Argh....Another tough fantasy question -- Do I pull the plug on Cedric Benson?

Question

I've got to start 2 RB's, and this is my current depth chart at RB:

Joseph Addai
Cedric Benson
Adrian Peterson
Derrick Ward (just got him off waivers)

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I know I'm starting Addai, as I know he's the only RB I can fully trust to produce big numbers.


As for my other RB, I'm not so sure. I had high hopes for Benson, but he performed horribly last week -- although it was against a very tough Chargers defense.

I don't want to pull him, and replace him with either Peterson or Ward, and then have his one game failure turn out to be just that -- a one game failure.

But on the other hand, last year I got burnt by drafting Cadillac Williams in the first round, and for the first 7 weeks [i]hoping[/i] he would turn it around...Which he never did.


In your mind, what should I do?

Should I pull Benson? And if so, should I replace him with the rookie Peterson, or Derrick Ward, who will be filling in for the injured Brandon Jacobs? Ward looked awfully strong at the end of the Dallas game..

Yes, when I mean "Pull" Benson, I'm talking about benching him, not dropping him -- yet.

Answer 1

I'd go with your instinct and pull Benson out and put in Peterson.

Peterson's not Cadillac. If you watched Peterson during PreSeason you will have seen he has the talent to be an impact player. Taylor's hurt in Minn. which should allow Peterson more touches on the ball. Peterson is going against Detroit this week. Detroit allowed Lamont Jordan over 100+ yards in receiving and rushing plus a TD to boot.

Ward's still unproven and a risky choice while Peterson has shown his play maker ability.

I agree with you it's a tuff choice but if i were in your shoes, i'd play Peterson until Benson shapes up and becomes the RB we all think he is.

Answer 2

By pull Benson, I hope you mean bench him, not drop him. My answer, yes, bench him. Peterson has a WEAK lion's rush D against him this weak, so expect some good numbers. The Lions rush D allowed Tatum bell to get a 5.5 or more avg per carry on them - this is the lions we're talking about, the pass happy team with a pretty weak O-line. Peterson should be a monster.

Ward is still unreliable, but is still a very good pick up. He reminds me of maurice jones drew and should be a decent back up (and may have massive trade value for you).

Benson did poorly his first week, but I wasn't too surprised. I would keep him and just monitor how he does. You can determine whether or not you want to keep him once week 6 rolls around. In between, he will have played KC, Det, Packers, and Dallas, with those teams ranging from above average to bad in rush defense. These few games should give you a good gauge on how benson might do for the rest of the year. For week 6, he'll play the vikings, and if you decide to trade him, that would be the perfect week since the vikings defense is so strong. If you like him, see how he does against the Vikes to get a true test of how good he can be, but this could be risky as it might hurt his trade value.

In all, Peterson is definitely strong enough to start in place of benson, and if benson does good this next week, then you can rotate the two depending on matchups and get good numbers from your team. If after week 5, you dont like benson, deal him, if not, then you are set at RB.

Answer 3

Ignore the moron who can't tell which Adrian Peterson got drafted.

I would salivate at the chance to start Adrian Peterson without Chester Taylor against the Lions. That's serious lunch.

Ward will split time with Droughns at tail. Neither will do well with Eli Manning out and the Packers stacking basically the entire city of Sheboygan, WI in the box to force Hefty Hefty Lefty, Jared Lorenzen to throw effectively. How can this guy avoid the pass rush when he can't even avoid the buffet?

Bench Benson and start Addai. I do agree with the guy who ranted above me who questioned your sanity about including Band-Aid Benson on any fantasy quest. Both Benson and Cadillac Williams are examples of backs whose coaches are trying to make them featured backs but whose bodies cannot take NFL punishment.

Answer 4

I have only one question. Why in hell did you draft Benson in the first place ? Don't you follow football ? And which Adrian Peterson do you own? The rookie or the other guy ? The answer is right there in front of you, Chuck. Why would you want a complete stranger to make it for you ?

Answer 5

the two r very sturdy, yet i'd pass with Benson. McGahee (as u suggested) would have a no longer person-friendly time staying healthful, the place Benson hasn't shown signs and warning signs of that. additionally, Benson gets much greater touches as Thomas Jones moved away, jointly as Willis and Jamal Lewis will proportion the consists of. additionally, Benson averaged over 4 yards according to hold final 3 hundred and sixty 5 days, so he's definetely worth of beginning over McGahee.

Answer 6

heres the deal .. you got benson vs kansas city me personally i would keep cedric in for at least one more week
adrian plays detroit so he also has a pretty good oppurtunity for a breakout game

but i think cedric and the bears will pull it off

by the way an extra side note cadillac is way more reliable than adrian Tampa Bays offensive line just isnt holdin up right now (( davin joseph ))
... we'll see if adrian does what cadillac did his rookie season

Answer 7

This is and easy one for me......play Addai and Peterson. Peterson is for real, and with Chester Taylor all banged up, I think he'll have another great game. Another thing to consider is that Peterson in up against a very weak Detriot Lions defense.

Play these two and I think you'll optimize your score.
Good luck

Answer 8

If you only have two RB's starting keep Benson in.

Answer 9

Benson keep him one more week just let him play KC and see wat he does i'm not saying to start him all im saying is to see wat he does this week