With news breaking Friday night that the Green Bay Packers had brought running back Cedric Benson in and that signing him was “probable,” it sounds like probable is now turning to reality.

According to a post by Paul Imig on the FOXSportsWisconsin.com website today, his sources, which include Packers running back Alex Green, indicate that Benson could be in camp and ready for practice Monday morning.

“I was informed today that Cedric Benson will be coming in, so that’s a great thing for us,” Green told Imig Sunday afternoon. “It’ll help the team out. He’s a great running back. That’ll be a great thing for us to learn from and get a better feel for the running back position.”

You might remember that Benson was originally selected by the Chicago Bears and stayed in the Windy City for three years before falling into disfavor. In his three years there, Benson never reached 700 yards rushing in a single season.

However, when he landed in Cincinnati, his fortunes turned. He ran for 1,000 yards three straight years and helped the improving Bengals to a Playoff berth last year.

Benson can only be an upgrade to the Packers’ pathetic running game. Though both James Starks and Ryan Grant combined for more than 1,000 yards in rotation last year, the Packers continually relied on its passing game to carry the team. When the Packers decided not to re-sign Grant and go with Starks and second-year runners Alex Green and Brandon Saine, they  thought they had enough horses in the stable. However, Starks had a horrible outing last Thursday night at San Diego, Green still isn’t back completely from his injured knee and Saine has been out of action for the past week.

Ted Thompson had to do something and with the availability of Benson, I believe he made another good move.

Bringing in Benson takes some pressure off the rest of the running backs. Like the defense which was addressed in the offseason, the need to add another body in the backfield was a no-brainer. With Benson there may be some downside, but it’s definitely worth the risk.

I like what Imig said in his post:

If Benson is able to do a good job in pass protection for Packers MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers and can help resurrect Green Bay’s struggling running game, this could turn out to be a significant signing for a team that hopes to win its second Super Bowl in three seasons.

Ryan Grant has probably run his way out of Green Bay. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

A report today from one of my favorite Packers reporters, Paul Imig, indicates that if things weren’t looking good for Ryan Grant before, it just got worse.

Imig stated today on his Web post that the Packers have assigned the unsigned running back’s locker to wide receiver Diondre Borel. Ironically, Borel is also one of those young stud receivers who could also push Donald Driver, the franchise’s all-time leading receiver, from the roster.

The Packers have shown no interest in signing Grant and it seems no other team has been pounding down his door. There were reports that he was scheduled to pay a visit to the Detroit Lions and some even said he was ready to sign. However, nothing happened and it’s been all quiet on the Grant front since.

This is just another move (or non-move) that is slowly remaking the look and feel of the Packers’ roster.

Stay tuned …

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Ahman Green walks out of Lambeau Field for the final time after the Packers defeated the Seattle Seahawks in December 2009. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Paul Imig posted an interesting article on his site at FSWisconsin - an interview with Packers all-time leading rusher Ahman Green who said he’s ready to play in the National Football League once again.

He made that statement, despite having carried the football last on Jan. 10, 2010, when he was playing for the Packers against the Arizona Cardinals in an NFC Playoff Game.

What’s interesting is that Green, who was with the Packers for the second time during that last stint, felt he was in as good of condition as any time during his career. Admitting that the Packers had Ryan Grant and some younger legs on the team, Green said he could have carried the load had the team given him the ball.

Not that he was complaining, he was happy to have landed back with the Packers.

Now he wants another shot and is waiting for the phone to ring. The four-time Pro Bowler is hoping there’s some team out there willing to call so he can have the opportunity to show what he can do.

Saying that he’s a “football player,” first and foremost, Green went so far to say that he would play anywhere – not just running back. In order to get a shot to be back on the football field, Green said he would even play special teams just to be part of a team.

“I’ve got at least five years left in me to play football,” Green told Imig today. With his home in Green Bay, the former Packer would be very interested if the Packers called. And given that the team is going to be relying on an unproven group of running backs, it’s not inconceivable the Packers may at least consider bringing Green in for a look-see.

With Ryan Grant unsigned and the tandem of James Starks and Alex Green coming into this season off serious knee injuries, the only healthy running backs on the roster are Brandon Saine and rookie free agents Duane Bennett of Minnesota, FB Nic Cooper of and Winston-Salem State and RB Marc Tyler of USC.

But given the Packers penchant for developing players, there probably isn’t room on a roster as deep overall for a 35-year-old former player.

Yes, the NFL is a business first … unfortunately for Green.

With all that said, we wish Green the best. He could probably be an excellent special teams player for some team and maybe even fill in at running back when needed.

But looking at things realistically, Green said, ”I can’t sit around and wait forever, so if it doesn’t happen, I’ve got to move on with my life.”

Class guy.

Here are a couple of videos for fun

Tony Mandarich has gone from first round draft choice by the Green Bay Packers to successful businessman.

We all know Mandarich as a failure, a bust who was selected one pick ahead of Barry Sanders in the 1989 NFL Draft. Mandarich survived three unimpressive seasons with the Packers before dropping out of football for several years and then making a solid comeback to play three years with the Indianapolis Colts. A shoulder injury permanently ended his career.

But Imig takes us beyond the hype, the bust and the man many believed was an uncontrollable, maniacal player who once called Green Bay a “village.”

Though not well liked among Green Bay fans, those who feel that way should take a look at Imig’s column. He talks to Mandarich, to one of his employees and even to former Packers Hall of Fame safety LeRoy Butler to paint a much deeper and understanding picture.

Mandarich is a dedicated business owner, a husband and a former NFL player who has worked hard in establishing his business and even harder in keeping it going.

This is an interesting and thorough look at a former player who is grateful for the opportunity, but has taken his failure one step further by succeeding in life.

Take a look at this post. I’m certain you will come away with a much better feeling about Tony Mandarich. Something that I’m sure you’ll feel good about and something that Tony Mandarich would appreciate.

Clipped from: www.foxsportswisconsin.com (share this clip)