The Bears reconvene at Halas Hall today for the continuation of voluntary offseason workouts, but the real story is the team's expected sit-down with running back Cedric Benson, fresh off his second arrest in five weeks. It could be Benson's last meeting with the team.
Benson is far from the wickedest villain in Bears history. He's just a not-particularly competitive guy lost in an ultra-competitive world. Benson's prospects for NFL success were dim before his DWI arrest early Saturday, and the clarity his recent problems bring seems headed to an unambiguous conclusion. It's difficult to make any argument for him at this point.
Still, it's interesting to note that the only time Bears general manager Jerry Angelo really seemed to bristle during a brief news conference Saturday was when he was asked if there is a veteran running back on the street who might be able to help the team.
"I'm not going to get into that right now,"
Angelo said.
Backups just won't do
Should he get into it if the Bears dump Benson? Does the prospect of fielding a fading Shaun Alexander or an injury-prone Kevin Jones or signing some other washed-up castoff really intrigue the fan base? Shame on you if it does.
It's all about starters in the NFL -- front-line talent capable of making a positive impact on the outcome of a game. Backups are only of importance if the starter goes down. The Bears have a ton of backups at running back, just as they are back-loaded at a lot of positions as evidenced by the fact their special teams are the best in the league every year.
But unless you get star-quality starters at the most influential positions, you're never going to be a team that challenges for a title.
As for concerns about starting a rookie at running back, Anthony Thomas stepped into that role in 2001 and helped the Bears win 13 games. It's not that demanding of a position for a rookie, especially if they're primarily used on first and second downs.
They felt good enough about Adrian Peterson's ability to trade Thomas Jones and promote Benson into the starting lineup. Presumably, they have the players they need at the position already on the roster. And don't forget, Angelo admitted of Benson on draft day: "Maybe he's not the featured back we thought he'd be."
Benson, coming off a terrible season and a terrible injury, already wasn't the most reliable option before his latest arrests gave the team another reason to cut him. Handwringing about how to replace Benson is laughable. Who could do worse?
The only reason decision day on Benson is interesting is because of what the Bears invested in him: a No. 4 overall selection and millions of dollars. Cutting Benson would be acknowledging a terrible mistake, not only in acquiring him, but in promoting him over a total professional in Thomas Jones, who certainly isn't an elite talent but was a special player because of his extraordinary intangibles.
Take a look at Giants
The minute Benson is launched -- be it today, tomorrow, next week, next year or five years from now -- his story transfers into cautionary-tale mode. Maybe they can learn from it. The reigning Super Bowl-champion New York Giants give an extensive psychological exam to all potential draft picks at the Indianapolis scouting combine. They use past results of players such as Lawrence Taylor to determine what kind of psychological makeup a player has to have for success. Perhaps the Bears could go the other way with Benson's results.
Regardless, the sobering reality that two arrests in five weeks will attract attention and possible suspension from the NFL for violation of the personal-conduct code should be enough for the Bears to demote Benson from his role as de facto starter if they opt to keep him. Also, as of June 1, the league started monitoring teams with multiple arrests and has threatened to fine organizations that have players violating the personal-conduct code.
You don't want to be the leader in that clubhouse.
