Before the draft, Cedric Benson did everything he could P.R.-wise to not look like another dreadlocked Texas headcase, albeit one with terrific power and vision out of the backfield. He cut his hair. He posed for ESPN The Magazine with a coverline reading, "I'm not Ricky!" He cried upon being drafted about the affects of his makeover.

Now, he's losing a P.R. battle in Chicago.

Benson and his agent, Eugene Parker, reportedly went eight days without any substantial contract talks with the Bears. While Benson has been holding out, the Bears have stepped up their public efforts to put the heat on their first-round pick.