http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3328867 Associated Press LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Running back Cedric Benson ended his 36-day holdout Sunday night, agreeing to a five-year contract with the Chicago Bears. Benson, the No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft, was the last remaining first-round pick to sign. Terms were not available but reports said the Bears had offered a contract that contained $17 million in guaranteed money to the former Texas star. The announcement of Benson's agreeing to terms came on the same day the Bears promoted another rookie, fourth-round pick Kyle Orton, to be the starting quarterback. Earlier this month, Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said the team had made its final offer to Benson and that future negotiations would be centered on how much Benson's value had been reduced by the holdout. Benson paid a surprise visit to the Bears training facility on Thursday and talked with Angelo, although it was not a negotiating session and his agent, Eugene Parker, was not present. "We are happy this process has reached a conclusion and look forward to moving ahead together," Angelo said in a statement Sunday night. Benson was a four-year starter at Texas and finished his career as the sixth-leading rusher in NCAA Division I-A history and the second-leading rusher in Longhorns history. In 49 games, he rushed for 5,540 yards on 1,112 carries with 64 TDs and caught 69 passes for 621 yards and three TDs. Benson was just the fifth back in NCAA history to rush for over 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons. His 64 TDs were the third-most in NCAA history. He was expected to challenge incumbent Thomas Jones for playing time. The Bears have one preseason game remainining Thursday before starting the regular season in Washington on Sept. 11.
How very aggyish of you. Ced played baseball in the Dodgers minor league system, and got a nice signing bonus coming out of Midland Lee.
Now that's a smart man at least. He realized there was no more money to be made. He signs. And he'll play. Unlike some other dudes who are making less than they could've gotten if the they had just packed it in. You have to know when to fold.
Man...why is it that you are so obsessed with Texas A&M? On an individual basis, you are probably more obsessed with A&M than any single Aggie is with UT.
Can you provide a link showing that Benson was paid more than $17M at UT? Thanks in advance. Your credibility is on the line.
A little freaking late... enjoy the bench. My poor Bears are gonna be hurting without Grossman, at least we have Muhsin and hopefully Ortin can duplicate what Big Ben did last year.
He will be starting by week 5...RBs start a lot sooner and you don't draft one at number 4 to have him sit. DD
Late round would be great. I'm suprised he would last into late rounds in any draft. What round and how many teams are there?!? Give it 4-6 weeks, the job will almost definitely be his, especially since I can't imagine any RB having great success early on with a new QB for a team that relies mostly on defense and a weak passing offense. Good luck!
Hullabaloo, Caneck! Caneck! Hullabaloo, Caneck! Caneck! All hail to dear old Texas A&M, Rally around Maroon and White, Good luck to the dear old Texas Aggies, They are the boys who show the fight. That good old Aggie spirit thrills us. And makes us yell and yell and yell; -- So let's fight for dear old Texas A&M, We're goin' to beat you all to -- Chig-gar-roo-gar-rem! Chig-gar-roo-gar-rem! Rough! Tough! Real stuff! Texas A&M! Good-bye to Texas University. So long to the Orange and White. Good luck to the dear old Texas Aggies, They are the boys who show the real old fight. The eyes of Texas are upon you. That is the song they sing so well, So, good-bye to Texas University, We're goin' to beat you all to -- Chig-gar-roo-gar-rem! Chig-gar-roo-gar-rem! Rough! Tough! Real stuff! Texas A&M! Saw Varsity's Horns Off! Saw Varsity's Horns Off! Saw Varsity's Horns Off! Short! Varsity's Horns are Sawed Off! Varsity's Horns are Sawed Off! Varsity's Horns are Sawed Off! Short!
LOL - Ok I have to stick up for the Aggies on this one. UT mentions A&M in their "Texas Fight" song, as well. Texas Fight, Texas Fight, And it's goodbye to A&M. Texas Fight, Texas Fight, And we'll put over one more win. Texas Fight, Texas Fight, For it's Texas that we love best. Hail, Hail, The gang's all here, And it's good-bye to all the rest!
Yes sir, Texas mentions aggy in our fight song. The Aggie War Hymn, on the other hand, should be renamed "Ode to t.u."
I hope not, but he was unimpressive in college...IMHO....just seemed a little too slow... I am hoping he is a stud, but have my doubts too. DD
