Is Giovani Bernard A CBS-Driven Signing?
April 13th, 2021
“Tom, I got to know this guy.”
Joe’s had a great time diving into Giovani Bernard film. And that led Joe to Bucco Bruce Arians talking about Tampa Bay’s newest running back.
Back in 2018, Arians had just retired from NFL coaching and was a color analyst on CBS broadcasts, the third man in a three-man booth that didn’t get the highest-profile games. So Arians got his share of Bengals broadcasts.
Week 4 of that season caught Joe’s interest, Bengals at Falcons. Cincinnati running back Joe Mixon was injured so Bernard got the start. And Arians loved what he was seeing.
“He just knows how to set those blocks on screens,” Arians raved about Bernard. It was the second time in the first half Arians acknowledged Bernard’s proficiency on screen passes.
Before leaving the game with an early-fourth-quarter injury, Bernard carried 15 times for 69 yards with two touchdown runs, and that also drew some love for Arians. Bernard also finished with four catches on four targets and the Bengals won 37-36.
Back in 2019, Arians said publicly that his time watching receiver Breshad Perriman in person at Browns’ practices, and in games, left him impressed and eager to sign Perriman when he took over as Bucs head coach. And that’s what happened.
Joe has no clue whether Arians’ time around the Bengals was a part of this week’s Bernard signing, but it will be interesting to find out whether Arians’ CBS days played a role.
April 13th, 2021 at 11:33 am
I guess spending time in the booth is better than the basement. Who knew?
April 13th, 2021 at 11:38 am
Seems like a re-occurring theme with BA. Didn’t he do the samething with Tyler Johnson after watching him in person at the Outback Bowl?
April 13th, 2021 at 11:39 am
Not sure it matters where he got his impressions of Bernard. Every bit of information they gather goes into decisions on personnel whether it is from the sidelines or the broadcast booth. 🤷🏼♂️🤷🏼♂️🤷🏼♂️🤷🏼♂️
April 13th, 2021 at 11:41 am
That’s some pretty good research, Joe. Interesting comments from Arians, too.
April 13th, 2021 at 11:52 am
Buc50 – “I guess spending time in the booth is better than the basement. Who knew?”
Post of the day!
April 13th, 2021 at 11:54 am
Buc50 lololol!!!!!!
April 13th, 2021 at 11:59 am
Buc50 🤣
April 13th, 2021 at 12:16 pm
bernard was always just one of those guys that stood out on those crappy bengals teams that made you think:
“who is this guy, he’s pretty darn good”
seems like the perfect fit for his role in tampa…
he’s gonna really compliment brady and the offense
April 13th, 2021 at 12:19 pm
i really hope people call him “stashe”
now let’s use it in a sentence folks…
“hey johnny, our 3rd down back stashe had a really great run late in the game”
April 13th, 2021 at 12:22 pm
Just read a cool article with bengals fan aka expert
Said Gio was heart and soul of bengals offense
Said best pass blocking back in nfl. Especially for size
Said he can catch but also run
April 13th, 2021 at 12:30 pm
Hhhmmm? 🤔
April 13th, 2021 at 12:32 pm
OOOHHH! 🙂 🙂 🙂
April 13th, 2021 at 12:35 pm
all our backs have nicknames:
rojo
lombardi lenny or playoff lenny
sneak
and now:
stashe
4 rb’s 4 nicknames…we gooood!
April 13th, 2021 at 12:55 pm
Buc 50 – 🏆
April 13th, 2021 at 2:16 pm
There was a game toward the end of last year when the Bengals were playing the Steelers in primetime and Bernard really stood out in that game. Before that game, I thought he was kind of washed up. The Bengals ended up beating the Steelers and Bernard had two scores. I think he ended up with almost 100 total yards. His per yd carry was not great but in perspective, all the Steelers had to do was stop the run because Ryan Finley was starting for the Bengals. Bernard had to really earn every yard. He ended up with almost as many rushing yards as Finley had passing yards.
April 13th, 2021 at 2:24 pm
Arians knows talent, that much is for sure!
I like the Bernard signing, and think it will pay off well for us.
April 13th, 2021 at 4:13 pm
Buc50 Says:
April 13th, 2021 at 11:33 am
I guess spending time in the booth is better than the basement. Who knew?
Good one!
April 13th, 2021 at 5:40 pm
Buc50 that is great, and those not saying so probably don’t get it!
April 15th, 2021 at 8:02 am
Oh we get it but we’re satisfied with the change in scenery