[vincesanity82]

Bears RB Cedric Benson's job security as the featured back needs review on a weekly basis until he proves himself, beginning Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Remember that Benson won the starting running back job on faith and not on the field. That faith the Bears placed in their 2005 first-round draft pick took a severe blow against the Chargers, when Benson responded to his promotion with a lackluster 42-yard performance that included a lost fumble. So uninspired was Benson's effort that when he put on a cap on the sidelines during the first offensive series of the fourth quarter, many assumed he had been benched for Adrian Peterson. The Bears denied that, unconvincingly. But for the long-term good of the team and maybe even Benson, they need at least to consider benching him to start the first quarter. -- Chicago Tribune

ChicagoSports.com: Peterson competition may push Benson to excel

[Lefty Noob]

What'd I say? What'd I say? Benson is a bum and the Bears were going to regret dumping Jones and handing him the reigns. And what do you know, it's happening already. I don't know enough about Chicago's Adrian Peterson to know whether or not he's much better, but Benson clearly has proven he's not starting tailback material. They should do what they can to get someone like Michael Turner or Fred Taylor in a trade.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

What'd I say? What'd I say? Benson is a bum and the Bears were going to regret dumping Jones and handing him the reigns. And what do you know, it's happening already. I don't know enough about Chicago's Adrian Peterson to know whether or not he's much better, but Benson clearly has proven he's not starting tailback material. They should do what they can to get someone like Michael Turner or Fred Taylor in a trade.

Not enough miles left on the tires...Taylor is an injury waiting to happen.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

Not enough miles left on the tires...Taylor is an injury waiting to happen.

I'd still take him over Benson, at least as a short-term fix.

[Be Da Bear]

There is no doubt the Bears are trying to light a fire under him and they need too. Look, the Bears are not going to panic here. I think they are sending a quick message to him in the week that they are playing a team that they should/BETTER beat pretty easy. I look for Benson to carry a heavy load this Sunday to get him some confidence going. And he's going to need it, they have Dallas week 3.

[bears9]

Hey Goth who made the thread after the Jones trade saying the Bears needed add anthor back and you laughed at me for it what do you think now ?

[bears9]

We might think these shots at Benson are undesvered but Chicago Tribune writer Mike Downey does not

Quote :
Cedric Benson wore a crooked visor on his head and a puzzled look on his face Wednesday.

Somebody had just told him that a San Diego Charger took a couple of cheap shots at him off the field, such as the Bears' running back would fold if you gave him a couple of clean shots on the field.

"What?" a wide-eyed Benson said.




On a radio show, somebody explained.

Benson's first instinct was to shrug it off.

"Some guy on the radio, hyping himself up. I don't care," he said. "It doesn't affect me."

But it did bug him, the more he thought about it.

"I'll run that dude over any day," Benson said a while later. "If I met him in the hole? Any day."

Respect is a difficult thing to come by in the NFL, and this is a guy who is struggling to gain his.

There are those who already are saying the Bears should try a different running back in Sunday's game with Kansas City, which is absurd when you consider how many times Benson has been a starter this season.

Once.

There also are those who say the Bears obviously have erred in letting Thomas Jones go and giving his job to Benson, which is patently unfair when you consider how many times Benson has been a starter in his NFL career.

Twice.

It was bad enough when fantasy-league fanatics and media know-nothings began to pile on Benson before he had a fair chance to prove what he could do.

But to have a pro peer such as San Diego linebacker Shaun Phillips (and any other Chargers who felt the same way as they prepared for last week's game) do a number on him, that's enough to get a Bear's goat.

"They don't know what they're talking about," said quarterback Rex Grossman, who doesn't rush to his own defense half as fast as he did Wednesday to his rusher's.

"Obviously, Cedric is one of the hardest runners in the league. I mean, how many times have you seen him come into the hole and knock somebody over? He broke somebody's ankle in Houston. He's a tough, tough running back.

"They don't know him. They've never seen him play before that. He's an extremely tough runner. He's going to have a great season, too. I just can't wait to see him get on a roll and have a breakout season."

A week into this season, Benson is tied for 31st place among NFL backs in rushing yardage with 42 yards—tied with a New York Jet by the name of Thomas Jones.

If somebody asked you to name the NFL's two top running backs, there is a chance you might go with LaDanian Tomlinson of the Chargers, whom the Bears faced last weekend, and Larry Johnson of the Chiefs, whom they face this weekend.

Mike Downey: Cheap shots at Benson undeserved