Cedric Benson (1 Viewer)

[TS Garp]

Definitely one of the biggest surprises of last season. Would've had an even bigger season if he hadn't gotten banged up. I thought he looked fantastic in the playoff game, and the Bengals seem committed to being a run first team, so they'll be riding him hard again until/unless he gets hurt. Do you expect more of the same next year, do you think 2009 was a fluke, or do you think he can crack the Top 10?

 

[Sweet Love]

I was abolutely schoked by how he did and going into 09, I would not have "bought" him in one of my drafts even as a third RB...He had the potential and lived up to it last year. I think 07-08 was a real-life episode of "Scared Straight" for him and would be equally as shocked if he does not come back with a 1200 yard season in 2010. Could be one of the better "reclamation projects" the NFL has seen in a while.

 

[KoolKat]

Sell, sell, sell. His value will never be higher.

 

[TS Garp]

Sell, sell, sell. His value will never be higher.

Do you think he was a fluke or that he can't stay healthy? Or both? If he does flop, I don't think it will be for lack of opportunity.

 

[KoolKat]

Sell, sell, sell. His value will never be higher.

Do you think he was a fluke or that he can't stay healthy? Or both? If he does flop, I don't think it will be for lack of opportunity.

I would say both. I have to admit I have never liked Benson, and was completely shocked by last season, but he strikes me as a guy where everything aligned for him last season, and it is all down hill from here. He was never fast to begin with, and he will now be 28 years old (the same age as Clinton Portis), coming off a season where he touched the ball 342 times in 14 games. It is unlikely he will reproduce that amount of touches next season, and therefore his stats will decrease. Add in the fact that he only had 7 TDs in all those touches last year, and there is more concern for worry. Beyond that, he is a headcase, malcontent liable to blow up and hurt his career at any moment. I think the value play for next season as far as Bengal RBs go is Bernard Scott. I am not saying he will do great, but I would not be suprised at all if he outperforms Benson if he were to go down. Granted, I would have told you the same thing last season.

 

[gianmarco]

Benson highlights as a Bengal

The above is just to remind people a little of what he looked like this year. I think for the first time since he joined the NFL he looked like the RB he was coming out of college.

 

[TS Garp]

Sell, sell, sell. His value will never be higher.

Do you think he was a fluke or that he can't stay healthy? Or both? If he does flop, I don't think it will be for lack of opportunity.

I would say both. I have to admit I have never liked Benson, and was completely shocked by last season, but he strikes me as a guy where everything aligned for him last season, and it is all down hill from here. He was never fast to begin with, and he will now be 28 years old (the same age as Clinton Portis), coming off a season where he touched the ball 342 times in 14 games. It is unlikely he will reproduce that amount of touches next season, and therefore his stats will decrease. Add in the fact that he only had 7 TDs in all those touches last year, and there is more concern for worry. Beyond that, he is a headcase, malcontent liable to blow up and hurt his career at any moment. I think the value play for next season as far as Bengal RBs go is Bernard Scott. I am not saying he will do great, but I would not be suprised at all if he outperforms Benson if he were to go down. Granted, I would have told you the same thing last season.

I was on board with this last year, but were there any signs of erratic behavior throughout this season? Seems like he turned things around. With regards to him being slow, he's certainly not a speed demon, but for a punishing/powerful runner, he looked surprisingly quick at times, and, again, his performance in that playoff game against a very good defense was impressive. I also think you can't hold the 7 TD's against him -- there's some luck involved there. I just think that barring injury, he's going to see a ton of carries again, and he'll likely grind out 1,200+ yards and 8+ td's

 

[BuckeyeArt]

coming off a season where he touched the ball 342 times in 14 games. It is unlikely he will reproduce that amount of touches next season, and therefore his stats will decrease.

You really need to open your eyes and look at how Lewis handles his RBs. There is absolutely no reason to assume that he won't reproduce those touches next year. It's just the way Lewis is. He will feed the ball to one RB.There also is no reason for the OL to be worse. With Smith in camp on time and healthy, their running game should be better. They lack a 2nd WR and a TE, both of which shouldn't be too hard to improve.

