Cedric Benson is the last man standing, a good thing if you’re a running back in the end zone.
It’s not as appealing when applied to unsigned first-round draft picks.
When Cincinnati reached an agreement Wednesday with defensive end David Pollack, it left Benson as the only first-round holdout. He was not close to signing on the day the Bears broke camp and headed north.
Cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones, the No. 6 overall pick, has yet to sign his contract with Tennessee but the sides have reached an agreement in principle.
Benson has missed 25 days and 24 practices and will not play Saturday night in the Bears’ third exhibition, even if he signs by then. With little or no communication between Bears brass and Benson’s agent, Eugene Parker, that seems unlikely.
“It’s disappointing,” coach Lovie Smith said. “Training camp is over. A high draft pick is not here. He’s a good football player.”
If anything, both sides are as resolute on their positions in this contract dispute as ever. Benson’s camp continues to demand that the fourth pick be paid closer to the five-year, $40 million deal of the third pick, Cleveland receiver Braylon Edwards, than the five-year, $31 million contract signed by the fifth pick, Tampa Bay running back Carnell “Cadillac” Williams.
The Bears have no desire to work off the contract for last year’s No. 4 pick, Philip Rivers. The San Diego quarterback received the second-most lucrative package in the draft behind top pick Eli Manning.
The deal signed by this year’s No. 2 pick, Miami’s Ronnie Brown, won’t help. The only running back selected above Benson, Brown’s deal is in many ways less lucrative than that of Edwards’.
Research over the last three seasons indicates that No. 4 picks’ contracts are 58 percent more lucrative than No. 5 picks when maximum value is considered. The Bears are countering with research showing that a No. 5 pick once received a more lucrative deal than the No. 4 pick. But they believe their overall package is more lucrative than Williams’.
“I can’t blame anybody,” Smith said. “All I know is Cedric isn’t in camp. Exactly whose fault it is, I can’t say that. I think we’ve made him a fair offer. Every other guy around him has signed. What else can I say but that? Hopefully, he’ll get into camp soon.”
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First-round signings
No.Player / Position, team / Contract
1.Alex Smith QB San Francisco, 6 years $49.5M
2.Ronnie Brown RB Miami, 5 years $31M
3.Braylon Edwards WR Cleveland, 5 years $40M
4.Cedric Benson RB BEARS, Unsigned
5.Carnell Williams RB Tampa Bay, 5 years $31M
6.Adam Jones CB Tennessee, 5 years $13.5M*
7.Troy Williamson WR Minnesota, 5 years $15.75M
8.Antrel Rolle CB Arizona, 5 years $13.6M (bonuses)
9.Carlos Rogers CB Washington, 5 years $17.45M
10.Mike Williams WR Detroit, 5 years $13.5M
11.Demarcus Ware DE Dallas, 5 years $13M
12.Shawne Merriman LB San Diego, 5 years $11.33M
13.Jammal Brown OT New Orleans, 5 years $11M
14.Thomas Davis FS Carolina, 5 years $10.6M
15.Derrick Johnson LB Kansas City, 5 years $10.5M
16.Travis Johnson DT Houston, 5 years $10.2M
17.David Pollack DE/LB Cincinnati, 5 years $10M
18.Erasmus James DE Minnesota, 5 years $9.8M
19.Alex Barron OT St.Louis, 5 years $9.2M
20.Marcus Spears DE Dallas, 5 years $9.35M
21.Matt Jones WR Jacksonville, 5 years $8.45M
22.Mark Clayton WR Baltimore, 5 years $8.2M
23.Fabian Washington CB Oakland, 5 years $7.8M
24.Aaron Rodgers QB Green Bay, 5 years $7.5M
25.Jason Campbell QB Washington, 5 years $7.5M
26.Chris Spencer C Seattle, 5 years $7.4M
27.Roddy White WR Atlanta, 5 years $7.35M
28.Luis Castillo DT San Diego, 5 years up to $7.035M
29.Marlin Jackson CB Indianapolis, 5 years $6.975M
30.Heath Miller TE Pittsburgh, 5 years $6.89M
31.Mike Patterson DT Philadelphia, 5 years $6.6M
32.Logan Mankins G New England, 5 years $6.4M
