Cedric Benson (1 Viewer)

[switz]

By all accounts, Chicago has made very reasonable offers and Benson just sits at home expecting them to give in and pay him more than Rivers got at #4 last year, though Rivers was a huge outlier, and more than the #3 this year.

I'm not too sure what "accounts" you've been reading, but what the Bears are offering Benson is not "reasonable" for where he is slotted. Every year, you should get a bit more than the player drafted in your slot the previous year.So when they offer less money than Rivers got, that's not reasonable.

To make matters WORSE, what they offered Benson is LESS than what Caddy was given, and Caddy was drafted after Benson. Hence, the offer cannot be viewed as reasonable.

They've never even offered to MATCH Caddy's contract from what I've heard.

 

[JohnnyU]

The "real" fans will have a short memory. The only memory they will have will be that their beloved Bears selected him top 5.  That's when you will hear the Cedric chants.

www.CurtisEnis.com

I vehemently disagree with that. You are reading too much FBG rhetoric.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

The "real" fans will have a short memory. The only memory they will have will be that their beloved Bears selected him top 5.  That's when you will hear the Cedric chants.

www.CurtisEnis.com

I vehemently disagree with that. You are reading too much FBG rhetoric.

You disagree that Curtis Enis was a top-5 draft pick and a huge bust?What rhetoric have I read? Are you sure you even know what my position is here?

 

[JohnnyU]

The "real" fans will have a short memory. The only memory they will have will be that their beloved Bears selected him top 5.  That's when you will hear the Cedric chants.

www.CurtisEnis.com

I vehemently disagree with that. You are reading too much FBG rhetoric.

You disagree that Curtis Enis was a top-5 draft pick and a huge bust?What rhetoric have I read? Are you sure you even know what my position is here?

If I'm correct, you are comparing Benson to Enis because both were a top 5 pick, and you are implying that Benson will bust like Enis did, thus the reason for the www.CurtisEnis.com statement. That is obvious. I just disagree with the end result of that assessment.

 

[P Boy]

then how come no NFL teams were interested in signing him once he hit free agency? IIRC, he sat out there for awhile before Parcells brought him in, and some think he's in danger of being cut in Dallas.

Above average RBs should probably make more than $600,000 on the open market.

DEN was very interested, & brought he & Dayne in for a workout. I'm guessing Dayne got the job because he wanted less money.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

The "real" fans will have a short memory. The only memory they will have will be that their beloved Bears selected him top 5.  That's when you will hear the Cedric chants.

www.CurtisEnis.com

I vehemently disagree with that. You are reading too much FBG rhetoric.

You disagree that Curtis Enis was a top-5 draft pick and a huge bust?What rhetoric have I read? Are you sure you even know what my position is here?

If I'm correct, you are comparing Benson to Enis because both were a top 5 pick, and you are implying that Benson will bust like Enis did, thus the reason for the www.CurtisEnis.com statement. That is obvious. I just disagree with the end result of that assessment.

that's not what I'm saying at all.you said the fans would chant Benson's name simply b/c the Bears drafted him with a top-5 pick.

I'm saying the fans here are not that stupid and have lived through the Curtis Enis, Rashan Salaam, Cade McNown, and David Terrell busts. Draft status doesn't mean much to "real" fans until you actually see what the player can do on the field. Until Benson shows something on the field, he will not get much fan support and will not just be handed the starting job, IMO.

I like Benson and was impressed by his toughness when I watched him last year...but, Jones is pretty good too and is making about $2 million/year himself so he's not exactly automatic bench material. Chances are we'll see some type of RBBC in Chicago once Benson is signed and up to speed.

 

[ericttspikes]

I'm not too worried about it....yet. The Bears aren't going anywhere this year and they have TJ and AP who will o.k. in the meantime. Make no mistake about it, Turner wants to run between the tackles and Benson will be a perfect fit for that IF he is as advertised. The Bears picked the right kind of player talent wise. I think the bigger concern is that what little I've seen of Cedric in interviews is that he really seems like a headcase, and this holdout kind of reinforces that for me. Right after the draft he acted like he just won the lottery and his football career was over not beginning. I haven't seen anything from him yet that shows me he has the fire to compete and excel at the next level. Maybe I haven't seen enough or he has a strange demeanor, but what I've seen kind of raises some red flags...personality wise. When he gets on the field his talent will speak for itself.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

then how come no NFL teams were interested in signing him once he hit free agency? IIRC, he sat out there for awhile before Parcells brought him in, and some think he's in danger of being cut in Dallas.

Above average RBs should probably make more than $600,000 on the open market.

DEN was very interested, & brought he & Dayne in for a workout. I'm guessing Dayne got the job because he wanted less money.

A 1-year contract for $600,000 is not much at all. If the Broncos really wanted him, they would have coughed up the dough.