 

[sj_bennett]

I think Benson will have another good year in 2010. He pulled his head out of his butt last year and decided he was going to be a football player. I think getting booted from the Bears gave him some perspective.

 

[QuizGuy66]

I was on board with this last year, but were there any signs of erratic behavior throughout this season?

IMHO no. I have two stories, one firsthand one secondhand. When I went to Bengals-Jets I, I talked to a guy who had gone to the team hotel. Seemed to indicate everyone was cool, but Benson wasn't as pleasant. Then again it's a little tough to gauge how a player feels the night before a game. Alternately it may have been a sense on his part that he wasn't really gonna play the next day. Don't think it was a big whoop.The 2nd story comes from when I went to Bengals-Jets II. I sat in the 3rd row and noted that after the disappointing loss, Benson was the one player who came over and high-fived all the fans in the front row on his way to the locker room. I think he's got a ton of motor and hunger and i anything maybe is a little protective of his carries - he wants to be the bell-cow. I think he'll be best in yardage leagues as I do think he'll get the bulk of the work again and that Scott will spell him maybe about 8 carries a game - if that. TDs are tougher to predict but I think he'll have a decent floor of 8. If the passing game gets straightened out some, I think it'll give him more opportunities not les..-QG

 

[Hendo]

Sell, sell, sell. His value will never be higher.

after winning it all this year i packaged him and the 1.14 pick for Ronnie Brown and the 1.02... Will be trading off Brown when he gets his value up off being healthy and productive the first part of the season next year

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Benson highlights as a Bengal

The above is just to remind people a little of what he looked like this year. I think for the first time since he joined the NFL he looked like the RB he was coming out of college.

Even better, for the first time since he joined the NFL he looked like the RB he was as a Freshman at UT, when he was HUNGRY.For the next 2-3 years, he'll stay at this level, and I think he's a buy low right now, because people still haven't woken up to how good he is.

 

[KoolKat]

I sure hope I am able to bump this, and say I was right and Bloom and Gianmarco were wrong. Apparently most people are on his bandwagon, but I am not buying it. One good season does not make a RB.

 

[KoolKat]

Sell, sell, sell. His value will never be higher.

after winning it all this year i packaged him and the 1.14 pick for Ronnie Brown and the 1.02... Will be trading off Brown when he gets his value up off being healthy and productive the first part of the season next year

Excellent trade for you. I think Benson and Brown are relatively even, maybe even an edge to Brown in my Benson-hating opinion. Then you move from 1.14 to 1.2!1.02>>>>BensonBrown>>>>1.14

 

[KoolKat]

I was on board with this last year, but were there any signs of erratic behavior throughout this season?

I don't think people change that easily, and as soon as he isn't in a situation of his liking he will show his real colors. It is hard to be a malcontent when there is nothing to complain about.

 

[TS Garp]

I was on board with this last year, but were there any signs of erratic behavior throughout this season?

I don't think people change that easily, and as soon as he isn't in a situation of his liking he will show his real colors. It is hard to be a malcontent when there is nothing to complain about.

There are a lot of examples of guys cleaning up their act and changing. True, some of them regress, but some don't. Seems like maybe Benson caught a glimpse of where he was headed and got his head screwed back on straight.

 

[doowain]

Benson highlights as a Bengal

The above is just to remind people a little of what he looked like this year. I think for the first time since he joined the NFL he looked like the RB he was coming out of college.

Even better, for the first time since he joined the NFL he looked like the RB he was as a Freshman at UT, when he was HUNGRY.For the next 2-3 years, he'll stay at this level, and I think he's a buy low right now, because people still haven't woken up to how good he is.

ThisHaving watched every down of every Bengals game this year, I can't tell you how thoroughly impressed I was with Benson. Maybe it's because I didn't expect much going in, but he ran with power, speed, and finished runs with authority this year. He didn't take plays off and is one of the very few RBs in the league that will be an actual workhorse. Add in the fact that he's on a run first team and I think last year is his floor. Bernard Scott, while explosive, is not a threat for a large number of carries. He'll be best used as a COP and in the return game. If you need any evidence of what Benson was about this year, just rewatch the Jets/Bengals playoff game. He was in beast mode.

