ESPN's John Clayton stirred up a little bit of speculation and intrigue with Raiders and Bengals fans today when he tweeted the following:
Don't be surprised if MIchael Bush goes to the Bengals and the Bengals not sign Cedric Benson
— John Clayton (@ClaytonESPN) March 2, 2012
With Oakland choosing to use their franchise tag on strong safety Tyvon Branch, it's expected that the cash-strapped Raiders will not be able to afford to re-sign their dependable veteran running back, Michael Bush. Cincinnati, on the other hand, has some cap space and could offer Bush a starting job.
Also importantly, Hue Jackson, the Raiders head coach last season, is now an assistant with the Bengals. It would give Bush a chance to move a little closer to his hometown of Louisville and a coaching staff that would know how to use him. As ESPN's AFC North blogger Jamison Hensley points out:
At 27, Bush doesn't have the usual wear-and-tear of other free-agent running backs because he's been a backup for most of his career. He's a bruising runner who can gain the tough yards. He's also an above-average receiver, which would add another element to the Bengals' passing game.
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