Eric Winston doesn’t know the Cedric Benson who has made too many of the wrong kind of headlines — on and off the field — in what has been to date an unhappy, unproductive pro career.

The only Benson Winston knows, going all the way back to their fifth-grade football team in Midland, is a good guy, an upstanding teammate and an immensely gifted running back.

“We always sat next to each other on the bus going to high school games,” Winston recalls. “For five hours sometimes we’d have great conversations, not about football but just about life.”

The two former Midland Lee stars, who went their separate ways to big-time college programs after winning a pair of state championships together, will cross paths for the first time in an NFL regular-season game Sunday when the winless Cincinnati Bengals visit the resurgent Texans at Reliant Stadium.

Winston, of course, is entrenched at right tackle for Houston while Benson, out of work when the season began, is trying to orchestrate an NFL do-over for himself with the 0-7 Bengals after failing miserably as a No. 1 draft choice of the Chicago Bears.

“Cedric’s different,” Winston said. “He’s largely misunderstood, I think. He’s soft-spoken. He doesn’t let a lot of people in. He had a lot of mistrust in him, for a lot of valid reasons. All I can say is I liked the guy a lot and he was great teammate, aside from being a great back. We’ll have our hands full with him.

Fall from grace
“I played with a lot of great backs at (the University of) Miami and I’d put him up there with any of them. He was lot like Willis (McGahee). Both were just naturally strong people. Cedric was so impressive. He followed his blockers well. And he always ran upfield. He’s a guy that’s not afraid of contact.

“His senior year (at Lee), we’d lost everybody on offense except me and him. But, man, there were so many games I can remember ... 350 (yards) against Permian his senior year ... Duncanville at Texas Stadium — he dumped about 260 on them. It was amazing. His junior year, he averaged 10 yards a carry. He was unstoppable. He really was.”

Benson had his share of moments at the University of Texas, too, winning the Doak Walker Award as the country’s top back in 2004, enough to convince the Bears he was worth the fourth pick overall in the 2005 draft.

Instead of becoming another Walter Payton for Chicago, however, Benson scuffled from the get-go after a 36-day holdout caused him to miss his first preseason. He never did establish himself as the Bear’s go-to back and, in 35 games, he had as many 100-yard afternoons as he did alcohol-related arrests — two — over a five-week period at the end of his troubled tenure there.

“He’s just a good guy who’s made some bad decisions,” Winston said. “But you could say that about a lot of people. I think he’s learned from it .”

The Bengals, desperate to generate a running game with Chris Perry struggling and turning the ball over, signed Benson three games ago. Although they remain 31st in the NFL in rushing, averaging just 73.9 yards, he had 52 on 14 carries against Pittsburgh’s stingy defense last week.

Embattled Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis is cautiously optimistic about Benson’s hoped-for revival, saying, “He’s doing a good job and becoming more comfortable with the intricacies” of Cincy’s offense, which is considerably different from what the Bears ran.

Still a talent
New teammate Chad Ocho Cinco calls Benson “a super powerful runner. He’s really nice. He had a couple of nice runs against the Steelers, who are really hard to run against. He’s taking advantage of his situation.”

When the Texans started the season with Ahman Green again at less than 100 percent, there was much local fan sentiment for them to give Benson a look, but he was never brought in for a tryout.

Head coach Gary Kubiak admitted considering it but said, “We liked our young guys. We decided to go with Steve (Slaton) and, fortunately, Ahman’s (Green) back now.”

“I would have vouched for Cedric, absolutely,” Winston said. “I remember talking to him after the first preseason game (in Houston) last year and he seemed happy to be starting. Everything looked like it was going OK. Hopefully, he’ll find his niche in Cincinnati. Just to see him on the field again will be really good. I’m always pulling for him.”

(chron.com)

Deal includes $10 million in guaranteed money

Before the Texans left Houston today for Sunday’s opener at Pittsburgh, right tackle Eric Winston signed a five-year, $30 million contract extension.

His deal includes a $6 million signing bonus and $10 million in guarantees.

Winston, the second pick in the third round of the 2006 draft — 66th overall — initially signed a three-year contract that was due to expire after this season.

