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Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson will be an unrestricted free agent next month. With the team’s interest in retaining his services waning, Benson hasn’t been afraid to continue to rip into their offensive scheme.

Despite the fact Cincinnati’s 2011 season was an overall success, with first-year coordinator Jay Gruden helping rookie quarterback Andy Dalton pass the team to a playoff berth, Benson told Sirius XM NFL Radio he was disappointed with how the Bengals strayed from the power rushing attack.

Cedric the entertainer? Not with his comments about the Bengals. (AP Photo)

“I just think we didn’t stick with what the offense was built on,” Benson told FoxSports.com’s Alex Marvez and co-host Ross Tucker on Tuesday night. “Since I’ve been there the past four years, we’ve ran the football to try and win games. Even when we had Carson (Palmer) and Chad (Ochocinco), we still kept a strong identity in the run game.

“I just feel we got away from it,” Benson continued. “We didn’t let that part of the offense grow the way it could have.”

At 29, Benson completed his third consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season with the Bengals. Since he was deemed a first-round bust with the Chicago Bears while battling off-field issues along the way, he has done well to become a consistent between-the-tackles producer.

Benson averaged 3.7 yards per carry over the past two seasons, and he hasn’t been much of a factor as a receiver or as big a part of the second-half game plans. Gruden came in intending to make the Bengals a run-first unit but quickly saw the pop he had in the passing game with Dalton throwing often to speedy rookie wide receiver A.J. Green.

At this point, with Gruden staying put, it looks Benson has played his last down for the Bengals.

“We haven’t had any talks about a new deal, re-signing or anything like that to my knowledge,” Benson said in the interview. “I’m not sure where things are laying up there in Cincinnati.”

Ideally, the Bengals must find a more versatile feature back with much less mileage. If he’s not franchise-tagged by the Oakland Raiders, look for 27-year-old Michael Bush to be a hot free-agent target.

Starting nine games in place of injured Darren McFadden for Oakland, Bush had 1,395 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns in 2011. Former Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer had his best games as a Raider when Bush was effective.

As the Bengals’ current quarterback, Dalton would benefit greatly in his second year from a better dual-threat back such as Bush. What might help the Bengals land Bush is the presence of recently fired Raiders coach Hue Jackson. Jackson was hired as Cincinnati’s secondary and assistant special teams coach.

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Alabama running back Trent Richardson will not participate in on-field drills at the NFL Scouting Combine because he is still rehabbing from minor knee surgery, according to a report.

NFL.com reported that Richardson injured his knee prior to the Crimson Tide’s BCS Championship Game against LSU, but played through the pain. The report added that Richardson is close to 100 percent and expects to be able to work out fully at Alabama’s Pro Day on March 7. If he shows no lingering effects from the injury at that point, his draft stock won’t be affected at all; he would remain the No. 1 running back on the board and a top-10 pick.

While it is never good news when a player is unable to work out at the Combine, that fact alone is not a major blow to Richardson’s draft stock. What is more important is that he will undergo a thorough physical in Indianapolis and every team will have a complete picture of his prognosis.

Richardson’s status as the clear No. 1 back in the draft—in our view, he’s the best back to come into the NFL in more than a decade—also makes the surgery less of an issue.

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John P and the Big Screen


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Restricted free agent receiver Mike Wallace says he wants to stay with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he understands that might not occur given the team’s salary-cap situation.

In an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio Wednesday afternoon, Wallace said via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh is “where I would like to be, but we all know that it is a business and you have certain things you have to handle. So if I have to go elsewhere, you know Pittsburgh will always be in my heart, but I have to do what I have to do.”

Staying or leaving is out of Mike Wallace’s hands. (AP Photo)

Wallace, a Pro Bowl selection in 2011 who has put up more than 1,100 receiving yards the past two seasons, will be a hot commodity because of his age (25), big-play ability (he has averaged 18.7 yards per catch over his first three seasons) and durability (he has yet to miss a game).

Restricted free agents normally don’t stir up much interest in the NFL because the original team can match any offer. But in this case, the Steelers’ cap troubles — they are at least $5 million over the projected cap, according to the Tribune-Review — might not allow them to match a rich offer when free agency opens March 13.

The Tribune-Review reported that it’s also unlikely the Steelers can clear enough cap space to put the franchise tag on Wallace by the March 5 deadline. The wide receiver franchise number is expected to be $9.4 million.

In the interview, Wallace said his agent, Bus Cook, and the Steelers are talking about a contract extension. But Wallace didn’t sound overly optimistic.

“Yeah, we are talking, but I don’t know how far they are going to get right now because of the (cap) situation,” Wallace said. “I know that they are working hard trying to take care of it, but I don’t know. We’ll see.”

