DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Bears give up on Benson

After his boating DUI charge, Cedric Benson remained a starting running back in the eyes of coach Lovie Smith and the Chicago Bears.

His weekend DUI charge while in a car in Austin, Texas, has led to his release, however. The Bears placed Benson on waivers Monday, two years before the end of his contract and three years into a disappointing career with the team.

"Cedric displayed a pattern of behavior we will not tolerate," Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said in a statement. "As I said this past weekend, you have to protect your job. Everyone in this organization is held accountable for their actions. When individual priorities overshadow team goals, we suffer the consequences as a team. Those who fail to understand the importance of 'team' will not play for the Chicago Bears."

Benson wasn't present at the Bears organized practice Monday. The Chicago Sun-Times reported on its Web site that Benson showed up and was sent home by Smith.

Reporters waited for a statement from Angelo as he walked off the field on Monday, but he said the team might have a statement later in the day.

The statement turned out to be an action. Benson's name appeared on the NFL's waiver wire Monday afternoon, ending the three-year relationship.

Though the 5-foot-10, 220-pound runner claimed his innocence on both DUI charges, the team apparently lost faith in him. Because he's only been in the league for three seasons, Benson does not have his contract automatically terminated. He can be claimed by any other interested team on waivers.

Before his release, Benson made one last ditch effort to repair the situation, issuing an apology on Monday afternoon.

"I apologize for making the poor decision to drink and drive during the early morning of Saturday, June 7th," he said in a statement. "Given the incident last month, it was a particularly bad decision. I have no excuse for this lack of judgment.

"Though I strongly believe that I am not guilty of any crime, I realize that the public and the Bears organization hold me to higher standard. Though my local attorneys will continue to work hard to prove my innocence, I confess to using poor judgment. Please accept my deepest apology."

Benson was arrested on a drunken driving charge in Austin, Texas, early Saturday and Bears officials said they would treat the matter seriously. Benson's attorney said the former Texas star had a few drinks with dinner but didn't think he was intoxicated and cooperated with police.

The arrest comes a month after Benson was charged in Austin with boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest. He has said neither charge is true, and those cases are pending.

Benson rushed for only 1,593 yards in three seasons. Thomas Jones was the Bears starting running back for Benson's first two seasons. Jones was traded to the Jets before last season, giving Benson the chance to start.

It didn't work out on the field. Benson rushed for only 272 yards on 67 carries last season. He couldn't finish the season because of a broken leg.

The Bears drafted Tulane running back Matt Forte in the second round, and he will enter camp as the team's possible starter. Adrian Peterson, a longtime Bears backup, will initially be second string.

It is not known where the Bears will pursue another running back.

Benson was the fourth pick in the 2005 draft. The team will save $820,000 on the cap by releasing him, but there will be a $2.575 million pro-ration that will count against the 2008 cap. There will be a $2.575 million cap charge for the Bears in 2009.

espn

it does appear that the guy has an alcohol problem, but if he could get this figured out, could he be the young rb of the future. Could Jamal Lewis take him and make him a pro??

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it does appear that the guy has an alcohol problem, but if he could get this figured out, could he be the young rb of the future. Could Jamal Lewis take him and make him a pro??

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I don't think so.. We already had our chance at a William Green,, we don't need another one.

Smart move by the Bears.

And no, we don't need this guy. Like someone said, he runs like William Green. Straight into the line, looks like he's running uphill and fumbles too often (as well as being a drunk). Forget it. He''s done (someone will give him another chance for sure but he'll fail there too).

with that said, i would like to see us add another back to this team...

i love jamal, we all do, but it would be nice to have a little bit of security should he get hurt...

I wouldn't be surprised to see Houston make a move for this guy... they desperately need a running back and with Benson being from UT it would make sense that he'd want to be closer to home...

Theres a thread in tailgate about this topic already. I posted it a couple days ago and updated it today whaen I saw the new news. just a heads up.

does this make him the first official "Bust" from the 05 draft?

Nah, there has been a few already.

Erasmus James, Matt Jones, Mike Williams, Pacman Jones are the ones I remember. So maybe he is number 5?

Waste of talent, and a guy totally lacking commitment to the game. He hit the NFL, got paid and stopped playing with passion. Please guys, spare us the "Well he could backup Jamal," routine, because Benson isn't as good as Jason Wright right now.

Last I heard...

Benson, Chris Henry, and Odell Thurman are trying to add another team to the league....

Mean Machine?

