KiLoc69

You bring up a good point that even if he's innocent in the first incident, it hasn't been resolved in court. As far as running the red light, we don't know if that's true yet. If the cop was lying about how drunk Benson appeared, who knows if he's being honest about any of it. Even if the cop IS being honest, unless that part was taped too, running a red light can be pretty subjective. Even with replay, some NFL officials can't tell if someone was inbounds on some plays. As far as the "nascar stunt", c'mon bro, the guy was speeding.

IF he was healthy, I'd like Jones too. Unfortunately, I think if he was healthy SOMEONE would have already taken a chance on him. I really hope Forte is as good as advertised, I've never seen him play live and his videos haven't really wowed me. If our Oline improves significantly, I don't think we'd have to worry about him too much.

Ok, as I stated, I know what the lawyer's job is. I was looking for a reaction assuming what was being claimed was true. I responded this in antoher post and will just copy and paste it: If his version of what happened at Lake Travis is true, he did nothing wrong. The video tape of Saturday's arrest supposedly contradicts the officer's affidavit that he was drunk and staggering and refused a blood test according to some law officials that have seen it (i opened a thread regarding this). Lets assume the above is true for the sake of argument. Ced went out Saturday, had a couple of drinks, and was driving home. All perfectly legal (assuming he was below legal limit). Should he be FORCED to get a driver because of the negative perception that arose from the lake Travis incident even though he looks to be innocent in that case? If his side was true, that's all it was, a negative PERCEPTION, not reality. He did nothing wrong at Lake Travis. If he was driving legally now, again all we have is another negative perception, not reality. So what most people are saying is that because he is rich and knows he's a target, he SHOULD hire a driver just in case. I agree that would have avoided all this mess, but what about his civil and legal rights? If he is abiding by the law, he shouldn't HAVE to take extra steps to be EXTRA legal. Do his rights go out the window because he's rich? How would you feel if this happened to you, innocent both times and you get fired because the incidents gave a negative perception?

How HORRIBLE is his judgement really? If his version of what happened at Lake Travis is true, he did nothing wrong. The video tape of Saturday's arrest supposedly contradicts the officer's affidavit that he was drunk and staggering and refused a blood test according to some law officials that have seen it (i opened a thread regarding this). Lets assume the above is true for the sake of argument. Ced went out Saturday, had a couple of drinks, and was driving home. All perfectly legal (assuming he was below legal limit). Should he be FORCED to get a driver because of the negative perception that arose from the lake Travis incident even though he looks to be innocent in that case? If his side was true, that's all it was, a negative PERCEPTION, not reality. He did nothing wrong at Lake Travis. If he was driving legally now, again all we have is another negative perception, not reality. So what most people are saying is that because he is rich and knows he's a target, he SHOULD hire a driver just in case. I agree that would have avoided all this mess, but what about his civil and legal rights? If he is abiding by the law, he shouldn't HAVE to take extra steps to be EXTRA legal. Do his rights go out the window because he's rich? How would you feel if this happened to you, innocent both times and you get fired because the incidents gave a negative perception?

Benson's lawyer, Sam Basset, was just on Chicago Tribune Live and said he has spoken to law enforcement officials and people in the DA's office and all of them say Benson looks fine in the video of the field sobriety test. He also says it is confirmed Benson could be heard on the tape saying he wanted to take a blood test and the officer responding "well I'm offering you a breath test". Mr. Basset said the law in Texas allows the driver to take either the breath or the blood test and that the blood test is considered more accurate. This is a far cry from the officer's affidavit saying that he could not balance himself without swaying and that he was severely slurring his speech. If the lawyer's sources are correct, we would be letting Benson go after 2 consecutive incidents in which he may be innocent of the charges and it is questionable if either arrest was even legal. Please don't respond that lawyers are liars, or that we are getting 3rd party information, I know that. Let's assume for the sake of argument that this tape shows exactly what is being claimed. Will everyone's reaction be the same?

Wow, are we really getting on this guy for some weed, 2 traffic violations*, kicking down a door to get a plasma TV that was stolen from him, and a boating incident that turns out is probably a case of abuse of power? Seriously, are any of those things THAT big of a deal? They are public embarrassments, but nothing more. If the guy was a pro bowler we wouldn't even be discussing this, and if we were, it would be to defend him.

I have a few people close to me that are cops and they all told me that if I even had one beer to refuse the test because they are very innacurate. Sure, you'll get a suspension, but that's better than being found guilty of DUI. Benson sounds confident about passing the test, at least on video so I hope that comes out to either clear him or expose him. Lets pretend for a second everything he said about the incident on the boat is true. Now lets pretend he is being honest here too. He passes the field sobriety test and now is being asked to jump through yet more hoops and he decides, enough is enough, shuts off and stop cooperating. Possible? Not defending him, I'm just playing devil's advocate. I'm pissed that he didn't play it safe and have a driver, even if he is telling the truth.

