Daily Dose: Why sports journalists suck sometimes...

It's because we continually fall into the trap of the "reformed athlete."

Always.

It's the easy thing to do, especially when we're bogged down with a crap ton of other responsibilities.

Here's just the latest from this story on Cedric Benson.

Yes, that Cedric Benson.

"What happened next appeared equally unremarkable, but it revealed everything you need to know about the rehabilitation of Cedric Benson."

"The Bengals' reborn runner is, depending upon your perspective, either paranoid or acutely aware of the pitfalls of premature glory."

Don't get me wrong. Silver did a very good job in the piece, but I don't know why we as sports journalists feel the need to do these stories the second a troubled athlete shows the slightest sign of maturity.

Remember this?

This was the big "Ron Artest is a changed man" story following the infamous brawl in Detroit in November of 2004.
Shortly after this cover story about new Ron, good old Ron quickly re-emerged & requested a trade, was made inactive by the Pacers, divided the team and created a rift with fellow cover-boy Larry Bird.

Years later, while new Ron was keeping his nose clean on the court, good old Ron was beating on his woman, leading to another suspension and an arrest.

Yes, this is just one example, and I'm not saying Ced Head is going to go out and beat people up or drive his boat through a lakehouse....I'm just saying we need to give these guys some time to prove that they're really changed - that they're really "reborn" and "rehabilitated."

The story will be there if they are - and there will be more proof of such a change and thus, a more powerful tale.