A Midland native who played at Miami, the 6-7, 315-pound Winston started seven games as a rookie and all 16 last year. He’s on the verge of being recognized as one of the best in the NFL at his position.

General manager Rick Smith, who negotiated the deal with agent Drew Rosenhaus, wanted to extend Winston before his contract expired after the season, which would have made him a restricted free agent.

(chron.com)

The Houston Chronicle reports Texans ORT Eric Winston is getting more and more comfortable at right tackle, and people around the NFL are taking notice. The Texans are happy with the player he has developed into over the past three years. "He's a lot like WR Kevin Walter," HC Gary Kubiak said. "He's turned into a pro, busts his tail every day. Good kid, good technician, should play out there for a long, long time. He's got a lot of respect around this league, and I think the future is very bright for him." Winston, who is starting his third season, says the game has slowed down a lot for him since his rookie season. He took over at right tackle last season when an injury forced OT Zach Wiegert to the sidelines. Winston then started the final seven games and never relinquished the job. "I feel like my first year here, I was kind of all over the place. And then when I got my chance, I took the most of it," Winston said. "Last year, I think I took a big sophomore step in proving myself and solidifying my spot and what I can do there. Now I'm really able to come out here and do something special."

(ffmastermind.com)

13. Eric Winston, RT, Houston Texans: The right tackle spot isn't a strong one in the NFL. Winston has a chance to move toward the top of the rankings at that position. He emerged as the Texans' best lineman last season. He has always been a good pass protector, but he improved his run blocking last season. It's too bad right tackles get overlooked come Pro Bowl time because he's a good one.

(cbs.sportsline.com)

Eric Winston was born and raised on country music in his hometown of Midland. He grew up going to small-venue concerts and listening to Texas originals croon under a starry sky.

Now that the right tackle has become a starter for the Texans, he is getting to see and meet some of the biggest stars in country music. On Saturday, Winston was in Chicago hanging out with Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban and LeAnn Rimes, along with Luke Bryan and Gary Allan, before each took the stage in Chesney’s "Poets and Pirates Tour."

“This is my first Kenny Chesney concert, but it’s not my first country music concert,” Winston said. “I’ve been a big fan of country music and his music. This is great just being a part of a concert like this with five great country music artists that get together and have a lot of fun, obviously, and put on a great show in so many stadiums and so many places around the country.”

This summer, Chesney’s tour is hitting 12 NFL stadiums, including Houston’s Reliant Stadium on Saturday, August 16. The show, which features eight hours of live music, will be the biggest concert event in the history of Reliant.

“This is our fourth year doing the stadium shows and it’s kind of gotten bigger and bigger every year,” Chesney said. “We played a couple of nights in Houston last year and Houston has always been a great town for us to come play no matter what venue we are playing, but it’s exciting to come to the Houston Texans’ stadium. It’s hard to believe when you get up there in front of that many people – the energy just hits your right in the chest.”

Getting hit in the chest was something that resonated with Winston, who talked to Chesney at length before the show began at Soldier Field. In fact, the massive right tackle and the most popular tour act in country music found they easily could relate to each other’s lifestyle. 

“I think there is a lot in common as far as that goes - how much work we put in and how much work I’m sure he (Chesney) puts into this,” Winston said. “You can’t become this big or be this good just by going out there. You can have all the time in the world, but you have to put the work in and get it done. I think that is the big bond that a lot of athletes have with performers like Kenny. I think we both know how much we both put into our sports. I think that’s what links us all up a lot of times.”

Aside from living on the road and playing in packed stadiums, Chesney, like Winston, goes through rigorous physical training. The performer also loves the game of football.

“I remember as a kid, I always loved Bob Griese and the Dolphins and I’m friends with his son now, Brian,” Chesney said. “I’ve got a lot of friends of mine that have played pro football. There’s kind of a commonality with pro players and guys that do what I do because we both want to do what the other is doing.”

