In assessing the Bengals’ free agents, one writer says that Cedric Benson should be the Bengals’ top priority. Recognizing that Housh is almost a certainty to leave, Joe Reedy has Benson at the top of his list.

Running back Cedric Benson (5-11, 220, 5th season) had three 100-yard games in the four Bengals’ wins after being signed in October. Benson said after the regular-season finale that he would like to return. The former first-round pick by the Bears also had the longest rushing and passing plays of the season.

A closer inspection reveals that 2 of his 100-yard efforts were against Cleveland and KC–two terrible teams with terrible defenses. Not only were they bad, but those were the last 2 games of the year, when those squads had nothing to play for.

Maybe getting cut from the Bears was a wake-up call and Benson is ready to fulfill his promise. But a top priority–as a featured back? Benson had 214 carries for 747 yards, a 3.5 avg. He scored two touchdowns. Those are similar to his numbers as a Bear. I’m still skeptical.