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McClain wishing for Benson

wouldnt be a bad pick up, but i dont know if he will last til 13, and if we are trading up, its not for him
 
Today was the first day that McClain relaxed his "WR or CB" stance and said if the Texans were to take a RB, it would be Benson...I say if he falls to 13, by all means take him, but I can't see us trading up for him...
 
Personally, I'd be happy if any of these 3 scenarios were to play out...

1) trade up for DJ
2) Stay at 13 and hope Benson falls to us
3) trade down towards the bottom of the 1st to aquire more picks and select Fabian Washington in the 1st.
 
As much as I love watching Dominic Davis, Ced Benson would be a great asset to our team. He is the power type runner that would demand alot of attention from opposing defenses. Not only would he keep our defense off the field by moving the chains, but would also help rest AJ by keeping him from having to run as many pass routes... That in turn would make AJ even more devistating when he did catch the ball. I would rather trade up for Derrick Johnson if the price was not too steep, but if Benson dropped down to us at 13, I would take him in an instant! :thumbup
 
i seriously doubt benson will drop that far, i mean sure hes no longer considered the top running back in the draft, but he is a top 3 and there are a few teams ahead of us with RB issues, and i dont think RB is that big of an issue for the texans. We have much bigger concerns on the OL and DL and i'd hate to see us waste a draft pick on a RB when D.D can get the job done for us.
 
I hope I have a lot of "I told you so's" for all you guys wanting Benson. However, I'm hopeful that it's because he's flopped with another team and not the Texans. I really don't understand how anyone could be excited about him if you've watched him run most of his career: He's slowish, unexplosive, and he can't catch or block.
 
TexansTrueFan said:
i seriously doubt benson will drop that far, i mean sure hes no longer considered the top running back in the draft, but he is a top 3 and there are a few teams ahead of us with RB issues, and i dont think RB is that big of an issue for the texans. We have much bigger concerns on the OL and DL and i'd hate to see us waste a draft pick on a RB when D.D can get the job done for us.
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It's very possible one or even two of the top 3 running backs will fall to around 13 since there has been a recent trend the past couple of years of teams waiting until later rounds to get their backs...Last year, Stephen Jackson seemed like a lock to go somewhere in the top 15, but he ended up slipping to 24...

The top 3 of this running back class reminds me a lot of the class of 2000, where a runner that mixed strength and speed (Jamal Lewis) went first, the quicker slashing back went second (Thomas Jones), and the third chosen was a great power runner in college who never really put it all together in the pros (Ron Dayne)...Just one of those things that makes you go hmmm :hmmm: ...
 
dalemurphy said:
I hope I have a lot of "I told you so's" for all you guys wanting Benson. However, I'm hopeful that it's because he's flopped with another team and not the Texans. I really don't understand how anyone could be excited about him if you've watched him run most of his career: He's slowish, unexplosive, and he can't catch or block.
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We will just have to wait and see about that... IMO you are way off, because ive watched him just as much as you. I think he is going to be a great back, but I wouldnt trade up for him. I would rather go for DJ if the price isnt too steep.
 
i still think we can address this position in the 4th round. He's too much of an enigma for me because he has alot of mileage on him.

I think more ppl or looking for the Portis's, Holmes, Ronnie Brown, D.Davis type running backs, because they didn't carry the load so much in college. I also don't want to depend on J.Wells to carry the load when D.D could be injured in a playoff hunt.

But i also seeing the rb position similar to the bullpen in baseball. I think a commitee with an "Closer" is the way to go. And will that 4th round(Kay-Jay Harris) rb even be better the J.Wells?

I say we go with Eric Shelton in the 2nd or maybe 3rd round. What we lacked last year, was smash-mouth running too. PPl want to say pass protection and pass rush, but we also lacked smash-mouth football too, Shelton also doesn't have the mileage that Benson possess.
 
dalemurphy said:
I hope I have a lot of "I told you so's" for all you guys wanting Benson. However, I'm hopeful that it's because he's flopped with another team and not the Texans. I really don't understand how anyone could be excited about him if you've watched him run most of his career: He's slowish, unexplosive, and he can't catch or block.
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You're not going to find many "power" guys that run 4.4 40s...Benson's biggest strength is his ability to explode off the snap and hit the hole with authority...He probably won't break off any 60 yard TD runs, but I think he'll be able to average around 4.5-5.0 YPC per year...To be honest, I don't think that a running back's ability to catch is a big deal...I'd rather use the TE as a safety valve for the QB than the RB, but that hinges on Joppru being healthy...If we were to get Benson, it would allow Davis to do what he was drafted to do -- be a third down back and kick returner...
 
a power back is also what we need to not allow Indy to pass rush on us nearly every possession. Benson or Shelton will be a small step for us in conquering the colts. I see the only way to beat Indy is to punch them in the mouth, get Benson or Shelton.