 

[JohnnyU]

The "real" fans will have a short memory. The only memory they will have will be that their beloved Bears selected him top 5.  That's when you will hear the Cedric chants.

www.CurtisEnis.com

I vehemently disagree with that. You are reading too much FBG rhetoric.

You disagree that Curtis Enis was a top-5 draft pick and a huge bust?What rhetoric have I read? Are you sure you even know what my position is here?

If I'm correct, you are comparing Benson to Enis because both were a top 5 pick, and you are implying that Benson will bust like Enis did, thus the reason for the www.CurtisEnis.com statement. That is obvious. I just disagree with the end result of that assessment.

that's not what I'm saying at all.you said the fans would chant Benson's name simply b/c the Bears drafted him with a top-5 pick.

I'm saying the fans here are not that stupid and have lived through the Curtis Enis, Rashan Salaam, Cade McNown, and David Terrell busts. Draft status doesn't mean much to "real" fans until you actually see what the player can do on the field. Until Benson shows something on the field, he will not get much fan support and will not just be handed the starting job, IMO.

I like Benson and was impressed by his toughness when I watched him last year...but, Jones is pretty good too and is making about $2 million/year himself so he's not exactly automatic bench material. Chances are we'll see some type of RBBC in Chicago once Benson is signed and up to speed.

Thanks for the clarification. The cream will rise to the top, and that is Benson. I think you believe that too, but what we disagree on, is when that will happen. If the Bears are 0-3, or stagnant on offense (which they will be), I believe Benson will get his shot early in the season. I respect that you disagree with that. We will see, won't we?

 

[lod01]

This loser wasn't even on my draft board. Anyone who cries at the NFL draft is a totally weak ####. Brandon Jacobs would stomp his guts.

 

[JohnnyU]

This loser wasn't even on my draft board. Anyone who cries at the NFL draft is a totally weak ####.

Brandon Jacobs would stomp his guts.

Gotta that logic, lol.

 

[Foosball God]

I blame players like Benson, but not for the same reasons you do. I blame players (and owners, for that matter) for letting AGENTS play as prominent a role in the game as they currently do. Why don't more players look at examples like Ray Allen in the NBA (negotiating his own rookie contract) and realize that they could get themselves a 10.....20......30+ percent "raise" if they just K.I.S.S. and cut the agent out of the process all-together?!

Part of the reason is because NFL contracts are gererally more tricky than an NBA contract is. An NBA contract is guarrentied, so it's pretty hard to mess that up because the number you signed for is the number you'll get paid.In the NFL the contracts are not guarrentied so a lot more thought has to go into signing bonus, incentives, roster bonus, option years, etc.

 

[Gold Plated Nails]

By all accounts, Chicago has made very reasonable offers and Benson just sits at home expecting them to give in and pay him more than Rivers got at #4 last year, though Rivers was a huge outlier, and more than the #3 this year.

I'm not too sure what "accounts" you've been reading, but what the Bears are offering Benson is not "reasonable" for where he is slotted. Every year, you should get a bit more than the player drafted in your slot the previous year.So when they offer less money than Rivers got, that's not reasonable.

To make matters WORSE, what they offered Benson is LESS than what Caddy was given, and Caddy was drafted after Benson. Hence, the offer cannot be viewed as reasonable.

They've never even offered to MATCH Caddy's contract from what I've heard.

The only thing I can say is that Rivers was able to get an excellent deal because he is a QB. Traditionally QBs at the top of the draft have recieved a bit more money then the slot dictates. That has been happening for a few years now.As for not matching Caddy's deal, well that's just bad.

 

[RBM]

Benson is being a real greedy POS, but that last comment is clasless and unnecessaryHaving said that, this guy better be the 2nd f'n coming of sweetness to be putting Bear fans through this bull####

 

[mbuehner]

Word on the street is one of Bensons 'people' is in his ear and his agent is just rolling his eyes.What do you mean? Can you clarify?

Now this is local radio chatter so take it for what its worth, but the word is one of Bensons relatives or close friends is goading him into holding out for maximum payoff against his agents advice.Switz I have to disagree with you. Draft slot is only part of the equation. Obviously the Eli Manning/Rivers deal is going to be an anomoly all the way around. Plus position matters, and relative talent. If a tackle got drafted #1, he wouldnt have got 45 million dollars. I hadn't heard the Cadillac rumor, but I had heard Benson wants a contract bigger than Ronnie Browns, which isnt going to happen. Benson [ed:Brown rather] walked away with 20 million in guaranteed money, Benson isnt gonna get that, nor should he. Carnell got 5 years, 15 million guaranteed. Benson should be between those two regardless of what else has happened historically.The other peice of the puzzle is that we are getting so late into the preseason that you have to think Benson's value to the Bears is decreasing. Why pay for 6 years if the first half of the first one is going to be a wash? If not the whole year.

