Pay the man.

[HairOnFire]

Posted Today, 05:27 PM

Cedric Benson: "I wanted to turn everything around and I wanted everything to be on a positive up and up."

January 15, 2010 – 6:15 am

by Zach Krantz

He was originally the #4 pick in the 2005 draft to the Chicago Bears. In 2008 they cut him, released him, said goodbye to the "bust" pick from their 2005 draft. Before the 2008 season, Benson, who missed all of training camp due to a contract holdout and who had a couple of notable off the field incidents, was still not the top flight running back that they thought they drafted. When you look at it all in perspective for the Bears, this pick set them back a few years. They drafted Matt Forte in the second round in 2008. That could have been a pick taken in another place they needed (they had plenty of gaps on the team, one pick might not have saved the Bears, but would have helped). It triggered a list of what ifs the Bears wished they hadn't had to think about when they drafted Benson. Tough break for them and great break for the Bengals.

Cincinnati picked up the running back and signed him to a one year, $520,000 deal that in hindsight was a hit or miss that they were ok with taking. Boy were they right. Benson became the starter for the Bengals after week 7 that year and has never looked back. He has proven to the Bengals why he was a #4 overall pick, somewhere in Chicago someone is throwing up. He became a free agent after that season and had a few suitors, but he re-signed with the Bengals and is now the workhorse for them. He had a monster season this year running for 1,251 yards despite missing three games. He ran for 169 yards against the Jets last weekend in a loss, but has proven to the rest of the NFL, he is a franchise back.

Cedric Benson joined AM 1300 the Zone in Austin on the Wake Up Call and talked about the Bengals loss to the Jets last week, this season with the Bengals and what it has meant to him, and where the future lies with him and the NFL.

Asked about all the negative attention surrounding him before the season and coming back with his best season of his career:

"Well you know, they always talk about making it through the storm and coming out of the other end a much better person…In life or whatever you are doing. I just saw the opportunity as a chance to grow, not only spiritually but mentally. It was a life lesson, life is full of lessons. It taught me a lot, not just about myself but my career, about my inner self and you know I learned from it. I wanted to turn everything around and I wanted everything to be on a positive up and up."

Asked to talk about the Jets and their shot this week in San Diego:

"They are poised to find themselves in the championship game. Anybody who won a championship, Super Bowls, college championship bowl games, high school championship games, everybody know you must play well on defense and run the football. That's usually the key to success deep in the playoffs and they have all those tools. Great defense, not a whole bunch of big name guys, but they all play well and run to the ball well which is what I found when we played them. They weren't trying to give up a yard easy at all; they made me work for every inch. I admired the competition and the play that was going on by that. I can see those guys working their way to the Super Bowl as long as they keep the same mentality and play. Hats off to them, great team, well balanced on their offense, great running game and defense plays very good."

Asked to talk about his contract status with the Bengals:

"I have another year on the current contract; it's a two year deal. We put it in their ear that we would like to kind of go back to the table and talk some extension things. They have a lot of other things they have to address right now, free agents and things like that. Hopefully we can go back tot the table and work on an extension for the fans, for the team and Cincinnati."

Asked if he was offered an extension it's something he would embrace:

"Absolutely."

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[BengalszoneBilly]

The Bengals better pay him!

[gregstephens]

The interesting point I see in this is the Bengals' relationship with Larry Johnson. Benson demands/requests/suggests an extension, LJ is a free agent. Hmm...let's see where this goes.

[ArmyBengal]

I have zero problem with them giving Benson an extension. It should prove interesting to see and I would love to see him stay a Bengal.

[derekshank]

While paying Benson the kind of money he likely deserves is no longer something I am dead against... I still say let someone else do it. He certainly served his purpose this year... and he'll do it again next year.

With the way the Bengals use him, how much tread will be left on those tires after 2011? I could see him becoming Rudi Johnson very fast. Especially when the shelf life for an NFL RB is so short anyway, I'm not sure it's really in the best interest of the team to pay him top 5 RB coin... something that another team will almost certainly offer.

So I say, stick to the plan. Get him for a short term at a bargain, beat him like a rented mule, and draft his replacement. They're half way there with Scott. LeGarret Blount ought to complement him nicely.

[kingwilly]

not a "right now" kind of thing.

Even if they don't extend him, and his deal expires with him leading the NFL (or close) again in rushing, he may be worth tagging.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

While paying Benson the kind of money he likely deserves is no longer something I am dead against... I still say let someone else do it. He certainly served his purpose this year... and he'll do it again next year.

Unfortunately for Benson, you're right. If they keep giving him these carries they're going to have to bury him in a couple years.

LeGarret Blount ought to complement him nicely.

