Texans bringing in running back Cedric Benson

WMH · #1 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 · #2 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 · #3 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 · #4 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 · #5 03-01-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cloudwasher

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 · #6 03-01-2009, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cloudwasher

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 · #7 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 · #8 03-01-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cloudwasher

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 · #9 03-01-2009, 10:57 PM

This sounds like a pretty bad, if inexpensive, idea.

barrett · #10 03-02-2009, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadmg

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 · #11 03-02-2009, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coloradodude

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 · #12 03-02-2009, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunslinger57

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.