The Facts: After seeing Benson log at least 270 carries for three straight seasons, the Cincinnati Bengals plan on installing more of a running back by committee approach in 2012. Benson, who's rushed for at least 1,000 yards each of the past three seasons, is set to become a free agent next month and might not be back in Cincinnati for a fifth year. That would leave the Bengals with Bernard Scott, Brian Leonard, Cedric Peerman and whomever they select in April's draft.
Diehards Line:"It's not a bad way to go," OC Jay Gruden recently told the team's official website. "Keep guys fresh. They play longer, they're involved. ... If something happens to one, you know you've got a guy that can come in there and be productive. Where you're not relying heavily on one guy and if something happens to him, you're like, 'Oh God, this guy doesn't have many reps. ..." The Bengals currently own the No. 17 and 21 picks in the first round and have been said to be looking to address the running back position early in the draft. Gruden, however, said if the Bengals manage to acquire a back like Alabama's Trent Richardson, he could be willing to scrap the committee plan. "If you do get a big-time guy like Trent (Richardson) then I'm not opposed to giving him the ball 30 times," Gruden said.