Winston was a testament to that. The offensive lineman couldn’t hide his excitement during the concert when he was standing offstage with high-profile fans like Nick Swisher of the White Sox and the Cubs' Jim Edmonds, all of whom danced along to Chesney hits like "Summertime," "No Shirt (No Shoes, No Problem)" and "When the Sun Goes Down.”

“Kenny was awesome,” Winston said. “It really was one of the best shows I’ve been to. There is day-long tailgating and then five awesome acts. Nothing beats that.”

(houstontexans.com)

If Eric Winston of the Texans can hit a curveball or splitter, he might have a future in baseball.

I've seen Barry Bonds, Mike Piazza, Sammy Sosa, Carlos Lee, Lance Berkman and several other players have amazing home run displays in batting practice.

Those guys could put on some displays, but nothing quite drew the awes from baseball players quite like all the fuss Winston caused this afternoon at Minute Maid Park.

Winston, Mario Williams and several other Texans were at Minute Maid Park to help raise money for the Boys and Girls Club. In their batting practice, they raised $31,800.

Winston also raised some eyebrows. "Diablo," said Astros closer Jose Valverde after watching Winston drill several shots into the second deck behind the right field wall with his powerful lefthanded swing. "Sign him. Sign him."

"He's getting through the ball pretty well," Oswalt said of Winston. "It's a long ways, especially a guy who hasn't played baseball in a couple years. It shows how much athleticism there is in football, too."

Valverde said he'd feed Winston a healthy supply of splitters if he ever had to really face him, but Winston modestly admitted he wouldn't want any part of Oswalt or Valverde.

"Those guys are so good," Winston said of Valverde and Oswalt. "I'm not even going to get close to come acting like I can hit off one of these guys. The general public has no idea how good these guys are. They're amazing. I'm not going to act like I can come in here and hit off the worst pitcher in Single-A, much less a major-league talent."

That may be true, but Winston really impressed the Astros.

"I think we should (sign Winston)," Cecil Cooper joked. "Tonight. If he can hit the curveball he might have a contract. That was a pretty awesome display. I haven't even seen Berkman hit them up there. So he put a good swing. He put a lot of good swings today. We might have to keep him for a while."

As for Mario Williams?

"Mario, I don't know about," Cooper said.

Either way, the Texans raised some good funds with their Reliant Energy Home Run Derby for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Houston.

(blogs.chron.com)

HOUSTON -- It's been almost seven years since Cedric Benson and Eric Winston were on the same football field. And that last time was when they were hoisting a state championship trophy at Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium in Austin.

Back in December of 2000 both had NFL dreams but their college careers were their immediate concern. Saturday night, though, these two stalwarts of Lee's state title run were back on the same field, playing for different teams, and living those NFL dreams as starters.

Benson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2005 NFL draft by Chicago, started Saturday night's game against the Texans as the Bears' featured back and looked much like the back many Bears fans wanted to see from the beginning.

Meanwhile, Winston returned to start for Houston's offensive line at right tackle and showed that his experience last year is paying off.

Eric Winston will become the new starter at the right tackle spot, starting his second season out of the University of Miami.

(seahawkshuddle.com)

Eric Winston, who impressed the coaches over the second half of his rookie season, is the starter on the right side.

(houston-chronicle.com)

Kubiak hinted that Spencer's uncertain future means the team could give ORT Eric Winston a shot on the left side. Winston started seven games at right tackle as a rookie in 2006, but he played left tackle at Miami (Fla.). However, some evaluators believe Winston might be best-suited at guard.

(blogs.chron.com)

Offensive tackle: Even though the Texans drafted two tackles in the third round last season, left tackle Charles Spencer is still in the midst of rehab from a serious knee injury and right tackle Eric Winston may be best suited to play guard.

(chron.com)

The way we hear it, the Texans are pleased with what they have seen of rookie ORT Eric Winston, but they believe his future is inside because of his relatively short arms.

(profootballweekly.com)

HOUSTON - The first time Houston Texans offensive tackle Eric Winston started in college it was at tight end. So his first NFL start will likely be quite a bit different.

Winston is set to start at right tackle in place of Zach Wiegert, who is out for the season with a knee injury. The rookie played tight end throughout high school and in his first year at Miami, but soon outgrew the position and was moved to tackle the next season.

