Blog Down, Chicago Bears

Two alcohol-related arrests within a five-week period were enough for Bears management to send the embattled Cedric Benson packing.

Only two days after being arrested for drunk driving, the Bears waived Benson in a move that most had expected. General manager Jerry Angelo has proven that the organization won’t go lightly on repeat offenders as witnessed in last year’s releasing of the troubled Tank Johnson.

Benson, the fourth overall selection in the 2005 NFL Draft, never lived up to expectations in his short career with the Bears. Last season, after being handed full-time duties, he responded with 674 yards rushing, 4 touchdowns and 3.4 yards per carry in 11 games.

After being arrested on May 3 for boating while intoxicated, Benson appeared happy and expressed optimism while at organized team activities almost three weeks later. “I feel great. I feel everything. Everything on a positive note, that’s how I feel,” he said.

Five weeks later and Benson was back in a familiar position: handcuffed, drunk and riding in a cop car in the state of Texas.

With the release, Benson joins a crop of first-round running back busts for the Bears that includes Rashaan Salaam and Curtis Enis.

The Bears currently have five running backs on their roster: Matt Forte, Matt Lawrence, Adrian Peterson, P.J. Pope and Garrett Wolfe. Forte is the most likely candidate for the starting job.