 

[datonn]

I blame players like Benson, but not for the same reasons you do. I blame players (and owners, for that matter) for letting AGENTS play as prominent a role in the game as they currently do. Why don't more players look at examples like Ray Allen in the NBA (negotiating his own rookie contract) and realize that they could get themselves a 10.....20......30+ percent "raise" if they just K.I.S.S. and cut the agent out of the process all-together?!

Part of the reason is because NFL contracts are gererally more tricky than an NBA contract is. An NBA contract is guarrentied, so it's pretty hard to mess that up because the number you signed for is the number you'll get paid.In the NFL the contracts are not guarrentied so a lot more thought has to go into signing bonus, incentives, roster bonus, option years, etc.

Foosball God,Agreed. That's just another reason though for the NFL owners and NFLPA to come together in their new CBA to work towards:1. Guaranteed contracts for players, and2. Pre-determined contracts for rookies, similar to the NBA.Guys don't like it? Agents screaming bloody murder? "Union Yes" folks crying "too much power for The Man"? Tough. Owners don't like it? Well, welcome to the REAL world, where if you sign a contract, you are miraculously expected to hold up your end of the bargain! LOL.The current process in the NFL is about as bad as the situation in health care and public colleges/universities right now, aka costs spiraling upward at rates much faster than the pace of inflation. Sooner or later, the situation will reach a breaking point on the $$$ side of the equation, so why not head it off at the pass and prevent the train wreck? And if a few agents like Drew Rosenhaus have a little extra cash in their wallet because of it, you sure won't see me doing this:

 

[Otis]

I prefer that my football players not cry on camera. Call me crazy.

 

[fantasybear]

As a lifelong Bears fan and a windy city native, I am extremely ticked off at Benson. Not so much that he hasn't signed yet, but the fact that he has no regard for what his "not" signing means to the team. The bears can survive another season with T. Jones starting and A. Peterson at back up. After all, with the QB position in such a mess now, I'm not really sure we're looking at a playoff year anyway (but I'm always hopeful). If Benson (who hasn't even talked to the Bears for almost three weeks) doesn't sign, the Bears have wasted a very good draft pick. If he re-enters the draft next year, as some are projecting, the Bears get no compensation for anything. I think the Bears have been fair by offering Benson closer to the 3rd overall pick than the 5th. Now they are getting ready to lower their offer which spells doom for signing him at all. Unfortunately, I think the mindset (thanks to Benson) in Chicago will very soon be, "What did we LOSE by drafting Benson?", when it should be "Look what we GOT!"

 

[Raiders Fan]

In my 2 keeper leagues in Fanball 5 were kept. He went round 1 in the 14 team and round 2 in the 12 team. I passed on him in the 12 team for Arrington. From what I can tell Benson has totally screwed himself this year. Baring injury his best chances are either end of the year if the Bears are out of the playoffs or at best a RBBC. Jones keeps cementing his position. Remember before camp he said he was the starter. Well I guess he is. Benson might have more talent but his failure to PROVE it on the field only makes him a longshot this year. Good luck to those you took him..

 

[Colin Dowling]

All the people saying "Well, the Phillip Rivers deal was an annomally (sp?)" are ignoring the fact that that isn't Benson's problem. The school of thought in the NFL is, has been, and will continue to be that you get a little more $$$ then the guy in the same slot the year before. If Phillip Rivers's agents had gotten him $200 million in guaranteed money then Benson is being reasonable to expect $202 mil, even if no one else in any draft has ever come close to that.The reason all of this works is because the teams, like the draftees, recognize this de facto scale of "offer a little more then the guy in the same spot last year got."DOn't be pissed at Benson. Be mad at the Chargers, who in typical San Diego fashion, broke the "code" and gave Rivers too much money. Toss in that if the Bears are offering LESS money then Carnell got, Benson absolutely should tell them to Buzz off.Colin

 

[Holy Schneikes]

By all accounts, Chicago has made very reasonable offers and Benson just sits at home expecting them to give in and pay him more than Rivers got at #4 last year, though Rivers was a huge outlier, and more than the #3 this year.

I'm not too sure what "accounts" you've been reading, but what the Bears are offering Benson is not "reasonable" for where he is slotted. Every year, you should get a bit more than the player drafted in your slot the previous year.So when they offer less money than Rivers got, that's not reasonable.

To make matters WORSE, what they offered Benson is LESS than what Caddy was given, and Caddy was drafted after Benson. Hence, the offer cannot be viewed as reasonable.

They've never even offered to MATCH Caddy's contract from what I've heard.

Caddy got $13M in guaranteed money. There are reports that Benson was offered at least $18M in guaranteed money.What the heck are you talking about?

 

[Irish]

I prefer that my football players not cry on camera. Call me crazy.

