Benson Only

[WHarris1]

The chances of us winning without Benson are 0.00.

 

With Benson we stand a chance, I dont how much moeny it costs... If we cant win this year (or at least show improvemnet) we'll have to start rebuilding again, and probably means the eventual departure of Briggs and Tillman.

The difference between Jones and Benson is not enough to change the entire season.

[WHarris1]

THEN WHY DONT THEY PAY BENSON?!?!?!?!

 

HE'LL SHELL OUT HUGE DOUGH FOR A 32 YEAR OLD WR BUT NOT A YOUNG HB WHO'S AUTOMATIC IN THE RED ZONE?

THEY ARE f***ING PAYING BENSON IS THAT HARD TO f***ING UNDERSTAND?

 

Let's see, Benson is the 4th pick, that's between 3 and 5 right? Ok so he should get paid between 3 and 5, WHICH IS WHAT ANGELO IS f***ING OFFERING

[DukeNukeEm]

The difference between Jones and Benson is not enough to change the entire season.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Jones alone cant take us there.

 

Jones + Benson can show marked improvement. Were the same team we were last year without Benson.

[Chisoxrd5]

The chances of us winning without Benson are 0.00.

With Benson we stand a chance

 

Wow you're putting a lot of trust in this Benson character. I didn't know hes the second coming of Walter Payton. :rolly

 

It's now apparent their only mistake was drafting Benson.

[WHarris1]

Were the same team we were last year without Benson.

Except of course you add Miller, Garza, Bradley, Moose, Urlacher, Zoom, healthy Wale, Mike Brown, and Tillman...

[Chisoxrd5]

THEY ARE f***ING PAYING BENSON IS THAT HARD TO f***ING UNDERSTAND?

 

Let's see, Benson is the 4th pick, that's between 3 and 5 right? Ok so he should get paid between 3 and 5, WHICH IS WHAT ANGELO IS f***ING OFFERING

 

Its obvious we're talking to a brick wall here...we should just let it go :headshake

[DukeNukeEm]

THEY ARE f***ING PAYING BENSON IS THAT HARD TO f***ING UNDERSTAND?

 

Let's see, Benson is the 4th pick, that's between 3 and 5 right? Ok so he should get paid between 3 and 5, WHICH IS WHAT ANGELO IS f***ING OFFERING

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

ANGELO NEEDS TO OFFER MORE.

 

Were desperate to win, and desperate times call for desperate measures. Give him what he wants. WE CANNOT WASTE A PICK LIKE THIS.

[WHarris1]

ANGELO NEEDS TO OFFER MORE.

 

Were desperate to win, and desperate times call for desperate measures.  Give him what he wants.  WE CANNOT WASTE A PICK LIKE THIS.

:banghead

 

YA LETS OFFER MORE CRIPPLING US FOR YEARS TO COME SO WE CANNOT RESIGN GUYS LIKE BRIGGS AND ZOOM

[DukeNukeEm]

Except of course you add Miller, Garza, Bradley, Moose, Urlacher, Zoom, healthy Wale, Mike Brown, and Tillman...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Who's gonna throw to Bradley or Moose? Urlacher, Tillman and Brown healthy helps a lot. But we STILL NEED TO f***ING SCORE to win.

 

No Grossman hurts, bad. But if you have a pair of talented good HB's, they can make your QB's mistakes a lot less apparent, like they did for Roethlisberger. IF YOU PAY HIM, WE HAVE A BETTER CHANCE TO WIN. I DONT CARE HOW MUCH IT COSTS, WE CANNOT WASTE THIS PICK.

[WHarris1]

Who's gonna throw to Bradley or Moose?

Not Benson...

 

Urlacher, Tillman and Brown healthy helps a lot.  But we STILL NEED TO f***ING SCORE to win.

You said we had the same team...

[DukeNukeEm]

:banghead

 

YA LETS OFFER MORE CRIPPLING US FOR YEARS TO COME SO WE CANNOT RESIGN GUYS LIKE BRIGGS AND ZOOM

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

This is why we lose, we always look for the future.. trying not to cripple us for hte future. THERE IS NO FUTURE FOR US. I THINK THE FUTURE SHOULD BE YOUR #4 OVERALL PICK.

 

Briggs is a player, I love him. But Zoom is a Dime-A-Dozen CB who really isnt anything special.

 

Sometimes if you just work for the present, things will fall into place for the future.

[DukeNukeEm]

You said we had the same team...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Yes we do. Good Defense... No Offense.

[WHarris1]

Yes we do.  Good Defense... No Offense.

No it's obviously not the same when you add 4 more than solid players.

 

[DukeNukeEm]

No it's obviously not the same when you add 4 more than solid players.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Garza more than solid?!!?!?!?!

 

A 295 Lb. Guard with no ACL isnt more than Solid.

 

Fred Miller is solid. No more, No Less.

 

Our OLine got a little bit better, Our WR corps when from Dead-Last to Tied-for-Last. Still no QB, and now he have no Power Runner.

 

Were back to where we were last year.

[chimpy2121]

ANGELO NEEDS TO OFFER MORE.

