Bengals running back Cedric Benson thinks that after he was sent packing from Chicago, the Bears blackballed him around the league.
Whether Benson is right or wrong to characterize communications between the Bears and other teams as "blackballing," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis says it's true that he had a "very candid" conversation with Bears coach Lovie Smith before signing Benson.
In this week's Sports Illustrated, Damon Hack writes about the surprising turnaround that Benson has had in Cincinnati after being labeled a bust in Chicago. And Hack quotes Lewis as talking about his conversation with Smith before bringing Benson aboard.
"Lovie was very candid," Lewis said. "He felt like Ced had come into a situation that maybe he wasn't ready for. There were mixed emotions [in Chicago] on whether he should have been there. On Ced's part he probably didn't handle it correctly, and he did things that didn't endear him."
That suggests that Smith gave Lewis an evaluation of Benson that was less than flattering, but then again, Benson was a fourth overall pick who was released after starting just 12 games in three seasons. Any coach would give a player an unflattering evaluation after that kind of performance.
But Lewis decided to sign Benson shortly after having that conversation with Smith, so Smith's comments obviously didn't poison the well to such an extent that Lewis would think Benson couldn't help the Bengals win.
And help the Bengals win he has. Benson is fourth in the league with 720 rushing yards, and the Bengals are tied for first in the AFC North with a 5-2 record. Whatever was said in that candid conversation, Lewis is unquestionably happy that he signed Benson.
Lovie was "very candid" with Lewis about Benson
Posted by Michael David Smith on November 7, 2009 11:36 AM ET
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Latest stories in: Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Rumors, Top Stories
Latest stories in: Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Rumors, Top Stories
Maybe Lovie should have heeded his own advice and dealt Benson instead of Thomas Jones (most underrated RB in the league for the last 5 years)
I suppose the whiny little bitch will blame the bears when the ravens shut him and the bungles down this week.enough of him already!fine he is doing great with his new team but the fact remains and it is a fact wether he wants to face up to it or not he was a BUST with the bears.he did nothing but whine and get injured during his time there and when he was healthy he fumbled.blame the line all you want but thomas jones had no problem with that same line but they traded him to make you the starter and you FAILED!now stop talking about how mean the bears were to you and move on already.bears fans know the true story,you sucked with them and are doing better with a new team it happens but YOU are the reason it did not work out in chicago not the bears.
A writer named "Hack"?
Benson said that the Bears were bad-mouthing him to any team that called asking about him. What a bunch of scumbags in Chicago to try and keep a guy from playing on another team. Stay classy Lovie.
For anyone that didnt read the sports illustrated article its been paraphrased here.
It was great timing. Benson had just been cleared of his charges and Chris Perry was fumbling everything. It was destiny. I'm so glad Cedric got his chance and made good on it.
There was NO label...he WAS a bust !!!
A classic example of a player getting a second chance and Benson is taking advantage of it.
That being said, the Bengals' roster is full of knuckleheads and prima donna's. Having Benson around would barely cause a ripple.
Former teammates, Urlacher and Briggs among them, think he quit on the team in the Super Bowl. I think so too. Go to hell, Benson.
dbet: You know nothing about the Bengals.
CYGNUS X-1 Look who's whining now.
Also, Ced put up 120 yards on the Ravens in their stadium!! No man had accomplished this feet for many seasons, nor since. Till Sunday again :)
Oh and another thing. Ced has moved on. This was an article that "Hack" wrote in SI the magazine. Keep talking up the biggest cup cake team of all time!! duh Bears
Thomas Jones should have never been allowed to leave Tampa. I recall then-GM Bruce Allen stating, "We'll see how Thomas likes Chicago when it gets cold," then Jones far outperformed any back on the Tampa roster since then and been among the most consistent RBs in the league. The guy is major league and has shown that he wasn't bust after being 'debacled' in Arizona.
Regardless of what happened in Chicago, whether it be Bensons inmaturity or or something to do with the organization, Ced has made the most out of his second chance and for him.
I remember that pick being a sort of head scratcher on draft day, so maybe it just wasn't meant to be.