I can agree with that.

I have ZERO problem with his actions being condemned by those who have never commited those actions themselves. If he's guilty, what he did is wrong, and should be blasted. My problem is with hypocrisy. I would LOVE to bash Benson in this case because I'm angry there is another black eye on the team I love but I can't because I've drank and then driven before. I don't drink much but have a very high tolerance for alcohol. If I even feel a buzz, I hand the keys to my GF or a family member. I'm a skinny guy so even 2 beers will probably put me over the legal limit and it would be a risk for me to drive. If I were to get a DUI, I'd DEFINATELY lose my job. Would I still drive home after having a beer or two at my dad's house? Yes. Is it a risk I'm taking for possibly breaking the law in it's technical nature? Yes. Am I the only person here who has had the above scenario play out many times? Doubt it. Let me make it clear once again, I am not defending Benson or drunk drivers here. A DUI does not mean the driver was drunk. I believe many people here have DUI'd at one level or another. All I am saying is let he without sin cast the second stone. Pix got the first stone since he's not a drinker, you the man Pix =D

Oh I'm in no way saying he shouldn't suffer the consequences of his actions, I'm not even saying the Bears shouldn't cut him. I wouldn't be upset if they did. All I'm saying is that alot of people here like to sit on their high horse when I'm sure at least some of them have done the same thing he is alledgedly guilty of.

Have you ever drank ANY alcohol and driven? If you have, I'd argue you ahve more to lose with a DUI than Benson does. If he loses his job, he's still a millionaire. If a regular Joe loses his job because of a dui, he is in serious trouble. Maybe you don't lose your job, but DUIs are very expensive. Those costs are peanuts to Benson. Jason, I'm not defending him. I'm saying most of us do the same wrong things and those of us who do, shouldn't point fingers. We're wrong with him (not saying you, maybe ur not one)

Without the blood test, we really don't know if he was drunk. It appears he DRANK and drove, even if it was only a little, but as I said in the Tank case, not many of us can say we haven't done the same and we'd be hyocrites to condemn him. I'm not saying it's right, just saying if we're doing/done the same wrong, we shouldn't point fingers. So those of you who are blasting him, I hope you've NEVER drank and driven. Smiling in the mug shot is what really pisses me off. With everything that has happened, what the hell was he thinking?

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=201295&src=148 His base salary of $360,000 last season was the league minimum, as is the $445,000 base he's scheduled to make this season. But for now, he's willing to be patient. "It's tough, but I did sign a contract, so I'm obligated to come out here," he said. "I'd be reneging if I didn't show up, but at the same time it's very frustrating. I do want to get paid. But I'm not going to sit here and complain about not getting paid enough. I'm going to come out here and play ball."

Didn't know that, now it all makes sense. He really doesn't have much to gain unless he just wanted to spite the cops on principle which will probably happen anyway if his version of the truth goes public on that audio tape.

If you don't think a couple million dollars is much to gain... Or maybe a civil suit is a backup in case he doesn't come back 100% healthy. Lets say we cut him and other teams want to give him peanuts, he can then retire and he could say the officers injured him when they "took his legs out from under him" thus ending his once promising career. Guess when we hear the tape it will tell us a bit more about who's telling the truth.

At the same time, I wonder why Benson is not planning on pursuing civil action. Could it be his lawyer advised him there is not enough evidence or does he really just want everything to go away despite being in the right? Maybe he was drunk and doesn't want to open a bigger can of worms.

