Cedric Benson

[TheReverend]

Bears make final offer to top pick Benson

NFL.com wire reports

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (Aug. 18, 2005) -- Upset and frustrated that running back Cedric Benson is still a holdout and the only first-round draft pick without a contract agreement, the Chicago Bears have made their final offer to the No. 4 pick.

"After missing all of training camp, we want to make it abundantly clear that the Chicago Bears have made their best and final offer to Cedric Benson," Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said in a statement released by the team.

"No dollars are left on the bargaining table and at this point the only contract discussions that will be entertained will be reflective of the considerable loss of value to the club created by the players' extended absence," the statement said.

The rest: http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/CHI/8748032

---------------------------------------

Okay the drama with this guy has gotten ridiculous. It seems to me all those comparisons to Ricky that he cried about on Draft Day were well deserved. This was a player I had thought was going to come in with a chip on his shoulder and want to excel... he's proving me wrong. I want to see more teams taking a stand like the Eagles, Chargers and Bears are doing at the moment. Wanting a new contract is one thing, but whining over big contracts on the table and causing a scene (in Benson's case he hasnt even proven a THING in the NFL yet) is uncalled for. If anyone deserves to hold-out, its Ed Reed, followed by Ronde Barber... theyre playing.

[NaptownChief]

It seems to me all those comparisons to Ricky that he cried about on Draft Day were well deserved.

Tough to say that IMO...most of this blame belongs with the fool he chose as an agent.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Okay the drama with this guy has gotten ridiculous. It seems to me all those comparisons to Ricky that he cried about on Draft Day were well deserved. This was a player I had thought was going to come in with a chip on his shoulder and want to excel... he's proving me wrong. I want to see more teams taking a stand like the Eagles, Chargers and Bears are doing at the moment. Wanting a new contract is one thing, but whining over big contracts on the table and causing a scene (in Benson's case he hasnt even proven a THING in the NFL yet) is uncalled for. If anyone deserves to hold-out, its Ed Reed, followed by Ronde Barber... theyre playing.

I want to see more players like Walker, Ward and Gates take a stand. I'm tired of these teams trying to get by on the cheap with these guys. Pay em or trade em to someone who can use their talents...............like us!

[GreatBronco16]

I want to see more players like Walker, Ward and Gates take a stand. I'm tired of these teams trying to get by on the cheap with these guys. Pay em or trade em to someone who can use their talents...............like us!


And you think Denver can afford to pay Gates? So how many players do we let go to sign him?

I'm glad teams are finally taking a stand. It takes more than one person eating up the cap to win a championship in the NFL.

[ludo21]

Tough to say that IMO...most of this blame belongs with the fool he chose as an agent.


What?? the agent DOES NOT have the final say, its bensons choice, sure the agent whispers in his ear, but Bensonhas the choice to sign the offer. I agree completely i had a lot of respect for benson coming in, crying(now thats passion) on stage i thought he would have been a horse, but no, hes done a 180 and is just being dumb.

i hope the bears stay firm and benson signs

[-Slap-]

Apparently the slotting between the fourth and fifth pick the last three years has been skewed for some reason. Thus the dispute. Chicago wants to pay the percentage rate that fits the traditional formula. Benson wants the actual deals the previous players landed. I imagine the Phillips Rivers contract last year skewed the numbers to make the fourth picks contracts worth so much more than the fifth.

[ludo21]

Apparently the slotting between the fourth and fifth pick the last three years has been skewed for some reason. Thus the dispute. Chicago wants to pay the percentage rate that fits the traditional formula. Benson wants the actual deals the previous players landed. I imagine the Phillips Rivers contract last year skewed the numbers to make the fourth picks contracts worth so much more than the fifth.


Rivers equals QB, so benson shouldnt expect that kind of money. WE will see how this plays out tho.

[DivineLegion]

Rivers was also traded for the #1 pick!

[jonny1]

I think the NFL needs to go to the NBA model, where the rookies get X amount of dollars, but nothing like the 45 or whatever million dollar contract that Alex Smith signed. When they haven't proven a thing in the league and they are getting more than 5-10 year veterans, it just isn't right.

Plus, it would protect teams from having a huge contract on their ledger if the rookie is a bust.

[maven]

Okay the drama with this guy has gotten ridiculous. It seems to me all those comparisons to Ricky that he cried about on Draft Day were well deserved. This was a player I had thought was going to come in with a chip on his shoulder and want to excel... he's proving me wrong. I want to see more teams taking a stand like the Eagles, Chargers and Bears are doing at the moment. Wanting a new contract is one thing, but whining over big contracts on the table and causing a scene (in Benson's case he hasnt even proven a THING in the NFL yet) is uncalled for. If anyone deserves to hold-out, its Ed Reed, followed by Ronde Barber... theyre playing.

You're being stupid. Did Ricky have a problem holding out? Benson deserves a raise over last year's #4 overall(Rivers). It's payday & who gives a shiat if he hasn't proved a thing in the NFL. This is how it works. You get drafted high you get paid. WTF does ed reed or barber haft to do with this? They were drafted & were paid accordingly.

[TheReverend]

You're being stupid. Did Ricky have a problem holding out? Benson deserves a raise over last year's #4 overall(Rivers). It's payday & who gives a shiat if he hasn't proved a thing in the NFL. This is how it works. You get drafted high you get paid. WTF does ed reed or barber haft to do with this? They were drafted & were paid accordingly.

Youre an idiot.

Ed Reed was defensive MVP of the NFL for a reason... not a good rusher whos only proven something at Texas. Ed Reed is ready to make a little over $500,000 this year.

QBs get paid better than RBs... theres less weight on their shoulders. No way should he get close to River's contract.

Take Ronnie Browns contract, subtract 5 mil off the bonus and if he wont take it, **** em.

[watermock]

Good grief. I get tired of players complaining when they give their salary and don't include their salary bonus, which teams pro-rate. T.O. is going to make 12 million in two years. Bank that he's gone after this year. Not a bad take if you asked me. Ed Reed wasn't a first rounder, maybe he did late, I think he went early second, whatever. Alot of us wanted him. When Lelie fell to us, it was a no brainer, I think we may of taken Reed there. Reeves took TJ Buckett. That sent him to retirement and heart medication ads.

Our mock draft picked Reed, but it was assumed Lelie would be gone. It became a no brainer. Good kid, will probably be loyal, no problems. He will be the good soldier and stay with the team unless they break him, he will sign an extension after next year.

[TheReverend]

Good grief. I get tired of players complaining when they give their salary and don't include their salary bonus, which teams pro-rate. T.O. is going to make 12 million in two years. Bank that he's gone after this year. Not a bad take if you asked me. Ed Reed wasn't a first rounder, maybe he did late, I think he went early second, whatever. Alot of us wanted him. When Lelie fell to us, it was a no brainer, I think we may of taken Reed there. Reeves took TJ Buckett. That sent him to retirement and heart medication ads.

Our mock draft picked Reed, but it was assumed Lelie would be gone. It became a no brainer. Good kid, will probably be loyal, no problems. He will be the good soldier and stay with the team unless they break him, he will sign an extension after next year.

Ed Reed went late first round I think. 26 or something.