Is Michael Bennett The “Value” Pick?
March 7th, 2014
The Bucs are buying a defensive end this month because they’re not buying Da’Quan Bowers and Adrian Clayborn are above-average starters.
That undeniable.
The sad thing here is the Bucs are desperate and must move fast.
Lovie Smith isn’t going to risk going into the season without a front-line pass rusher. He’s made that clear.
Because of Michael Bennett’s age, 28, versatility rushing inside and outside, and being a left-side pass rusher, Joe thinks Bennett is likely a smarter choice than Jared Allen, 32.
Bennett is a left end. That’s his preferred side. He’s told Joe that directly, during his Buccaneer days and at Super Bowl media day in January. Allen plays the right side.
It’s Bennett’s left-side play that also helps make him more intriguing. Nearly all the top pass rushers in the NFL Draft rush from the right side. With Bennett, versus Allen, the Bucs would still have an opportunity to draft nearly any impact pass rusher and get him on the field a lot. Bennett’s rushing ability inside on passing downs also creates more options for Gerald McCoy, and it can free up the left end for a guy like William Gholston or someone else for specialist duty. Then there’s Lovie’s old friend Julius Peppers, who may be cut from the Bears soon and sit on the market for a while, much like John Abraham did last year. Abraham signed with Arizona in July and had 11.5 sacks. Peppers lines up on the right side.
Joe, of course, doesn’t know anyone’s salary demands or private desires, but Bennett may very well by the “value” pick general manager Jason Licht says he covets. The problem is Bennett sure seems like he wants to be wined and dined and find the highest bidder. After all, he’s got a fresh Super Bowl ring, and that can take the play-for-a-winner motivation away from a lot guys temporarily.
Joe suspects the Bucs won’t want to wait for Bennett to make a decision, if they have another viable option (Allen?) on the table. Of course, the Bucs could always sign two premier defensive ends and draft offense, which would be an absolutely stunning series of events.
March 7th, 2014 at 3:53 pm
What’s the reason TB and SEA let him walk? Lazy? Just asking
March 7th, 2014 at 3:53 pm
I love the idea of Bennett back in TB, we should’ve never let him slip away. Peppers is intriguing as well. Kenyatta Walker still probably has nightmares about him!!!
March 7th, 2014 at 3:55 pm
Seems like he’s too high profile at this point not to be bid up by some team. PFT mentioned SF is interested in him.
March 7th, 2014 at 3:56 pm
They “couldn’t afford him” Barry. Actually, I don’t recall Bennett described as lazy. I don’t know.
March 7th, 2014 at 3:58 pm
Lazy! Lmao Bennett is the anti lazy he isn’t flashy but works hard every play!!!
March 7th, 2014 at 4:01 pm
biggest ‘buyer-beware’ free agents by kc joyner
michael vick, eric decker, talib aquib, michael bennett, brandon pettigrew.
on Bennett, he said:
Bennett is on record as saying he will not give the Seahawks a hometown discount, but the truth of the matter is Seattle’s defense may have made him look better than he really is.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, Bennett’s 1.4 disrupted dropback percentage (a statistic that gauges how often a defender notches a sack, interception, pass defensed or batted ball) ranked tied for 32nd among defensive linemen with 500 or more snaps played. This is not an anomaly for Bennett, as he posted disrupted dropback rates of 1.5 percent, 0.8 percent and 0.2 percent in the 2012, 2011 and 2010 seasons, respectively.
These numbers strongly suggest Bennett isn’t quite the impact player his reputation suggests.
March 7th, 2014 at 4:14 pm
Don’t really understand all the boners for Bennett.
March 7th, 2014 at 4:16 pm
Just seems odd twice in 2 years teams let him walk. Doesn’t it Joe?
March 7th, 2014 at 4:30 pm
Still think Seattle signs him before its all said and done.
March 7th, 2014 at 4:31 pm
…but Bennett is holding off Seattles offer. Anyone with more cash can sign him.
March 7th, 2014 at 4:32 pm
Will be interesting to see if we go after Michael Johnson.
March 7th, 2014 at 4:33 pm
Not odd, just unfortunate for him. Seahawks are loaded on defense and will likely designate their funds to someone else. Before that, Schiano was an idiot. I mean,I’m sure he still is, but regarding the Bennett situation.
March 7th, 2014 at 4:48 pm
Make a play for Michael Johnson and Bennett – then draft WR/QB/OL/STs
We would be all set!!!
