Though clearly 10 pounds lighter after changing his diet, Cedric Benson still needs to prove in training camp that his leaner body and repaired ankle will make him a different runner.
Wednesday was not too early, however, for Benson to show there is nothing wrong with his backbone.
That’s no small development for a guy on whom the Bears have been waiting three years to stand for, well, anything.
Making his first comments since Jerry Angelo blamed him for putting himself “in a position to be the victim” during a May 3 arrest in Texas for boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest, Benson stood up to his general manager.
“He’d have to explain to me how I put myself in a situation to be a victim,”‘ Benson said. “I was enjoying myself, enjoying my off-season.”
Obviously, there are two men at Halas Hall who need to find a conference room and talk.
But an awareness that Benson rarely has shown also was apparent when, instead of getting defensive addressing Earl Campbell’s criticism that such incidents will mar Benson’s legacy, the fellow Longhorn legend deflected it with humor.
“Earl must have forgot how young I am,” Benson said. “I still have some football to play.”
Can Benson play? Nobody can answer that intelligently until there are tacklers to shed, blocks to read and holes to hit in a few months. But for a guy who has created a bigger buzz as a pro with his quotes than his carries, he made a different sort of impression this time.
Finally, he sounded like someone who understood his career is at a crossroads, and he’s prepared to deal with it. Too often in the past the only thing Benson seemed prepared for was a nap.
It was as if the confluence of getting arrested one week after the Bears drafted Matt Forte as a potential replacement for him delivered a message that Benson finally has taken seriously.
Only a fool would believe that one practice in May can reveal a total transformation in a draft bust. But there were outer signs that perhaps an inner change has begun.
Benson altered his diet to adjust to food allergies, a plan that complemented his rehab and conditioning well enough to give him a body that makes him look quicker. He thanked teammates who have supported him through the arrest. He didn’t dismiss the threat of competition as he did the last time he met the media, in the locker room at Halas Hall one day after the 2007 season ended.
“I would hope I’d have to do something to keep [my job],” Benson said. “Nobody wants to be given anything.”
Surely Benson won’t be. From this seat, Forte still looks like a better bet to start on opening night against the Colts and Benson shouldn’t count himself as a roster lock. Never before, though, has it seemed as if experience could benefit Benson. He always was too oblivious to learn from it.
Benson showed he might be capable of learning from his experiences, which might have been the most telling thing about the first organized team activity open to the media.
But it was merely one of five things. Here are four others:
Marked man
Forget Brian Urlacher, Tommie Harris and Charles Tillman, Wednesday’s most significant absentee was wide receiver Mark Bradley, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and is “questionable” for the start of training camp, the team said.
You could fit the number of Bears observers surprised by this development in a broom closet.
Normally a wide receiver coming off a six-catch season being iffy for training camp would be no big deal. But this particular receiver is the guy the Bears identified as promising enough that they avoided slapping the franchise tag on Bernard Berrian. They anointed Bradley as their No. 1 guy.
The Bears likely will go into next season with no clear-cut No. 1. Nobody should be surprised if they also go into it with questions about Bradley’s health.
Worth a nickel?
The Bears would be wise to shop cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. if their plan includes supplanting him as the nickel back. The OTAs offer coaches a chance to experiment with personnel and Wednesday’s included using Danieal Manning as the nickel back, Manning Jr.’s typical role. It’s a smart way to keep Danieal Manning, a tremendous athlete still looking for an NFL niche, in the lineup. With Mike Brown and rookie Craig Steltz possibly ahead of Manning at free safety, the role of fifth defensive back makes sense and gives the Bears good flexibility.
As for Manning Jr., his fall from grace last season was one of 2007’s bigger mysteries. He has a knack for the ball but might need a strong training camp to keep his job … if he’s still in town.
Rex and Kyle … Kyle and Rex
There was a fire truck near the roadway entrance to Halas Hall as practice began, causing one cynic to wonder if the quarterbacks were really that hot. They weren’t, but Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton threw well during team drills. Sorry. In the interest of fairness and equal time, make that Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman.
Whose name comes first depends on the day. Wednesday was Orton’s turn to run the No. 1 offense. The next practice it will be Grossman’s. In a category that means nothing, Grossman finished ahead of Orton in the dodging-reporters drill as he raced off the field first. Get used to comparing everything the quarterbacks do. Their mini-camp and training camp performances will be analyzed in Chicago more than a presidential debate. But how long into training camp can a team go without naming a starter if it’s serious about winning in 2008?
Right move
Quietly, John Tait continued to show why he has been perhaps the Bears’ most valuable offensive lineman since joining the team in 2004. Tait looked comfortable back at right tackle, a move made to ease first-round pick Chris Williams in at Tait’s old left tackle spot, eventually. Do you realize how much flexibility that gave the Bears in the draft? It will upgrade two positions, even if John St. Clair was lining up there Wednesday alongside left guard Terrence Metcalf.
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dhaugh@tribune.com
