Cedric Benson a No Show Today at OTAs... Released By Bears

[Hostile]

Bears to address matter after Benson doesn't show for OTA

ESPN.com news services

Updated: June 9, 2008, 3:32 PM ET

Is Cedric Benson's time with the Chicago Bears' up?

The troubled running back, whose relationship with the team soured further because of his second arrest in little more than a month Saturday, did not attend Monday's OTA.

Benson

As a result, general manager Jerry Angelo said the team would make a statement on Benson's status later in the day. Whether that meant Benson, the fourth overall pick in the 2005 draft, would be released was not clear.

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.

At a fan event at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday, Angelo said he hadn't spoken to Benson but called the most recent situation unfortunate.

"Disappointment is too much an often-used word when we're talking about Cedric, and the number one lesson for every player is protect your job," Angelo said. "So we're all held accountable for our actions."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

 

[dargonking999]

Dang, was he drunk in that picture too?

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Its not his fault though

 

[BigDFan5]

everyone out to get him still?

 

[ajk23az]

This articles says he showed up but was sent home immediately by Lovie Smith.

Benson sent home from OTA; Bears to comment

June 9, 2008

BY BRAD BIGGS bbiggs@suntimes.com

Cedric Benson showed up for work this morning at Halas Hall and was told to go home by coach Lovie Smith.

That’s what Benson’s attorney Sam Bassett said.

Benson, Bears officials likely to meet soon
RELATED STORIES
Vote: What should Bears do? Mulligan: Cedric saga rushes on Inside the Bears: Blog updates

``I know that he went to practice today and Lovie told him to go home," said Bassett, based in Austin, Texas. ``I don’t know if it’s because of the publicity or because it’s a distraction, or if the Bears are trying to decide what to do. He’s just kind of waiting to see what they tell him and what they are going to require of him.

``His agent and business manager are doing some stuff with the Bears that I am not privy to. He knows the Bears may release him. He hopes they don't. He knows he screwed up."

General manager Jerry Angelo said the team would have something to ``later’’ when he walked off the practice fields following the OTA.

Asked if he meant sometime today, Angelo said, ``In all likelihood.’’

It's unclear whether this means the team plans to release the embattled Benson.

It’s unlikely the Bears are going to come out and throw their support behind the former No. 4 overall pick from 2005. Benson was arrested on a DUI charge in Austin, Texas early Saturday morning. Angelo expressed deep disappointment in Benson on Saturday at the team’s fan convention. Benson was arrested in Texas five weeks earlier and charged with drunk boating and resisting arrest.

Teammates were not saying much about Benson when they left the field. Smith declined to talk as did running backs coach Tom Spencer. One player said Smith gave them specific instructions about being careful with what they said regarding Benson.

"Talk about yourself," one player said. "That's what he told us to do."

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/996089,earlybear060908.article

 

[Hostile]

I bet he's going to be released.

 

[Stash]

See ya Cedric!

 

[DFWJC]

As some of us were saying before (and especially after) the draft, Matt Forte and Kevin Smith may or may not be the two best rookie RBs, but they both have legit shots at having 1000 yards rushing this year. They are every down type guys who ended up in good situations as far as opportunity to get carries. Benson is helping Forte's cause.

 

[Chief]

Let's see, had a rap sheet at UT, reacted with angry tears on draft day because he "slipped" to No. 4, apparently is a drunk, arrested twice this off-season, lacks speed, quickness and wiggle, not necessarily a power runner, and his work ethic has been questioned.

Great draft pick, Bears. Bravo.

 

[tomson75]

I bet he's going to be released.

...after reading these reports, and seeing the GM's interview, I'd say his release is as good as done.

 

[cbfan55]

:beer2: HERE HERE

 

[5Stars]

Should the Cowboys....

Nevermind.

:laugh2:

 

[WoodysGirl]

BEARS TO BOUNCE BENSON?
Posted by Mike Florio on June 9, 2008, 4:32 p.m.

The initial reports were that Bears running back Cedric Benson failed to report for the continued voluntary Organized Team Activities in Chicago. As it turns out, Benson showed up, and the team sent him home.

