Cedric Benson - A Packer?

[VegasPackFan]

My next post will be number 1,000. Not a very good rate considering my join date but oh well. At least I cant be accused of blathering on like all you other idiots.

[Patler]

I'm not a big fan of this signing, with Grant still available. Possible character differences aside, I think Grant is a better player.

Benson's career average is just 3.8 yards/carry. Grant's worst season was 3.9.
Benson's best season was 2009 at 4.2 yards/carry. Grants career average is better than that, at 4.3.

At his worst, Grant was better than Benson's average for his career.
At his best, Benson was worse than Grant's average for his career.

In 91 games playing enough to have 1500+ carries, Benson has just 106 receptions for 6.9 yds./rec.
In 63 games playing similarly enough to have 924 carries, Grant has 92 receptions for 7.9 yds/rec.

Benson: 19 fumbles in 1,635 touches.
Grant : 7 fumbles in 1,016 touches

Just seems like a step back from what Grant had to offer. It might be just the contracts each was willing to consider at this point.
Or, since they know Grant, this could be just a 1 or 2 week tryout for Benson, to see if anything about his game is more appealing than what Grant has to offer..

[Harlan Huckleby]

Why no interest in Grant around the league?


Just did a quick google. San Diego already signed has-been Ronnie Brown, and they need another back due to injury. Scout says Grant doesn't fit because of no pass catching ability.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/61450/chargers-not-looking-for-new-rb

Older article says Grant wanted too much money from Lions:

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/why-no-one-signed-ryan-210042371--nfl.html

[Brandon494]

You claimed Starks was "more than just a guy", which blew up in your face Thursday night.

Oh you mean the first pregame game of the year in which Aaron Rodgers went 2-8 with a INT? Oh you got me!

[pbmax]

I'm not a big fan of this signing, with Grant still available. Possible character differences aside, I think Grant is a better player.

Benson's career average is just 3.8 yards/carry. Grant's worst season was 3.9.
Benson's best season was 2009 at 4.2 yards/carry. Grants career average is better than that, at 4.3.

At his worst, Grant was better than Benson's average for his career.
At his best, Benson was worse than Grant's average for his career.

In 91 games playing enough to have 1500+ carries, Benson has just 106 receptions for 6.9 yds./rec.
In 63 games playing similarly enough to have 924 carries, Grant has 92 receptions for 7.9 yds/rec.

Benson: 19 fumbles in 1,635 touches.
Grant : 7 fumbles in 1,016 touches

Just seems like a step back from what Grant had to offer. It might be just the contracts each was willing to consider at this point.
Or, since they know Grant, this could be just a 1 or 2 week tryout for Benson, to see if anything about his game is more appealing than what Grant has to offer..

A possible answer: is he the best all around back on the roster if he signs? I seem to remember him being OK on screens. If he can pass block, he would be a potential every down back. Might be a bridge to Saine or Green. I am grasping at straws here unless the Packers are convinced a 2 down back like Grant will be available through the preseason.

[King Friday]

At his worst, Grant was better than Benson's average for his career.
At his best, Benson was worse than Grant's average for his career.

Stats aren't EVERYTHING, Patler. Grant has had the benefit of playing on teams with highly prolific passing offenses/QBs, where the defense has not been able to key entirely on him. Benson played in Chicago (enough said) and while the Bengals are slightly better, they aren't close to comparable to what the Packer offense has been during most of Grant's tenure.

To me, there is a difference for a RB between playing on an elite passing offense vs. an average at best offense with no real playmakers...esp if you are talking about YPC, but I think it also impacts the fumbles too. Any time a defense can key on the running aspect of the offense, it hurts the RB. Grant NEVER had to worry about that in GB, while Benson has had that worry through much of his career. Benson's fumble % isn't bad by NFL standards...probably about average for physical, inside runners. Grant also had a very serious injury that seems to have impacted his ability as a runner (i.e. speed reduction) and I don't think he is the same guy who put up the numbers you refer to. I think you have to keep some of these things in mind when comparing the "stats".

I also think the running styles make Benson a BETTER choice for Green Bay. He is very strong between the tackles, whereas Grant often was tackled by his own shoelaces (or a nose tackle's fart). Benson is going to be an even more potent play-action RB with his physicality.

[Brandon494]

A possible answer: is he the best all around back on the roster if he signs? I seem to remember him being OK on screens. If he can pass block, he would be a potential every down back. Might be a bridge to Saine or Green. I am grasping at straws here unless the Packers are convinced a 2 down back like Grant will be available through the preseason.

