[CBFF] A Question of Trust

[Tom Shannon]

http://bloggeddrain.typepad.com/cbff/2006/08/a_question_of_t.html

A Question of Trust
Tom Shannon

Cedric Benson is in the news, once again.  This time he left the sideline
early during a preseason game.  Big deal, right? 

Well, in a way, it is a big deal.  Not because he violated team rules.
Certainly not because of the importance of the game or even because it was
necessary that he be there.  Not even because Benson didn't stick around to
support his teammates, though perhaps this does get closer to the heart
matter.  It's a big deal because his teammates were the ones that ratted him
out to head coach Lovie Smith. 

Ordinarily with a young player, particularly with an arrogant one, you
expect dumb mistakes.  This one wasn't terribly surprising.  You rarely hear
about them because more senior team members take care of such things in
house.  So what would make Benson's teammates forego this route and go
directly to Smith?

One reason may be that they didn't forego it.  Its entirely possible that in
this, the second preseason game, Benson was warned by teammates and they
were ignored.  Again, this wouldn't be terribly surprising.  There is
definitely a sense of entitlement in Benson and a serious streak of
immaturity. "Why does everyone hate me? Why isn't everyone my friend? Why do
they like Thomas Jones better than me? The draft process is degrading. I
could have gotten more money if I'd represented myself. Now I'm underpaid."
These are some of the classic Bensonisms that we've said or implied by him
over the last year.

But immature rookies in the NFL aren't really new.  Most get patience from
teammates.  At minimum they are ignored.  Does even this really explain the
depth of the dislike, even hatred, that Benson's teammates seem to feel?
Does even this explain why they apparently went out of their way to make
contact with him whenever they could in training camp?  What would make
veteran players do this to a guy who is so obviously talented and who so
obviously has the potential to help them a great deal on the field?  Isn't
that really the bottom line?

I have a theory and I admit up front that its pure speculation.  It has to
do with what happened the last game of the 2005 season.  This was, for all
practical purposes, a meaningless contest to the Bears, who had clinched a
spot in the playoffs.  Benson had been hurt but was on the mend.  Thomas
Jones wasn't going to play and this was going to be his game to shine.

There are two facts about this game that are undeniable.  1)  Benson played
very well and showed no apprent effects from the injury.  2)  He started the
week saying that he couldn't play and had to actually be talked into it by
offensive coordinator Ron Turner.

Put yourself in Brian Urlacher's place.  Benson had to be talked into
playing by his offensive coordinator.  He had to actually be talked into it.
Can you imagine?  Can you imagine you had a teammate who said something like
the following:  "Why should I have to play the last game of the season if
Jones doesn't? Why should I risk my body to save his?  I've already been
hurt and now its too late to accumulate any impressive stats.  My season is
over.  Maybe I'll see you in the playoffs when everyone is watching.
Otherwise, I'll see you next year."  Yes, this would explain allot.  This
would, indeed, cause me to want to hit someone.  I'd want to beat him like a
drum.

I don't doubt that Cedric Benson will work hard enough and I don't doubt
that he'll perform on the field as long as its to his benefit. But I have
serious doubt that he'll perform on the field when there's a chance it may
not seem to be to his benefit.  In short, unlike a guy like Thomas Jones,
Benson is highly unlikely to take one for the team and the guess here is
that the team knows it.  As it was so well put by Mike Mulligan of the
Chicago Sun-Times:

Leaving a preseason game doesn't deserve a death sentence. It doesn't mean
Benson is going to get caught with a corked helmet or miss a game after a
violent sneeze. But it makes you wonder if he gets it and just how much you
want to trust him.

The way I see it, this is the one issue for professional football players
that trumps performance on the field.  You can hold out for a good contract.
You can feel sorry for yourself and play the victim.  You can make silly
comments to the press.  When you hit the field its got to be team first or
not at all.  Talent is all well and good and its evident that Benson has it.
But does it matter if you can't trust it to be there when you need it in the
trenches?

Money can't buy happiness, but neither can poverty.
            -- Leo Rosten