Jamie Squire - Getty Images
4 months ago: HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 07: (L-R) Running back Cedric Benson #32 and quarterback Andy Dalton #14 celebrate after Benson scores on a one-yard touchdown run in the first quarter while taking on the Houston Texans in their 2012 AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Reliant Stadium on January 7, 2012 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
If we ran a poll asking our wonderful Cincy Jungle readers if they think that the Cincinnati Bengals should re-sign running back Cedric Benson, there's a feeling that the overwhelming response would look something like this: "I'd rather condemn my immortal soul in the fiery depths of hell for eternity". So as you can imagine, we're not going to bother adding a poll asking if the Bengals should bring Benson back.
The question is up for discussion because Benson is heading into free agency this year after signing a one-year contract last year. Though he registered three 1,000-yard rushing seasons (one of the over-hyped milestones in all of professional sports), Benson failed to record a four-yard per rush average in three of the four seasons he's been in Cincinnati. Additionally Benson has fumbled the football 12 times in the past two seasons, losing seven. During his first five seasons in the NFL, Benson only fumbled the football seven times.
In quotes obtained by Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Benson sounds like a man that's ready to move on:
"I don’t know what the future’s going to hold. You never know going into being a free agent, things like that," said Benson. "I don’t have any closed doors, so we’ll see what the future holds."
Indeed.
There are avenues that the Bengals could use to rebuild their running back roster. But in our honest opinion, obtaining a great running back should be secondary to rebuilding the offensive line. Along with acquiring new guards to replace Nate Livings and Mike McGlynn (please), guys that will certainly be here next season need to improve just as much.
According to Pro Football Focus, Andrew Whitworth scored a -7.8 run blocking score, second-worst behind Nate Livings, with Andre Smith scoring a -4.4 (third-worst on the line). Truth be told every offensive linemen in Cincinnati scored a negative rush blocking grade, except for about-to-be free agent guard Bobbie Williams, who scored a team-high 1.8.
Trent Richardson, Mike Bush, none of that really matters until Cincinnati rebuilds with an offensive line that can block.
0 recs | 28 comments
Trent Richardson, Mike Bush, none of that really matters until Cincinnati rebuilds with an offensive line that can block.
this is our biggest weakness behind secondary…..Nate is odd man out…Williams…maybe keep him…
ticalcaldwell - January 14, 2012
I like Williams
But he is getting old.
jim0ijk - January 14, 2012
looks like whit needs benched!
On a real note though, how was Collins grade when he played?
JCompton41 - January 14, 2012 via mobile
Colins grade was not bad compared to the others..
Craig Da Dread - January 14, 2012
chicken or the egg
did the line cause benson to average sub 4 yards per carry or did benson cause the line to grade in the minus area with his rushing
palewook - January 14, 2012
I'd refer to B.Scott's rushing percentage also.
Benson went down with the first hit far too often. I thought Scott did a better job on short yardage than Benson did.
Cincinnati222 - January 14, 2012
benson's lack of production
(even in limited duty)
affects the line’s run grading for the game/season.
palewook - January 14, 2012
yes
david in upstate SC - January 14, 2012
I'll grade Collins
A for Awesome.
That kid has heart and showed some real testicular fortitude. Pumping up his teammates and everything. You guys did some post about him while he was playing, correct?
As far as Benson.
Sir, please refer to your free agent interest from the previous year. The one where we were the only interested party. If your looking for a decent pay check, please consider your play this year. Buh-bye.
Hope he’s gone for good, same with Livings.
Cincinnati222 - January 14, 2012
Definately need an interior lineman..
Am I alone thinking Andre Smith would make a great replacement for Williams and move Collins to tackle? I have no idea why Collins doesn’t play more. Then use 1st pick(s) on an additional Guard and someone in the secondary (either CB or Safety Ithink either will upgrade the pass d). That alone would improve this team so much it wouldn’t be funny
Manpaw - January 14, 2012
Interesting.....
Craig Da Dread - January 14, 2012
+1
jim0ijk - January 14, 2012
I also think..
A good Rb like Lamichael James or Pead will be around in the 2nd/3rd so we can get a good Rb then.
Manpaw - January 14, 2012
I love pead , he's a human joy stick!!!!
Craig Da Dread - January 14, 2012
Let's give Ced credit....
