Read More: Dawan Landry (S – JAC), Reggie Nelson (S – CIN), Andy Dalton (QB – CIN), Blaine Gabbert (QB – JAC), Jimmy Smith (CB – BAL), A.J. Green (WR – CIN), New Orleans Saints, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars

When the 2011 NFL schedule was released, I presume that most fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars penciled their Week 5 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals as one of the most winnable games of the year. It’s a home date for the Jaguars, and come on, it’s the Bengals. Well, I don’t suspect that too many fans have changed their tune about this week being a good opportunity to notch a win, but the Bengals have looked somewhat decent through four weeks. Defensively, they’ve looked better than just decent. The Bengals sport the top ranked overall defense having allowed a mere 275 yards per game. They’re slightly better against the pass (3rd) than they are stopping the run (3rd), so this week might not be the week that Blaine Gabbert and the Jags’ offense establish the rhythm and consistency that’s alluded them through the rookie quarterback’s first three career starts. Then again, the Jags should have plenty of chances as Cincinnati’s offense has been equally inconsistent. They too have a rookie quarterback, Andy Dalton, under center.

Here’s a few facts and figures for each team in anticipation of Sunday’s showdown in Florida.

JAGUARS:

• Club aims for 8th consecutive win at home vs. Bengals.
• Rookie QB Blaine Gabbert (1st round, No. 10) has 90+ 4th quarter passer rating in 2 of past 3 games.
• Since ’10 at home, RB Maurice Jones-Drew has 80+ rush yards in 8 of past 9…Jones-Drew is averaging 97.7 rush yards per game this season (391 total).
• WR Mike Thomas has reception of 30+ yards in each of past 2 games.
• TE Marcedes Lewis (17) needs 2 TD catches to surpass WR Reggie Williams (18) for 3rd-most in franchise history (Jimmy Smith, 67; Keenan McCafdell, 30). Lewis (2,305) needs 18 receiving yards to move into 5th place in Jaguars history (Williams; 2,322). 
• TE Zach Miller registered 1st TD catch of career last week.
• LB Daryl Smith registered 6th career INT last game.
• LB Paul Posluszny leads team with 30 tackles. Posluszny registered 1st sack of season against Saints in Week 4.
• S Dawan Landry posted 1st INT as Jaguar last week.
• DE Austen Lane recorded 1st career sack last game.

BENGALS: 

• In 2 starts on road, rookie QB Andy Dalton (2nd round, No. 35) has completed 37 of 56 passes (66.1 pct.) for 413 yards with 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs & 105.7 passer rating. Dalton had 2 TDs last week (1 pass, 1 rush) & became 1st Cincinnati rookie to pass & run for TD in game since Jack Thompson on 11/18/79.
• RB Cedric Benson posted 14th 100-yard rush game (104) with Bengals last week & Cin. has 12-2 (.857) record in such games. In only meeting vs. Jaguars, Benson rushed for 104 yards on 24 att. (4.3 avg.) with 1 TD.
• Rookie WR A.J. Green (1st round, No. 4) leads AFC rookies in catches (19) & receiving yards (312). Posted 2nd career 100-yard rec. game (118) last week. Green is tied for NFL-best with 3 catches of 40+ yards in ’11.
• TE Jermain Gresham had career-best 70 rec. yards last week. Gresham is averaging 15.1 yards per catch in past 2 (8 catches, 121 yards).
• Bengals have allowed NFL-low 275.5 yards per game in ’11.
• DT Geno Atkins has 2.5 sacks in past 3 games.
• S Reggie Nelson spent 3 seasons (2007-09) with Jaguars

By Ryan Van Bibber

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Sep 27, 2011 – The Cincinnati Bengals hosted a pair of once-notable running backs today. Clinton Portis and Larry Johnson both paid a visit to the Bengals for a workout. Cincinnati is looking for a option to replace Cedric Benson in light of a pending three-game suspension for an offseason assault charge. 

According to Jason LaCanfora of the NFL Network, Portis “ran well” in a workout for the Titans last week. He averaged a respectable 4.2 yards per carry on 54 rushing attempts with Washington last season, before landing on injured reserve with a groin injury. Besides Cincinnati and Tennessee, Portis also had a workout with Seattle prior to the start of the season. 

Larry Johnson played for Cincinnati before, filling in for an injured Cedric Benson in 2009. Washington signed Johnson to a three-year contract in 2010, but released him before the end of September that same year. He was signed and subsequently released by the Dolphins this year. Johnson has never played a full season since his NFL-record 416 rushing attempts with Kansas City in 2006.

