after Wednesday's practice. "It's a downhill play. It's a play you don't waste any time in the backfield. You're not going out, you're not going lateral. You get the ball, and you're going downfield, we're getting downhill. We're able to use those combos to work up. It's a technique we've gotten better at."
In the last eight games, the Bengals have rushed for five yards per carry, their biggest average over that many games in seven years. The biggest beneficiary has been running back Chase Brown, who has racked up 5.5 yards per attempt in that stretch, the most by a Bengals back with more than 100 attempts across eight games since Jeremy Hill 11 years ago.
"Continuity. We're starting to gel together," Risner said. "We're working together, grinding together. We're buying in on what we're doing. I think Chase and the running backs are running their asses off. The tight ends are blocking hard. Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, the wide receivers are blocking their asses off.
"I think we're just starting to impose our will as an offensive line and buying in on what we're getting taught."
They've also received a lift from Risner, the estimable seven-year vet they inked ten days before the opener, a signing that has become as fortuitous as advertised when it happened.
Risner was Joe Flacco a month before Joe Flacco. When starting right guard Lucas Patrick went down 16 snaps into the opener, Risner was pressed into service and started the next week against Jacksonville before suffering the first benching of his career.
But by the time rookie left guard Dylan Fairchild couldn't go in week six in Green Bay, Risner had his feet under him. He played well in those next two games, including the Thursday night win over Pittsburgh. Fairchild came back, but when rookie right guard Jalen Rivers couldn't go against the Patriots, Risner has started the last two, including another Thursday night win in Baltimore, and it looks like he'll stay in there after starting four of the last seven games.
"Dalton does a lot of little things that are unspectacular, but they matter," said offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher before practice. "He just brings savviness and positive energy."
Risner admits he didn't play up to his standard early, and the benching "was a bitter pill to swallow." But once he got the pads on, it was like riding a bike.
"I got a couple of games at left guard when Dylan went down, and I was able to get back to myself," Risner said. "After being here for five, six weeks, I was able to get physical and wear pads. I think that game I played against the Jaguars, I had been in full pads twice. It's no excuse. I feel like I've been able to play well at right guard. This game, nothing is guaranteed. I get to play the Buffalo Bills, and I'm grateful for that. I'm entitled to nothing more."
A Real Pick-Me-Up
Risner has been a literal pick-me-up. Pitcher is impressed how often Risner is pulling up guys from the pile.
"It's almost every play, he's the first guy down there to grab the guy off the ground," Pitcher said. "That doesn't affect the execution of what just happened in the play, but it absolutely affects the health of the team and the health of the unit and the chemistry. He does a lot of little things on top of just being a good football player."
Risner said he's been doing it ever since he broke into the league in Denver, where Oilers and Titans Hall of Fame offensive lineman Mike Munchak, coached the line.
"It's something I was taught from a young age by a Gold-Jacket wearing coach. He's my guy ever since I got in the league," Risner said. "He really preached that. It's something he wanted to see, and I try to carry that forward.
"Everyone has a trademark. Picking teammates up and being a guy that prides himself on working his ass off, doing everything I can on any given play."
And after the play. Chase Brown has noticed and appreciates it. Risner says they're all pretty easy to lift back on their feet. But he's not looking to pick up his massive tackles, Orlando Brown Jr., and Amarius Mims, both 6-8.
"They're never on the ground. They're too athletic," Risner said.
But Mims says Risner got him once after a quarterback sneak.
"Great guy," Mims said. "I knew when we got him that I was going to be playing next to him at some point. He's got the wisdom."
Burrow Recipe
The 4-8 Bengals need to do what they did last year and win out to have a shot at the playoffs. Last year, they won the last five games, finished 9-8, and were eliminated in the last window of the season.
This year, they need to win the last six to finish 9-8. The CW is their only postseason chance is to win the AFC North, where they are two games behind the 6-6 Ravens and Steelers with five to play.
"We pay attention. I think everybody does," Burrow said after practice. "But you can pay attention to it and at the same time not let it affect anything about your business and about your day-to-day. None of that matters if we don't go and win."
Burrow knows what it takes to win out. He hasn't lost in more than a year with an eight-game winning streak.
"Same way you win any game. Just discipline, winning the turnover battle, playing smart, playing physical. And going about your business each and every day, trying to get better," Burrow said. "There's no secret formula. You just have to go through the process week to week and attack the plan with intensity and understand it. Understand it to the point that you can go out and execute it in front of the world. That's what we plan to do."
Slants and Screens
Burrow noticed that offensive line last Thursday night and not just in the run game. He didn't get much of a chance to ease his way in after 74 days. But those 32 first-half passes helped get the rust off for two dream scoring throws in the second half.
"I thought I did some good things. I think second half, I was pretty lights out, really last half of the first half, too," Burrow said. "First couple of drives I missed some that I normally hit. But when your O-line protects like that, you get back into the groove pretty quickly." …
Burrow confirmed he's wearing a carbon fiber plate and a custom orthotic in his right cleat to cushion the turf toe. He said he may even wear it beyond this season even though it isn't exactly the epitome of comfort.
"The shoe can't bend. It's because my toe can't go backwards right now. Still a little early for that," Burrow said. "So it just keeps it firm and not bending it back.
"At home, I'm just barefoot. I try to be in the cleats as little as possible." …
