Can you start off your NFL career on the wrong foot and still become a superstar? Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson sure hopes so.
Benson was a Doak Walker winner and the sixth leading rusher in NCAA history during his time at Texas, but he spent much of his energy downplaying comparisons to fellow Longhorn Ricky Williams. He impressed the Bears enough to select him with the fourth overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, but immediately set to work digging a hole for himself by holding out during his first training camp. That allowed Thomas Jones to hold onto the starting job, and Benson ended up spraining his MCL when he did see action, wasting much of his rookie season.
He was hurt again before the 2006 season, scrapping plans for him to take over as the starter. Though forced to platoon with Jones once again, Benson found his workload increasing as the season progressed, finally flashing some of the form that convinced the Bears to draft him so high in the first place. Benson's year ended the same way it began though, as he was injured during his team's loss to the Colts in Super Bowl XLI.
Expected to be healthy in plenty of time for the beginning of the 2007 season, Benson finds himself the unquestioned workhorse after the trade of Jones to the New York Jets. His all-around athleticism - the Los Angeles Dodgers drafted him for baseball back in 2001 - and powerful running style seem to be tailor made for Chicago's weather and mindset, and he stands as good a chance as anyone to become one of the breakthrough players of the upcoming season.
Now is the time for collectors to jump on Benson's 41 rookie cards, as their prices reflect his slow start more than his untapped potential. He signed sparingly for autographed issues during his rookie year, so there's plenty of room for cards with low print runs like his 2005 Sweet Spot # 279 and Upper Deck Foundations # 255 to jump in value if he ever lives up to his promise.
Cedric Benson 2005 Rookie Cards
- Absolute Memorabilia # 161 - #'d to 999
- Bazooka # 167
- Bowman # 147
- Bowman Chrome # 125
- Bowman's Best # 128 - autographed, #'d to 199
- Donruss Classics # 204 - #'d to 999
- Donruss Elite # 119 - #'d to 499
- Donruss Gridiron Gear # 104 - #'d to 399
- Exquisite # 116 - autographed jersey card #'d to 99
- Finest # 155 - autographed, #'d to 299
- Leaf Certified Materials # 151 - #'d to 1000
- Leaf Limited # 158 - #'d to 250
- Leaf Rookies and Stars # 209 - #'d to 799
- Leaf Rookies and Stars Longevity # 209 - #'d to 599
- Playoff Contenders # 116 - autographed, #'d to 289
- Playoff Honors # 101 - #'d to 699
- Playoff Prestige # 174
- Reflections # 296 - #'d to 299
- Score # 334
- SP Authentic # 251 - autographed jersey card #'d to 99
- SPx # 218 - autographed jersey card #'d to 150
- Sweet Spot # 279 - autographed, #'d to 199
- Throwback Threads # 151 - #'d to 999
- Topps # 408
- Topps Chrome # 167
- Topps Heritage # 74A
- Topps Pristine # 42
- Topps Total # 510
- Topps Turkey Red # 181
- UD Mini Jersey Collection # 76
- UD Portraits # 112 - #'d to 425
- Ultimate Collection # 238 - autographed, #'d to 99
- Ultra # 203 - #'d to 599
- Upper Deck # 207
- Upper Deck ESPN # 111
- Upper Deck Foundations # 255 - autographed, #'d to 50
- Upper Deck Kickoff # 100
- Upper Deck Legends # 115 - #'d to 725
- Upper Deck Rookie Debut # 198
- Upper Deck Rookie Materials # 100
- Zenith # 181 - autographed
