GLENDALE, Ariz. — Adjusting to life in the NFL is never an easy task, especially for a rookie. That can definitely be said for rookie running back Trey Benson, who is still working to find a balance between playing and training at the highest level.
"I am pretty serious right now," Benson said. "I am just trying to learn everything, find my routine and get ready to go."
Benson's serious nature was one of the qualities that coach Jonathan Gannon appreciated about the rookie during the draft process. It's just part of who Benson is and shows the commitment the rookie has towards honing his craft on a daily basis.
Although, Gannon joked he isn't used to the serious nature in which the rookie operates.
"I try to joke around with him at times and he doesn't. It kind of pisses me off at times," Gannon said with a grin. "But he's committed to doing everything he can."
That includes absorbing knowledge like a sponge at any opportunity he can, particularly from veteran running back James Conner. And this all wouldn't be possible without his personal notepad.
"I want to follow in his footsteps and am always asking him questions," Benson said. "I want to take everything I can from him. Everything he tells me I write it down in my notepad."
A notepad that is already on to its third version and won't be slowing down anytime soon. It's a learning tool the rookie said is crucial to his growth as a player.
"Almost every night I go through it," Benson said. "I don’t want to lose that thing. I don't know what I'd do if I did."
The media asked Benson what stuck out to him the most throughout all of the notes he had taken through three days at camp and his answer was nearly automatic. It was the 'Five Buckets' philosophy that was laid out by Gannon early on in camp.
"Physical, technical, schematic, psychological and health," Benson said. "JG talks about that all the time and that's the thing that really stands out to me. We need it, we need it every day. We need all five buckets and everything everybody says I am writing it down. It's a lot but I am learning for sure."
The hope is Benson's lengthy notepad will translate to his success on the field alongside Conner. While the eight-year vet still wants to remain as the workhorse starting running back, having Benson at their disposal will only help the team more.
"There's strength in numbers," Conner said. "It's still my job to help all the other back, just like they help me and bring them along."
Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to four major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.
Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events every year, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.
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