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Home > Blogs > Big C's NFL Blitz > Archives > 2009 > April > 12 > Entry
Bengals searching for Day 2 gems
The Cincinnati Bengals will attempt to address key areas of need in the early rounds of the upcoming NFL draft, but understand the importance of finding quality performers in the later rounds.
Running back is a position that the team could address early on, but with a fairly deep class they will have some options.
If the Bengals fail to address their need at running back on Day 1, the team could target Virginia tailback Cedric Peerman on Day 2.
Peerman was one of those prospects who responded well to Bengals running backs coach Jim Anderson during the week of practice at the Senior Bowl. The way I hear it, the Bengals coaching staff was quite smitten with the runner in Mobile.
“Coach Anderson helped me with my footwork and gave me pointers of things to work on while in Mobile,” Peerman said in a recent phone interview. “What he told me has really helped me out thus far. Coach was very good to talk to because he was so real. He was so truthful and wasn’t going to sugarcoat anything. I just enjoyed being around him and that whole experience.”
Coach Anderson’s words apparently went a long way with Peerman because he lit it up at the Combine a month later.
The running back answered all questions about his top-end speed when he smoked the track running a 4.45 in the 40-yard dash. He recorded the fastest time among the running backs in Indy. Many scouts thought of Peerman as being a mid 4.5 guy coming into the event.
The 5-foot-10, 215-pound Peerman showed good upper and lower body strength by doing 27 reps on the bench press and posting a 40-inch vertical. He also fared well during position drills.
However, NFL scouts have some concerns with Peerman’s short arms and small hands which translate into a possible fumbling problem. Scouts also had the same reservations about Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew coming into the 2006 draft.
Peerman has a thick build and is a tough inside runner with speed to run outside. He has good vision and shows good lateral mobility in the hole. He demonstrates good balance, body control after initial contact and is a great short-yardage runner. Peerman is a reliable receiver out of the backfield, catching 44 passes as a senior. He also does an exceptional job picking up the blitz.
Peerman reminds you of a slightly smaller version of Bengals running back Kenny Watson. He would be a nice change-of-pace back in relief of starter Cedric Benson as well as a solid contributor on special teams.
Peerman is projected to come off the board anywhere between the third and fourth rounds. The Bengals currently have two third round selections; 70th and 98th overall and a fourth rounder; 106th overall.
See more on Peerman…
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
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By Michael
April 12, 2009 11:23 PM | Link to this
Big C, maybe you shouldn’t have given up on the Bengals GM job so quickly. lol
By FY
April 13, 2009 8:26 AM | Link to this
I agree you should not have given up on the Bengals GM job so quickly. Excellent article.
By BengalMan
April 13, 2009 8:51 AM | Link to this
I say sign this guy up! He is perfect for our offense.Thanks Dayton Daily News and Big C for keeping Bengal fans in the loop! Who Dey!
By Big Hoe
April 13, 2009 3:21 PM | Link to this
The best way to find quality players is to find out who the Steeler’s are looking at and then draft the first.