Defensive Line “Going To Be Special”
February 11th, 2014
Michael Bennett has a high opinion of the defensive line talent on the Bucs.
Bucs fans are banned from various watering holes because of their anger over how pathetic the defensive line has been over the past several years. While Gerald McCoy is among the NFL’s elite at defensive tackle, last season he got little help from his teammates.
Granted, when the Bucs had their defensive linemen basically doing the “Curly Shuffle” on just about every snap, often taking linemen out of position (to Joe, the signature Bill Sheridan stunt was when the Bucs defensive coordinator had Adrian Clayborn covering speed demon Saints running back Darren Sproles in pass coverage), it sure didn’t help get heat on quarterbacks.
Bucs fans have every right to whine and moan and complain about the Bucs’ defensive line. But one veteran NFL lineman believes the Bucs, as they are currently assembled, are on the cusp of greatness. That is coming from former Bucs defensive end and current Super Bowl champion Michael Bennett.
Yes, the same Michael Bennett who the Bucs let get away for no good reason and led the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in sacks.
Naw, the Bucs couldn’t have used him??
Bennett appeared on the “Booger and Rich Show” Monday, heard on WHFS-FM 98.7, and really believes the Bucs defensive line can be among the league’s best.
“That d-line is going to be special,” Bennett said. He explained that Adrian Clayborn has yet to realize his potential as his growth as an NFL player was stunted by his knee injury just when he was starting to establish himself as a solid defensive end. And Bowers, Bennett suggested, has all the talent needed to be a stud.
Bennett also reinterated what he told Joe at Super Bowl Media Day, now that he is a free agent, he has no way ruled out a return to the Bucs.
“If the price is right, I’m not turning [anything] down,” Bennett said. “If the price is right.”
When asked about his parting with the Bucs, Bennett dismissed any friction with then-commander Greg Schiano and claimed he never received a formal contract offer from the Bucs.
“They talked numbers but I never got [a contract offer],” Bennett said. “I would have stayed in Tampa for as long as they wanted me to. I thought it was a slap in the face. I felt like if [the defensive line] could have stayed together, we could have been special.”
Joe is in the mood to offer a remembrance of the Sheridan Stunts.
February 11th, 2014 at 2:09 pm
God, I’m glad Schiano is gone.
February 11th, 2014 at 2:10 pm
letting this guy go was such a dumb move. especially for that number 50guy that only had like 12 more tackles than i had last year. go bennett wish you best of luck if you comeback awesome but i am pretty sure youre number one is seattle and who can blame you for that..
February 11th, 2014 at 2:10 pm
their already special. but not in a good way
February 11th, 2014 at 2:14 pm
@Joe
There have been some rumblings of Demarcus Ware being a cap casualty. There has been plenty of talk about bringing in Allen, or Peppers. How bout Ware as a veteran DE?
February 11th, 2014 at 2:14 pm
The players always go to the guaranteed money….always. Why else would V-Jax or Revis come to Tampa.
February 11th, 2014 at 2:24 pm
Allen seems to be the best fit for several reasons. I wonder if there is that strong of a need to draft a DE or if a FA + AC, DB, + Gholston all in the Tampa 2 will suffice?
Also curious why Joe blames the lack of 2nd half scoring on Glennon when it was the coach that refused to make half time adjustments, and it was the coach that pulled the plug on the no huddle when it was working.
February 11th, 2014 at 2:27 pm
Our issues last year were lingering injuries, inexperience and scheme.
Things can get better with most of the same faces.
February 11th, 2014 at 2:31 pm
You can never have enough pass rush DE.
With mccoy eating up the pocket space in the middle DE should have an even easier life getting the QB..
I wish we could somehow land aaron donald.. That middle of the line would be killing it!
February 11th, 2014 at 2:40 pm
must be careful whom we hand the keys to the pirate ship to. we lost a valued draft pick for gaybe carimi. who signed off on these deals. not cool
February 11th, 2014 at 2:44 pm
Damaged goods.
February 11th, 2014 at 2:45 pm
It’s easy to see who got the better end of this deal
Domink/Schiano/Unemployment < Bennett/SuperBowl/ Upcoming Payday
February 11th, 2014 at 2:50 pm
Joe,
How do you feel about the bucs going after Michael Johnson during free agency?
