Packers Waive RB Brandon Saine; Cedric Benson Returning?
The Green Bay Packers are making news at the RB position ahead of the 2013 NFL draft.
By Zach Kruse
The Green Bay Packers are making news at the running back position ahead of the 2013 NFL draft.
According to Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the Packers have waived running back Brandon Saine, who signed as an undrafted free agent in 2011 but missed most of 2012 with an torn ACL.
#Packers have released RB Brandon Saine. Missed last season with a knee injury.
— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) April 24, 2013
Saine carried 18 times for 69 yards in 2011, but suffered an ACL tear against the Houston Texans in Week 6 of last season. He appeared in six games in 2012 but recorded no stats.
The fact that the Packers are cutting him now is a discouraging sign regarding his recovery and long-term future in the game. According to his agent, Saine has not yet passed a physical.
While Saine is on his way out of Green Bay, another familiar name might be making his return.
Unrestricted free agent Cedric Benson, who appeared in five games for the Packers last season, was in Green Bay Wednesday.
According to this tweet, the visit went well:
Wonderful meeting with the pack! Never thought I'd say it felt good to be in Green Bay????!!
— Cedric Benson (@Cedric_Benson) April 24, 2013
Despite reports that his Lisfranc injury is nearly healed, there's been no official word yet if Benson has indeed re-signed. GM Ted Thompson certainly doesn't have to make a decision on Benson's future before the draft.
The Packers have a clear need at running back, and it's a position the team will likely address during this week's draft. Even if Benson eventually returns, Green Bay is expected to draft someone at the position.
In the scenario where the Packers do not select a running back, Wayne Larrivee of the Packers Radio Network has heard veteran Ahmad Bradshaw as a potential option in Green Bay following the draft.
Keep hearing former Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw might be a fit for @packers if they do not draft a RB this weekend.
— Wayne Larrivee (@waynelarrivee) April 24, 2013
If anything, this flurry of news points to one obvious truth: The Packers are well-aware of their needs at the position, and they'll eventually be adding—whether it's through the draft or free agency—a running back or two to the roster.
Zach Kruse is a 24-year-old sports writer who contributes to Cheesehead TV, Bleacher Report and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He also covers prep sports for the Dunn Co. News. You can reach him on Twitter @zachkruse2 or by email at [email protected].
Comments (31)
April 24, 2013 at 02:57 pm
At least we know they are most likely adding Benson, but Bradshaw is still out there. with Dujuan Harris and a newly drafted rookie, we will be sitting ok. always nice to have backup vets to help coach up the young guys.
April 24, 2013 at 02:58 pm
This will likely play out the same as last year...Benson will be brought in after a better looksy at the status of Green,Starks,as to health and early camp play of Harris and who the Packers draft in the mid-late rds.If a RB in taken in the 2nd,say goodbye to any hope of Benson or Bradshaw or whoever else.Benson will be around whenever the pack may need him..no one else is signing him.
April 24, 2013 at 03:03 pm
all this running back "activity" makes me think the Packers have their sights set on someone in the draft they really like.
benson/saine/bradshaw - all "smokescreens" to make other teams think RB won't be a target in the draft.
April 24, 2013 at 03:10 pm
Cow, for once, I think I agree with you. They'll draft an RB for sure.
April 24, 2013 at 03:28 pm
I am thinking more of a back up plan rather than smokescreen
April 24, 2013 at 04:23 pm
How does waiving Saine create a smokescreen that says, "we don't need another running back"? Benson/Bradshaw. Sure. Smoke screen if you will. Probably insurance policy, but I get your point. Saine, not so much.
April 24, 2013 at 08:13 pm
I agree Cow, makes sense.
April 25, 2013 at 08:30 am
* Drum roll* Le'Von Bell!!!
April 24, 2013 at 03:35 pm
I am hoping they get Franklin from UCLA. He is a three down back and compares to Gore aMartin. Heck if he is even half if those two we have an upgrade.
April 24, 2013 at 03:36 pm
I hope they were just talking to Cedric about getting tickets to his CFL games. Might as well tell other teams we'll start every series at 3rd and long next season.