 

[todisco1]

Benson is absolutely not a sell right now because most people don't believe he is for real. You won't get good value for him.

I would keep him or buy, he's a good feature RB who will get plenty of touches for the next few years.

 

[Grahamburn]

I sure hope I am able to bump this, and say I was right and Bloom and Gianmarco were wrong. Apparently most people are on his bandwagon, but I am not buying it. One good season does not make a RB.

You sound like someone that spent an early rookie pick on Benson in a dynasty league.What is your prediction? Injury? Major drop in production? Knucklehead blow up?

You're hearing from many people in here that watched Benson play in 2009, me included, who saw a different RB. He ran with power, quickness/burst, good vision, finsihed runs, and carried the load.

The Bengals have become a defensive minded run first team, and Benson is their workhorse back. There aren't many RBs left in the NFL that are going to average 23 carries a game and get ALL of the goalline work (if the Bengals can improve overall on offense these opportunities should go up making Benson a top 10 back). He only had 6 TDs, and half of those were outside the ten. There's a lot of room for upside in the TD department.

I think he'll be a good value in redraft leagues again, because there will still be doubters, and he should be a buy in dynasty leagues while his value is low. When he puts together another solid year in 2010 Benson won't be had so cheap.

 

[pretender]

Benson highlights as a Bengal

The above is just to remind people a little of what he looked like this year. I think for the first time since he joined the NFL he looked like the RB he was coming out of college.

Even better, for the first time since he joined the NFL he looked like the RB he was as a Freshman at UT, when he was HUNGRY.For the next 2-3 years, he'll stay at this level, and I think he's a buy low right now, because people still haven't woken up to how good he is.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

Benson is absolutely not a sell right now because most people don't believe he is for real. You won't get good value for him. I would keep him or buy, he's a good feature RB who will get plenty of touches for the next few years.

I think he will lead the way for the Bengals lol

 

[CaptainHook]

Benson highlights as a Bengal

The above is just to remind people a little of what he looked like this year. I think for the first time since he joined the NFL he looked like the RB he was coming out of college.

i didnt see any impressive runs here but i cant argue with his situation. in ppr his ceiling is still pretty low but rudi johnson #s would have to be considered his expectation. it seems like a pretty safe assumption that if he stays healthy hes a lock for 1200-1600 yards and 6-12 tds each of the next two years. id guess his value is lower than this so i suppose im a buyer even though im not a big fan. basically, any back getting 300+ carries will be valuable and theres no reason to think he wont get them.

 

[dmac37]

I sure hope I am able to bump this, and say I was right and Bloom and Gianmarco were wrong. Apparently most people are on his bandwagon, but I am not buying it. One good season does not make a RB.

Not just one good season, he looked great once the Bengals picked him up two years ago. IMO the bonus is how he played like a stud in the playoff game this year when no other Bengal could do anything.

 

[trader jake]

As a team the Bengals scare me more than Benson's "attitude" at this point. Last year the Bengals played above their heads and won the division...but two match-ups against the Steelers and Ravens limit him IMO. Maybe the Bengals band gets back together and everything clicks again but I just can't buy Cincinnati two years in a row.

 

[mlball77]

That posted highlight link above was impressive... and as a Bears fan it was sad. Not sad so much that Benson is flourishing on a different team, but sad that about 50% of his highlight reel was produced in his one game against Chicago. Benson tore the Bears apart.

 

[Rushmore]

Benson highlights as a Bengal

The above is just to remind people a little of what he looked like this year. I think for the first time since he joined the NFL he looked like the RB he was coming out of college.

Even better, for the first time since he joined the NFL he looked like the RB he was as a Freshman at UT, when he was HUNGRY.For the next 2-3 years, he'll stay at this level, and I think he's a buy low right now, because people still haven't woken up to how good he is.

Power, instincts, opportunity and underrated speed.

