May
Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson was arrested for boating under the influence, a crime that likely won’t cost him his roster spot in Chicago. Though he’s crying foul play from police in Austin, it was just another bad taste that he left in his employer’s mouth. Where management is losing faith in Benson, they’re gaining it in Tulane rookie Matt Forte, who impressed coach Lovie Smith at rookie mini-camp.
Benson had a miserable first season as the Bears starting running back, rushing for 674 yards and averaging a paltry 3.4 yards per carry. He suffered a broken fibula in a Week 12 win over Denver, bringing an end to a season where he underachieved and confirmed the team’s shaken trust in its former first-round draft pick.
Smith liked what he saw in person from Forte, especially catching the ball out of the backfield. He said of Forte on the Bears official site, “All the things we thought coming in, we got a chance to see.”
Benson continues to fight charges of drunken boating and resisting arrest, and he now has two witness accounts to corraborate his story. For our purposes, his innocence or guilt is almost inconsequential. Assuming he does suit up for the Bears, the distraction will wear on him and open the doors for Forte to win the starting job.
If that is the case, Forte could have the biggest first-year impact of any rookie from the 2008 draft. Forte has good size and quickness, and he can catch the ball out of the backfield. Given the Bears’ up-and-down play from the quarterback position, his pass-catching abilities will be a welcome addition to the offense.
Stay tuned to Benson’s situation and how competition plays out at training camp, which begins on July 23.
More thoughts …
Windy City Gridiron confirms the news that Benson won’t likely be cut by the Bears.
View From The Bleachers wants to root for Benson even more in 2008.
The Chicago Tribune’s David Haugh suggests adversity could motivate Benson.
Dustin Hockensmith is editor of ImaginaryGridiron.com. He can be contacted at dhockensmith[at]fantasysports101.net.
We talked about this on our latest Podcast. I had lived in Austin and Lake Travis is one of those places he likely should not of put himself in the position to have trouble find him or for him to find trouble. Not if it had been a problem in the past of getting stopped. At least let someone else drive.
It’s a great opportunity for Matt Forte, he will still have to earn the job though.
Yeah, I agree. Benson is by no means finished, but he’s one mediocre training camp away from losing the starting gig. Forte’s presence alone should light a fire under Benson, but David Haugh seems to think he’ll be even more motivated by his latest scrape with the law. I’ll still say that Forte wins the starting job.