If another team signs Wallace to an offer sheet the Steelers can’t match, it would have to give Pittsburgh a first-round pick in return. But that wouldn’t be a big price to pay considering Wallace is entering his prime and has difference-making speed.

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Andrew Luck will arrive in Indianapolis for the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine prepared to throw during quarterback drills. He probably won’t because his future employer apparently is against the idea.

Like Robert Griffin III, Luck will wait until his on-campus pro day to demonstrate his passing touch. The Indianapolis Colts seem happy with that.

Throw at the Combine? Hold your horses, Andrew Luck. (AP Photo)

Barring a change of heart by Luck or the Colts, who hold the 2012 draft’s No. 1 pick and therefore have Luck on strings, scouts won’t get to see either of the top passers in throwing drills at the Combine.

Too bad, because quarterback trainer George Whitfield says Luck is sharp and needs only minor refinement.

“There are things he wants to work on, but this is refinement not an installation or a surgery,” Whitfield told ESPN.com. “It’s about getting reps and he’s really a marvel to watch. Very sound. Very consistent. Physically impressive. A power guy. A strong guy which people underestimate. One thing we’ve been doing is working the throws out on the perimeter—those throws outside the hash marks.”

So when he winds up throwing to familiar targets during Stanford’s March 22 pro day, Luck won’t need any good fortune.

Griffin, pegged as the No. 2 pick if, as expected, the St. Louis Rams peddle it to the Cleveland Browns or another suitor, is on record as saying he probably won’t throw at the Combine. That means scouts will get to see the polished version of the Baylor QB and Heisman winner during his March 21 pro day.

What the Colts hope to avoid is uncertain, but Indianapolis Star writer Bob Kravitz notes via Twitter the team is putting the ix-nay on Luck throwing.

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Editor’s note: Every team is preparing to attack its offseason to-do list, with free agency set to open on March 13 and the draft April 26-28. This is the 15th of 32 reports in 32 days looking at the offseason game plan for each team. The AFC finishes on Thursday with the Tennessee Titans, and the NFC reports (in alphabetical order) begin on Friday. Friday: Arizona Cardinals. Saturday: Atlanta Falcons.

SAN DIEGO—The San Diego Chargers’ brass contends the roster does not need to be rebuilt, just remodeled.

Support can be found for that argument in Philip Rivers’ uncharacteristic midseason struggles and several close games. However, no one denies that the defense needs new key players who can make a difference.

That includes, first and foremost, a pass rusher off the edge and a strong safety. Those additions would help the beleaguered cornerbacks and allow existing players to work more within the roles they were acquired for rather than having to play as many snaps as they did in 2011.

— Other AFC offseason plans: Chiefs | Broncos | Raiders | Steelers | Jaguars | Colts | Texans | Broncos | Ravens | Bills | Dolphins | Jets | Bengals | Browns

While team president Dean Spanos waffled after 2011, there will be no saving head coach Norv Turner if the Chargers fail to make the playoffs for a third consecutive season. And general manager A.J. Smith knows his time could be short as well if he doesn’t start hitting on more draft picks and perhaps find an impact player or two in free agency.

Needs

1. Outside linebacker. Pass rusher, more specifically. Building a consistently dominant (or at least effective) defense is the Chargers’ top priority. They were last in the league in third-down defense in 2011, and it had more than a little to do with the fact they were second worst in third-and-long.

They often let opposing quarterbacks to pick their secondary apart. Though the Chargers will allow Larry English another year to see whether his foot issues clear up and whether he can approach what they hoped for when they drafted him 16th overall in 2009, they also will seek power and speed on the outside to help their rotation of Shaun Phillips, Antwan Barnes and Travis LaBoy.

The Chargers have not ruled out making a run at free agent Mario Williams (Houston Texans) or Cliff Avril (Detroit Lions), though it’s more likely they will strike for Alabama’s Courtney Upshaw or Southern Cal’s Nick Perry with the 18th overall pick in the draft. There are also a number of solid pass rushers available in the second round.

2. Offensive line. Re-signing left tackle Jared Gaither and center Nick Hardwick is at the top of the to-do list, perhaps even before free agency starts. They were two of the three starters on what became an effective front in the season’s final five games.

The issue with Gaither is what sort of commitment the Chargers are willing to make to him given the uncertainty of whether he will revert to the “Big Lazy” ways seen in Baltimore and Kansas City, or whether coaches can continue to get the dominant play they saw from him in December.

Larry English has one last chance to prove himself. (AP Photo)

If they can’t lock up Gaither, then the focus in the draft likely shifts to Stanford’s Jonathan Martin or Ohio State’s Mike Adams in the first round, as they are expected to release Marcus McNeill because of lingering concerns over his neck and spine injuries.