He’s done a decent job since he’s been here. With that being said, I’ve been a pretty big fan of his since we signed him, but it’s time to move in a different direction.
I always appreciate a guy that makes the most of a second chance – and Ced has certainly don that. One of my fondest memories was when he went OFF on the Chicago Bears at PBS 2 years ago. However, Ced (like probably every competitive professional football player) doesn’t know where it’s time to move on.
If we’re being honest, he probably hasn’t done enough to warrant NOT splitting carries – but he’s held B. Scott off this long somehow. Anyway – Cedric will be LUCKY to find a team that wants his as there sole ball carrier.
Love ya Ced – but you’re wrong on this one. You better learn to start splitting carries or your last several years in the NFL aren’t going to be very enjoyable.
DiddyGotGrillz - January 14, 2012
I agree he did well with us
What other Starter has taken us to the play-offs in 2/3s of his seasons? But I think he has lost some power and speed. He can’t break away on runs anymore, and he doesn’t succed in short yardage situations.
jim0ijk - January 14, 2012
You're absolutely correct. Time to move on.
DiddyGotGrillz - January 14, 2012
did he ever have break away speed?
I don’t remember seeing it
The Dealio - January 14, 2012
He did well in 2009
but thats about as far as it goes
Bengalsfan024 - January 16, 2012
The real reason is the O-line coach....
Look gang I know P.A has been here since the dawn of man but listen.
The offensive line has been an issue for a while.
How for so long you can have a line that is suited to run block then as you get them better
in the pass blocking they suck all of a sudden in run blocking.
on third and 2 and third and less than 1 how is it that we can not get this with out passing or when we do manage to get off a good run it’s negated by movement on the line.
You all remember 3and2’s and a line man always jumps.
in the red zone third and 2 from the 5 yard line and a line man jumps now 3rd and 7 from the 10, try pass play no catch, kick the field goal.
Happend like that against the Steelers lost yardage in redzone had to take shot at field goal and what happened it got blocked..dant dant daaaa….
O-line coach must go!!!!
Craig Da Dread - January 14, 2012
Hire Muonz.... dude is a class act best OL ever
and is a die hard bengals fan
Bengalsfan024 - January 16, 2012
*Munoz
DiddyGotGrillz - January 16, 2012
+1
Why would mbb NOT hire Munoz. “My God man” think Leonard McCoy he’s a no-brainer. Even mbb couldn’t screw that up.
KentuckianaBrowncoat - January 17, 2012
Na,na,naaa,na...Na,na,naaa,na...hey hey hey
Good Bye.
Ochocinco - January 14, 2012
passing of time
every athlete and fan experiences it. His time here is done as the offense he entered the stripes with is not the one being featured now. I wonder if he will mature into a Ricky Williams type mentor for a younger back or sign somewhere who drafts a kid and expect him to teach.
david in upstate SC - January 14, 2012
I have a door closing on your ass!
Benson might be motivated somewhere else for a year,then he will return to himself the next year
His biggest problem is going to be finding a team,that will give him the ball,the way he thinks he should get it
No feeling’s hurt here,i’d rather Benson leave as to have any chance of Marv or Mike getting another discount
keithp - January 14, 2012
FA/Draft balance
Im sure they have a plan. The draft wont put us o the top alone. Hopefully we grab a vet or two in the right place. Need battering ram @ rb, minimum 1 top tier lineman. The guard at Georgia… Where they love to draft anyway might do if theres no franchise player early. At some point they have to secure the safety spot. Its been patch work for a while now. Signing Nelson included. I believe a WR thats a threat opposite AJ makes all involed better. Stealing Richardson somehow would be crazy… Think Mikie knows this his last chance to stick the landing. I like the position were in to round out the youth movement
olbuzz - January 14, 2012 via mobile
A little too much was focused on Dalton
And marvin probably insisted to Gruden coming in Benson and the power run are fine.
Gruden said himself he changed the offense to simple plays.
We lack a RB that has a true identity so the line hasnt establish something to compliment it.
You would benson is a power back but he cant really get those short yards without gaping holes. We need a real back that can break tackles not just vs Cleveland. Keep Scott and see how he does complimenting the new power runner. Good upside is that Scott is a very serviceable back up who does not fumble.
ExNFLScout - January 15, 2012 via mobile
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