March 7th, 2014 at 5:03 pm
rather have johnson or allen gimme the guy who is still hungry to win not get paid
March 7th, 2014 at 5:06 pm
what about CLayborn moving to LDE. Does anyone think he can do it. I understand why some people are down on him but he did look better towards the end of last season after his injury in 2012 and was extremely misused by Schiano and Company last season. I think Clayborn can be that 10 sack guy if used properly, however I still want to bring in a proven sack artist along with some other depth along the dline wheather it be DT or DE.
March 7th, 2014 at 5:08 pm
What makes anybody think Michael Bennett is a “value” pick? He is going to get paid. Well.
March 7th, 2014 at 5:32 pm
Michael Bennett, Donald Penn, Johnny Manziel, and Joe must all be eskimo brothers… smh
If Joe had it his way we would always be mired in fourth place in our division. For someone who is always advocating change, Joe sure has a hard time changing.
If we get or keep all 3 of Joes red flag endorsements, and they suck. Joe will probably go incognito. ..or have a ton of excuses. Joe may have all the knowledge on how to manage a NFL Team blog website but he don’t know crap on how to recognize talent and goes into denial when decisions need to be made on some of his favorite players that are in major decline.
Personally, I don’t know how Joe can even look Glennon in the eye after this summer long unabashed Glennon bashing. Unless Joe takes Glennon for granted and knows him to be a standup guy, If I were Joe I would avoid him, or I would at least remain at arms length.
March 7th, 2014 at 5:40 pm
Value doesn’t mean it has to be cheap 😉
March 7th, 2014 at 5:51 pm
If Joe his way he never would have drafted Rip Van Freeman in the first place (check Joe’s archives) which is why the Bucs are mired in fourth place in the division. Joe predicted drafting Freeman would set the team back five years. Again, the archives don’t lie.
March 7th, 2014 at 6:07 pm
What about the coverage middle linebacker Wesley Woodyard?
March 7th, 2014 at 6:17 pm
Last year was our one and only shot to sign/resign him….Now he’s worth and asking for more than $10-15million, cost too much for a team like us with many holes.
I can guarantee he passes on us or we don’t even make an offer. I think he goes to Denver.
Schiano F’d us when it comes to Bennett. He’s not coming here, time turn the page and move on.
March 7th, 2014 at 6:21 pm
If Joe his way he never would have drafted Rip Van Freeman in the first place (check Joe’s archives) which is why the Bucs are mired in fourth place in the division. Joe predicted drafting Freeman would set the team back five years. Again, the archives don’t lie.
Joe was still calling Josh the franchise QB the week he was benched. He was also saying Josh should start the entire year at that time. It’s in the archives.
March 7th, 2014 at 6:33 pm
“Value doesn’t mean it has to be cheap 😉 ”
I would say something about not having met someone’s spouse, but I am above that sort of easy joke. in this moment, at least.
March 7th, 2014 at 6:34 pm
wow, everyone ripping on joes’ opinions like they are never wrong.
March 7th, 2014 at 6:47 pm
Dom sent us back so many years wow- joe u still think that guy was a rock star?
March 7th, 2014 at 7:02 pm
Should have locked him up last year to a 5 year, $5-7 mil a year deal. I think we need to sign him.
March 7th, 2014 at 8:21 pm
Am i the only one who thinks clayborn can be a beast with lovie and cullen coaching him? 7.5 sacks as a rookie, 6.5 after a torn acl, and all the ‘defensive stops’ he had last year.
The man beast is coming!!
March 7th, 2014 at 9:33 pm
I agree with you AJ, I think the Bucs should definitely add a veteran DE who has and still is capable of getting 10+ sacks as well as a defensive tackle. However I believe CLAYBORN will greatly improve on his first 3 seasons if given the shot this season. Also feel Gholston is really going to bust out just get a good vibe from the kid.
March 7th, 2014 at 9:34 pm
Funny because there are players like willie young and everson griffen out there who people want but CLAYBORN is better than either one. When used properly with Raheem Morris coaching he was a beast his rookie year. Then got injured and was used weogh and still had 6.5 sacks.
March 7th, 2014 at 9:55 pm
But somehow M.Bennett is leap years ahead of Clayborn according to Joe. Joe will remind you that Bennett lead Seattle’s defense with (8.5) sacks …ooohh, and that he is leagues ahead of Clayborn with his measly …what? (6).
So if we go by Joe’s logic, we should bring Bennett back and pay him boatloads of cash (Cause that’s what he says he wants) because he had 2.5 more sacks than Clayborn. This does not compute.
March 8th, 2014 at 6:18 am
Bennett was released by Seattle after not making the team a few years ago, picked up off the street by the Buccaneers, had a few good games but was not re-signed, picked up by his original team (Seahawks), had a decent year as a contributor on a great defense and is once again without a team. Is there something we’re not seeing?