It would be worth drafting that guy just to see Roger Goodell's head explode.

[COB]

I'm not sure it's really in the best interest of the team to pay him top 5 RB coin...

Opposite of this.

Pay him, and front load it with bonus in the first year. Since next year is uncapped, I suspect we could get 2, 3, or 4 good years out of him, then if we have to cut him we won't have to take the cap hit that would normally come with such a move, since we paid him the large chunk in the uncapped year.

Ced is so worth it, it's not even funny. Even when the line didn't block well, he could cut it back or get super low and get a couple yards. So many times this year I was left just gaping at the screen after his runs. He's a huge difference maker for this team, and he's willing to extend? Why would anything take priority over getting Ced extended?

I could care less about Larry Johnson, we can just pick up another rent-a-wreck next year. Don't even think about giving him a contract. What was the Bengals' record after they signed him? What was the Chief's record after they unloaded him? He's the human manifestation of bad karma. He's a jinx.

[BlainThePain]

I say don't pay him. Let him ride out the next year of his contract and then franchise him. Two more years of running it as often as we are going to run and with his running style, he won't have much left in the tank. Extending runningbacks at this age rarely works out for the team. You just have to look at Rudi, LT, and Alexander to see that.

[kingwilly]

I say don't pay him. Let him ride out the next year of his contract and then franchise him. Two more years of running it as often as we are going to run and with his running style, he won't have much left in the tank. Extending runningbacks at this age rarely works out for the team. You just have to look at Rudi, LT, and Alexander to see that.

he barely got his engine revved for a full season and you are going to think he couldn't do what he has done for 3 or 4 years? hmmm...

I think we can easily get 3 more years, just like this one, out of him before he even needs an oil change.

[cincyhokie]

I just wanted to say that I am appreciating the fact we can argue whether or not to extend our 1200 yard RB who led us to a division title. It beats trying to figure out what to do with Stacey Andrews or crying over Landon Johnson leaving.

[BengalPimp]

I don't think he has that many good seasons left in him. I'm fine with letting hiom play out his contract. if they want to talk extension next year, fine, but nothing more than 3 years, if they don't agree on something, franchise him.

Since when are 1,251 yards ond 6 TD's great numbers? The yardage is a good, TD's not so much. He played very well for us this year, and while some might say he got that 1,251 while missing 3 games, I say HE MISSED 3 GAMES! He also had 301 carries in that 13 games, so wear and tear is an issue. keep in mind he has not yet played 16 games in a season in his career.

I like Ced for what he did this season, a lot, but think of all the guys we overpaid in the past that gave us jacksh*t.....It's nice to have a bargain.

Besides, just a year ago he was considered league-wide a "bust", and after a little more than a season he wants an extension? I think other NFL teams would be wary of that as well. Don't think he has a strong enough leg to stand on yet, in regards to demanding anything.

Bottomline, he's still under contract and the team doesn't have to give him anything yet. And with the franchise tag we can keep him for 2 more years at least.

[wpeldios]

While paying Benson the kind of money he likely deserves is no longer something I am dead against... I still say let someone else do it. He certainly served his purpose this year... and he'll do it again next year.

With the way the Bengals use him, how much tread will be left on those tires after 2011? I could see him becoming Rudi Johnson very fast. Especially when the shelf life for an NFL RB is so short anyway, I'm not sure it's really in the best interest of the team to pay him top 5 RB coin... something that another team will almost certainly offer.

So I say, stick to the plan. Get him for a short term at a bargain, beat him like a rented mule, and draft his replacement. They're half way there with Scott. LeGarret Blount ought to complement him nicely.

I agree with this comepletely, Bensons running style wont last long in the nfl. Use him for what you can and let him go. It sucks it works that way, but welcome to the nfl.

[Kazkal]

I say don't pay him. Let him ride out the next year of his contract and then franchise him. Two more years of running it as often as we are going to run and with his running style, he won't have much left in the tank. Extending runningbacks at this age rarely works out for the team. You just have to look at Rudi, LT, and Alexander to see that.

he barely got his engine revved for a full season and you are going to think he couldn't do what he has done for 3 or 4 years? hmmm...

I think we can easily get 3 more years, just like this one, out of him before he even needs an oil change.

I'm not worried about Cedric Turning in Rudi for a few Reasons

-Rudi was known as a Lazy & he didn't apply himself hence why he was always the last guy to show up...

-Amount of Carrys this is the First year Cedric has had starting Running Back Carrys,So I really don't see his Body being Destroyed in one more season...

-Running Back Contracts aren't nearly as bad as other Skilled Positions,Bengals just need make sure that it's friendly to cut him in 3-4 Years if his production does disappear.

