Often times when a player passes by Jonathan Gannon during practice, the Cardinals coach will pull them to the side and break down whatever they may have seen on the field.

In Trey Benson's case, it's the complete opposite.

"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."

After Friday's practice, the running back stood in front of the media with a smile on his face, recalling a similar moment on the field.

"That's just me being locked in," Benson said. "I'm going to put a smile on my face the next time he jokes."

The serious manner in which he approaches the game was an attractive feature in Gannon's eyes during the draft process. But the camaraderie within their position group has allowed Benson to balance the task at hand with living in the moment.

It also helps that the Cardinals starting running back, James Conner, is similar to Benson. He has no problems bulldozing a defender to pick up an extra yard, takes the game seriously, but isn't shy to flash a smile every now and then.

Since he was drafted in April, Conner and Benson have spent a lot of time together, on and off campus.

"He's been in the league a long time and I want to follow in his footsteps," Benson said. "I look up to him. Everything he tells me, I write it down in my notepad."

Conner's ability to remain at the top of his game entering his eighth season is one of the many traits Benson admires about his teammate.

Benson's presence allows for the offense to substitute the duo and not see any drop off. While Conner still wants to remain as the workhorse RB1, building off his first career 1,000-plus yard season, having Benson at their disposal will only benefit the team.

It'll likely provide some smiles along the way too.

"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."