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View Full Version : Texans bringing in running back Cedric Benson


WMH
03-01-2009, 07:23 PM
From the Chronic:

The Texans saw enough of running back Cedric Benson last season when he rushed for 747 yards for Cincinnati to be interested in signing him to back up Steve Slaton.

Benson, 26, was interested in joining the Texans last year when Chicago waived him, but the Texans declined. After he stayed out of trouble and averaged 118.3 yards rushing in the Bengals' three-game winning streak to close the season, the Texans were impressed enough to bring him in for a visit.

Benson, the Midland native who played at the University of Texas and was the fourth overall pick in the 2005 draft, started 10 games with the Bengals. He had three 100-yard games, including 171 in a victory over Cleveland and 111 in a victory over Kansas City.

The Texans have been looking for a back to play behind Slaton, a job the injury-plagued Ahman Green could have had if he had been able to stay healthy. The Texans still want to draft a young back, but if they sign Benson, it won't be a priority position.

Mike
03-01-2009, 07:46 PM
I have been critical of Ced. In fact, probably downright mean, but I have to give him credit, he played much better with Cincy. He looked like a different player with the Bengals than he did with the Bears. Everyone deserves a second chance to make amends. I hope he learned from his experience in Chicago and the off field issue.

HPF Bob
03-01-2009, 08:03 PM
I don't think Benson is a good match for us. He's a below-average receiver and he's not a cut-back runner. He doesn't make people miss as much as he slides forward for some extra yards after contact.

I wish him well but he would be a waste of time coming to Houston.

cloudwasher
03-01-2009, 08:12 PM
I'd hate to see them bring in Benson. For the price he would ask, you'd be better off drafting a back from the late rounds. He did have three games last season with the Bengals where he got 100+ years, but if you got back and look at those games he didnt get better than 4.5 yards/carry in any of those games (Cle 38-171 Avg 4.5, Jac 24-104 Avg. 4.3, Kc 25-111 Avg 4.4). So in other words, he didnt get a lot of yards because he did well but rather because the Bengals had no better options than to give him the ball. For the 2008 season he averaged 3.5 yards/carry. He might still be able to make some kind of comeback with some other team, but unless they can sign him for less than one mil a yr (unlikely) then he isn't worth it imo.

bckey
03-01-2009, 09:30 PM
I'd hate to see them bring in Benson. For the price he would ask, you'd be better off drafting a back from the late rounds. He did have three games last season with the Bengals where he got 100+ years, but if you got back and look at those games he didnt get better than 4.5 yards/carry in any of those games (Cle 38-171 Avg 4.5, Jac 24-104 Avg. 4.3, Kc 25-111 Avg 4.4). So in other words, he didnt get a lot of yards because he did well but rather because the Bengals had no better options than to give him the ball. For the 2008 season he averaged 3.5 yards/carry. He might still be able to make some kind of comeback with some other team, but unless they can sign him for less than one mil a yr (unlikely) then he isn't worth it imo.


The other side of that is that they had no passing game this year and were a pretty crappy team. So for Benson to a 4.5, 4.4, and 4.3 avg. is really pretty good since teams were keying on him.

Joe Joe
03-01-2009, 09:41 PM
So in other words, he didnt get a lot of yards because he did well but rather because the Bengals had no better options than to give him the ball. For the 2008 season he averaged 3.5 yards/carry.

When Cedric Benson is your best offensive weapon, Cedric Benson rushing for 3.5 yds/carry ain't bad. It ain't good, but then again...Cedric Benson is not a star player. Cincy's once prolific passing attack is no more. Provided he doesn't think he's a top player, he may be a good cheap pickup. He may be able to be a good back for the system as he doesn't try for the big gainers and generally takes what the defense gives him.

Again, don't expect superman, but I think he would fit nicely as a backup if he stays out of trouble.

barrett
03-01-2009, 09:44 PM
If he comes in as a short yardage guy he is not bad. Short yardage guys don't need to cutback run or make people miss. They need to start quick, get low, and stick it in there. If he can do that at not much gauranteed money, sign him. Then draft a guy low anyways and take the best one out of camp.

coloradodude
03-01-2009, 09:54 PM
I'd hate to see them bring in Benson. For the price he would ask, you'd be better off drafting a back from the late rounds.


