Take it for what it's worth. As a Longhorn, I love to see any former on the Texans but this doesn't make any sense IMO. Not only is our backfield already crowded with injury prone/mediocre backs, but his off-field issues have been a concern ever since he stepped on the 40 acres. With that said, I still think Benson has what it takes to be a pretty good RB in the NFL.
I've been following the referenced thread and there isn't anything substantiating it. It's really amazing it's gotten as much play as it has, since the team has made no indication of this being a possibility. Also given that his recent troubles and apparent problems with alcohol, I'd pass.
Bad Attitude - check A$$hole to Fans - check Terrible Teammate - check Can't Break Tackles - check Injury Prone - check Lacks Breakaway Speed - check As a die hard Horn fans, having attended every home game since '99 except for '04 Ok State, I say pass on Benson. He's a prick and a total primadonna jerk. He doesn't have the speed to quickness to succeed in the NFL.
The Texans are very very high on good character guys, from the owner to GM to head coach. The only remote chance this has of happening is if Shanahan can vouch for him. But that's even more unlikely, considering he's a first year OC basically being mentored by Alex Gibbs and Kubiak. Regardless, I don't even think he'd be a top 3 running back on our team. What has he done in the NFL? He's been average, at best. He wasn't even that good at UT until Vince Young came along.
He had 1000+ yards as a freshman. He always had 1000+ yards. He didn't start putting in massive amounts of TDs until he bulked up.
Well, yards per carry are the true measure of a running back. And he obviously benefited from defenses worrying about Vince. See the numbers go up in '04 and '05 (couldn't find the ypc in '05, there are about 30 pages when you google him on DUI- '05 was obviously a great season for him though). Vince is probably the main reason he was drafted so high. 2002- 4.72 2003- 4.23 2004- 5.27 2005- ??? 1800 + yards I'm sure he did progress, but there were a lot of factors surrounding that. He's never looked like a pure talented running back to me, especially in the NFL. Another note- he's not exactly ideal for the zone-blocking scheme either. I've got to believe this rumor is pure fabrication.
People are naive to think that the Texans, or Texans fans, would want a mediocre player just because he played for UT.
I'm pissed off at the Texans for not drafting/signing Selvin Young. I am now a Young/Broncos only fan. Seriously though, No to Benson. I think he got used up at UT. Plus, all those off the field issues won't help him make it on the field.
Earl was in my office recently. To be fair, he might be better than Ced with his walker. Definitely not without it.
No way McNair drafts Selvin Young...McNair is too much on character and that's why Benson won't be on the Texans
Umm in '05 he was sitting on the bench in Chicago. He only played one season when Vince was the full-time starter so i don't know where you get your whole "VY made him better" argument. However, I do agree with the majority here that it would not be a worthwhile pick-up at all. I'd rather give Slaton a chance to see what he can do and throw in some carries for Chris Brown or Ahman Green(whichever one can stay off the IR longer). Besides him showing up a little bit at the end of the '06 season, Benson hasn't done anything to warrant being considered a productive NFL back.
It is very sad. Saw him @ the Tri-Star on Sunday. He was in a wheelchair, and had sunglasses on. The guy sitting next to him was having to help him place his signing hand on the right spot on the item he was signing. I know he has diabetes, but I sure hope he isn't blind.
That explains why I couldn't find his '05 college numbers. Regardless, you can't say he didn't benefit from Vince. When a team has a mobile QB, especially in college, it's going to open up the game for the running backs. He did have his best year with Vince under center, so that's where my argument comes from. And he hasn't done much in the NFL to prove otherwise, especially for being a first round pick.
