Benson the rest of the way? (1 Viewer)

[KyleBasa]

Benson is sitting out there on my waiver wire (as he should be), and I'm thinking about picking him up. He's got a pretty easy playoff schedule (@Ind, Wash, @Cle, KC). My #3 back is Jamal Lewis who has a tough schedule left with Tenn, Phi, and Pitt on the road.

I'm thinking that Cedric may outperform Jamal through the playoffs. Cinci is giving him the opportunity and he has shown flashes of competence. Am I crazy? Can you see Cedric finishing strong?

... and yes, I'm in one of those unfortunate leagues with a Week 17 Super Bowl.

 

[QuizGuy66]

Bengal homer here with some thoughts:

1) The job is clearly and unequivocally his at this point.

2) Sometimes the numbers haven't been great, it's true, but they've also been going up against a lot of good run defenses since he's been starting.

3) If the ball's at the 2, he's gonna be running it.

4) You are right about the schedule.

Now having just reread your post, having said all that I'm not so sure about dumping Jamal for him. If it's simply a matter of spot starting him over Jamal, I can see that but I don't think I'd cut him. I can't recall the rest of Cleveland's schedule, but your semi-final game is sure to feature him going against, uh, Cincy.

Anyhow, is this thread more meant as a generic "Is Benson possibly a fantasy playoff sleeper for the masses" thread or is it more something that might be better located in the Assistant Coaching realm?

-QG

 

[renesauz]

You aren't crazy. He is not the same back he was last year. He's running hard and with a purpose. All-pro he's not (and never will be), but he's at least competant now.

 

[TheDemon]

I have to agree that Benson is running hard. Against softer defenses, he could be a decent play.

 

[kinghill]

Picked up him a few weeks ago with full intention of having him ride the bench during the wk11-13 stretch (PHI, PIT, BAL) and using him during wk14-17 if needed. Always good to have RB depth for the playoffs (if I make 'em).

 

[Kiddnets]

any chance he keeps the starting gig next year? Looking at him in a keeper league...

 

[finito]

any chance he keeps the starting gig next year? Looking at him in a keeper league...

Bengals have a lot of needs, so it's concievable they don't take a RB high in the draft. I could see him keeping the gig, though really anything can happen with the coaching staff so it's tough to say now.

 

[KyleBasa]

OP here - If I pick up Benson (which I am planning to do), I'll likely drop Jon Stewart. Stewart was in a walking cast again and is just giving me fits. Time to cut him loose.

And yes, this was more of a " is Benson a worthwhile playoff pickup" thread.

 

[Judge Smails]

Here's the biggest problem with Benson. There's a chance they'll be down big early in several of those games. Although their D has tightened up a little bit, and Fitz isn't as horrid as he was earlier, they are still really bad. So when Indy goes up 20 on them, how much do they run? When Portis goes for 140 and 2 against them, will they be in the shotgun by the 2nd quarter? He always looks viable in the first quarter. After that - not so much.