Since when are 1,251 yards ond 6 TD's great numbers? The yardage is a good, TD's not so much.

Putrid Offense that couldn't score Touchdowns remember? Running Backs do need some help...Seriously 24th Ranked Offense with Missing Several games...Did you forget when he was Leading Rusher Before he was Injured? Even when the Right Side of the Oline was Terrible and ranked at the Bottom in Rushing?Did you not watch how he ran in the Playoff gamme? Yes I'd say he was pretty damn good player for us.

Bottomline, he's still under contract and the team doesn't have to give him anything yet. And with the franchise tag we can keep him for 2 more years at least.

Which we May have to use on someone else Like Joseph.

[derekshank]

The hip flexor was the best thing that happened to Benson all year because it gave him a few games off, and the Bengals didn't get to use him for 400+ carries like they easily would have.

Next year, perhaps he stays healthy. You guys really want to give big money to a guy that they clearly are using to maximize his short term production? Either they didn't learn anything at all from Rudi, or they just don't care about Benson's long term success. And frankly, why should they? He'll be playing for some other team in 2011.

[ArmyBengal]

Pay him, and front load it with bonus in the first year. Since next year is uncapped, I suspect we could get 2, 3, or 4 good years out of him, then if we have to cut him we won't have to take the cap hit that would normally come with such a move, since we paid him the large chunk in the uncapped year.

Ced is so worth it, it's not even funny. Even when the line didn't block well, he could cut it back or get super low and get a couple yards. So many times this year I was left just gaping at the screen after his runs. He's a huge difference maker for this team, and he's willing to extend? Why would anything take priority over getting Ced extended?

I could care less about Larry Johnson, we can just pick up another rent-a-wreck next year. Don't even think about giving him a contract. What was the Bengals' record after they signed him? What was the Chief's record after they unloaded him? He's the human manifestation of bad karma. He's a jinx.

Since everyone is picking where they stand, I'll say I agree with the statement above. The uncapped year could certainly work to our advantage and leave the room to unload if a noticeable decline happens. While he's getting the ball a ton of times, it's also not like he had a tone of wear and tear on him prior to coming to the Bengals either and I could easily see another 3-4 good years out of him. I say make the guy who actually "wants" to be on this team happy and continue to build around that.

As for the tag, there are other places that I can see the tag being needed more than on Benson. Both JJoe and Hall are going to be coming up and with everyone talking about them being one of the best CB tandoms in the league, I can't see that coming cheap.

Not that we've seen it many times (if at all) but it's time to get creative with the uncapped year and how they can do contracts because of it.

[SupaBran]

I agree with you Army. I was a little worried with how much they are running my Ceddy Bear into the ground, so to speak. But, quite frankly I don't care anymore! This dude is a stud and was the only one that showed up vs. the Jets. He made the top defense in the league look like the Rams.

Pay the dude and build around him and a great defense again. He's the only one on offense who deserves his money, IMO.

[HairOnFire]

Ced is so worth it, it's not even funny.

I agree. In fact, the whole argument against extending Ced is based upon a fans willingness to be contractually unfair to Benson OR even worse to wear Benson down to bits and toss him aside at the first opportunity.

That's some harsh stuff IMHO...especially when many of the same fans will criticize Mike Brown for being a cheap and uncaring bastard.

He's a huge difference maker for this team, and he's willing to extend?

Yup, make it happen. Benson's numbers could have been even better than they were had the Bengals not clinched the division so easily, prompting the Bengal coaching staff to shelve Benson for weeks so that he could be daisy fresh for the playoffs. Which he most certainly was. Woof.

Why would anything take priority over getting Ced extended?

Actually, Benson put himself in this position by demanding a shorter contract precisely so he could better prove his value and make a bigger splash in free agency. With his increased value now established, and his willingness to extend broadcast loud and clear, I'd say Benson showed plenty of maturity by acknowledging the more pressing matters facing the Bengals.

[HAPPYJAQ]

Absolutely no offense to anyone on this board, but it's shameful that many fans believe that it's OK to NOT lock up core pieces of your offense/defense, with the idea of Franchising them down the road. Quite simply, Championship teams are not built this way. I'll admit, that it is understandable from the standpoint of how the Bengals have traditionally dealt with star players and contracts, but it's not good for the player, team morale or how the NFL (and other FAs who may or may not be considering signing with the Bengals) views this Franchise. It's no coincidence that we've never had a "star player" sign as an UFA, and even average-to-good players won't come here to play unless we grossly overpay them. With an uncapped year and guys like Chris Johnson and Peterson scheduled to become UFAs in the next few seasons, how much do you think the Franchise Tag for a RB will cost in, say, 2011? Not to mention that we've still yet to sign Hall or Joseph long-term, while Brandon Johnson, Ndukwe and Tank probably deserve raises, as well...and that's just on defense!

