When Cedric Benson was selected by Chicago with the fourth overall pick in the 2005 draft, the Bears were expecting big things from the running back. Benson had just finished up an illustrious career at Texas, where he received the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back in 2004. However, the runner never quite lived up to the team’s expectations and things quickly soured.
It seems as though a dark cloud was cast upon Benson’s career since his arrival in Chicago. He was constantly scrutinized and the negative publicity kept coming. Frequent injuries and run-ins with the law didn’t help his case.
Needless to say, Benson’s playing days in the Windy City were short-lived. He was released by the Bears after the 2007 season following a second alcohol-related arrest in five weeks. The apparent pressure was too much for the young running back, but he refuses to make excuses for what could have been.
“Yeah, there was a lot of pressure on me but there’s always pressure,” Benson said last week at Bengals minicamp. “They were expecting big things from me and I never had a season to really get grounded, or find a way to make it work best for me on the field. I guess towards the end of my last season with the Bears I managed to do that. By then, it was just a little too late for them. The fortunate thing is that the Bengals get to benefit from that.”
Benson played in 11 games and rushed for 674 yards and four touchdowns in his last season with the Bears.
When a grand jury failed to indict Benson on either of the two alcohol-related incidents, Bengals were quick to sign the troubled running back. It didn’t take long for the Bengals’ offense to reap the benefits of the player’s talent. He was named the team’s starter after only his second game with Cincinnati.
Benson played in 12 games, starting 10. He rushed for 747 yards and two touchdowns and finished the season on a high note — 282 yards rushing and a touchdown in the final two games of the season.
Running backs coach Jim Anderson expounded upon what Benson brings to the team during a phone interview Monday.
“Cedric brings energy,” Anderson said. “He’s a guy that’s out to prove that he is a quality player in this league, and that he can perform and really achieve. That’s what we want to do as a team.
“Whatever we have asked Cedric to do, he’s willing to do it. When he’s on the football field he’s all business. He’s like a sponge. When he is not getting a physical rep he’s getting a mental rep. That’s an outstanding trait for a guy playing in the NFL.”
Anderson is one to know. He has coached a number of Pro Bowl backs in his 25 years as Bengals running backs coach. The coach said Benson is not a guy who says a whole lot but prefers that his actions speak for him. That can be seen on the practice field. Benson is very intense and likes to play fast.
Anderson went on to say that Benson feels more confident playing in the team’s offense, and that will give him an edge when it comes time to execute.
I asked Benson what it meant for the Bengals coaching staff to have confidence in him as the team’s featured back.
“It means a lot, but even if they weren’t going to give it to me I was going to take it from somebody,” he said with a chuckle. “It was going to be mine regardless. But no, it feels good that they have confidence in me. I’m proud of myself and going to continue to work hard for them.”
During the Bengals’ three-day minicamp, Benson ran with a lot of confidence. He was very decisive and quick through the hole. He looked like the runner the Bears drafted.
Although being a physical runner between the tackles is a big part of his game, Benson displayed exceptional speed on the perimeter. He also caught the ball well out of the backfield. Benson said he worked hard during the offseason on his speed and thinks he’s gained a step or two.
Now that unwanted pressure has been lifted off Benson mentally and he is preparing himself for the physical grind. Bottom line he’s looking to make his mark with the Bengals.
“No doubt, I’m ready to carry this team on my back,” Benson said. “I’m due, hungry for it, miss it, and excited. It’s good to be on a team that wants you. It’s a great opportunity for me and I am definitely going to seize every moment.
“I plan to take full advantage of those opportunities and see where it takes us. I’m about whatever it takes to get the job done. I think I am in the best situation that I can be in and it has to happen for me here.”
Benson shows no ill will toward the organization that dumped him, but you can rest assured that he has one date circled on his calendar. The Bengals will host the Bears in Week 7 of the 2009 season.
Carlos “Big C” Holmes covers the NFL for the Dayton Daily News.
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