Out with Benson, In with Alexander?

Nice picture. Do you think Shaun I left my ankle in Seattle can stand the snow though?

If the Bears want a guy who can run in TD's from two yards out, they should go with Shaun. If they want an actual running back, they should look elsewhere. Shaun was great, but now he just can't carry the load of a franchise on his back. They need a younger, better running back to carry the load for them this season.

But is that Cedric Benson? It seems to me that the Bears would rather rid themselves of an overpaid, underachieving, distraction like Benson. I think they can get Alexander on the cheap for a one-year contract, and I think he can give the Bears Benson-like production. If they can do better than that through either a sign or a trade, then they should. But assuming they can't, Alexander seems to fit. Have him split carries with Peterson, and see what Matt Forte can do.

He may end up in Cincinnati. They need running back help worse than Chicago.

I've heard that Cincy is interested in Alexander - however, reports (from rotoworld.com, for one) say that the Bengals aren't too high on him. They see him as a backup to Rudi Johnson. The only other team I've heard has interest is the Saints. But I can't imagine he'd be much more than 3rd option there, behind Deuce and Reggie. I still think Chicago might be the best option for him right now. I think they can at least offer him more than 50% of the snaps.

I thought I heard something about Reggie Bush being traded. I don't think the Saints are that pleased with his performance down there. I can't see Alexander starting at either place, but who knows what's going to be worked out.

Benson is not a franchise running back. I think chicago should try and get Dominic Rhodes, or one of the other RB's from Oakland. Theres just too many down there for a backfield to properly function.

Maybe Justin Fargas instead? He's better than Dominic Rhodes, and with McFadden as the likely starter this year, they can probably get more for Fargas.

Fargas ain't going nowhere, McFadden will be #2

Yes, but for how long?

Fargas would make sense. He's also coming off a 1,000 yard season, if i remember correctly. I just don't think Al Davis *as crazy as he is* would let go of Fargas. And between Lamont Jordan and Rhodes *forgive me, I forgot he had been released by the Raiders* I would go with Rhodes definitely. Or if that doesn't work, maybe even go after one of the Giants Running Backs. they couldnt get Jacobs, but Droughns could be a suitable replacement to Benson.

But is Droughns any better of a solution than Shaun Alexander? Seems like both are just stopgap solutions, and with Alexander, you don't have to give up anything in a trade.

However, when I think about it - what about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Assuming they get Cadillac back and healthy, they also have Earnest Graham and Warrick Dunn - they also have Kenneth Darby on their roster (great college career, but has done close to nothing in the pros. Not sure how valuable he can be). Any chance the Bucs give up Graham? There's a guy who could make an impact for the Bears.

a very good point. Graham would be the best option from Tampa Bay, since i doubt they'd part with Cadillac easily Warrick is just too old. I don't think the Bears would risk their running game on Darby. Graham has made an impact in the NFL, so thats probably who'd they grab from Tampa.

Keep in mind also, the Bears did draft Matt Forte out of Tulane. If they were to get Graham, or even a stopgap guy now, they could work as a tandem, which is happening more often in the NFL now. From what I hear, Forte had a great Camp, and if given a proven starter in the NFL, the bears rushing numbers could improve greatly.

The Raiders signed Fargas to a long term deal. He has one of the largest YPC in the league last year. McFadden and him will be a platoon. Farginator aint going anywhere. Rudi's backup in Cincy is pretty good, Alexander would be their 3rd string back.

I think oflarity might be right..

I love Alexander. It is too bad seattle used him up and spit him out.

That's the way it is in the NFL though. It's a business and sometimes those decisions are hard to make, but they have to make them. He still may have something left in the tank though. Maybe one good year, but I don't think anyone is going to sign him to a contract for more than one year.

Alexander has hit the age of 30- magic number among running backs

True.....not many last too long after that.

ya wasnt he totin the rock on almost every plat there for a couple of seasons???

i WOULD LOVE TO SEE ALEXANDER RUN ALL OVER SEATTLE...Alexander is an elite back...I think he still has a good 2 or 3 years left in him... Lt is pushing 30 now also..

Alexander has clearly lost a step. He could be a good back up running back or perhaps a short yardage runner. But as an every down workhorse? I think we saw how that panned out last year with the Seahawks.

But doesn't he have something to prove this year? It's kinda embarrassing to be a franchise runningback, win an MVP, and then a few years later, get dropped because your team signed Julius freakin' Jones. Alexander doesn't have to take an overwhelming majority of snaps, but he could play the act of Benson - without the distractions - and the Bears could work in Peterson and Forte, who, as Funmert442 indicated above, looked good in camp.

Well, what about Corey Dillon? His last year he kicked some serious butt with that stiff arm! He would just plow them over! Sometimes, when they get a little older they get bigger and more experienced. That means a lot. I think that if age didn't make backs injury prone they would be better then the newbies.

i didnt no shaun was out as a free agent but it would b one of the smartest things the bears did if they picked alexander up

cory dillon is very overated he was more power then finesse his stiff arms are prety embarrassing i think shaun is a wiser choice

How can you say Dillon was over-rated?? He was UNDER rated I would think. He got a real bad rap in Cincy and when he came to the Pats no one expected the production he put out. Obviously stat wise Alexander is better, but value wise, Dillon was a producer and an asset.

I bet Cincy wishes they wouldn't have made that move.

alrite true u got me there but he just got alot of attention when he went to the pats just because they are the pats