[CBFF] Fw: [PapaBear] Benson Wants Chance to Prove Himself

[Senzigx4]

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. (AP) -- Cedric Benson was handed the Bears' 
starting running back position without a challenge. Now he's out to 
prove he deserves the promotion. 

"We've given him the football and he's had a lot of opportunities to 
show what type of player he is," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. 

Benson is the starter because 1,335-yard rusher Thomas Jones was 
demoted to second team for missing voluntary workouts. Jones then 
pulled a hamstring during a pre-camp physical. 

Benson, the fourth overall pick in the 2005 draft out of Texas, has 
had more than a regular share of carries in his first training camp; 
he missed his rookie camp during a monthlong holdout. 

"We want him to get tired, really, in training camp," Smith 
said. "When you have young players like that they need every rep 
they can get and that's what Cedric is doing." 

Smith also views the carries as significant in Benson's development 
for another reason. 

"I think he's being accepted more by his teammates," Smith 
said. "Each day they see him come out here and they're starting to 
see what type of player he can be." 

Jones' demotion and Benson's promotion made for a rather delicate 
situation in camp because of the respect Bears players carry for 
Jones. 

At first, it seemed defensive players were taking unusually hard 
shots at Benson in practices. Normally running backs are not tackled 
or knocked to the ground in scrimmages, but Benson took a handful of 
hits in his first two scrimmages. 

But in Monday night's scrimmage, defensive players went out of their 
way several times to avoid big collisions with Benson. 

"We're definitely not going to give him anything," Smith said. "You 
have to earn it. Nobody cares what you've done in the past. ... You 
have to come up here, but good players normally find a way to get 
accepted by their teammates. And that's what Cedric has done." 

Center Olin Kreutz said it's not surprising that Benson has to earn 
respect. 

"It's only his second year," Kreutz said. "It takes a lot to earn 
people's respect, it takes a while for people to have trust in you, 
faith that you're going to do your job at all. It takes a while no 
matter who you are. I didn't feel I bonded with guys until I was in 
my fifth, sixth year." 

Benson had little chance last year because of his holdout, Jones' 
solid play and a season-ending sprained knee. He was limited to 272 
yards rushing on 67 carries. 

"If they want to see C.B. shine, put me in the game and I'll shine," 
he said Tuesday. 

Benson's running skills haven't been the source of concern. Instead, 
the worry has been his involvement in the passing game after gaining 
very little experience with it at Texas. 

"I can recall back in the (June workouts), one of his worst days was 
just based on him not being able to catch the football," Smith 
said. "He's worked awfully hard trying to get his hands down." 

Benson has displayed better hands in recent practices, but his pass 
blocking still is a concern. 

Scrambling quarterback Vince Young made it easier for him to pass 
block at Texas. 

"They blitzed, but we had Vince Young back there," Benson said. "If 
I missed a blitz, he made them miss, so I just picked up the next 
guy." 

Benson has backed off his prediction of a 1,700-yard season -- 
somewhat, anyway. 

"That was just some fun stuff," he said about a prediction he made 
in minicamp. "I mean it's back there, yeah. Once we get close to it, 
I'll start bringing it back up again."



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