Breakout!
June 23rd, 2011
There was a lot to like last year with the Bucs turning around a woeful three-win season and beating the reigning Super Bowl champs on their home turr and then scoreboard watching, hoping to make the playoffs via a tiebreaker.
One thing Joe liked so much was the play of wide receiver Arrelious Benn. Soon after running back LeGarrette Blount began to rumble through opposing defenses, Benn began to shine.
It sickened Joe when Benn went down with a knee injury against Seattle in Week 16.
By all accounts, it seems Benn’s knee is fine and he’s ready to roll this season — if there is a season.
Greg Gabriel of NationalFootballPost.com seems to be high on Benn as well. He has a list of breakout second-year players this season and lists Benn among those.
Arrelious Benn – Tampa Bay
Benn was drafted to be the big-play wide receiver that the Bucs desperately needed. Tampa Bay got big production from a rookie receiver, but it wasn’t Benn — it was fourth- round pick Mike Williams. Benn has great physical tools with both size and speed but was raw and undisciplined coming out of college. Having had a year to learn the offense, he should be more comfortable in the Tampa scheme. If he plays to his potential this year, Tampa is going to have one of the better receiver combos in the NFC South.
Joe totally agrees. Benn was on the verge of blowing up as it was last season. So this all makes sense.
The key element is if Benn’s knee can hold up.
June 23rd, 2011 at 8:45 am
Benn,Williams and Winslow recieving from Freeman…. I’m freaking out……
June 23rd, 2011 at 9:13 am
This lockout couldnt happen at a worse time, im dying for some football, even if its just training camp or OTA’s. This offense will take the NFL by storm this year. WRITE THIS DOWN: Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiving cops will be top five in the NFL
June 23rd, 2011 at 9:44 am
Atrain,
We know what these guys can do and it’s exciting. The guys I really want to see are: Briscoe, Stocker and the return of Sammy Stroughter. Briscoe; like Williams & Benn has the size (6’2 210lbs.) and speed to start spreading the field even more. Stocker will give us another target in the two tight end sets. Stroughter had some injuries last year, but the previous year he was fantastic in the slot as a 3rd down specialist. Kind of like a Wes Welker roll in picking up that 5 or 6 yards to keep the chains moving. If you add all these guys together with Blount, Bradford, & Caddy; then at least on paper this could be a formable offense.
June 23rd, 2011 at 11:09 am
Assuming Benny comes back the real battle will be Briscoe vs. Stroughter for the slot. I’m giving the edge to Briscoe for big play potential.
June 23rd, 2011 at 11:56 am
@Captain Stagger
I agree with you. Rea excited about Briscoe. But I’d say, depending on how long it takes to get a CBA, Stroughter has the edge, if only in terms of system knowledge.
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:09 pm
Donald Penn is my favorite receiver