Bengals Begin Contract talks with Benson

[Kazkal]

IMO Good news would like to see them get Jjoe & Benson done before Season is over(though it hasn't even started!..Hopefully doesn't slow down them working on our rookies..

By Carlos “Big C” Holmes, Staff Writer Updated 8:05 AM Monday, June 21, 2010

CINCINNATI —Running back Cedric Benson found himself a home with the Cincinnati Bengals two seasons ago after a disappointing start to his career in Chicago. His stay could be made permanent with a new contract, which appears to be on the horizon.

Representatives for Benson have approached Bengals management regarding a contract extension. Benson is in the final year of a two-year deal, making him a free agent at the end of the 2010 season.

The running back told the Dayton Daily News last week during minicamp that the Bengals are open to the idea of negotiating a new contract, but no timetable has been set.

Benson is coming off his most productive season. He started 13 regular-season games for Cincinnati and led the team in rushing with 1,251 yards and six touchdowns. He rushed for 169 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries in a playoff loss to the New York Jets and was the eighth-leading rusher in the league.

With a full season in the offense under his belt, Benson worked on improving his overall game this offseason.

“Things are coming to me a lot easier this year,” Benson said. “Even if there is a play that I’m not 100 percent sure about, it’s easy to dissect it faster before the ball is snapped. I’ve made big improvements in that aspect and I’m a lot more comfortable in the offense. I think I’m more explosive making plays down the field and have improved on my overall speed, strength and endurance.”

Bengals running backs coach Jim Anderson talked about Benson’s work ethic and commitment to excellence.

“Cedric is a guy who wants to work hard and push the other guys,” Anderson said. “He wants the other players to see that he’s a hard worker. I think that is indicative to how he plays the game.

“How you practice is how you play. If you want to play fast in the game you have to practice fast and play hard. Cedric is like a lot of runners and doesn’t want to leave yards out there on the field.”

That was evident in the game against the Bears, his former team, on Oct. 25. Benson left nothing on the field but charred turf after running wild on his former mates. He rushed for a career-high 189 yards on 37 carries, and a touchdown.

Benson knew all eyes would be on him coming into the season. He set out to silence his biggest critics.

“People were watching me last year to see what I was going to do,” Benson said. “I think I proved a lot of people wrong. I kind of got to shove it in some people’s face again. It was a season of relief for me and this season is going to be much more important. I still have something to prove because expectations are high.”

Benson said the non-believers fuel the fire inside him. The running back is taking a spiritual approach to the game this season and vows not to sweat things that don’t matter.

“Sometimes you get emotionally involved on the field in a negative way,” he said. “All that does is bring your game down. I’m going to focus on being positive all the time and not let negative thoughts enter my mind. I want to be all I can be.

“I want to get back to doing some of the things I did on the field in college. In fact, I have the opportunity to exceed those expectations and develop a new identity. I would like for that to be with the Bengals.”

[BengalPimp]

History shows RB's hit a big wall at age 30. Benson is 27 (turns 28 in December) and is a"Bell Cow". I like Ced, and wouldn't mind signing him to an extension, but no more than 3 years (assuming they add those 3 years on to the 1 he has left) and at a reasonable price. Don't commit too much to him so you don't have enough to extend other players like Hall and Joseph......If they do extend Benson, I'd like to see them do the smart thing and give more carries to Scott to preserve Benson, and help him to be able to play out that contract.

[Kazkal]

Well Luckily his body hasn't been put threw alot until last year,So maybe he'll be like Thomas Jones ...I think atleast a 3year extension would be fair and more likely can cut him a year or two early if production disappears...As for Jjoe Well I'd prefer to have Hall out of the two my hope is by resigning Jjoe shows that they want to keep both around.

[BengalPimp]

As for Jjoe Well I'd prefer to have Hall out of the two my hope is by resigning Jjoe shows that they want to keep both around.

Oh no doubt I want Hall more.....Loved that pick from the moment they made it. Unfortunately though, Joseph's contract is up first. The thing scares me is, no matter what they give JJoe, they're going to have to pay more to keep Hall.....and I REALLY hope they do.

[Kazkal]

Well Maybe if they Sign Jjoe first they can get Hall to sign same deal being He has 2 years of service...If I had put money on it though this is part Marvins Stipulations for if he Resigns he wants keep the players he chooses...which my guess is Jjoe & hall since it seemed early off season the general thought Jjoe was going to be aloud to walk and they were going plug Ghee or Jones in his place...Now with even Positive Stuff being said about those players they begin Contracts with Jjoe.Good Signs IMO about keeping key components together.

[HairOnFire]

Random stuff....

I don't look at this as a hard choice between players like Benson, Joseph, or Hall as both CB's will likely demand huge contracts that will be very difficult to do under the best circumstances. And while Benson may be equally as important as a player his contract extension should be more modest and easier to do.

Furthermore, while it's a positive sign that Joseph and the Bengals are talking....they can't wait on that deal to get done.

As for Benson himself, I like the odds of this one getting done, perhaps quickly, precisely because an earlier attempt to reach agreement broke down. Why? Because Camp Benson was the side that blinked first by requesting new talks. Better, Camp Benson has apparently agreed to the longer 3-year extension the Bengals were demanding earlier.

[HoosierCat]

As far as I can tell from reports (mostly Johansen), the Bengals are offering to rework his current deal into a 4-year (this year + 3) deal worth about $4-5 million per. Frankly, I think that's a steal. If they can get Benson to agree, yay front office.

[COB]

As far as I can tell from reports (mostly Johansen), the Bengals are offering to rework his current deal into a 4-year (this year + 3) deal worth about $4-5 million per. Frankly, I think that's a steal. If they can get Benson to agree, yay front office.

4-5 million per year? Not enough, unless they're going to sling a bunch of bonus cash on top that doesn't count against the cap.

[PhunkE1]

As far as I can tell from reports (mostly Johansen), the Bengals are offering to rework his current deal into a 4-year (this year + 3) deal worth about $4-5 million per. Frankly, I think that's a steal. If they can get Benson to agree, yay front office.

Isn't that basically the same deal the Rudi signed when we extended him? There's no way Benson is going to take that little. Personally, I would let Benson play out his contract and then let him walk. I just don't believe in tying up allot of money in the RB position. Especially when you you JJoe and Hall coming up.