Should the Jets Sign Cedric Benson?

Jan 7, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson (32) carries the ball during the AFC Wildcard Playoff game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. The Texans defeated the Bengals 31-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

The Jets have made a clear commitment to return to their “Ground and Pound” offensive style. Tony Sparano has made that abundantly clear.

What do you need to run the Ground and Pound? Running backs. So, the question is, can you have too many?

Cedric Benson is out there as a free agent. He likely wouldn’t be overly expensive, after being a free agent for all of this time. Should the Jets sign this guy?

We will take a look at both sides of this issue.

First some reasons to bring him in.

Have a look at some video:

Clearly he can play, that is not in dispute. He has a great first step, and hits the hole like the best of them. His speed North/South is first rate. Cedric Benson is an effective running back.

And the stats bare it out.

With the Cincinnati Bengals, he finally got his chance to be the full time lead back in 2009, and rushed for 1,000 yards in every season since he took the reigns. His best season came in 2009 when he only played in 13 games, yet rushed for 1,251 yards. He has a nose for the endzone, with 19 TDs over the last 3 seasons.

He is still in his prime at 29 years old. The Jets have only one proven running back on the roster, Shonn Greene. The others are still unproven, Joe McKnight, Bilal Powell, Terrance Ganaway, etc. You could make the argument that you never have enough running backs for the system the Jets want to run.

But.

He has gone this long without any interest, there has to be a reason, doesn’t there? I submit to you that there is, and that is his consistent legal troubles.

Since 2008, Benson has had a litany of arrests, with jail, without jail. With suspension or without, it hasn’t stopped. The charges have ranged from DWI to a couple of assault charges. Some charges he was cleared for, some he was not. Last year he served jail time and was suspended for one game.

Cedric Benson’s character is clearly a question mark. After everything that happened last year, you wonder if adding a guy to this locker room with a questionable character is a good idea.

Bottom line, the depth chart of the New York Jets could use another running back. Due to character issues, it should not be Cedric Benson.

Do you agree? Sound off below in the comments section…