Cedric Benson has run for 1,000 yards in each of the last three seasons, all with the Bengals. Now that he’s with the Packers, Benson doesn’t expect his production to change.
“I definitely have a goal to still rush for 1,000 and things like that, 1,000-plus, and set up some big numbers,” Benson said today. “I understand it’s not a run-first team and the run is not real heavy here, but there’s times where a back gets the ball 25 times. And I’m sure if things are rolling, the run game is set to a standard that we’re hoping to achieve, it could be way more carries than that.”
Last season James Starks led the Packers in rushing, with 578 yards on 133 carries. So Benson is right when he suggests that the Packers’ offense may not lend itself to a 1,000-yard rusher. But Benson says he’s in good shape and capable of being a workhorse back in Green Bay.
“I feel great,” Benson said. “I do a good job of putting a lot of effort and taking care of myself off the field, and I think it contributes on the field. It’s just kind of what you do. You grow older, playing the running back position, you understand the longevity of this position — of any position in the NFL — so you’ve got to do all you can to stay healthy.”
If Benson is as good in Green Bay as he was the last three years in Cincinnati, the Packers will have good reason to run the ball more often this season.