Weren't you the guy who cried until he got a 3 digit number?

 

[mbuehner]

All the people saying "Well, the Phillip Rivers deal was an annomally (sp?)" are ignoring the fact that that isn't Benson's problem. The school of thought in the NFL is, has been, and will continue to be that you get a little more $$$ then the guy in the same slot the year before.

What holy book is that written in? Tim Couch signed a 48 million dollar contract as #1 in 99 (12.25 mil guaranteed), Courtney Brown signed a 45 million dollar contract as #1 in 2000 (10.9 mil guaranteed). So much for that theory.

The reason all of this works is because the teams, like the draftees, recognize this de facto scale of "offer a little more then the guy in the same spot last year got."

As a general rule, yes. But that is obviously only one factor that goes into the discussions. Otherwise negotiations wouldnt be an issue. Guys would show up and sign their contract. To think one NFL franchise will be held hostage by stupid decisions of others in positions that arent even comparable is absurd.

DOn't be pissed at Benson. Be mad at the Chargers, who in typical San Diego fashion, broke the "code" and gave Rivers too much money. Toss in that if the Bears are offering LESS money then Carnell got, Benson absolutely should tell them to Buzz off.

I still have not seen a link where Carnell would end up with more money. From what I've seen, Caddy got about a 15 mil signing bonus, Brown got 20, and Benson was offered 18, which makes perfect sense. If money starts coming off the table its only because Bensons stupidity has lessened his value.

 

[Otis]

I prefer that my football players not cry on camera. Call me crazy.

Weren't you the guy who cried until he got a 3 digit number?

Hey guy, take your four digits and scram.TIA

 

[Otis]

Longhorn fans will continue to stick up for Benson here, but the fact is the kid is a brat, and a clueless one at that. Thomes Jones is STILL the better NFL running back.GB Cadillac for being at least one of these guys to set an example that it isn't all about the Benjamins.

 

[Raiders Fan]

I prefer that my football players not cry on camera.  Call me crazy.

Weren't you the guy who cried until he got a 3 digit number?

That true?? Good god that would be funny as hell. A little insecure?

 

[Colin Dowling]

What holy book is that written in? Tim Couch signed a 48 million dollar contract as #1 in 99 (12.25 mil guaranteed), Courtney Brown signed a 45 million dollar contract as #1 in 2000 (10.9 mil guaranteed). So much for that theory.

Please find where there are more exceptions, especially between relative positions (which your example is not). I think you'll find that you are incorrect here and your seething hatred of Benson right now is clouding your vision.

As a general rule, yes. But that is obviously only one factor that goes into the discussions. Otherwise negotiations wouldnt be an issue. Guys would show up and sign their contract. To think one NFL franchise will be held hostage by stupid decisions of others in positions that arent even comparable is absurd.

I am not sure I understand what you are saying. Negotiations ARE an issue because every penny counts. I assure you that if Phillip Rivers had signed a contract more on par with Dewayne Robertson + $$$ for being a QB + $$$ for it being one year later rather then the deal he DID sign, there is a lower chance that Benson is still holding out.

I still have not seen a link where Carnell would end up with more money. From what I've seen, Caddy got about a 15 mil signing bonus, Brown got 20, and Benson was offered 18, which makes perfect sense. If money starts coming off the table its only because Bensons stupidity has lessened his value.

I was going off what a previous poster said. Benson's agents have decided to continue down the road of negotiating based on Rivers contract from 2004, not on Brown and Williams contracts frmo 2005.COlin

 

[Holy Schneikes]

Again, Caddy's deal was for a max of around $30M and "only" $13M guaranteed. By all accounts, Benson was offered CONSIDERABLY more than this.

 

[griffs_adamsdad]

With the way the NFL is, I don't blame Benson at all. This will likely be the only long term contract he signs. If he's great, the Bears will just franchise him thereafter. Then he turns 28 and is thought to be "too old".

I agree with you 100%, look at Edgerrin James he's going through that right now. I could see the Bears doing something like that.

 

[Power Monster]

