Packers Check In on Free Agent RB Cedric Benson
The Packers have reportedly had check-ins with free agent RB Cedric Benson this offseason.
By Zach Kruse
The discovery may not mean anything moving forward, but running back Cedric Benson told Adam Schein of Siruis XM Radio in an interview Tuesday that the Green Bay Packers have given the free agent "check-ins" this offseason.
Benson, who rushed for over 1,000 yards with the Cincinnati Bengals last season, has garnered very little interest on the free-agent market. The New York Jets and Oakland Raiders, who are still widely believed to be the front-runner for his services, were also mentioned by Benson as teams who have shown a level of interest.
However, Benson proved he is still completely out of touch with his current value on the free-agent market, as he was clear to Schein that he wasn't willing to play for the veteran's minimum next season. That alone may rule him out as a viable option for the Packers in the future.
More than likely, Packers GM Ted Thompson was being complete in his survey of the running back position when he checked in with Benson. At 29 years old, with wear and tear on his tires and a history of run-ins with the police, Benson certainly doesn't fit the profile of a free-agent pickup Thompson would make.
The Packers still appear to be comfortable with James Starks, Alex Green, Brandon Saine and two undrafted free agents—Marc Tyler and Duane Bennett—as the team's running backs heading into camp. Former Packers running back Ryan Grant has received little interest from Green Bay in a potential return, which speaks much louder than any check-in with Benson this offseason.
Comments (4)
July 17, 2012 at 02:52 pm
GB is just doing its 'due-diligence'(with Benson). Unfortunately, Saine is completely unproven as an UDFA, Starks gets nagging injuries stepping off curbs, A. Green is coming off an ACL tear, and it's unlikely that either Tyler and/or Bennett are making the 53 anytime soon.
Although Benson is hardly the answer (IMO), that RB who carries the ball 8 times for 30 yards (leading rusher) in game 1 versus the 49'ers may not even be on the roster at this moment.
Personally, I'm pulling for Alex Green to be healthy & take over the RB position for the next 5 years.
July 17, 2012 at 05:08 pm
I can't imagine Benson in Green Bay unless dire injury circumstances, remember the Packers also kept tabs on Vick before he was reinstated, standard operating procedure I imagine. Grant is the guy and it is hard to believe we haven't resigned him, only back to rum for 200 yards in a playoff game, still can go the distance, seldom fumbles and is a class act and team player. Stark's health is a question from college on and he not only missed assignments last year but is always caught from behind. Green looks like the entire package but expecting that off an ACL is not reality. Saine who is solid was never a featured back at OSU, what happens then if Green starts on the PUP list and Stark's goes down again ????? Time to get Grant back in uniform.
July 17, 2012 at 07:52 pm
I agree with everything you said about Benson. But Starks and Green both have more ability than Grant ever did. Plus Grant has played as a featured back for 5 years now - and has his own injury history.
Grant (or Benson) will not help this team unless Green can't go and Starks injures himself again.
July 17, 2012 at 07:14 pm
I do not think that Benson is any kind of answer for the Packers. I look at Benson the same way I looked at Marshawn Lynch a couple of years ago, not worth the trouble. The thing with both of them, these are not isolated incidents when it comes to the law. We do not appreciate drunk drivers in Green Bay. Drunk drivers kill people, plain and simple.