What RB combo would you prefer?

[Spor_tees]

In the NFL now to have a successful running game you need to have multiple RB's that can take over a game. The days of the 40 carries in a game RB are no more. So out of the guys available for the Bengals to get at this point, what two RB's do you think would help the Bengals to be the most successful? Personally I am a huge Deuce fan. He has had some injury concerns but I think a change of scenery could revitalize his career. A combination of either Derrick Ward and Deuce, or Deuce and a speed back like Ian Johnson, would be the best fit in my mind. Of coarse this also is dependent on the Bengals getting a FB that can block.

[Kazkal]

Benson & Ward with Quinn Johnson blocking for them.

[bengalboomer7]

My grandfather has better knees than Duece, he's done.

I really like Javon Ringer as a 3rd but he won't be there

[Esiason#7]

I think Duece's better days are behind him. I'd be happy with a Ward/Benson combination.

[Whur CHad At?]

Yeah Ward and Benson would be pretty dynamic. Once Benson realizes there is no market for him he'll be back. And by the way...we MUST draft Quinn Johnson, Kaz has it right.

[mgilgris]

The pole needs to be changed to reflect Dede in every option since he resigned. That said I say Cedrick and Dede. I think Ced is more of a bruiser than ward, and Deuce is done.

[cincy9275]

a back that might be there in the 2nd maybe 3rd shonn green from iowa, how come no one is mentioning him. shonn is a back who averaged 6.0 ypc, and rushed for over a hundred yards every single game.

[mgilgris]

I am a buckeye fan and I like Beanie and wish him the best. However, I do not want to draft him because I fear he will be too injury prone.

[James_Brooks21]

The pole needs to be changed to reflect Dede in every option since he resigned. That said I say Cedrick and Dede. I think Ced is more of a bruiser than ward, and Deuce is done.

We need to have someone more accountable then Benson and Dede. Dede is Mr. August, looks great in the Preseason but when the season starts he can't put together three solid game without being injured he should be the third option at best if he makes the team at all. I don't trust Benson looked he like he kicked it in gear when he did not know if his career was over, once he gets that money he will probably turn back into the run out of bounds instead of fighting for the hard yards that Bears fans know. Now I would take Ward combined wih Benson in a heartbeat, but at the right price I think Ward has a little chip on his shoulder because nobody believes that he is a true premier running back in the league. To be honest though I would not boo hoo at all if Benson chose to sign with someone else that would just prove to me that all that talk about him wanting to be here was just that talk, but somehow I think anybody is beating down the door to get him and less it's at a reduced rate he comes with too many question marks. I'm still waiting on Chris Perry to get his pink slip though.

[cincy9275]

chris perry is a free agent no pink slip needed. the bengals have the restrictive rights to him but you would have to think no way would they use them? at least i hope not.

[HAPPYJAQ]

I watched a segment on ESPN about Ward earlier in the season and the guy has had a chip on his shoulder his entire career. He quit his first college team and worked on the set of "Friends" before being talked into returning to play at a lower level of college football, where he dominated. He was then picked up by the Jets and released. After being picked up by the Giants, he struggled through a few injury-plagued seasons before finally getting his first real extended action in '07. If the injuries are behind him, he's a player with very low mileage for his age and a guy who runs every bit as hard as Ced does.

After thinking about this some more, I'm not so sure I'd break the bank with Ced. He was a guy fighting for his career last season; that's enough to motivate any player on the verge of being out of the NFL forever. Furthermore, you would've expect him to take the Chris Crocker route but all I've seen is a guy who maybe doesn't want to play in Cincinnati and I for one, don't want anybody here who doesn't want to be here.

Sign Ward, draft a rookie in the middle rounds and let the rookie, DeDe and Johnson fight for the 3rd spot. Quinn Johnson is every bit as good as Jeremi Johnson and I'd love to see him here in round 4. I think Sutherland is a good FB prospect, too, and he'll give us something we haven't had since Derrick Fenner in a FB that can actually catch the football.

