NFL Free-Agent Signings: How Cedric Benson Helps the Packers Offense

The Green Bay Packers got a much-needed boost to the running game by signing former Bengals veteran and Brahma Bull, Cedric Benson.

According to the Packers' official Twitter feed on Sunday:

"

The signing of RB Cedric Benson is official: pckrs.com/tdje

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) August 12, 2012"

Now, it's certainly a debacle because of Ryan Grant being the same age (29) and both players being roughly the same size. Nonetheless, this is where the Packers are, and everyone else has to roll with the punches.

To that end, here's how Benson fits the mold of Green Bay's explosive offense.

Benson Better Than Grant

Yes, Cedric Benson is better than Ryan Grant. As much debate as this could potentially start, Benson has endured a longer and more consistently successful career.

Now, he's also taken more hits, as Grant's first NFL season wasn't until 2007, whereas Benson's was 2005. But just looking at the last few seasons (Grant's injuries aside), Benson was impressively productive.

Both were virtually neck-and-neck for contributions in 2009, and last season Benson rushed over 1,000 yards for the third consecutive season. He was relied on even more with a rookie quarterback in Andy Dalton, and he simply delivered.

Grant, however, is also a product of missing the entire 2010 campaign and the Packers having a pass-heavy philosophy. So, to a certain extent, it is an unfair comparison between Benson and Grant—but Green Bay also tied with Cincy by averaging just 3.9 yards per carry (ranked No. 26).

That said, the Bengals also faced much tougher defenses and needed to run the ball a lot more to help the passing game. Green Bay couldn't run the ball when needed, and it showed in the loss to Kansas City as well as the postseason.

Durability Is the Key

This is the biggest difference between Benson and Grant, as well as Green Bay's current state of affairs in the backfield.

Coming off two excellent seasons in 2008 and 2009, Ryan Grant unfortunately missed basically all of 2010. Returning in 2011, Grant never got back to his previous form, and the Packers didn't have much confidence in the ground game anyway (no matter who was slamming the rock).

Additionally, Green Bay is dealing with other injuries to current running backs. From the Packers' official Twitter account:

"

McCarthy: Starks - turf toe, is week to week. RB situation not healthy, and Alex Green on rep count. #Packers

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) August 12, 2012"

Benson, though, has played in 44 games over the past three seasons, and when he joined the Bengals in 2008, his career was revived. With a rough ball-carrier situation, Green Bay needs an experienced back who is also reliably durable.

Offensive Philosophy and Divisional Defenses

Although the NFC North has made some drastic improvements to the defensive side, each team still has a lot of proving to do in 2012.

On the contrary, Benson had faced the NFL's best defenses from the AFC North when in Cincinnati. So, he's going to be much more effective simply by changing conferences. Now, include Green Bay's offensive prowess, and he won't be the main focal point of a defense's game-plan, either.

With Aaron Rodgers under center, opponents will be so focused on stopping the pass that Benson's talent alone will greatly benefit Green Bay. As an interior runner, he won't see stacked boxes no matter what the situation, nor will he see an overuse of carries.

In short, Benson will prove efficient for the cheese, and his presence provides much-needed balance to a great offense. Compiling over a grand for three straight seasons in Cincy—whose offense was nowhere near as explosive as Green Bay—against some of the NFL's best front sevens, Benson and the Packers' philosophy are a fulfilling complement to one another.

Follow John Rozum on Twitter.