 

Were desperate to win, and desperate times call for desperate measures.  Give him what he wants.  WE CANNOT WASTE A PICK LIKE THIS.

 

 

Offer more to this ass-face that doesnt understand that he is not God? Offer more to an unproven NFL rookie who won't start now due to the time he missed? Offer more to a player that doesnt understand he is a rookie?

 

I would rather spend that money on other players or at least try to trade Ben$on

[WHarris1]

Garza more than solid?!!?!?!?!

 

A 295 Lb. Guard with no ACL isnt more than Solid.

 

Fred Miller is solid.  No more, No Less.

 

Our OLine got a little bit better, Our WR corps when from Dead-Last to Tied-for-Last.  Still no QB, and now he have no Power Runner.

 

Were back to where we were last year.

Um...let's see...

-Tillman

-Urlacher

-Moose

-Wale?

-Zoom?

 

We are drastically better than last year anyway you and your blinded Angelo hate wanna slice it.

[Soxbadger]

I would prefer the Bears let Benson sit out the entire year than give him the money he is asking for.

 

Next year he will definitely not be drafted number 4.

 

Do you think his agent will say that he deserves to be paid like the 4th pick in the 2006 draft because he was the 4th pick in the 2005 draft?

 

The answer is no.

 

There is no precedent for basing a contract demand entirely on the market of a year ago. Markets change, numbers change, demands change. The only relevant market is the 2005 draft market.

 

Benson was picked 4, he should be paid as follows:

 

Less than Brown

Less than Edwards

 

More than C. Williams.

 

That is all. There is no "well last year". If he wanted to get paid in 2004 money, he should have entered the 2004 draft. The previous draft can be a guideline, but the end measuring stick is the 2005 draft.

 

Not to mention that I have little to no sympathy for a player who is set to make over $15mil in gauranteed money right out of college.

 

That is equivalent to:

 

100 years at $150k per annum.

 

If he was such a great player he would be in camp. $1 or $2mil would be chump change compared to what he will make through endorsements.

 

Let him sit.

 

Atleast with this version of Enis and Salaam I wont have to be sick watching him play.

 

SB

[greasywheels121]

I'm getting sick of all these T.O.'s.

[RibbieRubarb]

he wants a contract identical to the #4 pick last year?  He's the #4 pick this year.  That makes sense to me. . . .

 

 

If you have NO knowledge of what happened last year...yeah it makes sense.

 

Let me enlighten you.

 

Phillip Rivers was drafted #4 in 2004

He was TRADED to San Diego for Eli Manning, the #1 pick.

Rivers' agent argued then that Rivers should be paid like a #1. San Diego gave him extra $$$.

 

Benson CANNOT be treated like a #1 pick. He wasn't even the #1 Running Back taken.

 

He is being offered #4 pick money, but he wants more money like Rivers even though the situation is different. That's greed. That's not Angelo's fault.

 

Now that you have a clue, calm down and use it.

[Soxbadger]

The comparison falls apart much more than that.

 

For Benson to deserve 4th pick money of the 2004 draft, he would have to been the 4th player selected.

 

The draft went:

 

1) Manning

2) Gallery

3) Fitz

4) Rivers

 

Benson would not have been drafted in front of any of these players. Therefore if we were to truely base Benson's value on the 2004 draft, it would be less than 4.

 

That is why basing your value off of last years draft is ridiculous outside of a general guideline.

 

SB

[S720]

he wants a contract identical to the #4 pick last year?  He's the #4 pick this year.  That makes sense to me. . . .

 

The Bears NEVER cough up the dough for anything, what else was Jerry The Moron gonna spend this money on?

 

Im so sick of this.  I hate being a Bears fan, they are idiots.

 

DukeNukeEM,

 

Do you know what you are blabbering about? The Bears have acquired quite number of free agents for the past few years. I say, "f*** Benson! A greed will always be a greed. Let him sit out for a year collecting nothing and lose all of the money. Let him go back to next year draft and see where he is going to be picked. He won't be picked 4th next year, especially with Leinart and Ferguson will be in the draft.

 

If you hate being a Bears fan, DON'T BE. WHO NEEDS YOU?

 

At some point in your life, you have to make a stand, and this is it. I won't give a penny more to the goddamned greed and his agent. Let him go play somewhere else.

[Soxbadger]

The reality of the situation is that the Bears are in a much better position than Benson is.

 

The most famous hold out Bo Jackson was picked 1st over all. A year later he was picked in the 7th round, 183 over all. Unlike Jackson, Benson's days of 2 sports athletics are over, not to mention Jackson is a far superior football player. If Benson should have to redeclare for the 2006 draft, it is unclear how far he will fall.

 

He will not be a top 5 pick, that much is certain. My guess is that he would go some where between 10-15. This amounts to what could be a $10million loss in gauranteed money, plus not being paid anything for 2005. Unlike an injury Benson will not be paid if he had an insurance policy, but will still have to pay the premiums if he wants to keep the policy. He will also have to pay his agent, etc all coming out of the $0 taht he earns.

