“I Can Probably Line Up In The Backfield”
June 8th, 2011
Maybe Allen Bradford isn’t the Bucs’ new punishing runner in the backfield. Perhaps that spot will go to Arrelious Benn?
Speaking during an extensive interview on the Ron and Ian Show today on WDAE-AM 620, Benn said the Bucs are going to realize he can do it all on offense.
“I don’t look at myself as a pure, pure receiver. I think that I can do a lot of things. You know, I can probably line up in the backfield. The sky is the limit to what you do with me. That’s things that the Bucs are going to learn,” Benn said. “And I’m learning what I can do and where I fit in the offense. I’m in a situation where I feel comfortable now and I can just go out and play and have fun.”
Benn did have six carries last year for 35 yards, but, of course, Joe doesn’t expect to see Benn do much more of that, especially coming off a torn up knee.
Among other highlights, Benn said he’s “95 percent” healthy and explained that “last year I had no clue what I was doing” early in the season. As for why, Benn said one reason was the adjustment of “playing with basically a real quarterback, a guy who’s going to get the ball there” — something Benn didn’t have the benefit of in college.
Joe’s got the whole interview for you below. Just click on the pretty arrow.
[audio: BennRonandIan.mp3]
June 8th, 2011 at 2:25 pm
“last year I had no clue what I was doing” early in the season.
We know…
I’m happy he improved and became a contributor before he got hurt. I hope he can continue on that path. I don’t expect to see him in the backfield though.
June 8th, 2011 at 6:16 pm
Couldnt really expect for him to come in guns a blazing due to what was asked from him college. Most rookies are not Mike Williams. Benn showed massive improvement which is all you can expect
June 8th, 2011 at 7:00 pm
I think this kid is going to be better than williams. watch!
June 8th, 2011 at 11:06 pm
We are in good shape for the future and all of these guys are growing up together.
June 9th, 2011 at 6:32 am
I think he is going to become a real weapon for the team. I like his attitude. He seems like a good kid. He was really looking impressive right before the injury. It took awhile to learn an NFL offense, after playing in the ” junk” Illinois offense, but he worked hard to get it, one of many good signs!
June 9th, 2011 at 7:50 am
@ Capt. Tim –
As Joe can attest – Illinois certainly runs a gimmicky offense, and I watched many a game where Benn was lined up in all sorts of weird sets. It wasn’t terribly often, but I do remember seeing him out of the backfield, paired with Rashard Mendenhall. I don’t remember it being terribly successful, but Benn has indeed lined up in the backfield previously.
We’ve seen flashes of it last season, but Benn’s true talent (IMHO) is that if he catches the ball in the open field, he transforms himself into a running back. The dude has some pretty impressive YAC numbers in college, and I think we’ll see that stat improve for Mr. Benn this year.