The Cincinnati Bengals don’t have Giovani Bernard in the backfield anymore, but his lasting legacy with the team continues to help the offense and rookie running back Chris Evans.
Coaches have thrown out reels of Bernard’s film to help Evans learn his role with the team –especially when it comes to pass protection.
Here’s Evans, from Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com:
“He was just letting me know how crucial pass protection is going to be and (we) watched all the Gio clips from last year and taking little things from him as far as pass protect. Where to fit, get inside and where to check your eyes and stuff like that so I can be ready for the game.”
Evans, a sixth-round pick who blasted his way onto the roster thanks to a superb training camp and preseason, is one of three backs currently on the 53 and at the pace he’s going, should get more looks than veteran Samaje Perine already.
And Evans can’t do much better than watching tape of Bernard, who left this offseason and joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While Bernard was dangerous as a weapon, his skill in pass protection was so good it often brought Joe Mixon off the field, plus he was strong on special teams.
Though Bernard is gone, he’s clearly still having a big impact and fans should see that on the field with Evans.
