Lions Reportedly Ready to Ink Benson

According to the Detroit Free Press, the Lions brought in a trio of running backs to meet with their staff on Tuesday. Of Shaun Alexander, Vernand Morency, and Cedric Benson ... it would appear the Lions have made their choice:

In a report by News 8 Austin, a 24-hour news channel in Texas, (city council member Mike) Martinez and Benson, a former Texas Longhorns back, were supposed to announce a program by Benson's charity to help children get winter coats, but Benson was not in Austin for the announcement.

"Unfortunately, but fortunately, Cedric Benson is not here today," he said. "He is actually signing a contract today to get back in the game with the Detroit Lions ... "

Also contained in the article was information that the Lions were not in a huge hurry to sign the back, because they are happy with their current backfield situation and this is merely injury insurance. If that is really true, the Lions front office is even dumber than we have thought all along.

Let's go at it logically ...

1. Benson was available for all of training camp.
2. Tatum Bell was Kevin Smith's backup during camp.
3. When Rudi Johnson became available, the Lions immediately jumped at the opportunity to sign Rudi and cut Bell.
4. Now, all of a sudden, after two weeks, the Lions wish to add Benson.

If you add those four facts together, it's common sense to at least consider that the Lions are, in fact, unhappy with the current backfield situation after two embarrassing weeks.

Benson's not the answer ... considering he's abrasive, lazy, has a sense of entitlement, a bad arrest record, and is not a good ball-carrier. Other than that, I'm sure he'll fit in just fine to the losing philosophy of the Matt Millen administration.

Fantasy Spin:
This is not a sign to add Benson to your roster. He was a colossal bust last year as a starter for the Bears, and it appears that he'll begin either week three or four as a third-string runner on a terrible team.

The main fallout from this is that your confidence in Kevin Smith should be shaken. The Lions have added two veteran backs behind the rookie in less than a month. It's possible the Lions are telling the truth and they really are just hedging their bets. Even if that is true, however, I'd be throwing the rook on the trading block. The Lions are going to be playing from behind an awful lot, and that means throwing it downfield.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-17-2008 @ 11:33AM

Wilbur T. Johnson said...

Don't have a quarterback that knows 10 yards is a first
down you can run for touchdown when the field is clear,
don't know what colr jerseys we have on just toss to and open man,
and the lion look for a running back. DUD

9-17-2008 @ 11:49AM

Tim McCoy said...

Please Mr. Ford, Please sell the Lions to someone who knows how to build a football team. We would so like to enjoy a Championship Football Team

9-17-2008 @ 11:59AM

boopgreek said...

Fits right in to the genius of the "Millen Plan". Stock your skill positions of running back AND quarterback AND secondary with other teams misfits and castoffs. PROVEN LOSERS.
Great move Matt! This will put Lions over the top.
See how well this works for the Raiders; Millens old team!!

9-17-2008 @ 5:42PM

Jimmie said...

I have been saying for a long time that the Lions need new upper managment/ owners. Look what they did to the career of one Barry Sanders. Face the facts they need a new owner and managment. I feel bad but at least we can wish a Rebuilding season for them or for the team to be sold to someone who knows Foot ball uhhmm Mr.Ford

9-26-2008 @ 2:09AM

speakin of.... said...

and just think...in the beginnin of all this, the Bears made the great move to keep Benson and trade Thomas Jones. Cedric has potential, he has a worse attitudde.

9-22-2008 @ 2:40PM

Michael A. Berry said...

I have been a Detroit Lions fan 4 many yrs. & I'm sick & tired of the same old patch & fix philosophy that has deprived Lion fans old & new since the 40's to 08' Mr. Ford doesn't care about football he's n2 selling cars, he brought the Lions just 2 brag that he owns a football team, because if he really wanted a championship team, I mean come on this man is a billionaire, the Lions had their chance 2 become a championship team when they had 1 of the greatest backs of all-time & we all know it was Barry Sanders, that's when the Lions should've rebuilt they team, starting with the offensive line, next the defensive line, then a real QB, 2-WR, 3-LB, 2-CB, 2-Safety & last but the most important a real head coach & mgt staff, I'm sick & tired of Matt Millen who was a sport analysis who don't know s@%t about football in my opinion, this clown done hired all these bum ass coaches, mgt staff, & non football players & all we get is the same old s@#t 4 - 12; 3 - 13; 2 - 14; & U dopes go down 2 the games every season pay all that $ 4 food, drinks, & them high price ass tickets 2 C them bums lose, I mean even if I was rich & could just blow $ it would be 2 C the Lions play, it's a shame that we have 2 root 4 another team in the playoffs & what hurt me the most is when the Superbowl was hosted in Detroit & are team wasn't the 1 playing in it, until you fans stop supporting the Lions franchise & settling 4 that BS from Mr.Ford then you diehard Lions fans, must be just as stupid as the Lions organization. Michael A. Berry

10-26-2008 @ 5:46PM

Deb said...

Ya know, I could actually coach that team and get more wins per season then what they are doing now. Once upon a time they were my fav team, basically still are but with this much of a frustration, it is like humping a bean sprout.

Let me coach that team and get some wins!

Besides as for the team itself, you work with what you got handed to you and make it work!