Arrelious Benn Ready
October 4th, 2010
Though Bucs receiver Arrelious Benn was drafted in the second round, Mike Williams, drafted in the fourth round, has upstaged him.
Part of that has been that the two are far different receivers. One is a stretch-the-field kind of a guy, Williams. The other, Benn, is more of a possession, YAC kind of a guy.
It also hurt Benn in that not only is he learning to play a different receiver position with different responsibilities with the Bucs, he also had to wrap his mind around an NFL offense, as opposed to that gimmick college spread-option that Illinois ran.
But Raheem Morris has all but declared Benn a finished product. In other words, expect Benn to see plenty of playing time against Cincinnati this weekend, so reports Tom Balog of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
“Benn came on slow,” Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris said. “He had the breakout (two touchdown catches) in the Houston (preseason finale) game as far as production on the field. Now, in practice every week, he’s been able to show that he’s picking all of his packages up. He’s starting to learn his position even more.”
Said Benn: “When I was at Illinois, I played the slot, the split. Certain plays were named for me. So pretty much I’m learning an offense that’s very different from a traditional spread in college.”
Last week in practice, Benn was taking many of the snaps at flanker that normally Sammie Stroughter would take. So it’s not out of the question that Joe, along with other Bucs fans, could see Benn start in place of Stroughter come Sunday.
October 4th, 2010 at 8:15 am
I didn’t like the Benn pick and will be surprised if he ends up being good in the NFL…but imagine for a second if he is. Imagine if Benn comes out and starts making plays like Mike Williams has. Making tough catches, big YAC, and big run blocks. Mike Williams is already looking Fitzgeraldesqe, imagine if Benn actually looks Boldinesque? Imagine what that would do for Sammie in the slot and our running game.
It’s nice to dream. 🙂
October 4th, 2010 at 8:51 am
JDouble, I hope that is what happens. Just for sh-ts and giggles, why do you think he will not work out in the NFL? He is a big hard working receiver. His work ethic is suppose to be great.
October 4th, 2010 at 8:59 am
I don’t agree with JDoub on this one…. Benn took longer to develope but has all the tools and a good head on his shoulders.
October 4th, 2010 at 9:36 am
I think we all saw what happened when a throw was made to where the QB thought the receiver was suposed to be last year, JF through a lot of interceptions. Weither or not it was his fault or the receivers is moot, this year he is throwing where they are suposed to be and the interceptions, except for the tips, have not happened. Keeping Benn out until he learns the routes that are completely different to him is only wise. The key element is can he be where the throw is and most importantly, catch the ball. We have all seen those that can’t do either.
Just think receivers that can catch and hopefully, runners that can run, who know what will happen.
October 4th, 2010 at 9:41 am
I also wonder why people all say, “the Benn pick was crap”. Really how so? This guy is one of the hardest working talented players in the draft. Go back to high school, this guy ruled the roost and was as dominant as players get. Watch his Illinois game film, if Juice was able to get him the ball (an act of God was required), then Benn absolutely made the most of his opportunities.
October 4th, 2010 at 9:43 am
Yet another legend in the making.
October 4th, 2010 at 9:48 am
It’s hard to judge anybody in their rookie season. Look at Clayton.
October 4th, 2010 at 9:54 am
Benn is replacing last years steal of the draft?
October 4th, 2010 at 10:21 am
I personally do not think he’s ready…but…I hope I’m wrong. It would be awesome to have he, Williams and Stroughter on the field excelling at the same time.
If they all turn out great, the Bucs are going to have an incredible offense in the coming years.
October 4th, 2010 at 10:25 am
Actually, it isn’t really moot. There were times when it was his fault, but at the same time, we need receivers to fight for the ball as well. They are not paid only to catch the ball. If they cannot catch it, they need to make sure the guy covering them does not get it. I understand that’s not always possible, but they need to make the effort.
Last year, only Sergeant Stroughter did this. That’s why he’s still here.
October 4th, 2010 at 10:26 am
And woot! I figured out how to bold things! lol
October 4th, 2010 at 10:36 am
Someone ship in a new supply of koolaid?
October 4th, 2010 at 10:47 am
What’s nice about the early bye week, is our offense is hard to predict (at least for the bengals)
With no changes, they’d play the run tight and make Freeman beat them. If Benn, Williams and Winslow are up and we have Blount, Huggins, Caddy and Lorig in … they are not going to be able to game plan against the offense.
On the other side of the ball, we need to get Crowder, Bennett and Price in with snaps. Palmer collapses under pressure.
Covering those wideouts are going to be problematic though (TO/85)…
October 4th, 2010 at 10:51 am
The Bucs do stack up ok, they are tenth vs. the pass and Cincy doesn’t have a physical type Offense.
Ought to be a piece of cake. Probably will need more than 21 points to win it. Maybe a special teams play or two.
October 4th, 2010 at 10:52 am
Never a piece a cake…
But Spurlock/Parker can be game changers with a break.
October 4th, 2010 at 11:25 am
Alright Eric, I see everyone else is totally ignoring you, so I’ll argue with ya, just cause I feel sorry for ya. . Ahem . Damn it Eric, it’s obvious these new recievers are all turning out to be GREAT PLAYERS!!! Stroughter isn’t getting replaced, he’s moving to his natural posistion of Slot Reciever!! Add in Benn at Split end, and Williams at Flanker, and this is our strongest group of Recievers in Buc History!!! And that’s not even counting Slurlock and Briscoe. That Damn Gruden couldn’t draft One decent WR in 6 damn years- more we have 5!!! throw in Winslow, and we at AIR FRICKIN CORYELL!!! . . . Jus fer you buddy- did ya like the Air coryell Reference? Ok- yer turn.
October 4th, 2010 at 11:30 am
Captain Tim,
That air Coryell was pretty good eh?
Bucs almost beat em back in the day. Lost on a last second field goal I think.
How are you feeling sir, gonna make the Saints game?
October 4th, 2010 at 11:30 am
Typed that backwards- Benn at Flanker, Williams at Split End
October 4th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Let’s go Benn!
October 4th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
I remember!! I hope, but not looking good. After watching Panthers yesterday, we might well take the Saints!! I would love ta see that!! You’ll be there, I imagine. If they win, you’ll have to be at the top of your game to be pessimistic ! You’ll be hard pressed to hammer’em if they beat the Super Bowl Champs!( though they haven’t played like the champs so far!), lol
October 4th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Oh, yeah, I forgot to include Parker!! Geez! We really are Air Coryell!! Honestly, I reapply am excited ta see Briscoe and Parker get a few snaps also! Fun times in Bucland!!
October 4th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
This is what has been missing from Bucland the past couple of years.
Excitement.
There, I said it. It seems that most are interested and excited to see the progress of our new players, the talent that we now have to display, and the wonder of our game plans. Exciting days indeed.
October 4th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
At least 40,000.00 fans are excited to see it.
October 5th, 2010 at 12:20 am
It’s a road game, more than 40,000 will watch this week…. they can sit on their couch in front of their HD big screen this week and actually see the game.
October 5th, 2010 at 9:23 am
I like the BOLD Pete, I wish Joe would enable Smileys or Emoticons.
I sure hope Benn works out for Tampa, he looks to have all the tools.