April 24, 2013 at 03:51 pm
This is how bad the position is - The highest drafted back at #2 by Thompson was Brandon Jackson and he did not even get an offer from the Packers when he became a free agent and looking at the roster today he is still better than anyone they have. Benson has no burst left, is coming off a severe leg injury for a back at his age and still has off the field issues. Sure he was enthused and co-operative last spring to be a Packer because even at minimum salary no body else wanted him and that is the case today. Use the #1 pick for a DE or safety but use the #2 for someone that can play running back, the cupboard is bare.
April 24, 2013 at 04:03 pm
"he is still better than anyone they have"
Brandon Jackson is? That's just silly.
April 24, 2013 at 06:08 pm
Jackson was their best blitz pick up back and 3rd down receiver in space (don't recall him ever dropping a screen)and had a nose for the goal line. Keeping Rodgers upright and moving the chains on 3rd down he was a major contributor in the Super Bowl season. Even teams desperate for a RB like the Steelers and Rams have not reached out to Benson even at the minimum. If Benson is suppose to be the guy, then McCarthy is not serious about running the football any more than he was last year.
April 24, 2013 at 06:19 pm
Is 7 TDs over 4 years really having a "nose for the goal line"?
I don't deny he played a big role in the Super Bowl run or that he's a great 3rd down back, but I'd take Harris over him in a second.
And no one is suggesting Benson is going to be "the guy."
April 24, 2013 at 04:27 pm
I thought Ced looked good for us last year, good enough to keep defenses honest. Whether you all on CHTV like him or not that's okay with me. The one person who did like him a lot was QB1 and if this makes him happy, I'm happy.
April 24, 2013 at 04:32 pm
:) ..can't Wait 2 get u back Ced Ben ! - Awesome !!!
April 24, 2013 at 05:25 pm
DJ Smith too?! WTF. Someone needs to explain that to me.
April 24, 2013 at 06:11 pm
Smith was waived with a "failed physical designation" according to Pro Football Talk.
April 24, 2013 at 06:15 pm
Yeah, I get that he failed a physical. But rosters are at, what, 90 right now?
They didn't have to waive him, did they?
Couldn't they have simply kept him on the roster as he continued to rehab or put him on the PUP list or something?
April 24, 2013 at 06:26 pm
Yeah, that one caught me off guard. Too bad, kid was born to play football.
April 24, 2013 at 06:00 pm
C. Benson; "Never thought I'd say it felt good to be in Green Bay". - Ah, gee thanks, talk about damning with faint praise.
April 24, 2013 at 06:28 pm
Totally agree with this. Not a great way to say "hello".
April 24, 2013 at 08:17 pm
agreed....what's he thinking?
April 24, 2013 at 09:06 pm
That's not the way I read that. The guy was Chicago Bear. That really is saying something. He had "we hate the Packers" pounded in to him. I see his statement as a positive thing.
April 24, 2013 at 07:02 pm
in my periods of delusion, i am thinking that all this activity is because thompson is going to trade finley for a top of the line inside linebacker.... but, lets remember....this is a delusion.
April 24, 2013 at 07:33 pm
pls dont draft RB 1 round
April 24, 2013 at 07:40 pm
DL or SS ROUND 1 ?
April 24, 2013 at 09:09 pm
Or at TE, or a OL, or a WR... I'm sure Ted will take whoever is at the top of his list when its his turn to pick.
April 24, 2013 at 11:32 pm
They just cleared $1.1 mil of salary cap by cutting these two seriously "damaged goods" cheap players. Now they can try to get a quality RB in the first 2 rds or fall back to Benson and a low rd RB to add to the veteren stable. They already had too many ILBs so probably plan to get a good one in the draft.
April 24, 2013 at 11:39 pm
The rumour of getting Amhad Bradshaw is not TT's style. Besides when Rodgers contract breaks the bank there will be no $ for any free agents. The curse of Rodger's talent is that he is the franchise but his salary will prevent us from being a championship team.
April 25, 2013 at 01:34 am
Oh here is that discussion. 5 players who can run and throw a little at the quarter position. Devalue the position by system then spend the money on monster defense. Now that is the future.