Former Arizona Cardinals running back needs to call out franchise
By Sion Fawkes
So far, former Arizona Cardinals running back Eno Benjamin has stayed silent regarding his release from the team earlier this week.
When the Arizona Cardinals parted ways with Eno Benjamin, the consensus was that he got a little too vocal on the sideline due to lack of playing time. Benjamin, the team’s most productive back at that point in 2022, saw just one offensive snap and understandably wasn’t happy about the coaching staff shunting him to one side in favor of the underperforming James Conner.
Of course, head coach Kliff Kingsbury was asked about Benjamin’s release during his Wednesday press conference. The much-maligned head coach used the, “we’re always going to do what’s best for the organization,” excuse regarding Benjamin’s release, despite having nothing but good things to say about the running back over the summer and early in the season.
General manager Steve Keim, when asked about the release on Burns & Gambo, had this to say:
"“(Head coach) Kliff (Kingsbury) I think addressed that and it was a decision made by the organization. We’ll wish him well in Houston.” – via Arizona Sports."
Eno Benjamin needs to call out the Arizona Cardinals
Really, this has gone far enough during the Kingsbury Era that started in 2019. Benjamin was clearly not happy for one measly game and Kingsbury kicked his most productive back to the curb.
Following the choice words earlier this season from cornerback Patrick Peterson had for the organization, and Chase Edmunds’ remarks about the team’s culture, it’s clear that something is definitely not right within the interior confines of the franchise. And Benjamin could give us more clarity here.
Despite Benjamin’s silence, HBO’s Hard Knocks could give us that clarity. While the former Arizona State product could wind up being the “bad guy” here, given comments from players who formerly played for Kingsbury, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.
And who knows? Maybe Kingsbury is a more cunning version of Urban Meyer, who survived just 11 games as an NFL head coach before his antics caught up with him? Former college coaches are treated like royalty in the NCAA ranks, and they find out swiftly that it’s not the case in the NFL.
Some, however, could be hiding their dictatorial tracks better than others. Meyer did a poor job at covering his, but perhaps Kingsbury, like former college-turned-NFL head coach Butch Davis, has just been doing a better job at maintaining his vice grip on an NFL organization?
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Just a theory. But you can’t dispute the remarks from former players that certainly seem to point in that direction given the team’s culture and now, the abrupt release of Benjamin.
Article Source: Eno Benjamin, Steve Keim both quiet on reason for Cardinals RB’s release by Kellan Olson
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