But im also afraid of the Stacey Mack experiment that we tried a couple years ago.
 
McClain wishing for Benson maybe, yesterday hearing him talk it was clear to me that he hopes Benson is gone by the 13th pick so the Texans don't have to make that decision. You know Casserly, he already has his man and if Benson fell from where he has been projected & avialable to the Texans it would be a difficult decision indeed.

Benson's biggest strength has been his durability, he would unseat Davis in a numbers game requiring 25-30 touches, reinforce run first philosophy mind set and the Texans would miss out on the chance to draft a defensive playmaker again in the 1st round. Do you really think this is what McClain & Cappers really want? seems more like just talk to insure he is not there to me.
 
We have Davis in place for two more years, at least. Even for those who believe he's not an above average starting NFL back, don't you think he's worth 12-15 carries a game. If so, the Benson's greatest strength, according to most of you (carrying the ball 25-30 times), doesn't have much value for us. Plus, I think Hollings still should be evaluated before he's dismissed. Again, with what we have at RB and what we need elsewhere, burning our first round pick on Benson seems like a huge mistake.

Is it that clear to all of you that Benson is going to be a better pro than Shelton... We could get Shelton in the 3rd- after acquiring an elite CB, WR, or OLB in the first. Isn't that a better way to go?
 
dalemurphy said:
We have Davis in place for two more years, at least. Even for those who believe he's not an above average starting NFL back, don't you think he's worth 12-15 carries a game. If so, the Benson's greatest strength, according to most of you (carrying the ball 25-30 times), doesn't have much value for us. Plus, I think Hollings still should be evaluated before he's dismissed. Again, with what we have at RB and what we need elsewhere, burning our first round pick on Benson seems like a huge mistake.

Is it that clear to all of you that Benson is going to be a better pro than Shelton... We could get Shelton in the 3rd- after acquiring an elite CB, WR, or OLB in the first. Isn't that a better way to go?
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This is Davis' last season of his rookie contract, so he's going to be a RFA after the season...

About Shelton, the big difference between Shelton and Benson is that Benson has shown that he can carry a load and play through injury...Shelton split carries in college with two other RBs, Lionel Gates and Michael Bush...
 
We most likely won't pick Benson, but this is the Texans, and a lot of its fans are somehow tied to UT and want to keep their people near home. We will not pibk DJ or Benson next Saturday. DJ doesn't really have a place in our scheme ant there are questions regarding his toughness. Where would he play for the Texans (ILB or ROLB). He is not a proven pass rusher, although that wasn't his role @ UT. There are also too many questions about Benson's attitude and "bust-ability" There too much quality in the lower rounds with the running. Please don't just choose a UT player as a PR move.

We need a running back to pair with Davis; yet a first round investment is not the best idea. I also wonder how many running backs that we are going to carry on our active roster. We carried three last season, and Tony Hollings could be the odd man out. That sucks because he was a 2nd round investment, and I believe that Wells makes the team as a special teams player.

What do your guys think of Charlie Anderson?? He made te team last year, but do you see him contributing next year as a special teams play and situational pass rusher. The only reason I'm asking because I hear that we are eyeing another tweener type, and we have a glut of LB. I also really want Peek to win a starting job this year, and I fear that the Texans may invest an early round pick @ the position, and feel compelled to start him just as Babin last year. Playing the strongside, I believe that Babin had a good year.

Man, I can't wait till I graduate so that I can return to Houston, and catch TExans games on a weekly basis. i'm so tired of these crappy RAMS games. At least they play the texans this year.
 
I don't want to turn this into a DJ thread, but how does he not fit into the Texans' scheme? We want quick, dynamic LBs playing inside for us and he fits the bill...I would love to have an opposing team's RB coming directly at DJ all day, since DJ jas shown a knack for stripping the ball, evidenced by his NCAA record 9 forced fumbles last year...I'm not even really a UT fan, but it's pretty evident IMO that DJ would be a perfect ILB here...
 
beerlover said:
McClain wishing for Benson maybe, yesterday hearing him talk it was clear to me that he hopes Benson is gone by the 13th pick so the Texans don't have to make that decision.
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Well put - I think that nails McClain's sentiments on the subject. But he also
made a persuasive case for taking Benson if he's on the Board for us: The guy has the kind of durability that DD will never have and he is a bona fide power runner.
I also thought his observation was right on about how could someone take, say a Ronnie Brown who was primarily a back up or substitute
back in college, when they could take a Benson who has such a steller record on the field throughout both his scholastic and college careers.
 
dalemurphy said:
I hope I have a lot of "I told you so's" for all you guys wanting Benson. However, I'm hopeful that it's because he's flopped with another team and not the Texans. I really don't understand how anyone could be excited about him if you've watched him run most of his career: He's slowish, unexplosive, and he can't catch or block.
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Did you read McClain's article ? The point of the article was that is the exact same things they said about Earl Campbell before the Oilers traded up and picked him.
Cedrick is explosive out of the blocks and he is all about YAC.

