July 30, 2010
GEORGETOWN, Ky. -- The NFL won't punish Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson for his offseason arrest involving an alleged bar fight in Texas.
Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement Friday that he's satisfied Benson understands his responsibilities as an NFL player and a public figure. Benson met with Goodell and other league officials last week.
The decision didn't surprise Benson, who came away from the meeting optimistic.
"A lot of questions came up and everyone was wondering," Benson said, following practice Friday afternoon. "We had a good discussion. I didn't think a suspension would come about afterward, but I was curious to see what his final decision would be. Here we go off to the season and I'll be out there for week one."
Benson is the focal point of a running game that helped the Bengals win the AFC North last season. He ran for 1,251 yards in 13 games, missing three because of a strained hip.
He set a club record by running for 100 yards six times last season. He also ran for 169 yards in a playoff loss to the Jets, a club record for the postseason.
"Cedric expressed to us his understanding that NFL players have a special responsibility to meet high standards of conduct," Goodell said. "Like most public figures, Cedric and other NFL players occasionally may find themselves facing risks that other individuals do not. They must exercise good judgment and restraint when confronted with those risks. Full story
METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints agreed to terms with first-round draft choice Patrick Robinson in time for him to get on the field halfway through the Super Bowl champions' first training camp practice.
Robinson got right to work, breaking a couple of passes early in seven-on-seven drills shortly after hitting the field.
"It made me feel good," Robinson said. "I was trying to stay as calm as I could, and that was pretty much it, stay as calm as I could and be focused. Just being there is not enough. I think I have to make plays and start getting on the field more."
Robinson will be trying to find playing time at one of the more talented positions on New Orleans' team. Starting cornerbacks Jabari Greer, who generally matched up one-on-one against opponents' top receivers, and Tracy Porter, who made crucial interceptions in both the NFC Championship and the Super Bowl, both had standout seasons last year.
Vikings sign Gerhart
MANKATO, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings have signed second-round draft pick Toby Gerhart to a four-year deal, meaning all eight of their draft picks will be on time for the start of training camp.
The Vikings and Gerhart agreed to the deal a few hours before the team's first practice. Gerhart rushed for 1,871 yards and 28 touchdowns at Stanford last season.
Minnesota traded up to No. 51 in the second round to grab Gerhart, who will serve as a backup to Adrian Peterson. The Vikings needed Gerhart after Chester Taylor signed with Chicago in the offseason.
Gerhart missed all the organized team activities and most of minicamp while finishing school at Stanford and coach Brad Childress said it was important that he not miss any of training camp.
Tyree, Hilliard retire as Giants
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Former first-round draft pick Ike Hilliard and Super Bowl hero David Tyree have retired as members of the New York Giants.
Tyree will always be remembered for his one-handed catch against his helmet in the 2008 Super Bowl. He signed a one-day contract and retired Thursday. His career was slowed for the past two years by a knee injury. He spent part of last season with the Baltimore Ravens.
Hilliard was the seventh player taken in the 1997 draft and is fifth in career receptions for the Giants. He signed his one-day contract and retired.
Both players felt it was important to end their careers with the team that drafted them.
Grant signs with Dolphins
DAVIE, Fla. -- Defensive end Charles Grant has signed with the Miami Dolphins.
Grant spent his entire career with the New Orleans Saints before joining the Dolphins for the start of training camp Friday. He started all 16 games for the Saints last season and had 5½ sacks.
The 31-year-old Grant has 106 career starts and 47 sacks.
The Dolphins waived guards Ray Feinga and Dimitri Tsoumpas.
Bills sign Woods, waive Harris
PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills have signed free agent linebacker Donovan Woods and waived linebacker Nic Harris.
The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Woods appeared in six games after being signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2008 as an undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma State. He appeared in five games in 2008 and one in 2009 before being released by the Steelers in November. He finished 2009 on the practice squad of the Dallas Cowboys.
Harris, Buffalo's fifth-round draft pick in 2009, appeared in 15 games last season. He opened training camp on the reserve-physically unable to perform list due to an undisclosed injury. The Bills placed him on the waived-failed physical list.
