Many mascots at hockey game
Food given to needy families
Alter vs. Clinton Massie
bengals roster change
RB Perry takes a back seat to Benson
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
CINCINNATI — From Chris Perry to Cedric Benson, the torch was passed at tailback in the Bengals' 38-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Oct. 19.
And judging by Benson's performance in his first start of the season —14 carries for 52 yards (a 3.7 average) — the change could be permanent.
"We'll see about that later in the week," head coach Marvin Lewis said Monday when asked if Benson will start at Houston.
Perry figures he knows the answer.
"It seems like their mind's already set up," he said. "We're 0-7. They're just looking for whatever we can do to get better, whatever sparks the team. Cedric went out there and gave a spark, and that's just how it's going to be.
"Anytime you don't play, it's difficult. But I guess they felt we weren't getting the yardage we needed to get in the run game, and felt like they needed to go in a different direction."
Perry (96 carries, 253 yards, 2.7 average, 2 TDs, 3 lost fumbles) finally got replaced by Benson, whose 15-yard run in the fourth quarter marked the longest run against the Steelers this season.
"It would have been nice if I could have finished the run with a touchdown," Benson said. "That's what we'll be looking to do this week, creating the big runs and finish them in the end zone.
"I'm very excited about the opportunity they gave me, and I'm going to take full advantage of it."
Lewis said Benson "is decisive and quick at the cuts. We want to keep working hard with him in all the other areas, but he's done a good job as a ball carrier."
Where does that leave Perry?
"Chris has to keep working and doing the things he was doing earlier in the season, and keep earning an opportunity," Lewis said. "When he's called upon, he's got to be ready to go and do it the correct way."
Next game
Who: Cincinnati Bengals (0-7) at Houston Texans (2-4)
When: 4:05 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 26
TV: WHIO-TV (CBS, Channel 7) | Radio: WTUE-FM (104.7)
Comments
By bob
November 1, 2008 4:23 AM | Link to this
Draft an offensive line…it’s offensive right now. Keep Benson in short yardage, and Kenny on 3rd downs. Or start Keeny, (700+ yards in 07) and Benson as a change of pace back (a la the Bears in ‘06 with T Jones starting as the quicker back, and Benson running down the clock in the 4th qtr.).
But 1st, as the Bears had in ‘06, an 0-line that can block, keep the defense off of Palmer, Fitz, or whoever’s back there, and open up holes for the running game.
C’mon Bengals!
By Malerns
October 29, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this
dude.. Benson is a BUM! This guy doesn’t know how to hit the hole like my BOY MATT FORTE! Benson runs up to the line then trips over his own feet, what a POS!
By chaz
October 29, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
I agree with Aj… WATSON is the answer. I say get rid of the lousy coach and all the problems will go with him. Carson is way better QB. and I think the coach has somthing to do with that as well. This should be a playoff team
By Stephen
October 26, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
Chris Perry was great at Michigan but has been injured and out of football too long to be successful in my opinion. However the Bengals are once again a joke in the NFL. Without Palmer healthy every defense is playing run first so no one is going to do much on the ground. Also, the offensive line lets 2 or 3 defenders in the backfield by the time runner gets the ball. Even the best running backs in NFL would have problems running behind that lins.
By Aaron C.
October 22, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this
I think that was a great move on the Bengals part to start Benson,the Bears never really excepted him and i think the o-line never really blocked well for him, when he gets in game shape he will show his real talent for the Bengals.
By Aj
October 22, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this
Has everyone forgotten the fantastic job Kenny Watson did in Rudi’s absence last season? I think the bengals have a problem with not recognizing talent that has been within their organization all along. For a player to come in and have to start mid season and still put up over 700 yards is outstanding, and if I was the coach I would at least increase his role in my offense immediately. I feel neither Benson nor Perry is an every down back, and Watson deserves a chance to be #1
By Dick
October 21, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
From all the comments, neither are worth keeping.
By Dan
October 21, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this
Good thing the Bengals drafted Perry instead of Steven Jackson.
By Phobos
October 21, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
Ask Lovie Smith about expecting Benson to carry the team. How many seasons did he spend waiting for something to come of this “high-upside back” while having to use lower tier guys like Peterson, and Wolfe to move the ball? Benson gets injured a lot, runs like he’s in mud, has below avg ball control, and unless you have an offensive line that makes 4 ft wide holes, he wont get into the secondary often. Look for 2.5 yrds and a cloud of dust more often than that 15 yarder he had last week.
By Cameron
October 21, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
I think Benson is the more talented back! Perry was handed the job, because Rudi was on the downslide. I think if Benson had been in camp, he’d have earned outright. I know his history isn’t the best, but the TALENT is there, and the Bengals are no poster boys!!
By Importgod
October 21, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
Folks, I hate to break the news to you, but Benson has not finnished a season either! He is always injured at the end. Bensen is not your answer.
There is a reason Chicago let him go. He is a bad seed. He never finnishes the season. He goes down to soon and never punnishes the takler. You need to take a closer look at the position. Look for your answer in the Draft. Let’s face it you are going to get a really good draft pick to help the team.
By John Carter
October 21, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
Yep - replacement of Perry with Benson was a great move. So much for another Michigan Man!!!!
By El Presidente
October 21, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this
This is a good and necessary move. Perry is not durable. This dude has been injured and unable to play most of his pro career. It’s not his fault, but it is what it is. We need a durable, sure handed, up-the-gut rusher. One of the announcers in a recent game said, “why don’t they put Benson in? Perry seems to be looking for a place to fall down as soon as he’s handed the ball.” About the best analysis I heard the whole game.
By Bengal Fan
October 21, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
YES! I think that Chris Perry has lost confidence (with all of his fumbles) and is not going to be effective, especially when the game is on the line. He missed a short 3rd down pass late in the game this past Sunday and I believe that it was a big part of the loss of the little bit of momentum the Bengals had regained in the third quarter. At that point it was still 17-10 but they were behind by another touchdown shortly after that.
By Wes
October 21, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this
I have to agree with this decision. Perry is a specilaty feature back for 2nd and long or 3rd and 2-3 yard situations where a back coming out of the backfield can catch and run for the 1st down. His fumble fingers cost the Bengals at least two wins this year as well.
By sec 312
October 21, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
another great call by the Bengals. Perry is not a every down back, for many reasons. 3rd down back, speciality back not a 25 carry back. Another draft pick wasted.
By Michael
October 21, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this
Perry is soft, and Benson is not. No doubt that Perry needs to toughen up, learn to hold onto the ball and work his way back into good graces.