I still hope it is defense in the first round.
 
I'm hoping Benson falls to us badly. He would totally change this offense. No longer will you see cover-2 shells with the Safeties way back over the top of the CB's 20 yards down field capping our passing game. They will be forced up into the box to defend Bensons inside bashing, opening up the downfield tosses. Davis doesn't force anyone out of their scheme. The way to beat the Texans is to sit back in a cover2 and let the front-7 handle Davis. That would be over to some extent.
 
Vinny said:
I'm hoping Benson falls to us badly. He would totally change this offense. No longer will you see cover-2 shells with the Safeties way back over the top of the CB's 20 yards down field capping our passing game. They will be forced up into the box to defend Bensons inside bashing, opening up the downfield tosses. Davis doesn't force anyone out of their scheme. The way to beat the Texans is to sit back in a cover2 and let the front-7 handle Davis. That would be over to some extent.
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I know Capers would love this pick. We all know how he loves to play smash mouth ball, and control the clock. With a player like Benson, it would be a reality. And Vinny is right, they would have to stop sitting back in CV2 and come up. Wich will give AJ a chance to catch a ball.
 
D-ReK said:
This is Davis' last season of his rookie contract, so he's going to be a RFA after the season...

About Shelton, the big difference between Shelton and Benson is that Benson has shown that he can carry a load and play through injury...Shelton split carries in college with two other RBs, Lionel Gates and Michael Bush...
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D.Davis also splitted carries,and Ronnie Brown and Caddilac Williams are the two best rbs and the two splitted carries. I don't think that concerns Casserly or Capers since he will be drafted in the 3rd round or maybe 2nd.

Priest also split carries in college. the list goes on. Obviously Benson is the better back, but we don't need that much weaponry, a complement is all we need.
 
dalemurphy said:
I hope I have a lot of "I told you so's" for all you guys wanting Benson. However, I'm hopeful that it's because he's flopped with another team and not the Texans. I really don't understand how anyone could be excited about him if you've watched him run most of his career: He's slowish, unexplosive, and he can't catch or block.
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Have you watched Benson alot??? Compare videos of ron dayne and Benson. Benson has shiftiness too him, while Dayne does not.

Here is Benson's highlight videos and watch the shiftiness:
Cedric Benson 2004
Cedric Benson 2003

Note you will need DIVx to play these clips. For windows 2000 or later: Download Divx
 
I sure hope everyone that supports the Benson pick are correct, because I suspect we will wind up with him. I have alot of reservations about it, but I like the idea of a pounder type back that makes the defense honest.
 
I emailed Jim Sabo, and he said that the Texans would have to pick up Ced Benson if he fell to that spot. Although we have Davis, he felt that Benson would be too valuable from a value standpoint to pass up.
 
Vinny said:
I'm hoping Benson falls to us badly. He would totally change this offense. No longer will you see cover-2 shells with the Safeties way back over the top of the CB's 20 yards down field capping our passing game. They will be forced up into the box to defend Bensons inside bashing, opening up the downfield tosses. Davis doesn't force anyone out of their scheme. The way to beat the Texans is to sit back in a cover2 and let the front-7 handle Davis. That would be over to some extent.
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That sure would be nice Vinny. I hope if Benson is gone we at least get Shelton.
 
Shelton with one of our 3rds, now that is something I could get behind. Benson with our 1st.....not real comfortable with that.
 
I can see one of the top 3 backs falling to 13. If you're an ESPNsider, they have some good articles on the subject. Gonna be a helluva draft day. I think there will be some surprises.
 
What if Cadillac Williams falls to us instead of Benson? Will we pick Williams? He seems more like a Domanick Davis and we don't that type of a back. If Benson is available to us then we pick him but we shouldn't move up to get him.
 