The 6-foot-7, 310-pound player was chosen in the third round of the draft and has appeared in five games this season. Winston and coaches agree that he's improved a lot since arriving in Houston.

"I've grown by leaps and bounds," Winston said. "It's amazing. Looking back on four games ago and then the start of the season and the start of training camp, I think I've come a long way and I think I've really progressed well. I've really put myself in a good position to go out there and play well."

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. - It's a simple play with a simple goal and a simple name: 12 jab.

After the Texans ran the ball to pick up a crucial first down on fourth-and-less-than-a-foot from their 41 with 1:40 left in the game Sunday, offensive tackle Zach Weigert took to calling it the "Fred Weary Special." It was special indeed after a 13-10 victory.

"As an offensive lineman, you want the game on your shoulders in a situation like that," said Weary, the Texans' right guard, who led the way on Samkon Gado's plunge. "It hasn't been that way for the offensive line for the past four years, so we're starting to get a little walk about us.

WINSTON'S WORK: Kubiak said he's been impressed with rookie Eric Winston's work ethic this season.

He hasn't played much so far while adjusting to the NFL, but could be pushed into service because of injuries.

"It's game day every day for Eric out here," Kubiak said. "He takes every snap of offense and he takes scout team. He plays left, he plays right. He's going through about three seasons, so it's going to be very beneficial for him."

Rookie left tackle Charles Spencer was the starter before breaking his leg in Week 2 and Ephraim Salaam has filled in since. But Salaam is struggling with minor nagging injuries.

"Before this year is out he's going to play a lot of football at some point," Kubiak said of Winston. "Ephraim is basically, barely could walk during the week, and is playing for us. If he's playing well and can hold up he's going to play, but there's going to be a point where Eric is going to go out there and get a lot of snaps."

(fortwayne.com)

All the talk radio this week has been about David Carr's poor showing against the Titans. He's starting against the Giants despite Sage Rosenfels poised performance in relief.

Coaches either have revolving door quarterback philosophies or they don't, and Gary Kubiak seems to have a great deal of respect for how difficult it is to be consistent week to week at the that position. (Already talked about that, we'll see how that works out).

Though the quarterback position is the one that gets the most focus, I am particularly interested in what is happening on the offensive line. The 2006 Texans draft class has played a lot of minutes for the team, with the exception of Eric Winston, who has mostly come in during injury situations.

Coach Gary Kubiak said one of the criticisms of offensive tackle Eric Winston going into the draft was the length of his arms. Typically, left tackles in the NFL have longer arms than Winston. Because of that, Kubiak said the team has considered moving Winston inside to guard.

"If you're looking for the prototypical tackle, his arms don't have that type of length," Kubiak said. "But he has played well out there. We've talked about moving him inside, but we've got to give him a chance to be a tackle first."

Winston said he never heard any complaints about his arms until he joined the Texans. The 6-7, 310 pound rookie said he's trying not to dwell on it. As his playing time increases, he wants to show he can play tackle.

Offensive tackle Eric Winston was in street clothes when five of the rookies he was drafted with in April started in the Texans' season opener.

In the first two months of the season, rookies Mario Williams, DeMeco Ryans, Owen Daniels, Wali Lundy and Charles Spencer emerged as future faces of the franchise. Winston was a side note, placed on the inactive list in three of the first four weeks.

Winston's importance to the Texans likely will change this month as he starts to figure into a regular rotation with ailing veteran tackles Ephraim Salaam (ankle, knee, ribs) and Zach Wiegert (knee). Spencer, the opening-day starter at left tackle, suffered a season-ending injury in Week 2.

(on T Eric Winston’s progress) “He’s making a lot of progress, and one of the things that’s helping is we’ve kind of changed our routine with Zach (Wiegert) a little bit. Zach doesn’t really practice on Wednesday. We make (T) Eric (Winston) and (G Brad) Bedell take all the reps. The only way those guys get better is if they get the reps, and we feel confident in Zach being ready to play on game day. So we chose to go that way, and it looks like it’s helped Eric get better.”

