Will Benson Be a Bengal Next Season?

T.O. has pretty much decided it is time to burn bridges, and with him gone, the running game comes back. With one diva WR gone, the other WR will block more selflessly, which is what leads to great runs. And that’s what we can end up with when we have Benson. Or, ya know Scott can find a friend and we can do that. Doesn’t matter so long as we can run it

Because J.Joe has to be resign or tagged. If tagged, he will count about 12-14 million against the cap. Throw in the amount of other free agents the team has. And how RBs are a dime a dozen. I say he’s gone

And here’s why.
Running backs are a dime a dozen. Give them a solid line and anyone can run through those holes.

This isn’t fantasy football, a shutdown corner is going to be more valuable then an under performing RB.

Click the link for more of my explanation.

There are 5 good arguments why it would be smart to resign Benson

Resigning Benson could provide some stability
This doesn’t seem to be a RB rich draft class
Benson is just a badass
There aren’t many FA running backs that you could sign for less than Benson
By not drafting a RB (particularly in the first three rounds), the team is freed up to address other positions of need

I don’t know if Benson is more important to sign than Joseph, but he will be cheaper. I think there would be room for both if they cut Odom and Geathers though.

That’s a ridiculous question. Joseph is on the cusp of being a shutdown corner. You could make a good argument he is already. He can’t catch a cold, but he is a very good cover corner and deflects a lot of passes. Benson is a mediocre ground pounder who every once in a while actually puts some heart into it and looks pretty good.

Where did you get those stats? Here’s what I got, looking at each RB for 2 consecutive seasons in Cincinnati:

Benson (2009/2010): 3.9 ypc, 1 td every 44.4 carries, averaging 1,128 yards per season
Corey (2000/2001): 4.2 ypc, 1 td every 38.5 carries, averaging 1,375 yards per season
RudI (2004/2005): 4.2 ypc, 1 td every 29.1 carries, averaging 1,456 yards per season

Benson doesn’t compare to either. When he really tries, he can dominate a game. Sadly that only happens 2-3 times per year at best. Most of the time he’s worth 2 yards and a quick fall. There doesn’t seem to be a middle ground with him, either he bowls people over and drives for more yards for most of the game or else he spends the whole game falling as soon as someone comes near him (if not sooner). It has to be a question of desire/drive/character. Admittedly playing for the Bengals can have anyone questioning their motivation, but Ced was the same way in Chicago, and Rudi and Corey were able to put forth good consistent effort in Cincinnati.

I’d prefer to keep Ced if..
1) He’s not very expensive
2) The front office/coaching changes motivate him to put forth consistent effort
and..
3) There isn’t a better FA RB available

Joseph I want to keep no matter what

Paying a runningback thats not a Chris Johnson or AP type is dumb. All Benson is, is a power runner. Thats all he does. You can get a good power runner in the 7th round of that draft. Bensons not a factor in the passing game, and isnt really a threat to take it all the way. Hes steady, and reliable, just like most backs will be getting the ball 25 times a game behind a solid run blocking line. Joseph on the other hand can take a teams best reciever out of the game and will not be replaced by Adam Jones. Adam Jones could be a decent corner, but hes not taking away a reciever like Joseph. Joseph is not replacable, Benson is easily replaceable.

Yes,he hasnt had the best of seasons but who on this team offensively has played with passmarks(Shipley,Gresham and possibly Whit….thats about it). Benson was a monster last season and has shown glimpses of it this year but Brats fucking insane gameplans and playcalling have disrupted any semblance of rythm in in the running game. Last year we had a fair bit of joy on stretch plays,everyone knows its coming so what do we do to change it up…more stretch plays…fuck me,like the passing game its so predictable,that unless Ced and the line are lights out every play they are getting stuffed.

I think we should make the effort to sign this guy and make him the focal point of the offense,it will help Carson no ends. De Angelo Williams is the only RB out there that offers more in FA. I like Bush from Oakland but he is Ced Mk2.

that is all