 

[RockHard]

Benson highlights as a Bengal

The above is just to remind people a little of what he looked like this year. I think for the first time since he joined the NFL he looked like the RB he was coming out of college.

i didnt see any impressive runs here but i cant argue with his situation. in ppr his ceiling is still pretty low but rudi johnson #s would have to be considered his expectation. it seems like a pretty safe assumption that if he stays healthy hes a lock for 1200-1600 yards and 6-12 tds each of the next two years. id guess his value is lower than this so i suppose im a buyer even though im not a big fan. basically, any back getting 300+ carries will be valuable and theres no reason to think he wont get them.

 

[KoolKat]

As a team the Bengals scare me more than Benson's "attitude" at this point. Last year the Bengals played above their heads and won the division...but two match-ups against the Steelers and Ravens limit him IMO. Maybe the Bengals band gets back together and everything clicks again but I just can't buy Cincinnati two years in a row.

If they do struggle, that is when his attitude will come into play.

 

[doowain]

As a team the Bengals scare me more than Benson's "attitude" at this point. Last year the Bengals played above their heads and won the division...but two match-ups against the Steelers and Ravens limit him IMO. Maybe the Bengals band gets back together and everything clicks again but I just can't buy Cincinnati two years in a row.

If they do struggle, that is when his attitude will come into play.

Instead of spending all of your time worrying about Benson and the Bengals, maybe focus on the biggest malcontent in the league.....he's on your beloved Broncos.

 

[KoolKat]

As a team the Bengals scare me more than Benson's "attitude" at this point. Last year the Bengals played above their heads and won the division...but two match-ups against the Steelers and Ravens limit him IMO. Maybe the Bengals band gets back together and everything clicks again but I just can't buy Cincinnati two years in a row.

If they do struggle, that is when his attitude will come into play.

Instead of spending all of your time worrying about Benson and the Bengals, maybe focus on the biggest malcontent in the league.....he's on your beloved Broncos.

Interesting, the old ad hominem fallacy. Haven't seen that one in a while.I completely agree that Marshall is a huge malcontent, and should be downgraded for the same reasons Benson should, and definitely moreso considering what he's done.

 

[doowain]

As a team the Bengals scare me more than Benson's "attitude" at this point. Last year the Bengals played above their heads and won the division...but two match-ups against the Steelers and Ravens limit him IMO. Maybe the Bengals band gets back together and everything clicks again but I just can't buy Cincinnati two years in a row.

If they do struggle, that is when his attitude will come into play.

Instead of spending all of your time worrying about Benson and the Bengals, maybe focus on the biggest malcontent in the league.....he's on your beloved Broncos.

Interesting, the old ad hominem fallacy. Haven't seen that one in a while.I completely agree that Marshall is a huge malcontent, and should be downgraded for the same reasons Benson should, and definitely moreso considering what he's done.

There is one huge difference between Marshall and Benson. Marshall's value with his owners is already at Top 10 status, so...sure.....he should be downgraded. Benson, on the other hand, is not valued where he should be. So, to downgrade him from where he's already undervalued would be silly.For instance, recently I made the following trade and I'm ecstatic about it. I did, however, get some flack from the guys in my league thinking I didn't get the better end of the deal. And that's exactly what I'm talking about....he's undervalued.Deangelo WilliamsVisanthe ShiancoeforCedric Benson1.03

 

[Invictus~Bronte]

As a team the Bengals scare me more than Benson's "attitude" at this point. Last year the Bengals played above their heads and won the division...but two match-ups against the Steelers and Ravens limit him IMO. Maybe the Bengals band gets back together and everything clicks again but I just can't buy Cincinnati two years in a row.

If they do struggle, that is when his attitude will come into play.

Instead of spending all of your time worrying about Benson and the Bengals, maybe focus on the biggest malcontent in the league.....he's on your beloved Broncos.

Interesting, the old ad hominem fallacy. Haven't seen that one in a while.I completely agree that Marshall is a huge malcontent, and should be downgraded for the same reasons Benson should, and definitely moreso considering what he's done.