To tell you the truth, this situation is just going to get even worse. Angelo MUST go now that he has walked into the 2005 season without learning his lesson from last year. Walking into the 2005 season with Rex Grossman and a stable of choirboys is nothing short of an insult. This team is still drunk on the 1985 Super Bowl BEARS! They are the Chicago Cubs of the NFL in my book and I just knew that they would never be able to sign a player that would come at the price of a top 5 draft pick. I also blame the BEAR fans that are season ticket holders for shelling out their money (yes it is their right) to get nothing but Michael McCaskey’s ill-conceived notions of how to run an NFL team in the year 2005. Benson could be looking at this organization wondering- is this the team I am going to hang my NFL career on? With a dolt like Mike McCaskey and a stooge like Angelo running this train wreck I would be asking for a king’s ransom as well. To think, the BEARS are going to really struggle on offense this year. I can see the defense and the running game keeping them close the first month but after that the injuries will start and when they see teams like Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Atlanta and the Ravens on the schedule they are going to hit rock bottom. This team could lose to Cleveland and/or San Francisco which will land them back into a top 5 pick again where they will start the whole cluster fudge all over again with another stud player. Angelo will once again remove all competition with Rex Grossman which will once again attract the under achieving desperate QB types that want to be paid well for carrying a clipboard. The fans will clamor for Orton and they will get nothing but higher concession prices and more losses. If Angelo is gone, Lovie will be on the hot seat and this will buy McCaskey three more years of using the excuse of how the team will have to rebuild all over again. The more you stir the pot the smellier it gets! They have been doing this for so many years it is just pathetic. Just think about this- the BEARS passed on Culpepper! Did not need him- no sir! They passed on Jake Delhomme! They get their man in Rex Grossman and in the past three games (1 regular season and 2 pre-season) that he has played in he has landed on the IR and is close to landing on the IR again. Angelo made the statement that he would be gone if the Rex Grossman/ Michael Haynes draft went south. Well, we know what is going on with Rex and Haynes is not even starting. So how does Angelo justify this mess? By plucking Chad Hutchinson off a beach! This is a sorry organization with a new stadium and a bunch of chumps that pack it in. They shut out most of the Super Bowl Bears and they do not even have any darn cheerleaders to look at. Is this the team I am going to sweat, bleed and beat myself up for if I am Benson?

 

[mbuehner]

Please find where there are more exceptions, especially between relative positions (which your example is not). I think you'll find that you are incorrect here and your seething hatred of Benson right now is clouding your vision.

-You want me to dig through every draft and compare? No thanks. You made argument, i provided the rebuttal. You do the leg work. The goal posts certainly seem to be moving.-And since when are RB and QB comparable positions? Certainly Bensons position on the Bears isnt comparable to the Manning/Rivers fiasco. As we are seeing, the Bears simply dont need to sign Benson for what he is trying to hold them hostage for, ie the marketplace is working.-I dont hate Benson and I dont know where you are getting that. If anyone is being emotional in this argument id say it is you Col.

I am not sure I understand what you are saying. Negotiations ARE an issue because every penny counts.

I'm saying that if circumstances didnt affect how contracts are layed out and everyone just expected a 5% bump from last years slot, all of this would be academic. But guys do hold out, and not just for pennies. Millions of dollars are at stake. You think if somebody below you in the draft inked a monster contract that figured to be bigger than yours you would settle for the bump from last year? Or is that yet another 'exception' to your hard and fast rule?

I was going off what a previous poster said. Benson's agents have decided to continue down the road of negotiating based on Rivers contract from 2004, not on Brown and Williams contracts frmo 2005.

And its a silly argument. Benson is not going to get nor does he deserve more than Ronnie Brown got. It is at least as well known a peice of conventional wisdom that you make less than the guy drafted above you. Probably moreso. The bottom line comes down to the fact that Benson needs to accept what the market will bear (heh). Chicago would let him go back to the draft before paying him more than he's worth to them. He's stupid because he hasnt figured that out yet and its costing him money and the Chicago fans the chance to see him. Nobody wins and at this point its his own fault, he has a fair deal on the table. Having the right to do what he is doing doesnt make it a good idea.

 

[dpeease]

With the way the NFL is, I don't blame Benson at all. This will likely be the only long term contract he signs. If he's great, the Bears will just franchise him thereafter. Then he turns 28 and is thought to be "too old".

Lesson learned - Get the best long term deal you possibly can coming out of the draft and hope for the best.

 

[P Boy]

The money he'll miss out on by holding out 1 year is money that he'll never recover.What makes him think that if he goes back into the draft that he'll get a better offer? He'll be one year poorer, will have been out of the game for a year and a half (from the time he finished college FB), and will have a reputation as being difficult to sign.So what if he takes the deal, and then gets franchised after the term of the contract - so he'll have to live with being paid the average of the top 5 RBs in the NFL every year? Geez, what a hardship that would be...Someone needs to educate this nitwit & whomever he is taking advice from that the $17M signing bonus he is being offered is more money than he'll ever need in his entire life to live comfortably - even after taxes & the agent's cut - and the rest of any money he earns is just gravy. Given the time value of money & the loss of value he'll get if he doesn't play - he'll take a gigantic financial hit. That should be all he needs to know.Stupid, stupid, stupid. What is it with UT RBs? Dreads pulled too tight?

 

[Otis]

I prefer that my football players not cry on camera. Call me crazy.

Weren't you the guy who cried until he got a 3 digit number?

That true?? Good god that would be funny as hell. A little insecure?

Big Girls Don't Cry.And, by the way guy, you are picking up on good FFA shtick circa Spring '05.

