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Green Bay -- They’re both 29 years old. They’re both at similar junctures in their career — a little desperate. Money isn't a major issue here. Neither Cedric Benson or Ryan Grant have much leverage at the negotiating table. Not on August 12.

So...why not sign the guy who has been in this offense since 2007?

That’s been the nagging question on Twitter since news of Benson in Green Bay broke on Friday. We won’t get Mike McCarthy’s take on the signing until Monday, but here are a few initial thoughts on the Packers going with Benson over Grant:

--- They're both old by running back standards, but Benson's play these last three seasons suggests he could give the Packers more in 2012. He's fresh off three straight 1,000-yard seasons. There haven't been glaring warning signs in Benson's game that he's on the cusp of breaking down. Grant had a strong December, but did next to nothing on the ground before that. During an eight-game stretch -- in the heart of Green Bay's schedule -- he averaged 2.6 yards per carry. Replay the defenses that Grant faced along his late-season surge. Teams were begging the Packers to run the ball. Benson? With a rookie quarterback under center, he still managed 1,067 yards on 273 carries (3.9 avg.) with six touchdowns.

--- OK, so Benson won't be running for 1,000 yards in Green Bay. McCarthy prefers using multiple backs, anyways. But Benson may give the backfield a dimension it currently lacks -- a big, durable, between-the-tackles back. Alex Green fits best in a spread attack, in space. James Starks could be a complete back, but hasn't been able to stay healthy. Brandon Saine is best suited for a utility role. The Packers could use a two-down, no-nonsense back ramming between the tackles. Was Ryan Grant that guy? Not really in 2011. When McCarthy talked about changing the way Green Bay runs the football way back in February, maybe this is one way. On third and 1 and third and 2 last season, the Packers still passed the ball 39% of the time.

In Cincinnati, Benson was not necessarily reliable in pass protection. Is that an issue in Green Bay? Not if Saine or Green emerge in camp.

--- Now onto the one puzzling factor in this decision -- fumbling. Benson had 12 fumbles the last two seasons. His last two full seasons, Grant had three. If there's a definitive case for Grant, this is it. For a team that trumpets ball security so much, it is puzzling to sign someone with fumbling issues.

--- Aside from the Grant comparison, one concern with signing Benson has to be how it affects the other young running backs on the roster. Before we learned that Starks had a turf toe, this did feel like a panic move by Green Bay. One rocky exhibition game along a ho-hum camp for the backs alone doesn't warrant a knee-jerk signing like this. All off-season -- through OTA's and minicamp -- the Packers seemed prepared to give Starks, Green and Saine a chance to grow. A veteran can get in the way of this development. Promoting youth is how Ted Thompson has built a winner. But, yes, signing someone did become a necessity when Starks suffered the turf toe injury. When everyone is healthy, things could get interesting.

--- One final point we kicked around earlier. This team will live and die with Aaron Rodgers. There was no need for the Packers to overpay for any veteran running back in free agency, no need to suddenly change the formula that worked for 15 of 17 games in 2011. But in 2012, you have to think the Packers will find themselves in closer games. Their four-minute offense may be more value. The Packers simply weren't milking many one-score games deep into the fourth quarter last season. Starks closed out a win at Minnesota with crucial first downs down the stretch. Soon, ankle problems would rob his season. At 227 pounds, Benson might be a consistent closer for the Packers.

We'll see. This is an intriguing signing, one Ted Thompson has rarely ever made before this off-season. The off-season in general has been a stark change in Thompson's strategy. Time will tell if Benson is indeed a better option than Grant.

(Photo by Associated Press)