NFL | Chicago's Cedric Benson to fight charges

CHICAGO — Running back Cedric Benson of the Chicago Bears said he believes officers used excessive force against him and plans to fight charges he operated a boat while intoxicated and resisted arrest on a Texas lake over the weekend.

"He denies that he was intoxicated," attorney Brian Carney said Monday. "He denies that he resisted arrest."

Benson, 25, is scheduled to appear in Travis County Court on May 19 to face charges stemming from an incident Saturday night. That date also marks the start of the Bears' organized team activities.

Benson failed a sobriety test while operating a 30-foot boat on Lake Travis and resisted arrest before being hit with pepper spray, Travis County Sheriff's Department spokesman Roger Wade said.

Benson was released from jail early Sunday on a $14,500 bond. The charges are misdemeanors, each punishable by up to six months in jail and a $2,000 fine.

"There was no resistance on my part," Benson told the Chicago Tribune. "Was I drunk? No."

Police say ex-Texas Longhorn Benson was operating the boat with 15 passengers when a Lower Colorado River Authority officer stopped him for a random safety inspection.

Mendenhall is robbed

CHICAGO — Running back Rashard Mendenhall, 20, Pittsburgh's first-round draft pick, was robbed at gunpoint along the Chicago lakefront, his mother and agent said.

The former Illinois standout was not hurt in the robbery, during which two people stole Mendenhall's wallet and cellphone, his mother, Sybil Mendenhall, said.

Bengals sign Howell

After five workouts with the team, ex-Washington Huskies linebacker Dan Howell signed a two-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. He wasn't taken in last month's draft.

Meanwhile, Miami waived ex-UW receiver Marcel Reece.

Notes

• Robert Porcher, 38, a former Detroit defensive end, has been sentenced to 50 hours of community service for an assault on his ex-wife.

Porcher also was given one year of probation and ordered to have no contact with Kimberly Porcher, except through text messages or e-mail.

• Atlanta Falcons linebacker Michael Boley, 25, was charged with battery after his wife, Chantelle, accused him of becoming "physical" after an argument.

Boley was arrested Saturday at his Dacula, Ga., home and released on $1,200 bond.

• According to an ESPN.com report, police sources say six of the bullet casings found after a shooting last Tuesday near Marvin Harrison's carwash in Philadelphia came from a gun that belongs to the Indianapolis receiver.

Harrison has neither been arrested nor charged. Police say they have no suspects.