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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
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