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Bengals running back Cedric Benson, who was released last year by Chicago, has extra motivation for Sunday's game against the Bears. Benson believes he was blackballed by the Bears.

"I heard all the rumors that were said coming out of Chicago," Benson said Wednesday in a conference call with Chicago media (per ESPN). "Even the Bengals told me, they would call and inquire about me and get nothing but negative things -- just that I didn't work hard, that I was a prima donna, or didn't work hard on the field, or I wasn't focused. Anything negative they could say, it was said. I'm sure that contributed largely to me not getting picked up right away."

Not surprisingly, the Bears' coaching staff deny the rumors.

"He was not blackballed by anyone in our organization," Smith said. "If anything, when a player decides to leave here, or is cut from here, we do everything we possibly can to help them go somewhere else. That was the case with Cedric."

We'll most likely never know who's telling the truth. But what we do know is Benson did not produce in Chicago and he had his share of run-ins with the law.

In his three seasons in Chicago, Benson, who was drafted by Chicago with the fourth overall pick in 2005, had 1593 rushing yards for an average of 3.8 yards per carry in 35 games.

After signing with Cincinnati last year, he finished the season strong and had 355 rushing yards in the final three games of the season.

Although I named Benson as one of five running backs to target in your fantasy draft, he's exceeding the level of production even I expected.

Benson, who recently ended the Ravens' streak of not allowing a 100-yard rusher at 39 weeks, is finally living up to his potential and is currently ranked third in the NFL in rushing (531 yards).