Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Bears meet McFadden, Jones; Benson a question mark?

Bears meet McFadden, Jones; Benson a question mark?

The Chicago Bears coaching staff�had lunch with Arkansas running backs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones on Monday, a source told the Sun-Times. Smith and Southwest area scout Chris Ballard will attend the Razorbacks pro day today, an intriguing development for a franchise many figure to be in pursuit of an offensive tackle with the 14th pick of the first round.

If the Bears' interest in either one or both is genuine, it could signal Benson's rehabilitation from a fractured left ankle is behind and the possibility would then exist he will be phased out of the team's plans.

Benson had the walking cast he was in removed Dec. 31, and general manager Jerry Angelo said following the season he still believed the fourth pick from the 2005 draft could be a featured back. But actions speak louder than words, and if the Bears were to maneuver up in the first round of the draft to grab McFadden, or down to snare Jones, it would likely signal the end of the road for Benson.