An Old Debate Recalled: Cedric Benson vs. Derrick Ward

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 31, 2010 3:00 PM EDT

You could probably file this under "something that might only interest me." Before the 2009 season, during the offseason where billionaires court millionaires, Cedric Benson was an unrestricted free agent and many believed that the team courting him, the Houston Texans, would have an advantage of signing Benson because it'd allow him to return to his home state.

So the Bengals kept their options open, even inviting Derrick Ward in for a visit. Afterall, Ward had just recorded his first 1,000-yard season with a 5.6 yard-per-rush average and 41 receptions. Impressive, right? In late February, it was reported that the Bengals were one of five teams to offer Ward a contract. While he wanted Michael Turner money, Ward ended up signing a four-year deal worth $17 million with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Soon after Benson returned to Cincinnati to sign a two-year deal. Perhaps to stay away from Texas, where his karma hasn't been the greatest.

Flash forward a year later.

Benson, best termed for having a breakout season, recorded 1,251 yards on 301 rushes and six touchdowns in 2009. Ward ran for 409 yards rushing on 114 rushes and a single touchdown. Then Ward got fat, joining Tampa Bay's training camp this year overweight. And in the second-year of his four-year deal, Tampa Bay announced that they released Ward Tuesday afternoon.

All the while Benson still figures to be prominent in the Bengals offense, heading into a contract year that could give him big riches.

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Wegot

by jimbasa on Aug 31, 2010 3:27 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

We got lucky

by jimbasa on Aug 31, 2010 3:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Possibly the best decision the Bengals have made in my lifetime.

We got a franchise RB who, if he can stay healthy, probably had four or five good years left in the tank.

Houston got the RB version of Andre Smith.

"Before I write I let my mind go blind and let the Lord do His thing. " -Tupac Shakur

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it looks like work." -Thomas Edison

by sexsalad on Aug 31, 2010 3:36 PM EDT reply actions

Nice to hear we wound up the lucky ones

After hearing all of the complaining about who we didn’t pick in drafts and free agency, it is nice to see we caught a break for once. Although, I wonder how Ward might have fared in our system. I think after having such a disappointing season, Ward probably lost a little love for the game. And if he let that get him down, it’s understandable things have turned out the way they have.

by SnapCount80 on Aug 31, 2010 3:45 PM EDT reply actions

So glad

We ended up with c ben. He got a raw deal from the start in Chicago. He probably didn’t help the cause. Either way it has worked out great. I was at that Dallas game when he debuted and although he didn’t have a firm grasp of the playbook. He ran hard and started the long rebuilding process. I went to a&m so I saw him run plenty, most of the times past our defense. Haha. But I’m just glad he’s caught on and done well. I hope he has a great season that would lead to a nice payday and many years of him pounding the rock in cincy.

by Cal581x on Aug 31, 2010 5:25 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Is it plausible

to sign Ward on the cheap now that he’s cut?

by sofakingood on Aug 31, 2010 5:27 PM EDT reply actions

yes

www.fantasydaddy.com

by Joe Goodberry on Aug 31, 2010 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions

We Got Lucky?????

It’s not like the Bengals threw darts to select CB. He was the best free agent out there at the time and Marvin Lewis used his friendship with Lovie Smith to ask some tough questions about Ced’s behavior and demeanor. Winning the lotto is luck. Player evaluation is a tough gig and everybody makes mistakes, but with Ced (and Tank, and Adam, and Bobby, and Gibril) they got it right.

by Who dey in LA on Aug 31, 2010 10:03 PM EDT reply actions