Read More: Clinton Portis (RB – WAS), Larry Johnson (RB – MIA), Cedric Benson (RB – CIN), Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, Cincinnati Bengals

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Read More: Cedric Benson (RB – CIN), Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson has been informed by the National Football League that he will be suspended for three games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports reports.

Benson will be allowed to continue to play while he appeals the suspension, with Silver adding that the 28-year-old has a hearing scheduled for next Tuesday.

Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Benson has not been informed of a suspension.

Prior to the end of the preseason, Benson served five days in jail as part of a plea agreement to resolve two outstanding assault cases. The first case involved a 2010 assault charge when the former University of Texas standout allegedly struck an employee at an Austin, Texas bar.

During the lockout, when players were outside of the purview of the league’s personal conduct policy, Benson was arrested after allegedly assaulting his roommate. Despite his repeated arrests, the Bengals re-signed the free agent to a one-year contract worth up to $5 million. Benson was released from jail in time to participate in the Bengals’ practices before their Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns. Through two games, Benson ranks ninth in the NFL with 180 rushing yards.

If Benson is made to serve the full three-game suspension, he would forfeit $529,412 in base salary as he misses games against the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts.

For more reaction to the Benson situation, visit our Bengals blog Cincy Jungle.

For the record: Bengals (1-0) are tied for first in AFC North. Broncos (0-1) are tied for last in AFC West.

Last game: Cincinnati won its season opener 27-17 at Cleveland.

Who’s hot: Nothing helps a rookie quarterback, in this case Andy Dalton, more than a strong running game. Cedric Benson provided that in Week 1, rushing 25 times for 121 yards and one touchdown.

Who’s not: Dalton, who led TCU to a Rose Bowl victory and 13-0 record last season, and backup Bruce Gradkowski were more efficient than dazzling in the Bengals’ season opener against the Browns.

Key stat: The Bengals’ offensive line allowed four sacks in the opener. Their defense made two sacks.

FYI: Dalton injured his forearm near the end of the first half. According to The Cincinnati Enquirer, he likely will play against the Broncos.

Coachspeak: “We need to get off to a good start. We’ve got one step in that direction, because then the schedule swings back our way. We play some games at home at the end of the season. To get another win on the road this weekend, (against) another AFC team, would be huge.” — Bengals coach Marvin Lewis

Lindsay H. Jones, The Denver Post

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The circus has left Cincinnati. The Bengals look more like a football team because of it.

Clownish receivers Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens were shown the trap door after a 4-12 season in 2010. But the breakup of the T. Ocho Show didn’t come soon enough for Carson Palmer. The declining quarterback was so disgusted with the soap opera atmosphere that infected the team that he vowed to retire rather than play another down for the Bengals. President Mike Brown held him to his word and refused to trade Palmer.

Brown is paying a hefty PR price for holding his ground. Bengals fans, who’ve bought out Paul Brown Stadium fairly regularly over the past 10 years, are railing once again about Brown’s stubbornness and ineptness. ESPN the Magazine did Brown no favors by ranking the Bengals 122nd among 122 professional sports franchises.

On an indirectly related issue, Brown was one of two NFL owners who spoke out and voted against the league’s CBA extension in 2006. Two years later, the rest of the owners jumped to his side and opted out, leading to the labor impasse this year and a new, owner-friendly labor agreement.

Feeling his revenue streams were adjusted satisfactorily, Brown invested in defensive free agents Manny Lawson, Thomas Howard, Reggie Nelson and Taylor Mays, and re-invested in nucleus players Andrew Whitworth and Leon Hall. The Bengals also swiftly updated the passing game in the first two rounds of the draft with receiver A.J. Green and quarterback Andy Dalton.

All of which brought coach Marvin Lewis to say this week, “I know we’ll be a better football team than a 4-12 team. There’s not the star power on paper that maybe we possessed last year, but when it comes down to it, I think we’ll all be all-in, and they’ll be all-in together. And that’s the biggest statement we can make heading into the regular season.”

On Sunday, Lewis enters his ninth season, surpassing founder Paul Brown and Sam Wyche as the franchise’s longest-tenured coach. Five wins will make him the winningest one, too.

Many doubt the Bengals will exceed their victory total of 2010. But Lewis’ teams have a habit of exceeding low expectations. They are more dangerous when little is expected of them.

On Twitter: @TonyGrossi

Tony Grossi’s Scouting Report

Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Sunday, 1 p.m., in Cleveland Browns Stadium

Record: 1-3 (preseason).

Last game: Lost to Colts, 17-13, Sept. 1 in Cincinnati.

Coach: Marvin Lewis, 60-69-1, ninth year.

Series record: Bengals lead, 39-36.

Last meeting: Bengals won, 19-17, Dec. 19 in Cincinnati.

