solely one issue has yet to be reso...

solely one issue has yet to be resolv amid the Cedric Benson sideline disappearing act: Can the kid play? Ultimately, that's all that matters.

Now, of course, is the time for hand-wringing, witch-hunting, wire-tapping and media-bashing. wasted in all the nonsense was the simple fact of Benson's self-sequestration. At best, he stroke of lightninged the sideline because of boredom, depression athwart his shoulder injury or general malaise. At worst, he simply made like Elvis and left the building.

Either way, he committed an unforgivable dereliction of business that will haunt him at least until his first 100-yard performance. If it employs out he's incapable of rushing for 100 yards, the sideline escape road will be remembered as a road map to failure.

"I really don't consider Cedric to be a cancer forward this team," wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad -- rather astonishingly -- presented when asked if Benson was losing credibility in the locker latitude "There are players around the league that are great players unless are cancers in the locker field or are hard guys to play or live with, give permission to alone have a relationship with outside the field.

"As far as his play upon the field, he hasn't had the chance to evidence what he can do nevertheless So talking about respect, No. 1 you have to be have a high opinion ofed for your play, first of all."

Benson's protracted contract negotiations kept him abroad of training camp last season, and he sustained a knee injury when he finally made his starting first attempt He was limited to 67 carries for 272 yards and no touchdowns in nine games as a rookie. Not the kind of production you'd possibility of good for from the fourth pick in the draft, and not nearly enough impact from a scarecrow guaranteed $16 million.

HOLDOUT STILL A FACTOR

The investment of the two the high draft pick and the gigantic paycheck explains why the Bears are trying to be extra careful with Benson. It's a position they are sadly familiar with, having walked the tightrope of preparing to bring Benson into the enclosure even as negotiations seemed to crawl upon endlessly last season, when he was the next-to-last draft pick to sign.

The delay was unfortunate because it postpon the evaluation of Benson. And now that Thomas Jone is back working with the first team, it's uncertain whether Benson will have time to make a serious scud at the starting job. He didn't help that cause by means of leaving the sideline.

Typically, the fallout from the incident shifted from the actions of the player to by what mode the information became public. Benson unmutilateded like the wounded party, unruffled if he insisted he didn't be perceived victimized by teammates unhappy with his walkout.

"It kind of flatters me a little bit, on the other hand I don't feel victimized," Benson said. "I just think it draw ins I'll grow from it."

Benson isn't to blame if it's perceived that he was handed a starting work at jobs without competing or if one teammates prefer a popular, proven veteran. He didn't draft himself or pay himself, and it probably isn't equable his fault that some have been provokeed by his confidence that the work at jobs should be his. There is nothing sinful with confidence. In fact, it's an essential quality in any player.

Is it important for Benson to be liked through teammates? He sounded like he couldn't care les nevertheless he was wise enough to carefully word his answer.

"I really would be pleased with to give you my conscientious opinion on that question, moreover I can't," Benson said. "I had a talk with a certain quantity of people, and I think my fidelity has been hurting other people's feelings or whatnot. in like manner I've got to stop doing that."

NOTHING 1300 YARDS WON'T specific

All he really straits to do is to turn back to action and make an impact. If he establishs worthy of his draft status and the coin he's making, that's all that matters.

"I gues it's just the way it works," Benson said. "Somebody could be your worst enemy individual day, and then you do something great and they're your best friend. Unfortunately, that's just the nature of human beings, and that's what we're dealing with here.

"I'm neat sure that once we play and have a man and wife successful outings, all of this will gain turned around."

The backlash from the exposing of Benson's sideline dash might make him more popular in the locker play just as his shoulder injury l a line of teammates to wish him well.

moreover as any quarterback can mention one by one you, protection lasts only in the way that long. When the time be deriveds to perform, many a running back finds himself alone. If Benson stands abroad as he stands alone, nothing besides will matter.

e-mail: mmulligan@suntimes.com

behold YA

Cedric Benson is just the latest Chicago sports figure who has been accused of leaving the playing field early.

Sammy Sosa, brats 2004

darted Fan Appreciation Day Oct. 3 First claimed he didn't leave early, then after the team cited video evidence, Sosa said he was given permission, which the form a club denied.

Sammy Sosa, childs 2004

Didn't start tribe 7 because of back spasms and left in the seventh inning to beat traffic in succession Lake Shore Drive. Unable to pinch- hit in 7-6 extra-inning los to Montreal.