Dominik Could Have A Commitment From Bennett
February 24th, 2013
He’s called the performance of the Bucs’ front office “terrible,” and he’s routinely blasted rockstar general manager Mark Dominik for poor decision-making, but former Bucs QB Shaun King thinks Dominik likely is making a wise move in the handling of soon-to-be free agent Michael Bennett.
On Friday, Dominik announced the Bucs would not slap a franchise tag on anyone this offseason, which means the team’s public stance is that they’d be willing to let Bennett walk if he can’t be re-signed.
Speaking on 98.7 FM this morning to host Steve Isbitts, King said fans should expect Dominik has an agreement in place with Bennett’s agent that the Bucs will get an opportunity to counter any offer that comes Bennett’s way on the open market. King, one of only three quarterbacks to lead the Bucs to the NFC Championship game, said it would be a rather common move for Dominik, or any general manager, assuming teams have a good relationship with the player.
Oily Drew Rosenhaus represents Bennett.
King, however, made it clear that it only takes one big spender to drop gobs of cash on Bennett with a figure the Bucs won’t match. The Buffalo Bills’ rather surprising big-money signing of Mario Williams last offseason was an analogy King offered.
Joe agrees with King’s assessment of the likely Dominik-Rosenhaus agreement, but it still makes Joe terribly uneasy. Losing Bennett would be a risky move, and likely a bad one.
King also blamed Dominik mismanagement for putting the Bucs in this situation. A young emerging pass rusher who made a big splash on Monday Night Football in 2011, Bennett is a guy the Bucs should have moved to re-sign long ago, King said. Extending the contract of Bennett also was something former Bucs defensive end Steve White put out there years ago. Back in 2010, White explained that Bennett could become a “monster.”
February 24th, 2013 at 4:18 pm
he and martellus are gettin giddy with it yo!
February 24th, 2013 at 4:21 pm
I want Paul Kruger now. King was an excellent guest on your radio show b/c he has strong opinions.
February 24th, 2013 at 5:18 pm
Joe there is no need to tell us that he is only one of three QB’s to lead us to a NFL championship game. We have heard that from you hundreds of times on your website, it is printed in my memory forever. When ever I hear the name Shaun King, I think of an ex buc who 95% of the time only has really negative things to say about his old team, and I picture an article from your site with a picture of this fat grumpy man with somewhere in the article ” one of only three QB’s to lead the bucs to an NFL championship “
February 24th, 2013 at 5:25 pm
I’m not sure what’s worse: losing a guy like Bennett because some assbag is willing to pay him 10 million per year, or actually paying him 10 million per year when he’s not quite worth it. You just can’t afford to overpay every one of your free agents who hit the market. It’s unfortunate that we could lose him due to another team’s willingness to overpay. But, on the other hand, if being a part of this team and being one of the core players in turning it around is important to him, then he’ll settle for a reasonable contract (he’ll still be very well compensated). Instead it appears that he is going to chase the money.
February 24th, 2013 at 6:16 pm
I don’t blame Bennett if he leaves when the Cowboys or Giants toss him $9-10 million….
BUT those teams won’t get their money’s worth. Bennet’s good but not great.
February 24th, 2013 at 6:46 pm
#10 had his 4 quarters of fame against the Vikings MNF…..bitterness ….. is his calling card
February 24th, 2013 at 6:50 pm
DT Utah – Star Lotulelei has a bad heart (that changes the Draft)
February 24th, 2013 at 6:50 pm
I wonder if Joe will ask Mr. King “how long he has been a black quarterback”?
February 24th, 2013 at 6:51 pm
Joe, what is the latest word on Bowers and his gun charge?
February 24th, 2013 at 7:15 pm
@ Curmudgeon & Mr Lucky
You are both right. Losing Bennett is really not that big of a deal. The guy will be 28 this season with only 15 CAREER sacks. I don’t care what garbage ProFootballFocus puts together to say he is the best DE available. Now I personally don’t think Bowers will be through with his court case until after the season so I think he’ll be available this year. Clayborn is also coming back. So we either need to sign a FA or draft a DE. I like the latter option. DE is deep this draft. If someone gives Bennett premier pass rusher money, let them do it. The Bucs fans foaming at the mouth for Bennett to be resigned at all costs will be even foamier (is that a word?) if Dom signs him to $10 mil + and he never breaks the 10 sack level.
February 24th, 2013 at 7:57 pm
@Mr Lucky
It won’t just be teams like the Giants or Cowboys, who both happen to be salary strapped. Yesterday, that may have been true, that the bigger market teams who would spend, could corner the FA market, but now with the new CBA agreement, all teams, especially teams who have a lot of cap room could offer Bennett more than we are willing to match. There’s a lot of money having to be spent, league wide, to get up to the CBA minimum.