[Spor_tees]

Deuce isn't done. Unfortunately for him since he has been with the Saints, they have changed their offensive philosophy from one that runs first passes second, to one that passes first and then passes second. Yes, you read that right. Pierre Thomas was only successful because he got a lot of single back formation carries. That just isn't the style of offense Deuce is good in. He needs that chance to run the ball behind a fullback. Given the right circumstances, I know Deuce has at least 2-3 more 1,000 yard seasons in him. He had 418 yards last year splitting carries with 3 different guys and 5 TDS.

[jditty47]

how about Ward and Dunn.

[Whur CHad At?]

The funny thing is...Ward wants to play here. I don't know if he was just saying that or what

[Spor_tees]

how about Ward and Dunn.

My only problem with that, and why I didn't list it, is that if Ward goes down, or if he can't handle starting RB duties for a long period of time, the Bengals are pretty much screwed. Dunn can spot fill, and he still has the speed to be an effective 3rd down back, but I don't think he could go a stretch of 3-4 games or more carrying the ball 25+ times.

[Kazkal]

how about Ward and Dunn.

My only problem with that, and why I didn't list it, is that if Ward goes down, or if he can't handle starting RB duties for a long period of time, the Bengals are pretty much screwed. Dunn can spot fill, and he still has the speed to be an effective 3rd down back, but I don't think he could go a stretch of 3-4 games or more carrying the ball 25+ times.

Then you give James Johnson a chance

[HAPPYJAQ]

Deuce is most definitely done. He's had ACL surgeries on both knees and a microfracture surgery. He split carries last year because he was 3rd on the depth chart behind Pieer Thomas and Reggie Bush.

I haven't heard any discussion on a team looking at Benson or even bringing him in for a visit, which would have to be a positive for the Bengals.

[jditty47]

i think benson is being ridiculous. i say get rid of him just for thinking he is a higher commodity than he really is. we gave him a GOLDEN chance and he did well. why would he not continue it? I think he is being a moron for hitting the market. at this point, I hope we sign Ward at the least. I would love to see Dunn in our backfield as well on 3rd downs. I know there is no chance that we sign Dunn though.

[HAPPYJAQ]

i think benson is being ridiculous. i say get rid of him just for thinking he is a higher commodity than he really is. we gave him a GOLDEN chance and he did well. why would he not continue it? I think he is being a moron for hitting the market. at this point, I hope we sign Ward at the least. I would love to see Dunn in our backfield as well on 3rd downs. I know there is no chance that we sign Dunn though.

I would be OK with us getting Warrick Dunn if we could get a player like Andre Brown or the Jennings kid from Liberty in the 3rd round. Warrick might go on a long way in helping guys like DeDe and JJ Johnson develop, who are both similar players to Dunn.

[Clackwoods]

Deuce isn't done. Unfortunately for him since he has been with the Saints, they have changed their offensive philosophy from one that runs first passes second, to one that passes first and then passes second. Yes, you read that right. Pierre Thomas was only successful because he got a lot of single back formation carries. That just isn't the style of offense Deuce is good in. He needs that chance to run the ball behind a fullback. Given the right circumstances, I know Deuce has at least 2-3 more 1,000 yard seasons in him. He had 418 yards last year splitting carries with 3 different guys and 5 TDS.

WHAT? I agree that some backs can produce late into their careers, but to believe that a guy that has had I believe 2 major knee surgeries and over 1400 carries and is 30 years old will produce like that is pretty unrealistic. He is also over 230 lbs which also hurts his chances. Guys like Warrick Dunn can play for a long time because he is skinny and solid. He hasn't taken the inside pounding that Duece has and on top of that he is a good receiver out of the backfield. Even Warrick can't put up a 1000 yard season anymore.

[HAPPYJAQ]

Would you guys be happy with picking up Kevin Jones and drafting a RB in the 2nd round? That might be what we're looking at, if Ced goes to the Texans?

Why don't the Bengals ever trade for GOOD players? I read that Michael Bush is available from the Raiders and I'd give up a 3rd for him in a heartbeat. He would've been a 1st or 2nd round pick, had he not been injured and played well last year behind McFadden and Fargas.

[ArmyBengal]

Kevin Jones WANTS to be in Chicago. Well, that's what he's saying...