February 11th, 2014 at 2:58 pm
I know Clayborn has a lot of haters on here, but I’m a big fan of his. I love the motor he plays with, the guy does not take a play off. I agree with Bennett here, the injury really set him back a lot. That being said, Clayborn has to prove himself this year, period. He should be 100% back from injury, and he will be in a real NFL system, not just spinning around doing stunts. No matter what happens, I will always remember that great bone jarring sack he had on Matty Ice.
http://www.buccaneers.com/multimedia/videos/Clayborn-Sacks-Ryan-Forces-Fumble/3a9f125b-a717-4520-9935-1e908903bae1
February 11th, 2014 at 3:03 pm
Bennett said what I too believe.
Our two young DEs, coming off their first injury free offseason, will improve greatly this year.
The new coaching staff will make a big difference also.
That doesn’t mean I’m not in favor of bringing in a talented Vet, also.
As Seattle( and the Giants before them) proved- you can’t have too many pass rushers- if you want to hold the Lombardi trophy!
February 11th, 2014 at 3:04 pm
Clayborn still has a shot, I haven’t given up on him yet. Bowers lost out to Daniel Te’O Neshiem……nuff said…….
February 11th, 2014 at 3:05 pm
I’m still not enamored by a 8.5 sacks average a year. Yes Mike led the Hawks but he was surrounded by talent that allowed him to succeed and he still couldn’t get more than 10 sacks. Now, he wants paid for what I consider average play. Allen would be my FA signing before Mike.
Sorry Mike, I love you but I have to be practical. Give us a hometown discount and you’ll be a Buc tomorrow.
February 11th, 2014 at 3:05 pm
Let’s see what real NFL defensive coaches can do with Bowers. But, yeah, Bowers doesn’t have much wiggle room left.
February 11th, 2014 at 3:06 pm
Greg Hardy. Will be a cap caualty. 25. 15 sacks.
February 11th, 2014 at 3:21 pm
Lamarr Houston!! I say bring him in for the pressure and sacks! Also Bennett will be welcomed back, though we are not in a good spot to offer money.
February 11th, 2014 at 4:34 pm
I have no doubts that Lovie and Frazier will fix our pass rush problems… Through FA and good coaching. Fix this pass rush and we are easily a top ten defense. Give Dougie Fresh and co. a top ten defense and we’ll win ten games, maybe more.
February 11th, 2014 at 5:05 pm
BS everybody know he stated that he would match any offer. Then signed right off with Seattle. A guy we dug off the scrap heap. Couldn’t make that “well here it is” call. Should have signed him before free agentcy. Then not signed an average safety for 8M per. In what turned out to be a great budget FA class. Those two moves as well as Freeman’s last stand. Sealed Dom’s fate
February 11th, 2014 at 6:14 pm
Bobby except Revis had 0 guaranteed dollars.
Bennett, Doms biggest mistake as a GM.
February 11th, 2014 at 6:56 pm
To : spanishbuc
Thanks for the memories, you are right. I have always been an Adrian Clayborn fan. I remember those days when all three of them (Bennett, Clayborn and of course GMC) where terrorizing offenses, and they were practically rookies. This next season Clayborn should be better. Imagine them three together again!! I know, it’s wishful thinking……
February 11th, 2014 at 7:01 pm
@Iamabuc
When was this??? The Bucs D-line on average has been THE worst in the NFL the last 5 years. The last 5 years the D-line was LAST in sacs. When was all this ” Terrorizing” of other offenses. What are you talking about??? This year was the Bucs highest sac total in the last 5 years as a team????
Remember, if they call you a guy with a high motor, it just means that you cannot get to the QB in time.
February 11th, 2014 at 7:38 pm
Strong work dom you could have signed him to a multi year deal for 3 million a year.
February 11th, 2014 at 9:15 pm
@Joe Says:
Let’s see what real NFL defensive coaches can do with Bowers. But, yeah, Bowers doesn’t have much wiggle room left.
I agree, but I can’t put that on Schiano. Schiano gave him the nod for starting, yet Bowers came in sooooo out of shape. That just shows no desire to excel. I don’t think he has the heart to be great.
February 11th, 2014 at 9:29 pm
@BuccaneerBonzai Says:
“…Greg Hardy. Will be a cap caualty. 25. 15 sacks…”
Problem is, I think he may end up with the biggest payday. He is young, talented, semi-proven. But thats ok, there are an abundance of FA DEs this off season. Maybe not of Hardy’s ability, but good ones. And I too still hold out hope for Clayborn, he plays hard most of the time. Bowers is another story.
February 11th, 2014 at 11:09 pm
Do he have any credibility with joe lol may be it was all the stunting that made the line look so bad
February 11th, 2014 at 11:38 pm
Worst staff in buc history
February 12th, 2014 at 12:56 pm
I just want to cry know that they didn’t even offer him anything