“I know that he went to practice today and [coach] Lovie [Smith] told him to go home,” Benson’s lawyer, Sam Bassett, told the Chicago Sun-Times. “I don’t know if it’s because of the publicity or because it’s a distraction, or if the Bears are trying to decide what to do. He’s just kind of waiting to see what they tell him and what they are going to require of him.

“His agent and business manager are doing some stuff with the Bears that I am not privy to. He knows the Bears may release him. He hopes they don’t. He knows he screwed up.”

The Bears are expected to comment on the matter later today.

There’s a conflict between the Collective Bargaining Agreement and the standard player contract regarding whether a team may release a player who has been arrested. Under the CBA, the maximum discipline that a team may impose is a four-game suspension without pay. Under the language of the standard individual contract, however, a player who engages in actions that bring disrepute to the club may be terminated.

Over the past year or so, several teams have cut players following arrests. Not a single grievance has been filed in response to these moves.

Benson is under contract for two more seasons. He is scheduled to earn a base salary of $820,000 in 2008.

Last year, the Bears promptly cut defensive tackle Tank Johnson after Johnson was arrested on suspicion of DUI in Arizona.

 

[bbgun]

He's sleeping it off.

 

[sago1]

Heck, I hope some of these GMs continue to use their high picks to draft players who've already had legal problems in college. That's probably the only way we have a chance to sign/trade for some of these players--they need to revitalize their careers with the Cowboys. I think the Bears, Titans & Cincy can serve us well in the future as farm clubs. j/k

It's funny that both the Titans & Bengals have problems with high picks they've drafted but they still continue to make those same picks. Both of these teams did the same thing again in the 08 draft.

And before any one mentions it, we don't need another RB; we got more then enough now.

 

[joseephuss]

He just got released.

 

[dargonking999]

and the should we sign benson thread starts in 3,2,1 ...

 

[Stash]

Bears send home Benson, later release troubled running back

ESPN.com news services


Updated: June 9, 2008, 5:04 PM ET


Cedric Benson's time with the Chicago Bears is up.
The troubled running back, whose relationship with the team soured further because of his second arrest in little more than a month Saturday, was waived by the team on Monday, sources told ESPN.com's John Clayton.
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."
The Bears released the running back shortly thereafter. The Chicago Sun-Times reported on its Web site earlier in the day that Benson showed up at Monday's OTA and was sent home by coach Lovie Smith.

"I know that he went to practice today and Lovie told him to go home," Benson's attorney Sam Bassett said before the release, according to the newspaper. "I don't know if it's because of the publicity or because it's a distraction, or if the Bears are trying to decide what to do. He's just kind of waiting to see what they tell him and what they are going to require of him.

"His agent and business manager are doing some stuff with the Bears that I am not privy to. He knows the Bears may release him. He hopes they don't. He knows he screwed up."

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.

At a fan event at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday, Angelo said he hadn't spoken to Benson but called the most recent situation unfortunate.

"Disappointment is too much an often-used word when we're talking about Cedric, and the number one lesson for every player is protect your job," Angelo said. "So we're all held accountable for our actions."

 

[Hostile]

Bears send home Benson, later release troubled running back

ESPN.com news services

Updated: June 9, 2008, 5:04 PM ET

Cedric Benson's time with the Chicago Bears is up.

The troubled running back, whose relationship with the team soured further because of his second arrest in little more than a month Saturday, was waived by the team on Monday, sources told ESPN.com's John Clayton.

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."

The Bears released the running back shortly thereafter. The Chicago Sun-Times reported on its Web site earlier in the day that Benson showed up at Monday's OTA and was sent home by coach Lovie Smith.

"I know that he went to practice today and Lovie told him to go home," Benson's attorney Sam Bassett said before the release, according to the newspaper. "I don't know if it's because of the publicity or because it's a distraction, or if the Bears are trying to decide what to do. He's just kind of waiting to see what they tell him and what they are going to require of him.

"His agent and business manager are doing some stuff with the Bears that I am not privy to. He knows the Bears may release him. He hopes they don't. He knows he screwed up."

Benson


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.

At a fan event at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday, Angelo said he hadn't spoken to Benson but called the most recent situation unfortunate.

"Disappointment is too much an often-used word when we're talking about Cedric, and the number one lesson for every player is protect your job," Angelo said. "So we're all held accountable for our actions."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

 

[Real1st]

and he has been cut