Texans bringing in running back Cedric Benson

[dadmg]

Originally Posted by barrett

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]

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]

Originally Posted by dadmg

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]

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]

Originally Posted by dadmg

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]

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]

I LOVE DEFENS, almost like the typing equivalent of a lisp.

[BigBull]

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]

Bullet dodged.

[dalemurphy]

Originally Posted by dadmg

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]

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]

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]

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]

Originally Posted by coloradodude

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. 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]

I'm glad he signed with the Bengals. That was too much money for a backup.

[nunusguy]

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 ?