 

The Bears on the other hand lose Benson for 1 year. If the Bears are going to be terrible with out Benson, they can draft him again in 2006 if he is such a great player. But, with the 4th pick in the 2006 draft the Bears will be looking for a much better player than Benson.

 

This is why the Bears can not give into his demands and set themselves up for being on the hook for another huge running back contract.

 

How long can Benson hold out?

 

My guess is not very long. His agent can only fill his head with "You deserve $18mil" for so long. Eventually a point will be reached when Benson goes: "You know 16.5mil is not that bad."

 

Is $1.5mil really that much for the Bears?

 

No

 

But the principle of bargaining is. When you are in a position with all of the power, you do not give into the position with no power. If the Bears give into Benson, every draft pick will hold out. This contract situation is one of the most powerful the Bears will ever be in.

 

1) There is not much popular support for Benson. In fact there appears to be more support for the Bears. This is a unique situation in hold outs. Fans usually want the players signed for whatever price, but Benson has done nothing to get the Bears fans behind him. He was not a popular pick to begin with, and he has done nothing to get fans to embrace him. With out public support, Benson has nothing.

 

2) Draft pick contracts are relatively easy once the market has been set. Outside of the dream world of Eugene Parker, there are only 3 contracts that matter to the Benson negotiation. Brown, Edwards, and C. Williams. Brown because he is the best back, therefore Benson can not be paid more. Edwards because he is the 3 pick and therefore sets the upper limit, and C. Williams because he sets the lower boundary.

 

3) Benson can do nothing else for a year. Unlike the Bears who will make about the same money, Benson makes nothing if he does not play. The Bears can outwait Benson, it will be very hard for Benson to outwait the Bears.

 

4) Potential backlash from year long hold out. This is not Bo Jackson who can just go "f*** it Im playing baseball" outside of football Benson has no marketable skills. If he holds out, what type of backlash will there be? Teams could easily not draft him in the first round posing a potential $10million loss for Benson. His agent will not reimburse him, the league will not reimburse him, he can not go back and say "Oh wait I got picked 35th now I want to go back to the Bears", it will be over.

 

To give into Benson would be one of the worst personel decisions in Bears history, especially after the loss of Grossman.

 

::Shrugs::

 

When you are a fan of a team you want them to be good not just next year, but forever.

 

Giving into Benson does nothing for the future of the Chicago Bears.

 

SB

[Ozzie Montana]

GM Angelo says Bears have made "final offer" to RB Benson

August 18, 2005

 

LAKE FOREST, Illinois (Ticker) - Having completed training camp without running back Cedric Benson, the Chicago Bears are prepared to move on without him.

 

Bears general manager Jerry Angelo released a statement Thursday that said the team has made its "final offer" to Benson, the only first-round pick yet to agree to terms with his club.

 

The fourth overall pick in the draft and the second running back, Benson missed all 26 days of training camp due to his holdout. Angelo refused to reveal terms of the team's offer.

 

"We want to make it abundantly clear that the Chicago Bears have made their best and final offer to Cedric Benson," the statement said. "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 player's extended absence."

 

When the Tennessee Titans reached a tentative agreement with sixth overall pick Adam "Pacman" Jones earlier this week, it left Benson as the only unsigned first-round selection.

 

Running back Ronnie Brown, selected second overall by the Miami Dolphins, reportedly received $43 million over five years. Running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, was taken fifth by Tampa Bay.

 

The Bears selected Benson despite the presence of Thomas Jones, who rushed for 948 yards and seven touchdowns in 14 games last season. He has never played a full season without injury.

 

Benson's agent is Eugene Parker, who represents dozens of NFL players and has a history of protracted negotiations. However, Angelo did not blame the agent for the impasse.

 

"The Chicago Bears have always placed a premium on having our players in camp on time, and recent history reflects our excellent track record," Angelo said. "Our last four (first-round) draft picks have been signed on time for the opening of training camp.

 

"Two of those picks, Rex Grossman and Tommie Harris, were also represented by Benson's agent, Eugene Parker. The failure to reach an agreement on a fair and reasonable contract has been a huge disappointment."

 

The 5-10, 222-pound Benson eclipsed 1,000 yards in each of his four years at Texas. He won the 2004 Doak Walker Award, honoring the nation's best running back, after rushing for 1,834 yards and 19 touchdowns last season.

 

A punishing inside runner who can pick up yards after contact, Benson probably was the most durable running back in the draft. There are concerns about his propensity for fumbling.

 

The Bears went 5-11 last season and have not had a 1,200-yard rusher since Neal Anderson in 1989.

[Balta1701]

Here's what you Bears fans have to hope for if you're smart...

 

Benson holds the majority of the year. The Bears offense tanks it even more than last year. The Bears wind up with either the #1 pick, or the #2 pick behind a team like S.F. that already has a quarterback.

 

Benson signs late in the year when the Bears are 0-12 and finally pay him the money. Bears get high draft pick because of his holdout, and wind up with a new and improved backfield to start the year next year.

 

It's not out of the question.

[chimpy2121]

SB

 

 

That was quite possibly one of the best posts I have ever read on this board.