LOWER THE BOOM: December 18, 2008
It’s that time again. I think I’ll make this a regular Thursday post, so check back every week to see who gets the BOOM lowered on them. Feel free to drop me a line at beargoggle.boomer@gmail.com with any suggestions. There were plenty of worthy candidates this week, but I couldn’t pass up on this one. I read Mike Mulligan’s December 12 Chicago Sun Times article last Friday, discussing Matt Forte’s success and the lack of a backup plan at the running back position, when I came across this gem from none other than Cincinnati Bengals (and former Bears) RB Cedric Benson:
"”He [Matt Forte] is having a great year, but when I see the highlights, I see holes,” Benson told reporters in Cincinnati. ”I see them using him in the slot, something they didn’t do with me. If I was there right now with the holes I see, I’d probably have 1,800 yards right now. I definitely would have 1,500 by now. I congratulate him on all of his success. He is taking advantage.”"
No, that is not a joke. I am not nearly that funny and couldn’t make up something that absurd. That BUST, who should be wearing a ski mask for all the money he stole from Chicago, had the audacity to actually say that.
Cedric Benson, he of 151 carries for a whopping 465 yards and 1 touchdown this season in 10 games with
the Bengals, said that. Cedric Benson, who had a long run of 43 yards in his illustrious 3-year Bears’ career said that. Matt Forte bested that in the first quarter of his first professional game with a 50 yard TD run to spark the Bears’ victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
Cedric Benson, with two alcohol-related arrests in a 5 week period, which mercifully led to his release from the Chicago Bears prior to the 2008 season, said that.
Cedric Benson, whom the Bears drafted with the #4 selection in 2005 despite having the very capable Thomas Jones already in the fold, and handed the starting job because of his draft status and nothing more, said that.
Cedric Benson, who could never earn the respect of his teammates, much less the fans, said that. During Super Bowl XLI, the biggest game of his career on a global stage, Cedric was hurt in the first quarter. On a wet and sloppy night, when an effective running attack would have been just what the doctor ordered to keep Peyton Manning and the potent Colts offense off the field, Ced showed his true colors. He wilted and never returned to the game. Compare that to rookie Matt Forte, who sucked it up and returned to a crucial regular season game last Thursday against the Saints.
Ced, if you had done ANYTHING during your three year tenure with the Beloved, do you think the Bears would have drafted Matt Forte in the second round before last season? You say that when you watch highlights, you see holes. You haven’t seen a hole since the day you were born. You say that you’d probably have 1800 yards by now. Ced, in 45 career regular season games, you’ve barely amassed 2000 yards.
Last time I checked, the Bears’ offensive line was a huge question mark heading into this season, especially with first round draft pick Chris Williams having back surgery during the pre-season that kept him out for the first eight regular season games and still has prevented him from cracking the starting lineup. That is virtually the same line that you ran behind last season that is a year older. Forte has been able to do what you never were able to: break a tackle and make would-be tacklers miss. If Matt Forte never rushes for another yard, he will be deemed a more successful running back than you! Good bye and good riddance!
BOOM!!!