 

[Jobber]

You think CHI is second guessing sending A-Train packing now...



The Bears brought this on themselves. They had a successful power RB who was a team guy & sucked it up when Lovie dumped all over him last season, then shut his mouth & did his job when T Jones got hurt, leading the team to the majority of its few wins, then shut his mouth & went back to the bench when Jones returned.

They could have kept Thomas at a fraction of what they're offering Benson, and they could have had M Williams in the fold besides.

The grass is always greener...

And the Bears are always the Bears...

There you go pimpin' A train again.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Is there any chance he would sit out this season and re-enter the draft next year? Would he still be a 1st round pick? Would the year off do a body that took a lot of punishment in college some good?He'll sign at some point but when does this just become ill will on both sides. Coach Smith has got to be pulling his hair out. He could have had a top flight defensive player to add to an already decent defense.

 

[PoppaPump]

Chicago Homer here....I am sick and tired of waiting for Cedric to sign...There were mixed feelings when he was signed and I was all ON the bandwagon for him to do well...I got one foot off the wagon already and am about to jump off.A deal in between what Caddy and Ronnie got is fair. Take it or get the F out.

 

[Colin Dowling]

-You want me to dig through every draft and compare? No thanks. You made argument, i provided the rebuttal. You do the leg work. The goal posts certainly seem to be moving.

Not saying to dig through every draft. I'm simply saying the standard negotiating tactic in the 1st round is to look at the guy from the year before in the same spot and ask for a raise. That happens much much more often then not. Your comparison of Brown and Couch is also flawed as Brown was drafted as much for the fact that Lavar Arrington was unsignable as he was because they liked him.

If anyone is being emotional in this argument id say it is you Col.

I have no idea how this came about.

I'm saying that if circumstances didnt affect how contracts are layed out and everyone just expected a 5% bump from last years slot, all of this would be academic. But guys do hold out, and not just for pennies. Millions of dollars are at stake. You think if somebody below you in the draft inked a monster contract that figured to be bigger than yours you would settle for the bump from last year? Or is that yet another 'exception' to your hard and fast rule?

This is why guys wait - to see what the market will bear. None of the first rounders want to be the first to sign precisely because they want to get as much as possible. Taking the greater of "more then the guy in the same spot last year" or "more then the guy drafted right behind me" is a solid business strategy.

Chicago would let him go back to the draft before paying him more than he's worth to them. He's stupid because he hasnt figured that out yet and its costing him money and the Chicago fans the chance to see him.

He's stupid because he wants as much money as possible before joining a team with no viable passing game and another quality RB on board? You lost me. Benson would be foolish not to squeeze them for every penny and now that he's the last holdout, backing down now would be silly. It may not seem like it, but the Bears need Benson every bit as much as he needs them. If they let him go back in to the draft then not only have they shot themselves in the foot from a PR standpoint, they've also lost out on a player that could be a significant help to them. Cedric Benson is obviously not bigger then the Chicago Bears, but the Bears NEED Cedric Benson also.As an aside, since everyone from Soldier Field to Alaska knew they wanted Benson at 1.04, why did they not have the parameters of a deal in place on draft day? Colin

 

[PatsFan23]

The money he'll miss out on by holding out 1 year is money that he'll never recover.

What makes him think that if he goes back into the draft that he'll get a better offer? He'll be one year poorer, will have been out of the game for a year and a half (from the time he finished college FB), and will have a reputation as being difficult to sign.

So what if he takes the deal, and then gets franchised after the term of the contract - so he'll have to live with being paid the average of the top 5 RBs in the NFL every year? Geez, what a hardship that would be...

Someone needs to educate this nitwit & whomever he is taking advice from that the $17M signing bonus he is being offered is more money than he'll ever need in his entire life to live comfortably - even after taxes & the agent's cut - and the rest of any money he earns is just gravy.

Given the time value of money & the loss of value he'll get if he doesn't play - he'll take a gigantic financial hit. That should be all he needs to know.

Stupid, stupid, stupid. What is it with UT RBs? Dreads pulled too tight?

This could quite possibly be the best post I've read on the subject. He's taking a huge financial risk by not signing this offer. Don't get me wrong, if the Bears offer wasn't for fair market value he shouldn't sign it. From everything I've read it is a fair offer and like the post above said any extra money he thinks he's going to get by either holding out or going back into the draft next year will be offset by the loss of his income this year.

Believe me, I'd rather see him sit....I own T. Jones in 2 leagues.

Just think he's getting some pretty bad advice from someone and he'll end up paying for it in the long run.

 

[Jobber]

The money he'll miss out on by holding out 1 year is money that he'll never recover.

What makes him think that if he goes back into the draft that he'll get a better offer? He'll be one year poorer, will have been out of the game for a year and a half (from the time he finished college FB), and will have a reputation as being difficult to sign.

