Blog Down, Chicago Bears

First were the questions about marijuana use. Then, there was the questioned ability to be a good teammate. Soon after, there was the sluggish running. Now, there is this.

Per Chicagosports.com, Cedric Benson was arrested late Saturday night near Austin, Texas and charged with boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest, both Class B misdemeanors.

Benson failed a sobriety “float test” – an abbreviated version of a field sobriety test – and then proceeded to argue with Lower Colorado River Authority officials over taking a second test on land and putting on a life jacket. When LCRA officials attempted to make an arrest, Benson refused to cooperate and consequently, was pepper sprayed.

Benson was booked at 11:24 p.m. and is out after posting $14,500 bond.

Timing couldn’t be worse for the embattled Benson. He’s been a huge disappointment after being selected fourth-overall in the 2005 NFL Draft. In three seasons with the Bears, he has rushed for totals of 272, 647 and 674 yards. Last year — his first as a full-time starter — he averaged only 3.4 yards-per-carry.

The Bears drafted Tulane running back Matt Forte in the second round of this year’s Draft in hopes of pushing Benson. Now it looks like it will be Forte’s job to lose.

Benson is currently recovering from a broken leg suffered last season. Add that to his lack of production and off-the-field troubles and it should mean the end of his era. And what an era it was! GM Jerry Angelo has already called Forte a “three-down back” meaning he can carry the load.