Yep...and most of those numbers were David Carr numbers. Games were over.

dadmg
03-01-2009, 10:57 PM
This sounds like a pretty bad, if inexpensive, idea.

barrett
03-02-2009, 12:16 AM
This sounds like a pretty bad, if inexpensive, idea.

There is no such thing in football. IF a guy is inexpensive, he can't be a bad idea because he can be cut at any time. Some of you guys prefer a draft pick, why not both if the gauranteed money is low. Then let them fight for a spot. You cannot lose out when two guys fight for a spot instead of one being given it.

Now if his 3 game stretch with the bungles convinced him he deserves good money, don't even look at him. But if he can be had for little gauranteed, why not look?

gunslinger57
03-02-2009, 01:12 AM
Yep...and most of those numbers were David Carr numbers. Games were over.

The only way a RB would run up big numbers where "games were over" is when their team is running away with it and just trying to run out the clock. Cincy didn't have a lot of those last year. Seems to me that might have actually depressed his numbers a bit.

Joshua
03-02-2009, 08:30 AM
The only way a RB would run up big numbers where "games were over" is when their team is running away with it and just trying to run out the clock. Cincy didn't have a lot of those last year. Seems to me that might have actually depressed his numbers a bit.

I didn't watch many Bengals games last year so I have no idea how he played. However, RBs can absolutely get garbage yards when their team is behind (particularly if they are behind by double digits). Defenses are generally more than happy to let a team run the ball and thus, prevent the big play and keep the clock running. That's why they are in the prevent D and have 5 or 6 DBs on the field.

Nconroe
03-02-2009, 10:07 AM
if there isn't much up front guaranteed, then why not let him try out and see what is there. if it doesn't work, easy to cut in this league for now. for me , depends what kind of contract and guarantees being looked at. He might be that guy that helps us crack the end zone we couldn't seem to cross last year, as someone else mentioned.

John S
03-02-2009, 10:48 AM
We should take if he comes on the cheap. At least he is under 30.

papabear
03-02-2009, 11:37 AM
Like everyone else it all depends on the contract.

BigBull
03-02-2009, 12:06 PM
After reading his comments in the chronicle I think he is using the Texans for leverage against the Bangles.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/6289379.html

dadmg
03-02-2009, 12:20 PM
There is no such thing in football. IF a guy is inexpensive, he can't be a bad idea because he can be cut at any time.

My thought (and I could be wildly wrong; wouldn't be the first time) is that if the front office picks up Benson they won't feel a need to bring in another backup running back. And I don't think Benson's the answer to any question I want to hear.

painekiller
03-02-2009, 01:38 PM
I think a lot of people forget that Kubiak does not like rookie RBs. They only know how to run, they do not know how to block much less which hole (the blitzer will come thru) is the hot one.

We saw it last when Slayton went the wrong way on s blocking assignment and Schaub was clobbered.

Now even I, the voice yelling the most for at least 2 RBs in the draft, know that Kubiak is not inclined to break camp with a 2nd year guy and 2 rookies. So all that leads to this, depending on his contract, Benson has shown he can be a good citizen. I think he just got off to a really bad start in Chicago and things went bad from there.

As to running style, in short yardage as barrett pointed out you want a guy to bull forward with a low pad level. Benson has the potential, but has yet to show the desire level to be the best. Maybe the last 18 months have been a wake up call.

That all said he is worth a flyer if the contract is done correctly.

barrett
03-02-2009, 01:55 PM
My thought (and I could be wildly wrong; wouldn't be the first time) is that if the front office picks up Benson they won't feel a need to bring in another backup running back. And I don't think Benson's the answer to any question I want to hear.

SO if they add Benson they go to camp with 2 RBs? There will be rookie RBs in camp no matter what. Even if they are camp fodder and are just carrying the ball in preseason games to keep the vets healthy, we will have rookies at RB.

If you can add a vet cheap you do it. Then you cut him if you see that a younger player can do the job better. NFL 101 right there.

Bigtinylittle
03-02-2009, 02:29 PM
I am going to go ahead and predict that if we sign Ced, he will be the second best back we have had under Kubiak. Dayne might have been better on first and ten, especially toward the end of games, but Ced will be much better on third and one. I say if the price is right go for it.

dadmg
03-02-2009, 02:32 PM
If you can add a vet cheap you do it.