February 24th, 2013 at 8:44 pm
There is no way we let him walk. Schiano said that the number 1 priority on D is to stop the run. If Bennett leaves we loose out our most proven run stopper.. Who can also get after the qb. 2 years ago everyone was saying that Bennett isn’t very good at getting to the qb he’s just good at stopping the run… Well now he’s shown he can do both. Even when mccoy was hurt bennet was racking up TFLs and stuffing the run. And he’s shown improvement year after year. Barring injury, I bet he gets 13+ sacks this year especially with our line healthy. Guy is beast and deserves to be paid
February 24th, 2013 at 11:14 pm
how sad, we have resorted to thinking michael bennett is beast. yikes!
i really hope we can find our j.j. watt this year. that would be so wonderful
February 25th, 2013 at 12:05 am
Guys are hyping Bennett a little to much.. don’t you think yes he is our sack leader.. but still hasn’t put up double digits sacks. I would let him come back if the price is right. Rather have Kruger.
February 25th, 2013 at 1:26 am
With each Shaun King post on this site, he gains 5 pounds…
“GET IN MY BELLY!!!”
February 25th, 2013 at 6:20 am
Looks like old “Smoothie King” has eaten a few too many Smoothies. I guess somewhere along the line one of King’s advisers told him the best way to succeed in radio is to say something negative or controversial. So here we have an ex player constantly going out of his way to spew venom at his former team every chance he gets. If # 10 would have had the much criticized Josh Freeman’s work ethic he might have lasted a little longer in the league and not been so bitter. Perhaps Mr. King should return to Gibbs HS and help that football team if he knows so much.
February 25th, 2013 at 11:24 am
Everybody hates on King for his physical appearance, and not for his opinion.
shaynegoodfellow,
It is worth mentioning that King took us to the NFC Championship game, as we have only been 3 times and won 1 of them.
Kind is polarizing with his opinions, and he is a former NFL player, give the man a break and stop taking everything his says so personal.
We are hating on King’s opinion, but in reality, he is more qualified than all of us to give his opinion. Try not to poke fun at the man, it takes away from the rest of your posts.
February 25th, 2013 at 11:29 am
S King ia a complete waste. I don’t read anything he says because he’s an idiot.
February 25th, 2013 at 11:30 am
We are going to let DaQuan start.
We invested first round money in Gerald McCoy and Adrian Clayborne.
Plus Brian prices 2013 contract is still guaranteed. So he is still on the pay roll. Another sedond round pick.
Gerald McCoy is one of the richest DT’s in NFL history.
We cant afford to be crazy by resigning Bennett.
Does he deserve it? Yes. Am I happy for him? Yes. Does he and his family need financial security for his future? Yes.
So Jah Bless Michael with whatever he does.
I just hope an NFC team doesnt sign him!
Because he is going to have 3 more great seasons.
Go Bucs!
Schianos interview today on NFL Network was great.
He was merciful, and kind when speaking about Manti Teo and Tyranne Mathieu.
Coach is a class act!
Unlike Shaun King or Joe!
Calling Manti a “freak/liar” is not fair!
February 25th, 2013 at 11:38 am
News Flash, Loyal Fan Base:
Michael Bennett was just barely in the TOP 50 in the NFL with sacks this past season. What does this mean: We are not that good at getting to the QB. While we are disruptive, and Mike Bennett is our Best DE, he may not be worth the price.
The Cap Number expected to be hit by Mike Bennett could be better used on a guy, for instance, Anthon Spencer.
Hurry ups, pressue, and forcing the offense to change the play (Gerald McCoy) are all nice, but the Bucs need to register some sacks. No more of this “almost”, or “we got in his face”. I want, “We put that QB in the ground”, or “we are all over that guy”.
Our Defense will get a helluva lot better if we can put the QB on his backside more. Making him hurry and rush is nice, but we need to get nasty.
February 25th, 2013 at 5:22 pm
Breaking news:
Bennett was ranked top 5 in tackles for loss in 2012.
When the one thing that we did well all season was stop the run, why would you want to get rid of our best run defender?
I think Bennett will be back and hopefully will bring his brother along with him…
…if he doesn’t come, i’ll take Zach Ertz in the 2nd please.
February 25th, 2013 at 5:36 pm
I can’t believe the Bucs owe Price money when they traded him to Da Bears. If anything the Bears should be on the hook for his contract.
No one knows what will happen with Bennett. It’s all speculation and when has Dominick ever tipped his hand. We have to wait and see how it plays out. I personally hope he and his brother are both here next season. If not the Bucs should be okay with a good pick for D line, but I hope he stays.