(noticias.info.com)

The ugly brawl during the Miami-Florida International game on Saturday bothered Texans rookie offensive tackle Eric Winston more than most. Winston, a native of Midland, played for the Hurricanes the past four years.

"I'm sure FIU was trying to make some kind of statement," said Winston, who made his pro debut last Sunday against the Cowboys, playing right tackle in the fourth quarter. "Emotions are going to run high. The big thing is when something like that happens, you have to do everything you can to not let it spread.

"There is a fine line. You have to protect your guys out there. That doesn't mean swinging helmets."

Winston defended embattled Hurricanes coach Larry Coker.

"I think he's a great guy," Winston said. "You don't run across many coaches who genuinely care about you, care about your grades, care about your family. He doesn't get a lot of recognition for how hard he is on guys, suspending players for the Florida State game for not getting all their hours in at study hall. They've been off the police blotter.

"People forget they were yelling for Butch Davis' job in '98. Now everybody's mad he left. They've got a lot of short term memory down there."

(statesman.com)

The Houston Texans may have lost defensive tackle Seth Payne for the season after he tore a ligament in his right knee early in the fourth quarter of a 34-6 loss at Dallas. Two other Houston starters, safety Glenn Earl and offensive tackle Zach Wiegert, also left after being hurt.
Earl left with a strained neck, while Wiegert sprained his left knee. Neither injury was considered serious, coach Gary Kubiak said. Wiegert's replacement, Eric Winston, dislocated his finger but played through the injury.
(chron.com)

For the first time this season, rookie offensive tackle Eric Winston will be activated for a game.

When rookie left tackle Charles Spencer was lost for the season because of a broken leg, backup Ephraim Salaam was elevated to replace him. Now Winston, who was picked second in the third round behind Spencer, will back up both tackle positions.

"He's the swing tackle," coach Gary Kubiak said. "We made that decision during the bye. It's a lot for him to handle, but for the future of the team, we've got to find out where he is and how far he can come."

At some point, possibly next season, the coaches expect Spencer and Winston to be the starting tackles.

(chron.com)

(on who will fill the spot on the line with T Spencer out):

“You know, we have to talk through that, but right now the best thing for the team is to get (T Eric) Winston going.  It’s a tough role to ask a young player like that to be a swing guy on game day and know two spots.  But for the future of the football tea, we need to do that with that young man.  So we’ll put him in a tough situation, but I’m sure he’ll respond to it.  Hell, he’s a good kid.  He’s been working hard.  But for the future of the team, and to get better, we need to bring him a long, so I think he’s the guy to do that.  We also have to look around and decide, do we bring in a young tackle here or do we go find another veteran guy.  We have to go make that decision, but we definitely have to go get another player here pretty quick.”
(scout.com)

The Texans will also figure out how best to use rookie Eric Winston, who was chosen one pick behind Spencer in the draft. He'll likely be the backup to both tackle positions.

"The best thing for the team right now is to get Winston going," Kubiak said. "It's a tough role to ask a young player like that to be a swing guy on game day and know two spots. But for the future of this football team we need to do that. We'll put him in a tough situation, but I'm sure he'll respond to it."

Kubiak said he will add another tackle to the team in the next couple of days to fill Spencer's roster spot when he is placed on the injured reserve.

(dallasnews.com)

Rookie Eric Winston, who was the second pick in the third round behind Spencer, will replace Salaam as the swing tackle who backs up both positions.
(chron.com)

Rookie Eric Winston, chosen one spot behind Spencer in the third round, was never in danger of being cut because he has too much potential. Kubiak also said he thinks Winston can play either tackle or even move inside to guard.
(blogs.chron.com/nfl)

To say the last couple months have been a whirlwind would be an understatement. 

From the day I was drafted by the Houston Texans to now has been nothing but a fast paced ride that doesn't appear to be stopping anytime soon.

During May and June, over about a six week period, I participated in Organized Team Activities or what all the players call OTA's. It's essentially 19 practices in helmets that lead into camp. Our OTA's were combined with our mini camps, which are the exact same things, it's just some teams structure their schedule different than others.