Nawzer said:
What if Cadillac Williams falls to us instead of Benson? Will we pick Williams? He seems more like a Domanick Davis and we don't that type of a back. If Benson is available to us then we pick him but we shouldn't move up to get him.
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I would pick Cadillac Williams up. The only problem with DD is durability. He's a helluva runner when healthy. Still, I would take Benson over Williams if both were available. Good article by John McClain, by the way. Luv Ya Blue was the greatest. If neither are available, I would try for Eric Shelton in 2nd or maybe even 3rd round. Or maybe Marion Barber in the 3rd. I wouldn't draft higher than the 3rd round for Barber. Too many if's.
 
Bottle-O-Bud said:
Hrrrrrmmm.... This is a extremely bad pick.

1) We just adopted the zone FOR Double D
2) DD is a good target for Carr
3) We already had a basher S.Mack..... still no lanes to bash too
4) Wells seems to be developing into our power runner
5) I am DD's #1 Fan, This kid is special. Replace Kinney and lets see what DD can do.
6) McClain is an idoit. Going with the times because of Benson's fall due to Ronnie Brown. Suddenly Benson is the savior ofthe Texans.
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1)Zone blocking for DD was a stupid idea. DD is a shifty type runner, whereas zone blocking is for backs that make 1 cut then run downhill.
2)DD would still be the 3rd down back even with Benson starting.
3)S. Mack just sucks (sry but had to say it)
4)Wells is decent but Benson 100 times better
5)Im also huge DD fan, but Benson would be better for the zone blocking scheme and is alot more durable.
6)The only reason Benson's stock dropped is because of the similarity to Williams (and his 40 time that isnt that bad).
Vinny, I have the same opinion about Benson makeing the defense honest. Good post! :thumbup
 
I don't know if Benson is the answer,but we need someone to make teams put 8 in the box.. and we need our OL to be able to handle their end on most of the plays..when teams don't put 8 in the box
Watching our offense ...teams don't respect our running game.(and rightfully so)

we've seen the Texans run inside, we've seen the Texans throw out in the flat to dd ...we've seen the quick outside pass when defensive backs line up too far back, we've seen AJ take slant patterns... but it seems with all that we can't get AJ free from the consistant Double teams... and that dang cover 2
 
I wouldn't mind having Benson, Brown, or Williams on our team for next season, but I don't think any of these guys will still be there when we make our pick.
 
April 17, 2005
Trying Them On For Size
by Warren DeLuca
HoustonProFootball.com

In previous drafts, the Texans were able to come away with first-round picks that became immediate starters. This year could be different, as the team’s first pick isn’t quite so high, the Houston roster is deeper so the staring lineup is harder to break into, and the overall draft class isn’t considered one of the best in recent years. Charley Casserly has already said that the Texans’ first pick probably won’t step right in and start.

So how would the prospects most often mentioned as candidates to be the Texans’ top pick this year fit into the team? For each of those players, we took a look at which current Texans would be impacted if the Texans drafted him, how he’d fit into the team as a rookie, and, just for fun, which number he’d wear if he were to don the deep steel blue, the liberty white, and, up to twice a season, the battle red jersey.

RB Cedric Benson, Texas
Texans Affected: Domanick Davis, Jonathan Wells, Tony Hollings, J.J. Moses, Jason Anderson, Adam Matthews
How He’d Fit: Benson would force Davis out of the starting lineup and into a third-down/change-of-pace back role, as Benson is the type of workhorse runner that Dom Capers would love to feature. This would allow Davis to take over as the team’s primary kickoff and punt returner.
Jersey Number: 34. Benson’s college number, 32, belongs to Wells. The comparisons to another Texas high school legend and Longhorn back who was a first-round pick of a Houston team would be inevitable regardless of his jersey number, so Benson may as well embrace them by taking the hallowed 34. Benson should be used to those types of comparisons after replacing Ricky Williams at Texas.
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http://www.houstonprofootball.com/draft/
 
dalemurphy said:
I hope I have a lot of "I told you so's" for all you guys wanting Benson. However, I'm hopeful that it's because he's flopped with another team and not the Texans. I really don't understand how anyone could be excited about him if you've watched him run most of his career: He's slowish, unexplosive, and he can't catch or block.
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I bet when the Oiler's drafted Rodney Thomas you were jumping up and down. :listening
 
Just a question, hasn't Benson stated that his hero was Rickey Williams?
How do we know that he wouldn't do the same thing? :woot :
I'm not saying that he would, but its just something to keep in mind
 
Bottle-O-Bud said:
1) Davis is a one cut guy, only there are no lanes to cut too
2) Davis is not a 3rd down runner
3) S.Mack sucked, true, but when you get met behind the line you'll tend to suck
4) Yeah but he aint 100 better than DD
5) Not the time to be giving up on your 1000 yard rusher when there are so many needs
6) And no, defenses will NOT start loading 8 men on the line cause a guy named benson is on the backfield.
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First, how are you gonna say DD is not a good 3rd down back? Those are passing downs which DD would come in to be another target for Carr... (Cept for maybe 3rd and 2 or so) On 3rd and short Benson would prob stay in to pound the ball, or fake the PA.

