Tom E. Curran • E-mail

The Bears underwent a Bensonectomy Monday. It was a procedure similar to the Tankectomy they underwent last season.

And while the release of running back Cedric Benson sends the laudable message that Chicago’s not going to allow its employees to repeatedly run afoul of the law, it also shows the Bears suck at being able to accurately forecast how their players will act.

Mike Mulligan of The Chicago Tribune wrote a tremendous column in advance of the Benson release, saying, “Benson has completed that rare triple play of being such a disappointment that he could be cut because he's a character problem, a durability concern and simply not good enough.”

Benson was the fourth overall pick in the 2005 draft as a running back out of Texas. It’s not like there weren’t a few signs Chicago could have heeded. He was arrested twice while in college, once for marijuana possession and also for criminal trespass. His passion for the game was also questioned.

But the Bears bit anyway, probably figuring that a stable organization, loyal fanbase and great opportunity could keep Benson on the tracks. And they couldn’t. And do you know why? Because guys are going to do what guys are going to do. It doesn’t matter how supportive the organization is or how earnest the player seems to be about turning around his pattern of behavior. If a player is predisposed to doing dumb, dangerous or illegal things at this stage of his life, it doesn’t matter if he’s in the NFL or the elevator operator’s union. He’ll do dumb, dangerous or illegal things.

Tank Johnson’s a perfect example of that. He came out of jail 13 months ago saying he wanted to become the NFL’s Man of the Year and that his days of bad decisions were behind him. I bought it. He seemed earnest and contrite. But it didn’t take. He got tipsy, drove in Arizona, got released and landed in Dallas. Sadly, nobody will choke on their bagel if they see a “Tank Johnson Arrested” story pop up some morning (for the record, let’s hope we don’t.).

As for Ced, when you find yourself arrested twice in a month but claiming you weren’t drunk either time, it’s probably time to open up a Netflix account. You and the nightlife do not mix. It happens.

But enough with the social commentary; how does the dropping of Benson impact the Bears’ chances to be a good team in 2008?

Actually, not much. Benson wasn’t particularly good and the runners behind him aren’t either. The Bears have Adrian Peterson the Lesser at the top of the depth chart. He averaged 3.4 yards per carry last season. That, combined with a passing attack that will scare exactly nobody, should cause Bears fans to start readying their larynxes for another season of screaming for their defense because it’s going to be their only hope for success.

In a related story, that 2005 Draft was a doozy, wasn’t it?

Here’s your top 10:

1. Alex Smith, QB, San Francisco
2. Ronnie Brown, RB, Miami
3. Braylon Edwards, WR, Cleveland
4. Cedric Benson, RB, Chicago
5. Cadillac Williams, RB, Tampa Bay
6. Pacman Jones, CB, Tennessee
7. Troy Williamson, WR, Minnesota
8. Antrel Rolle, DB, Arizona
9. Carlos Rogers, DB, Washington
10. Mike Williams, WR, Detroit

Alex Smith has the “B,” the “U” and the “S” so far. All he needs is the “T.” Ronnie Brown is a good player coming off an injury. Braylon Edwards is a very good player. Benson can party. Cadillac Williams is a good player. Pacman Jones is a drain on American culture and society. Troy Williamson’s career stats (79 catches, 1,067 yards and three scores) look like one good season. Antrel Rolle is coming along. Carlos Rogers is just a guy. Mike Williams is a fat bust.

Ironically, the picks at Nos. 10 and 11 are DeMarcus Ware and Shawne Merriman, a couple of guys who should be perennial Pro Bowlers through about 2013.

Quick hits
* Unless I miss my hunch entirely, the Lakers are going to tear the Celtics a brand new one tonight. Expect them to feed off an L.A. crowd that has seen its team demolished and discounted and put a beating on Boston. This is a good test for the Celtics who were far too passive on the road for the first two rounds before bowing up against the Pistons. It goes without saying this is a near must-win for the Lakers. It can’t be a must-win officially until the penalty for losing is the end of the season.

* Take Sergio in the Open. I gots a hunch.

* Finally, an e-mail thread with my hombre Michael B. after my column suggesting the Lakers were soft and tender and needed to club a Celtic or two about the head to send a message in Game 2:

Tom,
With regard to your column on the Lakers, are you seriously suggesting that they get more physical with a player (Powe) that they obviously can’t keep off the free-throw line?  Even if you buy into the Celtics 4-1 advantage from the stripe as being somehow legitimate (I notice you failed to comment on whether or not you believe the game was called fairly), how on earth is guarding a guy tighter – a guy being sent to the line for dirty looks – going to help you?  Would you have been happier if Powe had gotten 30 attempts and five Lakers had fouled out in the process? Of course guys get shy and hide their hands in the wake of that kind of crap.  You have to actually stay in the game to have some effect on its outcome.  If your defensive skills are so mediocre – so poor – that you can't help but foul Powe every time he handles the ball, well, you better back the eff up.  If a called strike one hits the dirt in front of the plate and a called strike two sails over the backstop, I think you might understand if I swing somewhat desperately at the third pitch – even if it hits the poor S.O.B. in the on-deck circle!
Michael B

Slide show   The Week in Sports Pictures Manny messes up, the Tour takes off to Spain, Nomar returns and more. more photos

Mike,
First off, I watched the game again after I got home and the Lakers had a right to be peeved about some of the mess they got called for. But if we were on the same team and a guy was killing us in the paint, getting the ball wherever he wanted and we were getting called for reactionary fouls, I would encourage you to throw his ass out of there before he gets the ball. And also body him into the first row on rebound exchanges. And crack him across both arms if he was still interested in going up with the stray ball that did get to him. My feeling is, if we’re going to get called when we have both hands straight up and he initiates contact, might as well get your money’s worth. Going McHale on him is counterproductive in terms of a suspension but initiating the aggressiveness instead of reacting to it has to be done. I like your baseball analogy. And great email.

Tom,
My suggestion is that players (especially young ones) will adjust to the way the game is being called – for better or worse.  Phil’s bitching (he, of course, is never calculated) is meant to convey the same point as my baseball analogy. Pulling a Rambis on Powe in Boston may not have resulted in the outcome you envision.  First, another trip to the stripe another foul on a Laker. Second, you allow the crowd another Pierce-ian bit of theater (an indignant martyr – is that an oxymoron?) is just what you don’t need in a game where your foul troubles have already cast you as the bully). Third, it smacks of desperation at a time when a young team is trying to gather their composure.  Strike three. Phil has made his point – the league will be chastened when reviewing the game(s) – and the Lakers, on a more level playing field, will be in a position to be more aggressive going forward.  You have to pick your spots... Sunday clearly was not the time or the place to go Rambis on the Celtics.  As they say, revenge is a dish best served cold.
Michael B.

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