League rankings (2010): Offense was 20th overall (27th rushing, 13th passing), defense was 15th (19th rushing, 14th passing) and turnover differential was minus-8.

Offensive overview: Jay Gruden, brother of Jon, replaced Bob Bratkowski as coordinator and installed Gruden’s version of the West Coast offense. They have to force-feed rookie second-round pick Andy Dalton at quarterback. He struggled at times in the preseason, compiling a 59.6 rating while concentrating on short passes (completing 60 percent). Dalton is surrounded by good passing targets like rookie No. 1 pick A.J. Green, second-year possession receiver Jordan Shipley and second-year tight end Jermaine Gresham. The other starting receiver, Jerome Simpson, showed some speed late last year, but is inexperienced. Running back Cedric Benson should be a workhorse early, but hasn’t been the prototypical receiving back the offense warrants. The line looks strong with right tackle Andre Smith seemingly reaching his vast potential in his third season.

Defensive overview: Coordinator Mike Zimmer enters his fourth season with probably his most athletic unit. The big changes are at linebacker, where Rey Maualuga returns to his natural position in the middle and is flanked by ex-49er Manny Lawson and ex-Raider Thomas Howard. Howard is filling in for Keith Rivers, who is on physically unable to perform. Zimmer’s defenses all have finished in the top half of the season rankings, but they have lacked a consistent pass rush. He’s hoping second-year rush specialist Carlos Dunlap can add to his 9 1/2 sacks as a rookie. Dunlap did not play in preseason but is expected to be ready to go. Departed free agent Johnathan Joseph was replaced by Cleveland-native Nate Clements and the unit added athletic safeties Reggie Nelson and Taylor Mays to the mix.

Special teams overview: This area has not always been a strength, but may be this year. In preseason, kicker Mike Nugent looked totally recovered from a knee injury last year and punter Kevin Huber was strong, averaging 45.7 yards gross and 40.5 net. The return game was bolstered when former Patriot Brandon Tate was claimed last week. He’ll return kickoffs and punts and provide touchdown potential in both phases.

Players to watch

• Running back Cedric Benson: Let out of a 20-day jail sentence 15 days early for good behavior, the seven-year veteran has averaged 113.8 yards in four games against the Browns, but has only one touchdown.

• Wide receiver A.J. Green: The fourth overall pick of the draft flashed his potential in preseason with nine catches for 96 yards and one TD. He also had a ball carom off his hands for an interception and lost a fumble running after a catch.

• Quarterback Andy Dalton: The heir to Carson Palmer’s starting post is a Texas native (like Colt McCoy) drafted in the second round from Texas Christian. He lost to McCoy’s Texas team in his second career start as a freshman — their only meeting in college.

Injury report: LB Keith Rivers (wrist) is out. DE Carlos Dunlap (knee) missed the preseason but is expected to start. S Taylor Mays (knee) may be questionable.

Small world: Safety Chris Crocker was drafted by the Browns in the third round in 2003 and played for them through ’05. … Cornerback Nate Clements is from Shaker Heights and played at Ohio State.

CINCINNATI – The Cincinnati Bengals opted to keep an extra running back at the expense of former Central Michigan University quarterback Dan LeFevour.

LeFevour was released Saturday by the Bengals, who kept four running backs on the roster.

LeFevour, who was cut by the Chicago Bears last season before joining the Bengals, is eligible for the Bengals eight-man practice squad Sunday.

Starting tailback Cedric Benson was released from jail Saturday, but his NFL status is unknown. The Bengals kept Bernard Scott, Brian Leonard, Cedric Peerman and Benson on the roster.

The Bengals drafted Andy Dalton and signed veteran quarterback Bruce Gradkowski. They are the only two quarterbacks on the roster.

LeFevour set Mid-American Conference records in completions, attempts, passing yards, passing TDs, total TDs and total offensive yards.

As the No. 3 quarterback for the Bengals last season, LeFevour did not see any game action.

The Bengals are expected to either put LeFevour on the practice squad or sign another quarterback.

AUSTIN, Texas — Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson has begun serving a 20-day jail term in Texas to settle two misdemeanor assault cases.

The former University of Texas star was sentenced Monday in Austin and had planned to surrender Oct. 17, during Cincinnati’s bye week. Travis County Jail records show Benson was booked late Tuesday.

Benson’s jail time could be shortened with possible credit for time served when arrested.

The 28-year-old Benson was arrested in 2010 for allegedly punching a bar employee in Austin, an incident that earned him a meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell but resulted in no punishment. He pleaded no contest to a charge of assault with injury in that case.

He also was arrested last month for allegedly punching a former roommate in downtown Austin. He pleaded no contest to a charge of assault with bodily injury with family violence, and that will be dismissed if he performs 30 hours of community service and pays an undisclosed amount of restitution to the victim.

