Cincinnati Bengals Top Offseason Priority: Re-sign Cedric Benson

by Josh Kirkendall on May 1, 2011 12:30 PM EDT in Analysis

CINCINNATI OH - DECEMBER 19: Cedric Benson #32 of the Cincinnati Bengals carries the ball against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium on December 19 2010 in Cincinnati Ohio. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

In a Pro Football Talk report that the Cincinnati Bengals had Kansas State running back Daniel Thomas slated as their third round pick, it generates the most obvious conclusion. Since the Miami Dolphins traded ahead of the Bengals into the second round, selecting Thomas, the Bengals finished draft weekend without their feature back. Thus Cedric Benson is most definitely one of the Bengals top priorities this offseason when the new league year begins and contracts can be signed.

According to the Mothership, the Bengals top priority is going to be re-signing Cedric Benson.

When things get going, Lewis indicated the first thing the Bengals will try to do is re-sign running back Cedric Benson, a free agent for sure. And given that they didn't draft a back until Finley, that has become a bigger issue.

Finley, selected in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft, figures to be a body used to fill a roster depleted of running backs. Once the Bengals are allowed to fill the roster with undrafted free agents and an established veteran or two, they'll work towards finding the best combination. But in the meantime, we have to ask: Is Finley able to become the team's feature "cowbell" running back? (this is actually a segue and not totally naiveness)

According to Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Finley "is not a between the tackles type of runner. He is more like Bernard Scott, quick-footed perimeter runner with speed."

Marvin Lewis said:

“He really has been productive and has the ability to catch and run with the ball. Really what we were looking for there was a guy who would show some versatility and some abilities out of the backfield. We felt it would be a good complement in our offense as we move forward.”

Maybe it's possible that the scenario Cincinnati envisions includes transferring Bernard Scott as the team's third-down back, replacing Brian Leonard, while grooming Finley into Scott's backup. It's not like durability concerns haven't followed Scott every time his name is brought up. If that's the case, and we're totally speculating here, the Bengals will need not one, but two power backs that can pick up those tough yards between the tackles with a high volume of attempts.

But in the meantime, it's obvious that after the 2011 NFL Draft, the Bengals need Benson back.

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Comments

Darren Evans?

Was VT’ s premier back until his knee injury. Was good enough to keep Ryan Williams on the bench when he was healthy.

by lbacker2179 on May 1, 2011 12:52 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

We're going to have a TON of salary money freed up for the first time in forever

How we spend it is going to be as important as this draft was. We could be major players in free agency this year, and should be. JJo should be the #1 priority. He’s an elite CB and deserves the money he’ll be demanding. We should oblige with a big, LONG contract so we don’t have to worry about the position for years to come.

Ced, on the other hand, is not worth the money he’ll demand, is nearing the end of his career or at least on the downward slope, and can be replaced with an younger, cheaper, likely more productive alternative. I’m afraid we’ll throw a lot of money at him out of panic and then not have the cash to sign JJo or go after any other top end free agents. Spend the money on a top interior lineman and all you need is a back who can carry the ball 20 times a game. He doesn’t even have to be that productive, just hold up.

by eric nyc on May 1, 2011 1:20 PM EDT reply actions

He may not command as much as he thinks

In a way, that may determine the outcome. Not sure the Bengals will panic – there’s a price you’re willing to pay.

For OL, switch Smith to LG and have him as a backup LT. If that doesn’t work, then you know you have wasted money on OL before you try to sign an alternative which only complicates the existing situation.

by wiseking on May 1, 2011 4:01 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

There are too many FA running backs this year

and not much demand for us to pay a lot.

by IllinoisBengal on May 1, 2011 1:30 PM EDT reply actions

Finley was the worst pick of the draft.

Granted it was a 7th round compensatory. Still the guy has no shot at becoming an NFL running back. We should’ve taken Deunta Williams or Deandre Mcdaniel.

What do you do when there's no way out? Find a way to get deeper in it.

by jimbasa on May 1, 2011 1:31 PM EDT reply actions

1 year contract

I’d try to get Ced for 1 year,even if its high priced
sign jjo for sure
fix o-line,then almost any back we put back there will have a chance to suceed
would be nice to just throw out palmer,ocho,to,ced,geather’s,odom groom the young guys,defense and run game first mentality

"A team is more than a group of individuals,its a group of individuals that come together to make a team"

by keithp on May 1, 2011 1:38 PM EDT reply actions

Ced will NEVER take a one year deal

No chance. He’ll probably want something in the 4-5 year range which is absurd. Even a 3 year deal would be too long, and there’s no way he even considers a two year deal. He’s just not worth the hassle.

by eric nyc on May 1, 2011 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Circumstances dictate some continuity

New QB (Dalton or mentor), new starting WRs basically (Simpson and Green) and two others entering their second season (Gresham and Shipley), maybe you overpay Benson to resign on a three-year deal simply because he offers a little continuity behind a poor line which has the chance to improve if the draft pick starts and Smith delivers on potential. I’d give Benson the benefit of the doubt although JJo is the priority …especially as Zimmer has basically sat out the draft.

by wiseking on May 1, 2011 3:57 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

agree

let him go
fix the line,get some scrapheap fa’s to go with benard

"A team is more than a group of individuals,its a group of individuals that come together to make a team"

by keithp on May 1, 2011 1:48 PM EDT reply actions

J Jo should be the top priority. Ced should be a distant second.

Shutdown corners are a rare commodity.
If you’ve got one, you better keep him.

RB’s in the NFL are almost a dime a dozen. After 1st rounders, there are more starting RB’s in the NFL who came in as UFA’s than from any other round (even more than round 2). If you’ve got the O-Line, just about anyone can run cut it as an NFL RB can do fairly well. Just ask Ryan Grant, Arian Foster, Fred Jackson, Ben Jarvis Green Ellis, or any of the other UFA’s in the league.

Ced has had over 300 carries the last 2 seasons, is nearing 30….all signs of a decline (if it’s actually possible to decline from 3.4 yards per). He may have 1 more decent year in him so i hope they don’t do a big $ long term deal. Give him a year or 2 max. If he doesn’t take it, then look elsewhere. Heck even the other Ced on the team (Peerman) could probably come in and average 3.4 yards per.

by ephram on May 1, 2011 2:41 PM EDT reply actions