Cincinnati Bengals: BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Michael Bush to Visit

The Cincinnati Bengals are in need of a running back after losing Cedric Benson this offseason.

So far, the team has followed the "New England Patriot way" and been mostly quiet in free agency.

However, the Bengals are now looking to the New England Patriots once again, this time with interest in their former running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

Green-Ellis is a workhorse type back that measures in at 5'11" and weighs 215lbs. He's only 26 years old and has his best football ahead of him. Last season, Green-Ellis was utilized in a running back-by-committee approach. He carried the ball 181 times for 667 yards and 11 touchdowns for a 3.7-yard average.

For his four-year career, Green Ellis has 2,064 yards, 29 touchdowns and a 4.0 average. Oh, and he's never fumbled the ball in 510 carries.

Green-Ellis is the first running back the Bengals have shown any interest in this offseason. The other likely candidate, Michael Bush, has been seen in Arizona.

Green-Ellis doesn't have game-breaking speed or power, but he's a solid young back that will fit the Bengals' offensive strategy nicely.

So far, so good for the Cincinnati Bengals. Green-Ellis would be the sort of signing the Bengals have been making lately in free agency—not a star or big name, but someone who can come in and be very productive in the correct system.

Update: ESPN's Adam Schefter has now confirmed long-expected Bengals target Michael Bush will be visiting Cincinnati as well. Bush fits the mold of the Bengals offense even better than Green-Ellis, as he is great at catching passes as well.

Bush is the same age as Green-Ellis. For his career, he has 2,642 yards and 21 touchdowns with a 4.2 average. Bush also has more speed and better pass-catching ability.

No matter which way the Bengals decide to go, either of these backs would be a massive upgrade. They would likely play second-fiddle to a rookie taken high in this year's draft, but they would both do it well in the Bengals' new running back-by-committee approach.

Be sure to check the Cincinnati Bengals Free Agency Tracker for any updates on Green-Ellis and Bush!

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