There is one huge difference between Marshall and Benson. Marshall's value with his owners is already at Top 10 status, so...sure.....he should be downgraded. Benson, on the other hand, is not valued where he should be. So, to downgrade him from where he's already undervalued would be silly.For instance, recently I made the following trade and I'm ecstatic about it. I did, however, get some flack from the guys in my league thinking I didn't get the better end of the deal. And that's exactly what I'm talking about....he's undervalued.Deangelo WilliamsVisanthe ShiancoeforCedric Benson1.03

Benson is the real deal from me, he's no fluke. The hiccup with him is the team being so one dimensional. Hopefully they can open up the pass just enough for him to improve. Palmer and Marvin are more the worry then Cedric himself. They need a down field threat and Palmer needs to hang in the pocket a bit more

 

[QuizGuy66]

As a team the Bengals scare me more than Benson's "attitude" at this point. Last year the Bengals played above their heads and won the division...but two match-ups against the Steelers and Ravens limit him IMO. Maybe the Bengals band gets back together and everything clicks again but I just can't buy Cincinnati two years in a row.

If they do struggle, that is when his attitude will come into play.

Actually I don't agree. He came into a situation where there were 0-4 when they signed him and were as low as 1-11-1. I think his attitude only would come into play if he felt his position as #1 was being threatened. He wants to be the guy they rely on. I don't see that changing for a while yet.-QG

 

[JJP]

Benson strikes me as the kind of player who needs a chip on his shoulder to play at his best. Expectations for him weren't huge this past year and he shocked everyone averaging 96 rush yards and a career best 4.2 ypc. But the last time expectations were big for him was in 2007 after the Bears let Thomas Jones go (or was traded to the Jets) and Benson performed miserably; 3.4 yards/carry 4 rush TDs and 674 rush yards and only 123 receiving yards in 11 games. Based on his 2007 performance and a couple of minor off the field issues, it was no surprise that Bears management jettisoned him.

He has some issues with staying in shape. Supposedly was in good shape this past season and it shows. Having Larry Johnson there to possibly pilfer carries away may be the motivating factor he needs, assuming Johnson is still there which could be a big assumption.

 

[Grahamburn]

As a team the Bengals scare me more than Benson's "attitude" at this point. Last year the Bengals played above their heads and won the division...but two match-ups against the Steelers and Ravens limit him IMO. Maybe the Bengals band gets back together and everything clicks again but I just can't buy Cincinnati two years in a row.

Week 3 PIT 16 carries 76 yards 1 TD 1 catch 5 yards 14.1 FP Week 5 BAL 27 carries 120 yards 1 TD 2 catches 16 yards 19.6 FP

Week 9 BAL 34 carries 117 yards 1 TD 17.7 FP

Week 10 PIT 7 carries 22 yards (injured)

I'd be pretty happy with those stat lines. With the amount of carries you can expect him to get week in and week out he'll be a consistent fantasy scorer (Benson had only 3 games under 10 fantasy points all season).

Cincinnati wasn't fooling anyone with their playcalling and they were still able to run the ball efficiently. With some improvement in the passing game there is potential upside for Benson as well, especially in the TD department. He only had 6 TDs last season with just 3 of those coming from inside the ten.

The Bengals strike me as a team that is hungry and realizes their window is closing. The offensive line played well last season and they'll now have Andre Smith for a full training camp/season. Say what you want about him, but he is a road grader and should help improve the running game even more.

 

[squistion]

As a team the Bengals scare me more than Benson's "attitude" at this point. Last year the Bengals played above their heads and won the division...but two match-ups against the Steelers and Ravens limit him IMO. Maybe the Bengals band gets back together and everything clicks again but I just can't buy Cincinnati two years in a row.

Week 3 PIT 16 carries 76 yards 1 TD 1 catch 5 yards 14.1 FP Week 5 BAL 27 carries 120 yards 1 TD 2 catches 16 yards 19.6 FP

Week 9 BAL 34 carries 117 yards 1 TD 17.7 FP

Week 10 PIT 7 carries 22 yards (injured)

I'd be pretty happy with those stat lines.

I was going to put up those numbers myself. I distinctly recall one of the knocks against him last year was that 25% of his season would be facing the Steelers/Ravens and that would be a Fantasy killer, particulary with the Ravens, who hadn't allowed a 100+ rushing game against by a single RB in quite awhile.