I agree with this in principle; I just don't feel the veteran they picked is worth it. Even with his draft pedigree holding him aloft, I'd be surprised if Benson's even still in the league two or three years from now. None of the free agent running backs look likely to set the world on fire, but I don't see any reason we should target an underachieving head case just to feel secure in our depth.

A further note: while its completely irrelevant to this argument (as its been set on the condition that he would be cheap), I'm beginning to wonder if that'll be the case. The Bengals, after the disastrous Chris Perry experiment, are trying to bring back Benson as their starter. A bidding war, even a relatively low-level one, over Benson makes me a bit nauseous.

coloradodude
03-02-2009, 02:37 PM
If they sign him I sure hope they find out how he is in the locker room. He has had some serious attitude problems along with legal problems.

I don't care about the legal issues because they usually take care of themselves. The attitude problems are cancer.

nero THE zero
03-02-2009, 02:59 PM
A further note: while its completely irrelevant to this argument (as its been set on the condition that he would be cheap), I'm beginning to wonder if that'll be the case. The Bengals, after the disastrous Chris Perry experiment, are trying to bring back Benson as their starter. A bidding war, even a relatively low-level one, over Benson makes me a bit nauseous.

I agree; he cites "business" several times in his interview regarding why he potentially will be leaving Cinci/coming to Houston:
“I like being in Texas and Houston’s close to home,” Benson said after arriving at Hobby Airport. “I think the possibility is good (about signing with the Texans), but there’s always a business side to everything.”

Benson, 26, is a Midland native who played at the University of Texas before Chicago selected him with the fourth overall pick in 2005. Released after three years with the Bears, Benson signed with Cincinnati last season and rushed for 747 yards in 10 starts.

Benson was asked why he would accept a backup role with the Texans rather than a starting job with the Bengals.

“The business side here might be better than the business side in Cincinnati,” Benson said about contract negotiations.

“Also, there’s the Super Bowl. I had an opportunity to go to one (with Chicago), and I’d like to go back and win.”

Last year, the Texans weren’t interested in Benson when he was waived by the Bears. They became interested after watching him play for the Bengals and stay out of trouble off the field.

Benson’s legal issues have been cleared up.

“I have matured a little more,” he said. “A young man changes after he turns 21.”

The Bengals are trying to re-sign Benson, who had three 100-yard games for them. He closed the season with 171 and 111 yards in victories over Cleveland and Kansas City. The Bengals finished with a three-game winning streak in which Benson averaged 118.3 yards rushing.

“I think I proved that I’m the player everybody thought I could be,” Benson said. “I think it showed that I can get the job done, being a full-time back and carry the load.”

“Chicago fans asked me what was the difference? I told them it was simple: They gave me the football.”

dadmg
03-02-2009, 04:43 PM
Wow, that article is full of interesting reasoning.

Last year, the Texans weren’t interested in Benson when he was waived by the Bears. They became interested after watching him play for the Bengals and stay out of trouble off the field.

Benson’s legal issues have been cleared up.

“I have matured a little more,” he said. “A young man changes after he turns 21.”

Of course, his most recent arrests came in the past year when he was 25. And I somehow don't find it all that impressive that he's "stay[ed] out of trouble off the field" for only about six months now.

The Bengals are trying to re-sign Benson, who had three 100-yard games for them. He closed the season with 171 and 111 yards in victories over Cleveland and Kansas City. The Bengals finished with a three-game winning streak in which Benson averaged 118.3 yards rushing.

“I think I proved that I’m the player everybody thought I could be,” Benson said. “I think it showed that I can get the job done, being a full-time back and carry the load.”

“Chicago fans asked me what was the difference? I told them it was simple: They gave me the football.”

Yes, Cedric, the difference was literally that they gave you the football. They gave the ball to Cedric so much that his sheer yardage numbers looked decent. His yards-per-carry numbers, on the other hand, were awful. He averaged a woeful 3.5 YPC, which was the worst average last year for a back with significant carries. And the flourish against Cleveland and KC - well, those were two of weakest run defenses in the NFL which he was allowed to grind out 63 carries against. That'll certainly pad your stats. He proved he could carry the rock - just not very far from the line of scrimmage.

barrett
03-02-2009, 05:03 PM
I agree with this in principle; I just don't feel the veteran they picked is worth it. Even with his draft pedigree holding him aloft, I'd be surprised if Benson's even still in the league two or three years from now. None of the free agent running backs look likely to set the world on fire, but I don't see any reason we should target an underachieving head case just to feel secure in our depth.

