Mike Goodson to visit Cincinnati Bengals
Free-agent running back Mike Goodson
will fly to Cincinnati Tuesday night and visit the Bengals' facility on Wednesday, according to a source familiar with the player's plans.
Goodson, a fifth-year veteran who spent the 2012 season with the Oakland Raiders, has attracted interest from several teams, including the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys. The Bengals theoretically could take him off the market as early as Wednesday if he has a positive experience and if the organization can come up with a financial package to his liking.
Cincinnati is looking for a back to split the workload with incumbent starter BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who signed a three-year deal with the team as an unrestricted free agent last March. Green-Ellis, a sixth-year veteran, carried 278 times for 1,094 yards (3.9 average) and six touchdowns last season.
[Also: Bears' Brian Urlacher faces uncertain future]
While the 5-foot-11, 220-pound Green-Ellis is a grinder who lacks breakaway speed, the fleet-footed Goodson (6-0, 210) would be a logical complement. Goodson, who joined the Raiders after three seasons with the Carolina Panthers, made the most of his limited opportunities in Oakland, gaining 221 yards on 35 carries (6.3 average) and another 195 yards on 16 receptions last season.
On Tuesday, former Cardinals running back Beanie Wells visited the Bengals’ facility. Wells, cut by Arizona on Monday, is apparently exploring other options while Cincinnati explores the possibility of landing Goodson.
During the 87-hour "legal tampering" period leading up to the start of free agency Tuesday, the Bengals expressed interest in several other running backs, including Reggie Bush and Rashard Mendenhall. However, Bush, formerly of the Dolphins, was deemed too pricey for the team's tastes (he's reportedly being pursued by the Detroit Lions). Mendenhall, a former first-round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers, is being wooed aggressively by the Dolphins, according to a source familiar with the player's situation.
Current Dallas Cowboys backup Felix Jones could become a reasonably priced free-agent option if the Bengals don't land Goodson. Cincinnati might also look to acquire a running back in the draft.
Other popular content on Yahoo! Sports:
• Forde Minutes: Mayhem comes before Madness
• University of Utah orders investigation into coach's abuse
• Dennis Rodman would like a sit-down with the new pope
