Is Gio done?

[cincygrad]

What do you guys think? Looks like Rex is starting to earn more playing time given his versatility in the passing game. And it seems obvious that if Hill is healthy, you should probably give him the ball as much as possible. Where does that leave Gio?

 

[Tubbs1518]

As the number 2 back. Burkhead will be more receiver than RB. Gio will backup Hill and give him more breathers.

 

[alf8478]

I have two theories on Gio.
1-The coaches don't like/trust him ie the fumble vs. SD playoff game, losing yards trying to escape and make big runs, and don't know what to do with him.
2-I think it was the regular season Colts game where Gio was getting killed on screen/swing passes. At the time I figured he was injured from some of those hits, which he probably was, but now, months later, he still doesn't look like his old self, so I am thinking some of those have given some "shell shock" and he doesn't have the same confidence anymore.

 

[HuskerPower52]

Go Burkhead!

 

[cincygrad]

I have two theories on Gio.
1-The coaches don't like/trust him ie the fumble vs. SD playoff game, losing yards trying to escape and make big runs, and don't know what to do with him.
2-I think it was the regular season Colts game where Gio was getting killed on screen/swing passes. At the time I figured he was injured from some of those hits, which he probably was, but now, months later, he still doesn't look like his old self, so I am thinking some of those have given some "shell shock" and he doesn't have the same confidence anymore.

I agree with point 2..... He hasn't been as explosive since getting banged up in that game.

And while I agree that he'll still get carries behind Hill, it's hard to justify not riding Hill a little more...... I hate when we remove a running back that is just starting to get hot.

 

[kramer1]

Gio sucks. The less we see of him the better.

 

[Cincyfan78]

I think the coaches over think it. They don't use him enough how he should be as I believe their thinking is "Ok, if we put Gio in they're going to be looking for the screen, so let's run him up the middle and catch them off guard"

Except, it rarely works.

I'd love to see some pro-sets with Hill and Gio in there.

 

[DanBengalfan]

I think the coaches over think it. They don't use him enough how he should be as I believe their thinking is "Ok, if we put Gio in they're going to be looking for the screen, so let's run him up the middle and catch them off guard"

Except, it rarely works.

I'd love to see some pro-sets with Hill and Gio in there.

pro sets with 2 half backs only works if one of them can serve as a blocking fullback. otherwise you are inviting a blitz. it works in madden pretty well though. It could be pulled off by a creative OC and a good OL I guess.

 

[DanBengalfan]

Is it just me, or do they love Peerman so much that he's a lock to make the team no matter how many times he runs straight into a pile and falls down?

Can't Burkhead play special teams too?

 

[Cincyfan78]

pro sets with 2 half backs only works if one of them can serve as a blocking fullback. otherwise you are inviting a blitz. it works in madden pretty well though. It could be pulled off by a creative OC and a good OL I guess.

I haven't played Madden in years.

I think it can work. Both Hill and Gio can catch out of the backfield, and what is the difference between a set with Hill at RB and Gio lined up in the slot, other than by starting him in the backfield, you can move him around pre-snap and you are giving him more time and space to work open.

I wouldn't want to run it every play, but this set 2 or 3 times a game is at least worth a look. You leave a LB in on Gio, and he's too fast. You bring in a nickle, and if Hill runs (Let's say use a trap instead of a FB, something this team has been good at, especially with Whit), it's still positive yardage.

I think the bottom line is, really, they haven't found a way to use him and get the most out of him as a change-of-pace kind of guy. We'll see.

 

[cincygrad]

Is it just me, or do they love Peerman so much that he's a lock to make the team no matter how many times he runs straight into a pile and falls down?

Can't Burkhead play special teams too?

Peerman is on the team because of his value to special teams..... The 4th running back is not getting carries anyway.

 

[BKBroiler9000]

Gio is fine as the #2 back. They need to find ways to get him the ball in space and use his speed and explosiveness. Other than the predictable swing pass.

Somebody above said he could be shell shocked from getting blown up at Indy last year. All the more reason to move him around and get him out in space. Burkhead is used in this manner. Not sure why they can't do something similar with Gio.

Football is a game of match ups. The more we see of Hill, Gio, Eifert, Jones and AJ on the field at the same time. The greater likelihood of finding a miss match. This would of course require Dalton to go through his progressions and make an intelligent read. Rather than just force the ball to AJ.

 

[mrschaney]

Gio is fantastic. We need to find ways to get both Gio and Hill more involved in the offensive scheme and become a run oriented offense to take pressure off both Dalton and the defense.

 

[DanBengalfan]

As thin as our receiving core got last year, I'm hoping we keep Burkhead.

my guess is it depends on how many TEs we actually keep as hewitt could be considered either a FB or a TE

RB1: Hill
RB2: Gio B
FB: Hewitt
RB3: Peerman

WR1: Green
WR2: Jones
WR3: Sanu
WR4/RB: Burkhead
WR5/special teams: Tate

too many?

 

[Tubbs1518]

We have no idea how to use Gio. He will play here till his contract is over, leave and be the next Darren Sproles somewhere. It's maddening.

 

[Cincyfan78]

As thin as our receiving core got last year, I'm hoping we keep Burkhead.

my guess is it depends on how many TEs we actually keep as hewitt could be considered either a FB or a TE

RB1: Hill
RB2: Gio B
FB: Hewitt
RB3: Peerman

WR1: Green
WR2: Jones
WR3: Sanu
WR4/RB: Burkhead
WR5/special teams: Tate

too many?

WR #4 is going to be Alford, and can also return kicks/punts so, you can bump Burkhead down and remove Tate, which will cause a joyous sound to rise up from Bengal Nation!

 

[DanBengalfan]

Alford could be the new Tate... I just don't see marvin Lewis letting it happen.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Problem is, Gio is a change of pace back and a good hands guy. The coaching staff sees him as a backup to Hill who is a bowl you over, smash your face in, get the F out of my way kind of runner. So they run him up the gut a lot behind Hewitt. Problem is, they are using Gio as the exact same type of runningb ack, and with his nimble quick feet, he gets hit, he stays hit. He needs room to run, less traffic in his way. They are not using him the way he should be used. They are treating him as if he is Hill's backup, and therefore, should be able to do the same things as Hill, and there are not many guys in the entire league that can do what Hill does.

Hill has a rare combination of speed and power. Gio is all speed, zero power.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

WR #4 is going to be Alford, and can also return kicks/punts so, you can bump Burkhead down and remove Tate, which will cause a joyous sound to rise up from Bengal Nation!

Problem is, it appears they are not happy with the way any of the punt, kick returners have done outside Adam Jones and Brandon Tate. I think we have to deal with Tate being the #6 WR on this team.

I think it will shake out like this, and looking at it..not so damn great for backups:

#1 Green
#2 Jones
#3 Sanu
#4 Alford
#5 Little
#6 Tate

While Alford or Little spend split time on the inactive list every other week until someone can step up and be that guy.

 

[DanBengalfan]

Marvin had a pretty intense look of disgust for Greg Little during the last game.

I think he'd rather go with a rookie he can mold as long as the other 5 guys listed there are healthy enough.