BEARS TUNE UP SPUTTERING OFFENSE
NFL Draft 2005
By: Gary Zahara
Last year it was defense, this year it is the offense that is being tuned up, and not soon enough.
For the first time in seven years, the Chicago Bears have gone the way of the running back. Cedric Benson from Texas is Chicago's first round pick, fourth overall in the 2005 NFL Draft Saturday. He is the first running back selected this early since a man named Payton put the Monsters of the Midway back on the map in 1975. The last time the Bears selected a running back was super bust Curtis Enis in 1998.
Benson comes to the Bears with a past though. Arrests for trespassing and drugs put a scarlet letter somewhat on the 5'10, 220 pound workhorse. Comparisons to maligned NFL escapee and Texas alum Ricky Williams didn't help either. But his work ethic and durability was a major selling point for Lovie Smith and his staff.
"We're very excited about having Cedric being part of our team. We wanted to help the offensive side of the football and we felt we have. You can't argue with the numbers he has put up the last four years. He's been a dominant running back every year," Smith said.
The numbers certainly don't lie.
He started every game last year for the Longhorns, rushing for 1,834 yards and 19 touchdowns on 326 carries in 12 games. An average of 27 a game. His best game in 2004 was a 15 carry, 181 yard performance against North Texas. He was the highest Texas back taken in the draft since Earl Campbell was taken number one in 1978.
"We knew a lot about him prior to him coming in here. We were very, very comfortable with him. We felt very good about everything we had done in terms of our research we just didn't’t rely on our position coach Darryl Drake who was with him for three years. Darryl was just one voice, there were many voices of many people who we interviewed on about Cedric. I’m not putting Cedric in a fishbowl, we do this ad nauseam with all our players, irrelevant of first, second or third round," general manager Jerry Angelo said.
Benson, a Doak Walker Award winner, Cingular ABC Sports All-American Player of the Year and unanimous first-team All-Big Twelve conference selection, wasted no time firing back at his critics after being raked over the coals in pre-draft interviews with some teams in the league.
"People tell you they like you and want you to play on their team, but that's not really what they mean or what they say. My process has been different because I went to Texas, wore dreads, am African-American, played running back and was successful at it. It was more just to bring me in and pick me apart. I just thought it was silly. It's a great relief to be on the team. I'm glad I'm in Chicago," Benson said.
The Bears were one of the few teams that looked past Benson's indiscretions with respect. Something not lost on the incoming rookie.
"The interview with (the Bears) was great. The questions they asked they asked respectfully and I appreciated that, said Benson. I don't want to embarrass myself, my family or the Bears. I've been waiting for this to happen for the last month and a half."
In the second round the Bears kept balance on the offensive end with their seventh selection, wide receiver Mark Bradley from Oklahoma.
Bradley, a 6'1, 201 pound burner is one of the most versatile picks the Bears have selected, contributed on punt, kickoff and kick return teams for the Sooners. His biggest game in 2004 came against Big 12 rival Oklahoma State. Bradley hauled in four catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns. He finished the year with 491 yards on 23 receptions and 7 touchdowns.
Not bad for a guy who sat out 2002 after transferring from Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
“We had been on Mark (Bradley) for quite awhile even though he had an abbreviated career at Oklahoma. We liked how he started out in college. What really made us feel good about him was that he was a really good special teams player both as a kick cover and punt cover and on punt returns. He also did some kickoff returns so I’m sure we’ll do some experimenting with him there, as well," said Angelo.
Bradley might be teamed with newly acquired Mushin Muhammad for a deep threat that has been lacking for several years. The Bears' only other deep threat is Bernard Berrian, who was selected last year in the third round.
"It's a great feeling to know that Chicago picked me in the second round and really wants me to come out and be a threat as a receiver as well as a special teams player," Bradley said.
Bradley seems to be the real thing,a player who can run,catch,throw and return with ease. His father Danny was a Sooner quarterback who taught his son well. It's too early to guess exactly where Bradley will fit into the Bears system,but with recent upgrades on offense,he should expand the passing attack and help spread the field. That's something the Bears were by and large unable to a accomplish during 2004. Mark's work ethic and all around character should make him a positive force both on and off the field,perhaps replacing the newly cut Rex Tucker in that crucial role.