3. Wide receiver. Even if the Chargers bring back Vincent Jackson, they must build depth at this position. They can’t count on Malcom Floyd to be healthy for 16 games and have only Vincent Brown beyond him. But with Jackson expecting to be paid like a top-five receiver and the Chargers seeing a deep pool of free-agent wideouts, it appears he will be catching passes from someone besides Rivers in 2012.

If so, the Chargers could get two veteran receivers with the money it would cost to pay Jackson. Nobody they sign will have Jackson’s all-around tools, but the team appears enamored with that idea and could use any number of guys with Floyd, Brown and tight end Antonio Gates. Those who might fit include Brandon Lloyd (St. Louis Rams), Marques Colston (New Orleans Saints), Mario Manningham (New York Giants) and Reggie Wayne (Indianapolis Colts).

4. Strong safety. While Steve Gregory was a godsend the past three seasons, he has no business starting every game on a championship defense. The Chargers know they must upgrade next to Pro Bowl free safety Eric Weddle in order to make their cornerbacks more effective and be stronger against the run.

The available starters in free agency are thin, but the Chargers could set their sights on Tyvon Branch from the Oakland Raiders. Barring that unlikely coup, they will turn to Chargers special teamer Darrell Stuckey or look to draft a mid-round talent such as George Iloka of Boise State or Markelle Martin of Oklahoma State.

5. Tight end. Antonio Gates is closer to the end than the beginning of his Hall of Fame career, and the tight end is an important part of the Chargers’ offense. Even if Randy McMichael is brought back to be a veteran presence and continue his role as a blocker and occasional pass threat, the Chargers must add versatility and depth to the position as well as groom a new starter.

There are a number of options in the draft’s middle rounds. The Chargers could also make a splash in free agency with Green Bay’s Jermichael Finley or decide to plug a hole for now with Denver’s Daniel Fells.

Acee’s take

The Chargers will be at least $20 million under the cap when free agency starts and figure to fill a number of holes — even if they again choose to not spend big on a single player. This almost certainly will be among the most active offseasons of Smith’s decade in charge of personnel.

If the team has many significant needs come draft time, Smith has shown he is willing to mortgage the future to get a player he wants in the second or third round. And since the future is now for the Chargers, that will probably happen.

For all the gloom and doom among fans and media, the Chargers missed the playoffs by one game each of the past two years despite being plagued by injuries. If they address the above needs successfully, they would be a strong contender to finally be the team they’ve been projected to be so often during Smith’s reign.

—Kevin Acee covers the Chargers for the San Diego Union-Tribune and Sporting News.

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The San Diego Chargers are unlikely to use the franchise tag to retain wide receiver Vincent Jackson, according to NBCSanDiego.com.

The Chargers have until March 5 to use the tag on Jackson, otherwise he will hit the market as an unrestricted free agent on March 13. Tagging Jackson would cost San Diego nearly $13.7 million. The Chargers used the franchise tag on Jackson last season, and another use of the tag would result in a 120 percent salary increase from the $11.4 million he made in 2011.

Chargers general manager A.J. Smith wants to retain Jackson, but is “extremely uncomfortable” with that much guaranteed money on a one-year deal, according to the report.

Last season, Jackson had 60 receptions for 1,106 receiving yards and nine TDs.

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The Miami Dolphins will not be making quarterback Chad Henne an offer to stay with the team, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Henne is set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

With a new coaching staff in place, the Dolphins are targeting an upgrade of the quarterback position either in the draft or through free agency. Colts QB Peyton Manning and Packers backup Matt Flynn are the most popular subjects of media speculation.

A second-round pick by Miami out of Michigan in the 2008 NFL Draft, Henne has struggled during his four years with the Dolphins. Through 36 games, he has a 75.7 quarterback rating and has thrown more interceptions (37) than touchdowns (31).

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The Miami Dolphins will not be making quarterback Chad Henne an offer to stay with the team, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Henne is set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

With a new coaching staff in place, the Dolphins are targeting an upgrade of the quarterback position either in the draft or through free agency. Colts QB Peyton Manning and Packers backup Matt Flynn are the most popular subjects of media speculation.

A second-round pick by Miami out of Michigan in the 2008 NFL Draft, Henne has struggled during his four years with the Dolphins. Through 36 games, he has a 75.7 quarterback rating and has thrown more interceptions (37) than touchdowns (31).

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and new offensive coordinator Todd Haley have indeed met, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The two sat down and talked “recently”, although it is unknown when the meeting occurred, according to the report.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and new offensive coordinator Todd Haley have indeed met, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. (AP Photo)

On Monday, Roethlisberger told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that “he (Haley) still hasn’t called yet.” The newspaper reported that Roethlisberger had a “discouraged tone in his voice.”

Last week, Roethlisberger said he had been talking to people around the league about Haley and the response had been “good, bad and indifferent.”

Haley replaced Bruce Arians as the team’s offensive coordinator after the Steelers let Arians’ contract expire.

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