Benson was Chicago’s first-round pick in 2005. He had two alcohol-related arrests with the Bears, who let him go in 2008.

He signed as a free agent with the Bengals and has led them in rushing each of the last three years – 747 yards in 2008, 1,251 yards in 2009 and 1,111 yards in 2010.

He was disappointed last season when the Bengals went away from their run-based offense that won them the AFC North title in 2009, then finished 4-12. After the Bengals changed offensive coordinators, Benson lobbied to stay in Cincinnati and signed a one-year deal. He provides a run-first option in coordinator Jay Gruden’s new offense, which is being led by rookie quarterback Andy Dalton.

Benson also must pay a $4,000 fine within 30 days.

Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson changed his mind and began serving his 20-day jail sentence Tuesday night. The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that Benson surrendered to the Travis County Jail, one day after pleading no contest to an assault charge in Austin, Texas in 2010. Benson’s original plan was to serve the sentence during the team’s bye week in October. Benson’s sentence is expected to be reduced to seven days with good behavior. By surrendering before midnight Tuesday, he received credit for serving that day. The report said Benson could be released either late Monday or early Tuesday. He will miss practices this week, the team’s final preseason game Thursday and Monday’s practice but should be back in time for next Wednesday’s practice, the first full workout before the season opener vs. Cleveland on Sept. 11. With rookie Andy Dalton likely to start at quarterback, the Bengals will be counting heavily on Benson, who has rushed for more than 1,100 yards each of the last two seasons.

CINCINNATI, Aug. 31 (UPI) — The Cincinnati Bengals’ Cedric Benson began serving a jail sentence in Texas for a 2010 assault after surrendering himself to authorities, his attorney said.

Benson was booked into the Travis County Jail Tuesday morning after pleading no contest Monday to assault . He was sentenced to a 20 days in a plea bargain, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

With credit for good behavior, the Bengals running back would serve seven days, attorneys said.

That means he could rejoin the team Sept. 7 in preparation for the Sept. 11 season opener at Cleveland.

“Ced, I’m sure, is relieved this is behind him and just moves forward,” Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said.

Benson’s attorney Sam Basset released a statement on his client’s behalf.

“Though originally scheduled to serve the jail sentence in October, Cedric decided he needs to complete the jail sentence before the season. This is best for everyone involved.

“Mr. Benson is thankful for his supporters in Austin and Cincinnati. He is also grateful to the Bengals organization. Cedric looks forward to working hard on and off the field as soon as he is released,” the statement said.

Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson(notes) had originally agreed to serve his jail sentence in the middle of October, coinciding with the Bengals bye week. Someone thought of a new plan, though, and Benson is in jail right now. He was booked in Tuesday night.

So, if we go by the timeline established previously, which has Benson leaving jail after seven days of a 20-day sentence, that makes Benson a free man once again on the night of Tuesday, Sept. 6, five days before the Bengals open the season against the Browns on Sunday.

This assumes good behavior on Benson’s part, of course, which I guess we shouldn’t take for granted. I’m not saying he’s a bad guy, but saying that he’s allowed himself to get in some bad situations would not be inaccurate.

And this is jail. This is not a stable, predictable atmosphere. There’s no telling what a man will have to do if Nasty Nate decides he wants his fruit cocktail and the Squirrel Master isn’t around.

The Bengals play the Colts in their final preseason game Thursday night, but head coach Marvin Lewis had already said that Benson wouldn’t play in that game. Cedric’s a veteran, too, it’s not like this is a young guy trying to learn the offense, in need of all the reps he can get. If he can stay low in prison, and get out in seven days, from a football standpoint, he should be fine.

Related: Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals

Read More: Cedric Benson (RB – CIN), Cincinnati Bengals

Cedric Benson was expected to report to jail during the Cincinnati Bengals’ bye week. The running back has apparently decided to check in early, deciding it would be better to miss the team’s final preseason game rather than leave his team mid-season.

Benson checked himself into the Travis County Jail in Austin, Texas, according to a report from the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Attorneys for both sides said that with credit for good behavior, Benson would serve seven days. That means he would be released either late Monday or the morning of Sept. 6. If so, he could be back by next Wednesday when preparations for the Sept. 11 opener at Cleveland really ramp up.

The decision to check himself in early makes plenty of sense, too, considering Benson wasn’t going to play in the Bengals’ final preseason game regardless of if he was in jail or with his team.

“I didn’t plan on him playing because I knew he wasn’t going to be here this week,” head coach Marvin Lewis told the Enquirer. “I’m not going to put a guy in the game who hasn’t practiced.”

Hopefully, for the Bengals, Benson is able to earn credit for good behavior while doing his time.