So what if he takes the deal, and then gets franchised after the term of the contract - so he'll have to live with being paid the average of the top 5 RBs in the NFL every year? Geez, what a hardship that would be...

Someone needs to educate this nitwit & whomever he is taking advice from that the $17M signing bonus he is being offered is more money than he'll ever need in his entire life to live comfortably - even after taxes & the agent's cut - and the rest of any money he earns is just gravy.

Given the time value of money & the loss of value he'll get if he doesn't play - he'll take a gigantic financial hit. That should be all he needs to know.

Stupid, stupid, stupid. What is it with UT RBs? Dreads pulled too tight?

You made up for the A-train comment.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

The money he'll miss out on by holding out 1 year is money that he'll never recover.

What makes him think that if he goes back into the draft that he'll get a better offer?  He'll be one year poorer, will have been out of the game for a year and a half (from the time he finished college FB), and will have a reputation as being difficult to sign.

So what if he takes the deal, and then gets franchised after the term of the contract - so he'll have to live with being paid the average of the top 5 RBs in the NFL every year?  Geez, what a hardship that would be...

Someone needs to educate this nitwit & whomever he is taking advice from that the $17M signing bonus he is being offered is more money than he'll ever need in his entire life to live comfortably - even after taxes & the agent's cut - and the rest of any money he earns is just gravy. 

Given the time value of money & the loss of value he'll get if he doesn't play - he'll take a gigantic financial hit.  That should be all he needs to know.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.  What is it with UT RBs?  Dreads pulled too tight?

This could quite possibly be the best post I've read on the subject. He's taking a huge financial risk by not signing this offer. Don't get me wrong, if the Bears offer wasn't for fair market value he shouldn't sign it. From everything I've read it is a fair offer and like the post above said any extra money he thinks he's going to get by either holding out or going back into the draft next year will be offset by the loss of his income this year.

Believe me, I'd rather see him sit....I own T. Jones in 2 leagues.

Just think he's getting some pretty bad advice from someone and he'll end up paying for it in the long run.

Yeah but when you have 6 Brothers and Sisters, A couple of moms and dads, 4 set of grandparents, 23 cousins, 4 uncles, and 6 dogs....17 million doesn't go as far as it used to.

 

[Colin Dowling]

He'll sign with the Bears eventually. Just might not be early in the season.

 

[ICON211]

Only the team with the first pick is allowed to negotiate with players before the draft thats why the paramaters were not in place. Come on man. Not to mention what if one of the top 3 teams took Benson or a team traded up to get him.

 

[huckyoda]

He's stupid because he wants as much money as possible before joining a team with no viable passing game and another quality RB on board? You lost me.

No, he is stupid because he wants more money than he can reasonably expect to get and his hurting value to both sides by not agreeing to the deal, or even negotiating.

He reminds me of the NHLPA last year.

 

[Colin Dowling]

Only the team with the first pick is allowed to negotiate with players before the draft thats why the paramaters were not in place. Come on man. Not to mention what if one of the top 3 teams took Benson or a team traded up to get him.

My understanding was that other players could negotiate ahead of time. Didn't Manning talk to the Giants before draft day last year? DIdn't McNabb have his contract essentially done with the Eagles?Colin

 

[boubucarow]

The Bears in no way need Benson more than Benson needs the Bears. I am sure the financial bottom line would not be dependent on the signing of Benson. However, as Pony Boy stated, Benson will never recover the money he loses this year and I doubt he would be close to a top 5 pick next year with the offensive tackles, linebackers, quarterbacks, and running backs that will be available to draft. He will sign a deal with less guaranteed money next year with the additional worry of getting hurt and not cashing in.The Bears are most likely trying to get away with steal money-wise but I think Benson is an idiot if he is passing up 15-18 million guaranteed as if he is assured of making that next year.

 

[mbuehner]

Not saying to dig through every draft. I'm simply saying the standard negotiating tactic in the 1st round is to look at the guy from the year before in the same spot and ask for a raise. That happens much much more often then not.

True. Agreed. Fine. But obviously there are exceptions. The fact that the #4 slot was a totally unprecidented situation last year would suggest that this year a good case can be made for that exception. And again, getting smack in between what the RB behind and in front of you got makes total sense, and also conforms to the 'standard negotating tactics'.

Your comparison of Brown and Couch is also flawed as Brown was drafted as much for the fact that Lavar Arrington was unsignable as he was because they liked him.

Again, you are just proving my point, which is that there are exceptions. Outside considerations are going to affect the negotiations, and you cant just add 5% to last years total. This is one of them because last year was totally out of character. If anything the Bears are returning to the mean, which makes sense.

Taking the greater of "more then the guy in the same spot last year" or "more then the guy drafted right behind me" is a solid business strategy.