Hopefully, Mikey has turned the corner and will take notes from the Philadelphia Eagles, on how to lock down your key players, while they're still relatively cheap and still young. They've got a guy named Brent Celek who is signed for six years, who many Bengals fans would die for on offense.

Give him 5 years and 25 million, and count on some Pro Bowl-type production for at least the next 4 seasons. Cedric Benson is one of the few bell-cow type backs left in the NFL, and he's well worth the money.

This team would be picking in the Top-10 (again), without him.

[derekshank]

I agree. In fact, the whole argument against extending Ced is based upon a fans willingness to be contractually unfair to Benson OR even worse to wear Benson down to bits and toss him aside at the first opportunity.

That's some harsh stuff IMHO...especially when many of the same fans will criticize Mike Brown for being a cheap and uncaring bastard.

Harsh? Sure... but let's not pretend this is something it's not. This isn't a happy family where loyalty exists. Nobody is loyal, neither players, nor owners.

The Bengals don't owe Benson anything that they haven't already given him. They gave him a chance when no one else would. Did he return that with loyalty or a hometown discount? Nope... he shopped his services to the Texans the first opportunity he got, and found that his reputation was still too damaged to make hay yet... so he returned to the only team out there who showed a continued willingness to let him earn a roster spot. Why? In hopes that one or two more seasons would finally earn him tht big pay day he wants so badly. Remember... there were rumors that the Bengals initially offered him a 3 year deal... but he only wanted 2, so he could cash in after proving himself.

Not saying he's not allowed to look out for his own interests... but let's not act outraged when someone suggests that the Bengals do the same.

And on that note... I find it hard to believe that he'll continue to be productive in year 4 or 5 after taking the kind of pounding that Marvin seems intent upon putting him through. And for that reason, why would it be advantageous to lock him up to a high priced long term contract, when you currently have him at a bargain basement price, and you can trade him in for a younger cheaper model in the draft after next season.

Very few RBs last in this league for 5 years or more... so I'm just suggesting that after a good 3 year run, it might be time to look elsewhere. Especially with the way the Bengals abuse him. Right or wrong, harsh or not... it just makes sense.

[derekshank]

Hair... I didn't want to call you on the carpet without first doing my research. My research efforts led me here where I found this:

If the rumor is true then I give Benson lots of props for the confidence he's shown in regards to turning his career around. In short, he left years and money on the table for the opportunity to cash in again in a much bigger way two years from now. That said, if I'm the Bengals I wouldn't have many plans to sign Benson when and if that day ever comes. Rather, I'm counting on Benson for two years of Rudi Johnson style bell cow work and no more.

and this:

Call me crazy but I was in favor of grossly overpaying Benson for many reasons....including the opportunity to wear him down. And by that I mean wear him down into a fine dust. And if I cant do that, if the guy is still standing tall after 700-800 carries, well thanks for the fish Cedric. Go with my blessings.

I'm not trying to bust your balls... and I certainly wouldn't call you a hypocrite simply for changing your mind 10 months later after seeing what Benson is capable of... but it does strike me a bit humorous that your are offended by how 'harsh' I can be... when it appears I'm basically stealing your ideas.

[Kazkal]

Derek that was before the season started & Opinions Changed,Maybe Hair was impressed with how Benson ran this year because I thought he did a much better job this year then last myself...

[derekshank]

Derek that was before the season started & Opinions Changed,Maybe Hair was impressed with how Benson ran this year because I thought he did a much better job this year then last myself...

Sure. I even said as much. I don't hold it against anyone who has changed positions on Benson... bcause who among us knew he would be this successful?

I was pointing out that what Hair referred to as 'harsh' was something he endorsed back in March. And it wouldn't matter if Benson rushed for 2000 yards or 200... the 'harshness' of such a plan remains the same.

Does Benson deserve a big contract? Yep. Will he get one? Undoubtedly. I'm just willing to let his big payday come from someone else for all the reasons I've previously stated.

[Kazkal]

Ya either way they go I don't mind but longer we can put off drafting a RB high the better,(What year does Berry Sanders son turn 21? lol)

I just don't see it big deal if they do Extend him aslong as they make sure they wont take a big Cap hit later for cutting him so if his production did disappear in 2-3 years.

[Trevor]

The guy is 27... He's gotten the load his whole life.. I dont think its gonna bother him. Against the jets. He was our BEST player. We have to pay him i say to a 3 or 4 year contract