Benson can pass protect. According to Pro Football Focus, Benson allowed just one sack, one quarterback hit and two hurries in 74 pass-blocking snaps last season. He’s widely considered one of the best blocking backs. In the Packers offense, pass-protecting skills from a running back are heavily weighed.

[King Friday]

A possible answer: is he the best all around back on the roster if he signs? I seem to remember him being OK on screens. If he can pass block, he would be a potential every down back. Might be a bridge to Saine or Green. I am grasping at straws here unless the Packers are convinced a 2 down back like Grant will be available through the preseason.

Yes, Benson is the best all-around back on the roster now...which tells you how weak we are at RB. Some of the kids might turn out to get there, but they aren't close yet.

I think the lack of interest in Grant (not just GB either) tells you that most have the feeling that Grant has indeed lost his top end speed, and without that he becomes a very pedestrian RB. His only good trait now is ball control. He can't catch, he is only a decent blocker, and he is a relatively weak runner that goes down easily. His ability to hit a crease and bust it for 30+ was his calling card. Once he lost that, he became just a guy.

[King Friday]

Benson can pass protect. According to Pro Football Focus, Benson allowed just one sack, one quarterback hit and two hurries in 74 pass-blocking snaps last season. He’s widely considered one of the best blocking backs. In the Packers offense, pass-protecting skills from a running back are heavily weighed.

That is some good info on Benson, Brandon. I did not realize he was that strong in that aspect, so that is a HUGE plus on a team with a potential weakness with OL depth. Benson doesn't excite me, but he seems to fit what the Packers need to get by.

[ND72]

Didn't read much of the posts but I called this back in June. Ted and McCarthy are seeing a huge opportunity and realize the 6th round injury prone Starks may not do it, and green coming off all, and 2 undrafted guys might not be the answer to a top caliber team. I would still send every draft pick for Maurice Jones-Drew.

[gbpackfan]

Why are people claiming that we have given up on Starks after ONE preseason game? Like he hasn't been here two years! Starks showed up for one game, when he was a rookie, two years ago! Get over it. He's just a guy. Nothing special. His play has actually declined. Benson isn't the long term answer, but he is a better RB than Starks. Starks can't run, catch or pass block. So what can he do?

[Patler]

A possible answer: is he the best all around back on the roster if he signs? I seem to remember him being OK on screens. If he can pass block, he would be a potential every down back. Might be a bridge to Saine or Green. I am grasping at straws here unless the Packers are convinced a 2 down back like Grant will be available through the preseason.

I have absolutely no recollection of Benson ever doing anything as a receiver, and his receiving stats would appear to support that. Just 106 receptions in 91 games. Since leaving the Bears. where he never did play very regularly, his receiving stats are:

2011 15/82 (long of 11)
2010 28/178 (long of 24)
2009 17/111 (long of 19)
2008 20/185 (long of 79)

Total 80/556, with the longest each year accounting for 133 yard. Balance of 76/423


Grant's four seasons:

2011 19/268 (long of 80)
2009 25/197 (long of 27)
2008 18/116 (long of 17)
2007 30/145 (long of 21)

Total 92/726, with the longest each year accounting for 145 yard. Balance of 88/581.

[Patler]

Yes, Benson is the best all-around back on the roster now...which tells you how weak we are at RB. Some of the kids might turn out to get there, but they aren't close yet.

I think the lack of interest in Grant (not just GB either) tells you that most have the feeling that Grant has indeed lost his top end speed, and without that he becomes a very pedestrian RB. His only good trait now is ball control. He can't catch, he is only a decent blocker, and he is a relatively weak runner that goes down easily. His ability to hit a crease and bust it for 30+ was his calling card. Once he lost that, he became just a guy.

Yet. Grant had a 47 yard run for a TD last year and an 80 yard reception for a TD. It would seem that he still has some speed left.

[Patler]

Benson can pass protect. According to Pro Football Focus, Benson allowed just one sack, one quarterback hit and two hurries in 74 pass-blocking snaps last season. He’s widely considered one of the best blocking backs. In the Packers offense, pass-protecting skills from a running back are heavily weighed.

If Brandon is right about this, the signing makes all the sense in the world; especially with a bit of uncertainty at LT and concern about depth overall on the O-line. If Benson is that good at pass protection, I am 100% for signing him.

[Bretsky]

I've thrown the stats out the window on this one; I prefer Benson over Grant. Apparently TT does as well. Benson is a more talented all around player. Solid Signing IMO