The Cincinnati Bengals X-Factor: Giovani Bernard

For years Bengals fans have clamored for a dynamic running back. Through years of Rudi Johnson, Cedric Benson, and even Benjarvis Green-Ellis, fans have dreamed of a running back ho can break a tackle and get to the next level of the defense. A back who could come out of the backfield and catch passes and add a wrinkle to the offense this team has been missing since the days of James Brooks. We have been waiting for a home run hitting who we could watch sprint down the sidelines on Sundays.

Enter Giovani Bernard.

You know when you make a super quick running back on Madden? A guy who is crazy elusive and breaks every arm tackle thrown his way? A guy who has speed that Usain Bolt could relate to and returns kicks so well that he should be high-stepping down the field like Deion Sanders? Yeah, Gio Bernard is that guy. He is basically a cheat code, and when added to this offense could be the missing piece in a Super Bowl run that we all dream of. Gone will be the days of a three yard run by a bulky back who is dragged down quickly in a cloud of dust. Now you'll see Gio line up out wide and streaking down field after Dalton hits him over the middle coming out of the backfield. Think Reggie Bush at USC if he was a little bit smaller. After doing some scouting on Gio and really understanding how much he is capable of, I'm convinced he will be the steal of the 2013 draft. Teams will be asking how they let this guy fall to the second round. You can keep Eddie Lacy, I'm with Gio.

Now don't get it twisted, I don't think Gio will be the starter in Week 1. The coaching staff has made it clear The Law Firm will be the starter, but that wont last long. By next year I doubt Green-Ellis will be in Cincinnati and the young'n from Carolina will be the star of the running game, and honestly I wouldn't be shocked if Benjarvis is riding the pine by week 8 or 9 in favor of Bernard. Once he learns his blocking assignments and gets used to the nuances of transitioning from the college game to the NFL, Gio will be one of the most dynamic backs in the league.

Now, to focus on what Gio can do this year. He will be given an opportunity to shine in the passing game and will for sure be the third down back out of the gate. Like I said depending on how his blocking improves in the passing game (he has struggled in camp early but has improved significantly) he will be given an opportunity in the running game on first and second down as well. The Law Firm will be the starter but he struggled late last season with coughing up the ball and if those problems continue into this season, it will be Gio who will need to step up and fill the void at running back. Another skill in the bag of tricks Bernard posses is his knack for returning punts. He is as quick as anyone in the game and can hit the corner and be off to the races before you can locate him on the field. (Just ask NC State) He could be the explosive north-to-south runner that fans have wanted ever since Peter Warrick and there's no doubt he could excel if given the job. Now whether he will be given the chance is a different story. The coaches seem dead set on letting Brandon Tate return kicks for some insane reason, so Gio may have to wait to shine in the return role.

Bengals fans, I'm going on record now saying Giovani Bernard will be the most explosive weapon on the Bengals roster outside of A.J. Green once he develops, whether that is this year or next. Remember who told you first who the X-factor was this year for your Cincinnati Bengals.

Don't believe me? Just watch.

Who Dey.