Thats a fine strategy. While it works. But the Bears are just as entitled to play the 'we are going to pay you what less than the #1 RB and more than the #3 RB' strategy. And at the end of the day the have every right not to screw up their cap by making Cedric Benson the most highly paid rookie running back in history.

He's stupid because he wants as much money as possible before joining a team with no viable passing game and another quality RB on board?

Yes. And he's stupid for exactly the reasons Pony Boy pointed out. This team has a running back and has no QB. This is not the time to hold them hostage if you are a running back, they have bigger problems and giving you the finger for being unreasonable wont bother the Chicago fans at this point. Not many in this town are taking his side, and that takes some doing considering how most folks feel about the McCaskeys and their wallets. He's especially stupid because if he goes back to the draft he makes ZERO this year, gets drafted later and makes less than he ever was offered before. Meanwhile the Bears play the running back they paid 11 million to come to Chicago in the first place and has done nothing but good things here.

As an aside, since everyone from Soldier Field to Alaska knew they wanted Benson at 1.04, why did they not have the parameters of a deal in place on draft day?

Maybe they thought they did.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

In addition to the time value of money argument so well stated by Pony Boy Benson is tarnishing himself, perhaps irreparably, in the endorsement market where fan goodwill makes the difference between hawking waterbeds for a local retailer and getting national ad campaigns for Pepsi. Chicago fans are very happy to support their guys if given minimal chance. Several Chicago area sports heroes made it to the ultra lucrative national scene, but Benson is throwing this pot of money away arguing over a relative pittance

 

[urbanhack]

The money he'll miss out on by holding out 1 year is money that he'll never recover.

What makes him think that if he goes back into the draft that he'll get a better offer?  He'll be one year poorer, will have been out of the game for a year and a half (from the time he finished college FB), and will have a reputation as being difficult to sign.

So what if he takes the deal, and then gets franchised after the term of the contract - so he'll have to live with being paid the average of the top 5 RBs in the NFL every year?  Geez, what a hardship that would be...

Someone needs to educate this nitwit & whomever he is taking advice from that the $17M signing bonus he is being offered is more money than he'll ever need in his entire life to live comfortably - even after taxes & the agent's cut - and the rest of any money he earns is just gravy. 

Given the time value of money & the loss of value he'll get if he doesn't play - he'll take a gigantic financial hit.  That should be all he needs to know.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.  What is it with UT RBs?  Dreads pulled too tight?

This could quite possibly be the best post I've read on the subject. He's taking a huge financial risk by not signing this offer. Don't get me wrong, if the Bears offer wasn't for fair market value he shouldn't sign it. From everything I've read it is a fair offer and like the post above said any extra money he thinks he's going to get by either holding out or going back into the draft next year will be offset by the loss of his income this year.

Believe me, I'd rather see him sit....I own T. Jones in 2 leagues.

Just think he's getting some pretty bad advice from someone and he'll end up paying for it in the long run.

Yeah but when you have 6 Brothers and Sisters, A couple of moms and dads, 4 set of grandparents, 23 cousins, 4 uncles, and 6 dogs....17 million doesn't go as far as it used to.

Does he have a big family?

 

[huckyoda]

The money he'll miss out on by holding out 1 year is money that he'll never recover.

What makes him think that if he goes back into the draft that he'll get a better offer?  He'll be one year poorer, will have been out of the game for a year and a half (from the time he finished college FB), and will have a reputation as being difficult to sign.

So what if he takes the deal, and then gets franchised after the term of the contract - so he'll have to live with being paid the average of the top 5 RBs in the NFL every year?  Geez, what a hardship that would be...

Someone needs to educate this nitwit & whomever he is taking advice from that the $17M signing bonus he is being offered is more money than he'll ever need in his entire life to live comfortably - even after taxes & the agent's cut - and the rest of any money he earns is just gravy. 

Given the time value of money & the loss of value he'll get if he doesn't play - he'll take a gigantic financial hit.  That should be all he needs to know.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.  What is it with UT RBs?  Dreads pulled too tight?

This could quite possibly be the best post I've read on the subject. He's taking a huge financial risk by not signing this offer. Don't get me wrong, if the Bears offer wasn't for fair market value he shouldn't sign it. From everything I've read it is a fair offer and like the post above said any extra money he thinks he's going to get by either holding out or going back into the draft next year will be offset by the loss of his income this year.

Believe me, I'd rather see him sit....I own T. Jones in 2 leagues.

Just think he's getting some pretty bad advice from someone and he'll end up paying for it in the long run.

Yeah but when you have 6 Brothers and Sisters, A couple of moms and dads, 4 set of grandparents, 23 cousins, 4 uncles, and 6 dogs....17 million doesn't go as far as it used to.

Does he have a big family?

Hmmm this might be a good time for me to take back the car crash bit...