From the jackass's mouth:

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"I apologize for making the poor decision to drink and drive..."

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"Though I strongly believe that I am not guilty of any crime..,"

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Erm... drinking and driving isn't a crime in Texas?

Exactly True.

Once you get a SB at 10M+ there really is no incentive to perform from a monetary standpoint. You have to be internally driven to be the best. Absent that you'll have dozens of these TOP 10 OVERALL guys busting out each decade.

It is the biggest reason the NFL needs to introduce a rookie salary cap. A bad team that makes a bad choice at the top of the draft may take years to recuperate. We saw it first hand with Couch, Warren and Brown. Granted, all for different reasons.

well, i don't think Benson can be productive runner, but i think a lot of Browns fans are making a mistake overlooking our delicate RB situation...in the last 3 years, Lewis has had 1 good season...if healthy, he could have another, but it's not the lock that so many believe, IMO...if he misses a few games, we can survive with Wright/Harrison...beyond that, we're toast...we need a legit #2 back, and we don't have him...besides DBs, i don't see a bigger depth concern on this team...and if Baxter is able to play, RB may catch up with DB in that regard...

Frankly, I think the Bears were ready to give up on Benson just due to his performance on the field, let alone off the field stuff. If he would have performed this year like he did these past couple years, he would have been out. JMHO

Waste of talent, and a guy totally lacking commitment to the game. He hit the NFL, got paid and stopped playing with passion. Please guys, spare us the "Well he could backup Jamal," routine, because Benson isn't as good as Jason Wright right now.
One of the reasons why I will always want a rookie cap..they haven't earned squat until they play .

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One of the reasons why I will always want a rookie cap..they haven't earned squat until they play .

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Agreed, yet there are others like Joe Thomas that earn thier money every day.

How do you balance between the Joe Thomass and the Cedric Bensons of the world..

Wait, I have the answer.. Give them the big contracts, but they can't touch it for 3 years and only if they prove to be everything they were expected to be.

Yeah, as if that would work

and I think you're wearing some colored glasses right now, BROWNAHOLIC...

With Mike Shanahan's strong judge of character *cough* Mo Clarett, Travis Henry *cough*, what's the over/under that Cedric the Entertainer becomes a Donk?

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How do you balance between the Joe Thomass and the Cedric Bensons of the world..

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Well, the rookie cap would be well over a million for year one, so it's not like the Joe Thomas's are going to be eating Ramen waiting for the big contract to kick in... then you make a reasonable escalator for the second year and by year 3, let them get whatever they can....

This dolt seemingly doesn't listen to himself even!??!

Must have been out of it at the time. Seems pretty casual about it. No blood, no foul revisited. Like no punishment, no crime or maybe as long as nobody was seriously killed it is OK by me so y'all better accept my personal teflonability in the matter. What a maroon as Bugs Bunny would say. We really should NOT get this guy, pulleeeeez!

so you would rather have someone like benson instead of say a kevin Jones, or lamont jordan?

Two substance abuse offenses in one offseason = likely a 4 game suspension.


IF I was going to contemplate going after the guy, I sure wouldn't touch him at all until I knew there either wasn't going to be a suspension or until it was over... because if he doesn't have his head on right and he gets one more, he's gone for a year and it's a wasted contract, but more importantly a wasted roster spot for someone that actually might have contributed.

BROWNAHOLIC...

if the mantra is win now, THEN worry about maintaining it, i think going into the season with Wright and Harrison is a major risk...just like the Rogers trade...it could work out, but doesn't make you all warm and fuzzy...


NAS...

like i said, i think a back has value to this team, but see TUBBY's post...i think Jones would be less of a risk...at least he's shown flashes...

There's also Goodell's threat that the league may start going after teams that have guys who get in trouble. Now, whether that ever pans out, who knows. But, if it does, teams aren't going to want a guy like Benson who could end up costing the team money.

The alcohol abuse may or may not be grounds for suspension but the DUI charges will be. Just look at Thurman and Henry.

I don't think we need to bother with Benson. We can wait til the next draft or FA period and find somebody else.

Id rather we dig up william green, or lee suggs than bring in benson.....i have never been sold on the guy. I dont think that Kevin Jones would be a risk, alot of people said Jamal didnt have anything left in the tank and he proved alot of people wrong. Id like to see an updated FA RB list and im sure there is some good talent that would be a better fit for us than a guy who has had two alcohol related arrest in the same month. I dont like having guys with character issues on the team....Id rather try to trade with Miami and get Ricky than take a chance on Benson!!!!