“Cedric displayed a pattern of behavior we will not tolerate,” General Manager Jerry Angelo said in a team-issued release. “As I said this past weekend, you have to protect your job. Everyone in this organization is held accountable for their actions. When individual priorities overshadow team goals, we suffer the consequences as a team. Those who fail to understand the importance of ‘team’ will not play for the Chicago Bears.”

A couple of weeks ago Benson was arrested, tased and charged with boating under the influence. Witnesses said that he was unfairly treated by police and that there was no need to tase him. Ok, fine. Things happen.

Well, over this past weekend, Benson got arrested and slapped with a DUI charge. If Benson had been ripping it up on the field (and believe me he hasn’t), then the former fourth-overall draft pick may have had more leeway for mistakes off the field.

Benson is just the latest in the line of wasted first-round running backs for the Bears. Rashaan Salaam couldn’t put the pot down. Curtis Enis ran like he had concrete in shoes. Now, Benson is on the waiver wire (less than four years of NFL service), just three years into his career.

The Bears could kick the tires of Shawn Alexander, or just go into 2008 with Matt Forte, Adrian Peterson (not that Adrian Peterson) and Garrett Wolfe.

The NFL determined that the 49ers contacted Brigg’s agent Drew Rosenhaus without the Bears permission. It is against league rules for any team to speak to a player under contract, and until the free agency period officially begins each year, potential free agents are still property of their teams.

“We are appreciative of the efforts of the league office on this matter and support the commissioner’s decision,” said Bears president and CEO Ted Phillips.

It is a very rare occurrence that an NFL team would be convicted of tampering. Teams negotiate with potential free agents all the time.