Bengals: 20 Questions for Cedric Benson

Cedric Benson entered the NFL in 2005 as the No. 4 overall pick of the draft by the Chicago Bears.

However, lackluster performance on the gridiron, coupled with a series of off the field incidents, led to the running back’s release by the Bears in June of 2008.

Benson, 5'11", 220 pounds, was picked up in the fourth week of the 2008 season by the Cincinnati Bengals and ended up being one of the few pleasant surprises on the team. He had 747 rushing yards averaging out to be about 3.5 yards per carry, and two touchdowns in twelve games, including the last ten as a starter. Benson finished the season extremely strong with at least 130 yards in each of his last three games.

The University of Texas product, was an unrestricted free agent following the 2008 season, but signed a two-year, seven million dollar contract with the Bengals.

The following is a list of twenty questions I would ask Benson if I was writing a feature article on him:

1) In May of 2008, you were arrested for boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest. Police used pepper spray to detain you. Looking back, what are your thoughts about this incident?

2) The following month, June of 2008, you were arrested for driving while intoxicated, which led to the Chicago Bears releasing you. How could you explain getting arrested for similar incidents twice in a month?

3) Do you think the Bears were right in releasing you? Why?

4) When the Bears cut you and no NFL team contacted you for several weeks, what were you thinking? Did you think your career might be over?

5) Did you consider at any point playing in the Canadian Football League?

6) When you first found out about the interest from the Bengals, what was your reaction?

7) Once you signed with Cincinnati prior to the fourth game of the season, what did you think your role would be? Did you think you had a chance of taking over as the starting running back?

8) What was it like going from free agent off the street to NFL starting running in the matter of a month?

9) Did it take you a while to knock the rust off?

10) When did you feel you turned the corner and began to run the ball well?

11) What are your thoughts on Chad Ochocinco as a player and person?

12) Do you think he will be a distraction for the team this year?

13) Do Chad and Carson Palmer get along?

14) What are your expectations for the 2009 Cincinnati Bengals?

15) What is Marvin Lewis like as a head coach? Compare him to other coaches you've played under.

16) How close were you to leaving the Bengals as a free agent this offseason?

17) Why did you resign with them? Did they offer you the most money?

18) What other teams did you seriously consider and did you have any other comparable offers on the table?

19) Did you expect to get more than $3.5 million per season? Did you expect to get less? Did you think that is around what you would get in the open market?

20) Why did you only sign a two-year contract? Was that something you wanted, or something that the team?