Running back shows side of his bad times in Chicago Brad Biggs
Oh, boy.
Leave it to Cedric Benson to insert his foot (with cleat on) into his mouth with the Cincinnati Bengals riding high atop the AFC North and the running back nursing a hip injury after the organization went out and signed Larry Johnson as some insurance.
Benson shouldn’t feel threatened. He’s clearly established himself as the main man running the ball in Cincinnati, seizing a second chance last year when the Bengals rescued him from the NFL discard pile and running with it.
He’s sixth in the league with a career-high 859 yards to go with six touchdowns and a respectable 4.2-yards per carry average. And he’s hobbled right now after getting dinged up in the Bengals’ gritty victory at Pittsburgh last Sunday that put them in control of the division.
So Johnson shouldn’t pose any threat to Benson, but the former first-round pick of the Chicago Bears came off the wrong way when asked about the addition of the new back Wednesday.
“I didn't know I was supposed to be jumping out of my seat or anything,’’ said Benson, who sat out practice, creating a possible opening for Johnson to play Sunday at Oakland. “I really have no feelings about it. They made a move they felt they needed to do, and that's fine with me. It's not going to affect me in any kind of way. Whatever happens from here on, I can guarantee you I'll definitely be making the best of it.
“In most cases you hold your fate in your own hands. I'm not letting up in any aspect of what I'm doing. I would imagine that I would continue to be the first guy, and if not, I'll make it that way.’’
Are they comments that are going to land Benson in trouble? No. But the problem is it’s the same kind of stuff he went through in Chicago when he couldn’t exist with Thomas Jones, who was entrenched as the starter when general manager Jerry Angelo selected Benson fourth overall in 2005. The problem is it’s the same kind of selfish remarks that made Benson a lonely man during his days with the Bears. That rocky stay began after Benson had a 36-day contract impasse, showed up and said he’d be ready to become the starter in a matter of two weeks.
The two backs never co-existed and it was uncomfortable to the point that Jones took a swing at Benson in practice on one occasion. No one is saying Benson needed to scoop Johnson up at the airport, take him to dinner and give him a place to crash until he finds his own pad. But he could have said Johnson is a welcome addition for a team fashioning plans for a playoff run into January. The more help the better. That’s all. It would have come across a lot better because Benson has done such a good job of leaving his baggage in Chicago. He doesn’t want the same issues to crop up for him now that he’s enjoying success.
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Good call, Johnboy.
Can anybody explain this move to me? To me, its the most baffling move I've seen in all the years I've followed pro sports. You take a team that has something special going-- obviously has the chemistry to maximize its talent-- and you bring in an insubordinate loose-cannon who has a good chance of eventually negatively effecting team morale. Worse, you give Ced Benson foot-steps to worry about.
I don't get it.
I agree 100% Drew. This can only hurt them more than help in my opinion. And I agree with johnboy too, this is a non story. Quit making it out to be a mountain when it barely resembles a mole hill.
I agree Johnboy, I see nothing negative in his comments.
Tip: If you don't have anything to report on, it's ok to NOT write something.
What was negative about Bensen's comments? I think you are trying to create a story where there is none, Biggsy. Your better than that.
If you people above are bengals fans, you are blind from your loyalty.
Ced is having a great year, but don't confuse that with having a great mindset.
Ced is a crybaby, and will cause disruption when he doesn't get his way. He will
be a cancer in the locker room at some point, he has in every lockerroom he has
been in. Better just hope this isn't the trigger and ends up hurting run in playoffs.
If it isn't LJ it will be touches, or contracts. Just be careful cincy fans, you have been
disappointed many times and history tends to repeat itself.
seems like the Chicago media has the problem with Benson. must hurt now that he is getting the opportunity to run the ball with another team. the Bears blew it with Benson.as they have with many other players. Tank Johnson, Bernard Berrian, Chris Harris,........ Talent evaluation and development is the Bears biggest weakness.
I'm a Titans fan, it has nothing to do with being a Bengals fan or being loyal and everything to do with someone twisting words. Nothing Benson said there was anywhere near what he did in Chicago. He simply said he wants to keep the number one job. Saying things like "Leave it to Cedric Benson" is ridiculous based on these comments. The Bengals fans and players should be more concerned with how LJ will ruin their locker room than they should be with Benson.
AWFUL reporting, just AWFUL. I've always liked the Biggs Report, but it appears he's going the same route as all the others, as is "make a story out of nothing". This is how you lose credibiltiy.
I think there is a middle ground here: are these seemingly benign comments harbingers of doom that spell an end to the Bengals Cedric Benson honeymoon? Probably not; the man, having reached rock bottom has probably grown and must realize that even at this stage if he screws THIS situation up future high dollar employment is highly unlikely- but on the other hand, even if it doesn't have a negative effect on Benson, is it good karma to mess with a team that has some of the best chemistry in the NFL by adding a guy who had thoroughly demonstrated that is is perfectly capable of being a first class S.O.B.? Whatever Cedric's past transgressions were, he didn't beat up women... In any event, I think that if the situation is closely monitored it could be either a potential boon for Cincy or something to be flushed away as soon as it starts to stink: you would also have to think that LJ, at this point, knows that this is his last shot and the MILLISECOND he steps off the line klaxon alarms will sound and he'll be selling meat door to door with Ickey Woods. A high risk gamble, to be sure, but one with risks that can be managed if anyone's paying attention- and that's what my biggest concern as a Bengals fan is: since Paul Brown died, when has anyone on the Bengals demonstrated that they can consistently pay attention to anything?
Gosh,,you make it sound like Benson's not happy about the addition..Child Please!
He has been told already that he is the #1 back. Nothing will change that unless he goes down with season eanding injury
I agree with most of the comments above. Biggs is straying into John Florio territory by "reinterpreting" athletes' comments. Benson seemed to say it didn't matter to him one way or another if LJ was on the Bengals' roster. There's nothing negative or positive about that.
Hey Biggs:
Why don't you go write for TMZ..... cause this is crap.
Hey Biggs:
Why don't you go write for TMZ..... cause this is crap.
Sorry, I meant MIKE Florio.
What is so hard to understand? That the Bengals and Mike Brown made a brilliant move?
Let's just hope LJ's legs and blocks get them to the playoffs.
I agree with Johnboy about the comment. Cedric knows he needs a rest and LJ will give him the time to rest his legs for the final push.
At least the Bucs are getting him back out there because rookie quarterback Josh Freeman needs all the help he can get. A legitimate No. 1 target is always a good thing.
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Nov 19, 2009
10:41 AM
Wow, holy speculation batman! I didn't think Benson's reaction was negative in any way. He basically stated he's not worried about LJ since he doesn't think he's a threat to his role as a starter. And if LJ pushes him for that job, Ced will just push harder. Isn't this the reaction you want from any player when someone is trying to unseat them? This seems more like you're trying to copy-and-paste the Chicago saga onto a completely different team in a very different situation. Weak journalism...