A further note: while its completely irrelevant to this argument (as its been set on the condition that he would be cheap), I'm beginning to wonder if that'll be the case. The Bengals, after the disastrous Chris Perry experiment, are trying to bring back Benson as their starter. A bidding war, even a relatively low-level one, over Benson makes me a bit nauseous.

Then sign a different one. I don't really care as long as we don't go into camp with a 2nd year player and a few rookies.

cadams
03-03-2009, 08:28 AM
I dont have any problem signing him if he really is fine with 10 or less touches per game. There is no question he could be a decent to solid second option behind Slayton. AND, signing him would allow the texans to use picks on the best players available (likely on defens) throughout the draft, which is what I think they should do..

jppaul
03-03-2009, 10:00 AM
I LOVE DEFENS, almost like the typing equivalent of a lisp. :D

BigBull
03-03-2009, 03:17 PM
The Texans' courtship of free agent running back Cedric Benson is over. He signed a two-year, $7 million contract with Cincinnati, where he rushed for a career-high 747 yards last season.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/6291686.html

dadmg
03-03-2009, 03:51 PM
Bullet dodged.

dalemurphy
03-03-2009, 04:49 PM
Bullet dodged.

I'm glad. It's his character as a teammate that is the problem, IMO. I'd take a guy like Michael Irvin any day. It's guys like Brian Griese, T.O. that are a problem for a football team. They can destroy a team from within and their talents usually don't translate to winning football. That, and Benson's very limited production, are what I was worried about. Plus, here in Austin, I'm so tired of the UT fans piggy-backing NFL teams because of their myopic obsession with the Longhorns.

Bigtinylittle
03-03-2009, 04:51 PM
Now that I'm seeing what the price will be for a free agent reserve RB, I would rather we try to find a RB in the third round of the draft. He would likely be just as good for far less money.

Fonz the Boss
03-03-2009, 11:29 PM
I think he would have excelled in the Texans system even if he split carries with Slaton. But I do agree that its best for him to stay as a starter in Cincinnati rather than being overpaid as a backup in Houston. We should be able to find our big back in the draft.

coloradodude
03-04-2009, 12:33 AM
I am so glad that's over. Now hopefully we can get a shot at Moreno in the draft. Moreno and Slaton would give defens's fits.

painekiller
03-04-2009, 03:19 AM
I am so glad that's over. Now hopefully we can get a shot at Moreno in the draft. Moreno and Slaton would give defens's fits.

if we take a RB early and he is not named Donald Brown then we are dumber then I thought. Brown is the perfect back for this team. That said I do not see us taking a RB in the 1st or 2nd rounds.

John McClain explained the RB that the team is looking for to compliment Slaton here (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/sports/6292383.html). He states
Benson and Ahman Green are examples of what kind of back the Texans are looking for. Both weigh in the 220-pound range. If a back can make that one-cut move fast and get going downhill in a hurry, it doesn’t matter if he weighs 230 or more.

Andre Brown North Carolina St. and Rashad Jennings Liberty are two RBs that project to be drafted when the Texans are expected to be looking and that meet the size mentioned.

If you believe the McClain article then the Texans are done looking at veteran FA RBs until after the draft. I have a feeling he is wrong and that Michael Pittman, Reuban Droughs, or Warrick Dunn will come a calling soon.

Remember I want this team to draft 2 RBs, but Kubiak's mode of operation has been to get an older RB who understands the blocking assignments to be the #1 or #2 RB. So that is why I still expect a FA RB to sign here.

John S
03-04-2009, 08:08 AM
I'm glad he signed with the Bengals. That was too much money for a backup.

nunusguy
03-04-2009, 11:50 AM
I dunno, but doubt that anyone was surprised by the outcome of this situation ? And Benson did seem to be a good potential fit as the "Mr. Inside" to go with our bright, new "Mr. Outside" star back.
I'm still a little surprised that the ole man gave Smith & Kubiak the green-light to try to deal with Benson & his agent given his character issues, but maybe it shows a new sense of urgency by McNair to finally break into the winning column & the playoffs ?