Bengals sign Benson, place Dorsey on IR

By Neal Coolong  |   Wednesday, October 01, 2008  |  Comments( 4 )

Cincinnati Bengals
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!

The Bengals signed running back Cedric Benson on Tuesday; to make room for the ex-Bear, they put fellow RB DeDe Dorsey on injured reserve after he suffered a hamstring injury in Sunday's 20-12 loss to Cleveland.

After two arrests, one for driving under the influence and another for boating while intoxicated (charges were dropped recently), Chicago released Benson in the summer. The former first-round pick had 10 touchdowns and 1,593 yards in three seasons with the Bears.

Commentary: In a running back-strapped NFL, Benson makes as much sense as any other RB the Bengals could have signed. Many will wonder why former MVP and Cincinnati-area (Florence, Ky.) product Shaun Alexander wasn't signed, but Benson comes cheaper and has carried the ball far less than Alexander.

The Bengals released similarly sized RB Rudi Johnson this offseason, and he signed with Detroit. Benson gives the Bengals a physically gifted back who didn't fit in with the Bears from a chemistry standpoint. Someone was going to sign Benson if the charges against him were dropped, which they were Sept. 25, and a change of venue may be exactly what the former No. 4 overall selection needs.

The Bengals have nothing to lose. They're currently 0-4 and have the league's 30th-ranked rushing attack, averaging 82 yards per game.Dorsey only had five carries for 8 yards -- 7 of which came on one attempt.

Fan Pulse: Fans posting on the Bengals Zone message board were incredulous with the signing of Benson -- whom the Bears released because of character issues and poor performance.

Fantasy Football Impact: It doesn't seem Benson is all that likely to improve the Bengals' anemic rushing attack, certainly not against the Cowboys in Week 5.

Injury Watch: Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer missed Week 4 because of an elbow injury, but he vows to play at Dallas.
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (4)

About Neal Coolong

Neal Coolong is a freelance sports writer with contributions to Scout.com, AOL and Steelers Live. He lives with his fiance in St. Paul, Minn., and saves every dime (that she knows about) for their wedding next June. He's already made the prediction that the Steelers 2007 draft class will be one ...
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report