Benson looks forward to clearing name, winning starting job Associated Press LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Cedric Benson was back in Bears camp Wednesday working out with the first string weeks after he was arrested in Texas. Benson was arrested on Lake Travis in Texas on suspicion of boating while under the influence and resisting arrest. He said neither charge is true. "It would be nice to have it gone and get it cleared up and over with, but you know, I don't really spend too much time thinking about it at all," Benson said. "I'm sticking to my story and the truth will come out, sometime, whether it be now or a year from now or whenever." Benson has a court date of June 30. He said he does not plan to file a civil rights lawsuit against the Lower Colorado River Authority police, although he has said officers used excessive force. Benson took issue with critics he believes have jumped to conclusions without knowing facts of the incident, including Bears general manager, Jerry Angelo. After the arrest, Angelo expressed disappointment Benson would "put himself in position to be the victim." "He'd have to explain to me how I put myself in a situation to be a victim," Benson said. "I was just enjoying myself, doing my own thing." Benson has often said he didn't feel a part of the team after a monthlong contract holdout his rookie year, but the 25-year-old fourth-year veteran said teammates have his back now. "It wasn't just over the last couple weeks, I think they took me in a while back, last year," Benson said. "Speaking on this situation and the things they've had to say about it have been really great. They've been very supportive from that fact." Benson drew criticism last year for not being in shape. His season ended when he broke his left leg just above the ankle Nov. 25 after gaining 674 yards on 196 carries. "I feel faster, stronger, clearer, healthier," Benson said. Benson has lost 10 pounds after going through rehab for his injury. The Bears drafted Tulane running back Matt Forte in the second round last month, but Benson is lining up at the voluntary practices ahead of his new competition. Benson both expects and is looking forward to a battle for the position in training camp. "Nobody wants to be given anything," he said. "It makes it more fun and more exciting when you've got to fight for it." Notes: Bears WR Mark Bradley is missing workouts following arthroscopic surgery on his right knee this month. Team officials said it's "questionable" whether Bradley will be healthy enough to participate at the outset of training camp July 23. Wide receivers coach Darryl Drake said he expects Bradley to recover in time for camp. ... Several Bears missed Wednesday's voluntary workout, including Devin Hester, Brian Urlacher, Alex Brown, Jamar Williams, Charles Tillman and Tommie Harris. The team's minicamp is May 30-June 1 and is mandatory for all players Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

I'm guessing we'll hear this audio tape eventually so I'm not too worried.

Per PFT, this is innacurate. It's actually 5 years: FIVE, NOT SIX, YEARS NEEDED FOR FREE AGENCY IN UNCAPPED YEAR Posted by Mike Florio on May 21, 2008, 12:00 a.m. One of the most widely reported inaccuracies regarding the uncapped year, which currently is scheduled to unfold in 2010, is that a player will need six years of service to qualify for unrestricted free agency instead of four. As a league source pointed out to us tonight, Article XIX of the CBA states, in maddeningly roundabout fashion, that the minimum number of years for unrestricted free agency in an uncapped year under the current CBA is five. Per Article XIX(a): “Subject to the provisions of Article XX (Franchise and Transition Players), any player with five or more Accrued Seasons, or with four or more Accrued Seasons in any Capped Year, shall, at the expiration of his Player Contract, become an Unrestricted Free Agent.” By implication, this sentence means that, in an uncapped year, five or more accrued seasons is the key to becoming an unrestricted free agent. For players drafted in 2005 who’ll be hitting the market in 2010, the significance is huge. If the number were actually six years, those players would be restricted free agents. For players drafted in 2006, who would have otherwise been unrestricted free agents in 2010, the CBA makes them restricted free agents if 2010 is uncapped. Notable players who’d miss their shot at unrestricted free agency include Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans, Bears receiver/kick returner Devin Hester, Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, and Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew. The mistake regarding six years versus five has appeared in numerous places, including the Bears official web site and NFL.com, and in items published by the Associated Press, the New York Daily News, USA Today, SI.com, and, um, PFT. The error apparently is the result of an assumption that the 2006 CBA extension incorporated the same terms as the prior CBA regarding the number of years of service necessary to qualify for free agency. And the over/under on an AP or ESPN.com piece clarifying this rule without crediting the folks who first published it is 18 hours.

The success of this season depends on the Oline. I think our QB and RB will be fine if our OLine plays beter than it did last year, and even the year we went to the Superbowl. We are counting on a rookie LT to make that much of an impact. I'm VERY cautiously optimistic, mostly because our defense is sick when healthy.

Hard to drive a boat when it's anchored down. He REALLY must have been wasted to try that. Look, the police supposedly boarded the boat for a random safety check, not because he was swerving or doing donuts in the water. Witnesses have supported Benson's claims that he was not drunk and the police went to far. Whether or not to believe those witnesses is up for debate, but rushing to a conclusion on either side when the details are so contended is not very wise, imo.

I'm not happy with his last comments that he's dissapointed Cedric put himself in position to be the victim. Going out with your friends and family to party on a boat is not the same as going to a club with your shady friends from the past. That's not Benson putting himself anywhere, he was just living his life and not doing anything flashy or crazy. It wasn't even late night.

The last thing the Bears need right now is someone with alcohol issues lol

That doesn't seem odd to me at all lol, different life experiences I suppose

This would make sense except the dad DID in fact call 911 so the record can be traced. He called them and said something to the effect of a black kid getting beat up by LCRA police. Now a guy that wasn't even on Benson's boat has come forward backing Benson's claim and supposedly has some video of the incident.