Your right about teams not putting 8 into box just cause a guy named Benson is in the back field. But, they will start once he breaks a couple tackles for a couple of 20 yard runs. Once we get the running game established, then we could use PA to draw the safetys in and then guess what... AJ catches a bomb from Carr for 60 yards :thumbup . Im not saying that Benson would be the savior of our team, but it would make the defenses play honest, and it would give Carr more time as the defenses wouldnt be able to just key on him.
 
bigcarlos said:
I bet when the Oiler's drafted Rodney Thomas you were jumping up and down. :listening
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actually, when that happenned I was rooting for my Dallas Cowboys in Garland, Texas. Jerry Jones, the removal of Jimmy Johnson, the hiring of Barry Switzer, and my move to Austin all led me to where I am now: A Houston Texan fan who doesn't want a wasted first round pick on Cedric Benson!
 
Benson has been outstanding in every level of football he's played in so far. I don't see any reason why he won't be a great pro running back. The Horns will miss him and whoever drafts him is getting a great player.
 
bigfan77070 said:
Just a question, hasn't Benson stated that his hero was Rickey Williams?
How do we know that he wouldn't do the same thing? :woot :
I'm not saying that he would, but its just something to keep in mind
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From his interview in the most recent issue of ESPN Magazine (not sure how to properly document this...Vinny, your expertise is needed)...

"Cedric and Ricky were both great running backs at Texas," says Bears wide receivers coach Darryl Drake, an assistant at Texas during Benson's first three seasons. "Cedric and Ricky both played minor league baseball. Cedric and Ricky both had dreds. There the similarities stop."

Still, that collection of coincidence led the scouts and coaches and personnel men to draw their own conclusions. They questioned Benson about his relationship with Williams, which led seamlessly to questions about Benson's character and commitment to football. Some came right out and asked him if he thought he might lose interest and quit. Benson answered the questions, but he says, "It was a little bit ridiculous. I looked up to Ricky as a player, and that's not a bad thing. But, I met the man twice. It's not like we talk all the time."
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Hope that answers your first question...The writer (Tim Keown) goes to chronicle his two run-ins with the law, one for marijuana possession, which was later dropped, and one for misdemeanor criminal trespassing which he got for kicking in the door of an apartment being housed by a guy Benson suspected stole his plasma TV...As for your other question, this is also taken from the article...

Benson was ready for those questions, but the commitment questions were another matter. In fact, it would be difficult to find a college player with more football-centric pedigree than Benson. He won three consecutive Texas state championships at Midland Lee...and in each title game, Benson scored five touchdowns.

He was also a good enough outfielder in high school to be a 12th round pick of the Dodgers in 2001 and earn a $250,000 signing bonus. He played two summers of minor league baseball, then gave it up before his junior season at Texas, a sacrifice he believes sent another message about his commitment to football. Says Drake, "He gave up a source of income, and something he loved, to be the best football player he could be. It's the same with the hair. The hair was him. It was his identity. He gave up both.
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Hopefully this answers your questions...That took a while to type up :heh:...
 
I believe the thing Benson will have a rough time with if drafted by Houston is, living up to the potential and pressure most of us will put on him because he is drafted from Texas like Earl and Ricky.

I believe he will come in and help us right away. It is funny how some brought up Rodney Thomas because I was thinking the same thing. Yeah he was a good back in his rookie season and missed a 1,000 yard mark by like 59 yards but Eddie was best available, the Oilers went with him and he took them to the promise land. I think the same thing could happen here too.

I also look at the other good things that it does for the offense. If you recall, early in the season Davis would line up out of the backfield and into the slot position and we threw to him and positive things happened (except the fumble). Having Benson would allow us in short yardage situations or even 2nd and fives to go with a two back offense with a TE. We could line up for the run and as the defense looks prepared for the run, they have to now adjust for a pass and we could still run the ball. It adds wrinkles to our offense big time.

The other thing I like about Benson is this:
In his senior year at the Pro Bowl, with many people watching and draft position at hand for him, Benson told VYoung on the sidelines this was Young's game and not to worry about giving Benson the ball because Young was who they could not stop. I just like that because it shows Benson's will to win instead of getting all the glory.
 
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