[CBFF] [chicagotribune.com - Sports] Benson sure 'truth will come out' about boating case

[Tom Shannon]

Cedric Benson a changed man for Bears?

Benson flashes different side off field, but all that really matters to the Bears is what troubled back
does on it

          David Haugh | On the Bears
          9:41 PM CDT, May 21, 2008


Though clearly 10 pounds lighter after changing his diet, Cedric Benson still needs to prove in training
camp that his leaner body and repaired ankle will make him a different runner.
Wednesday was not too early, however, for Benson to show there is nothing wrong with his backbone.
That's no small development for a guy on whom the Bears have been waiting three years to stand for,
well, anything.
Making his first comments since Jerry Angelo blamed him for putting himself "in a position to be the
victim" during a May 3 arrest in Texas for boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest, Benson stood
up to his general manager.


"He'd have to explain to me how I put myself in a situation to be a victim,"' Benson said. "I was
enjoying myself, enjoying my off-season."
Obviously, there are two men at Halas Hall who need to find a conference room and talk.
But an awareness that Benson rarely has shown also was apparent when, instead of getting defensive
addressing Earl Campbell's criticism that such incidents will mar Benson's legacy, the fellow Longhorn
legend deflected it with humor.
"Earl must have forgot how young I am," Benson said. "I still have some football to play."
Can Benson play? Nobody can answer that intelligently until there are tacklers to shed, blocks to read
and holes to hit in a few months. But for a guy who has created a bigger buzz as a pro with his quotes
than his carries, he made a different sort of impression this time.
Finally, he sounded like someone who understood his career is at a crossroads, and he's prepared to deal
with it. Too often in the past the only thing Benson seemed prepared for was a nap.
It was as if the confluence of getting arrested one week after the Bears drafted Matt Forte as a
potential replacement for him delivered a message that Benson finally has taken seriously.
Only a fool would believe that one practice in May can reveal a total transformation in a draft
bust. But there were outer signs that perhaps an inner change has begun.
Benson altered his diet to adjust to food allergies, a plan that complemented his rehab and conditioning
well enough to give him a body that makes him look quicker. He thanked teammates who have supported him
through the arrest. He didn't dismiss the threat of competition as he did the last time he met the
media, in the locker room at Halas Hall one day after the 2007 season ended.
"I would hope I'd have to do something to keep [my job]," Benson said. "Nobody wants to be given
anything."
Surely Benson won't be. From this seat, Forte still looks like a better bet to start on opening night
against the Colts and Benson shouldn't count himself as a roster lock. Never before, though, has it
seemed as if experience could benefit Benson. He always was too oblivious to learn from it.
Benson showed he might be capable of learning from his experiences, which might have been the most
telling thing about the first organized team activity open to the media.
But it was merely one of five things. Here are four others:

Marked man

Forget Brian Urlacher, Tommie Harris and Charles Tillman, Wednesday's most significant absentee was wide
receiver Mark Bradley, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and is "questionable" for
the start of training camp, the team said.
You could fit the number of Bears observers surprised by this development in a broom closet.
Normally a wide receiver coming off a six-catch season being iffy for training camp would be no big
deal. But this particular receiver is the guy the Bears identified as promising enough that they avoided
slapping the franchise tag on Bernard Berrian. They anointed Bradley as their No. 1 guy.
The Bears likely will go into next season with no clear-cut No. 1. Nobody should be surprised if they
also go into it with questions about Bradley's health.

Worth a nickel?

The Bears would be wise to shop cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. if their plan includes supplanting him as
the nickel back. The OTAs offer coaches a chance to experiment with personnel and Wednesday's included
using Danieal Manning as the nickel back, Manning Jr.'s typical role. It's a smart way to keep Danieal
Manning, a tremendous athlete still looking for an NFL niche, in the lineup. With Mike Brown and rookie
Craig Steltz possibly ahead of Manning at free safety, the role of fifth defensive back makes sense and
gives the Bears good flexibility.
As for Manning Jr., his fall from grace last season was one of 2007's bigger mysteries. He has a knack
for the ball but might need a strong training camp to keep his job ... if he's still in town.

Rex and Kyle ... Kyle and Rex

There was a fire truck near the roadway entrance to Halas Hall as practice began, causing one cynic to
wonder if the quarterbacks were really that hot. They weren't, but Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton threw
well during team drills. Sorry. In the interest of fairness and equal time, make that Kyle Orton and Rex
Grossman.
Whose name comes first depends on the day. Wednesday was Orton's turn to run the No. 1 offense. The next
practice it will be Grossman's. In a category that means nothing, Grossman finished ahead of Orton in
the dodging-reporters drill as he raced off the field first. Get used to comparing everything the
quarterbacks do. Their mini-camp and training camp performances will be analyzed in Chicago more than a
presidential debate. But how long into training camp can a team go without naming a starter if it's
serious about winning in 2008?

Right move

Quietly, John Tait continued to show why he has been perhaps the Bears' most valuable offensive lineman
since joining the team in 2004. Tait looked comfortable back at right tackle, a move made to ease
first-round pick Chris Williams in at Tait's old left tackle spot, eventually. Do you realize how much
flexibility that gave the Bears in the draft? It will upgrade two positions, even if John St. Clair was
lining up there Wednesday alongside left guard Terrence Metcalf.
dhaugh at tribune.com

more in /sports/football/bears

Copyright © 2008, Chicago Tribune