Rushing – BENSON

Benson averaged 3.9 ypc in 2011

Bush averaged 3.8 ypc in 2011

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Bush has a slightly higher career ypc, but much of that is as a backup where he gets to rumble on 3rd and long picking up garbage yards. Also as a backup, his carries are typically as a fresh RB compared to Benson who is running the whole game 20+ times.

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McFadden averaged 5.4 ypc behind the same line that Bush could only get 3.8 ypc behind. That’s a problem.

The last couple years Bush averages about a yard and a half worse than McFadden in the same offense. That’s a problem.

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Receiving – BUSH

Bush averages 1.5 receptions per game (career)...(2.3 per game in 2011)

Benson averages 1.2 receptions per game (career)...(1.0 per game in 2011)

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It should be pointed that these #’s are skewed in that the Oakland offense regularly throws to the RB’s (see McFadden’s #’s). But be that as it may, Benson catches only slightly better than Daniel Coats. The edge is to Bush.

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Ball Security – EVEN

Bush loses 6 fumbles for every 1,000 carries (career)

Benson loses 7 fumbles for every 1,000 carries (career)

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Ability not to fade down the stretch - BENSON

Bush’s final 7 games of 2011: 487 yd / 3.3 ypc / 3 td

Benson’s final 7 games of 2011: 474 yd / 3.9 ypc / 4 td

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Age + Wear and Tear – BUSH

Benson has 1529 carries + 106 receptions = 1,635

Bush has 632 carries + 91 receptions = 723

Bush is 1.5 years younger than Benson

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Breakaway potential – EVEN

Benson’s long in 2011 was 44 yards

Bush’s long in 2011 was 44 yards

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I get that Benson isn’t that good, and that it’s time to move on. But taking an unbiased look at it, I just don’t see Bush as any better. The best thing Bush has going for him is that he isn’t Benson. It’s like the 2008 election when some people voted for Obama solely because he “wasn’t Bush”. In this case, Bush is getting over-hyped simply because he “isn’t Benson”. At best Bush will be a stop-gap until we can draft/trade/sign a real Running Back.