One of the things that we're waiting on as the season closes, is what, if any, suspension will Bengals running back Cedric Benson receive after being charged for assault in a Texas bar over memorial day weekend. In truth, there's nothing new to file away and the basics still apply.
However, head coach Marvin Lewis is having none of it. Asked if he thought Benson would be suspended, Lewis clearly went on the defensive:
“I don’t know why we we’re even talking about Cedric being suspended a game. I don’t even know why we’re bringing it up. To me it’s unbelievable. It wouldn’t be brought up in 31 other cities in the country I think.”
As much as I appreciate the point he's making -- that Cincinnati tends to get singled out in terms of character issues in the NFL -- it would be a little naive to disregard the circumstances. Such as Benson being charged with assault; an act that he had all but admitted had happened. Sure, the question is right to be asked. However, the question, it would seem to us, simply antagonize Lewis, who will by default defend Benson.
The Enquirer's Joe Reedy continues:
Lewis went on to say later: “As Cedric’s has come out the truth about Cedric’s is that Cedric got sucker punched in a bar. That’s the thing. And only because it was Cedric Benson does it become news.”
As unfortunate as it is, Lewis is right. But the question asking Lewis' perspective if Benson will be suspended is a bit cheap. And Lewis did the right thing putting up a wall and defending Benson.