 Benson may pay even if innocent For Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson, the thin ice he was skating on with the organization may have become even thinner in the last week. Benson was arrested and charged with boating while intoxicated and resisitng arrest last weekend in Texas. But accounts of what actually happened that day differ immensely. Authorities say Benson was drunk. He was also cocky, combative, insulting and used profanity. And when they attempted to take him to shore for another sobriety test, he resisted and they had to use pepper spray on him. According to Benson, he was sober, polite and offered no resistance to police. He said police used pepper spray on him. Then after getting him to shore, they kicked his legs out from under him and nearly drown him by putting a water hose in his face. And according to some witnesses, one of which was aboard the boat with Benson, his version of the incident is closer to what actually happened. Unfortunately, it may not even matter at this point. To say Benson has not lived up to expectations in Chicago would be a huge understatement. The Bears used the fourth overall pick in the 2005 draft to acquire Benson and even traded away a proven performer in Thomas Jones so Benson could be their feature back. But instead of running over opposing defenses for 1,000 or so yards per year, Benson has rushed for a grand total of 1,593 yards in his three years in Chicago. Regardless of an aging offensive line or ineptitude at the quarterback position at times, those are not the numbers any organization would be pleased with from a top five draft pick. Then couple that lack of production with an organization that presently has a very short fuse with players getting out of line after the Tank Johnson fiasco and subsequent Lance Briggs demolition derby incident, and the future may not be all that bright for one Cedric Benson. According to Benson and his attorney, the running back has had his boat checked "several" times by authorities, who say they are trying to crack down on boaters driving under the influence. And the place they focus on is exactly where Benson had his boat; an area called, "Devil's Cove", but more aptly nicknamed "The Party Cove." by regulars.And that may be the biggest problem Benson faces. Even though accounts from the eyewitness, who was so concerned that she had her father call 911 to report police were beating up Benson, may give some weight to the Benson version of the incident, it may not matter. Benson admits he had been a target for being pulled over in the past. A fact that didn't sit well with him, which make me want to ask one simple question, " Why go back there?" If I frequent the same bar and get pulled over EVERY time after I leave that bar; after the first few times, I'd avoid it like the plague. Granted, easy for me to say. The party cove may be the best place on Lake Travis. But if it means part of my little party will involve the authorities, I'm going to find another spot on the lake or even a different lake. And that is what may hurt Cedric Benson the most. NFL players are constantly being told about using their better judgment. And Benson clearly didn't even if he is innocent of all charges. General Manager made it painfully clear that Benson may not be the back the Bears thought he was when they drafted him before the 2008 NFL Draft. Then the team selected running back Matt Forte from Tulane in the second round. One would think Benson would get the hint that the Bears are preparing for life without Cedric. Obviously, he didn't. Since the Johnson and Briggs incidents, the organization has publicly emphasized character and judgement. Cedric Benson made bad judgment when he put himself in the position he did on the lake. And he hasn't put up the numbers to make the Bears look the other way. So the bottom line is fairly simple, Benson didn't get it and it may cost him. While he may be completely innocent, Cedric Benson may have already worn out his welcome in Chicago.
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