Report: Seattle Trying To Move Bennett
March 6th, 2018
What will Jason Licht do?
Though this really isn’t a surprise, what is a surprise is the sudden urgency.
And how a certain local NFL team crying out loud like an infant in an airplane cabin for a pass rush may or may not react.
Just after the season ended, Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Bennett suggested he believed his days with the Seahawks were over as the team would try to unload him to save cap room. And in recent hours, we have learned former Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, now the leader of the Dixie Chicks, has been sniffing around trying to get a feel for the trade market with Seattle.
Well now, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports the Seahawks are actively trying to trade Bennett.
If this doesn’t motivate the Bucs to finally right one of the greatest wrongs in franchise history …
Bennett, who the Bucs let walk out the door for no good reason, became a Pro Bowl defensive end while in Seattle. It should tell Bucs fans something that Quinn and the Dixie Chicks want to bring Bennett to Atlanta to bolster the pass rush for Atlanta.
Who knows Bennett better outside of folks in Seattle? Bennett became one of the NFL’s best defensive ends playing for Quinn in 2013 and 2014.
Not only do the Bucs horribly need a pass rush, the Bucs simply cannot let Bennett get to Atlanta.
This is as no-brainer as it gets. It is to the point where either the Bucs want to fix the pass rush or they don’t. Either they want 22 sacks next season and Bennett trying to maim America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston twice a year, or they have greater aspirations than working for next year’s draft by Columbus Day.
Unable to swing a deal for Bennett and allowing him to terrorize the Bucs twice a year with the Dixie Chicks would just about border on irresponsibility.
You simply cannot tell Joe that Bennett is a worse player than Will Gholston.
Joe doesn’t give a damn about Bennett’s politics; he’s not running for office. Joe doesn’t give a damn the stunts he plays with Vegas cops; Joe doesn’t live in Vegas.
For whatever reason, the Rams likely had no desire to trade Robert Quinn to the Bucs. Simply put, the Bucs cannot let Bennett get to Atlanta while the Bucs simultaneously suck their thumbs, shedding tears over no pass rush.
March 6th, 2018 at 12:17 am
Let’s pump the brakes on the “we must get Bennett no matter what” talk. He likely has something left in the tank but his best years are clearly behind him. The Falcons are must closer to being a complete and can likely afford a 3rd or 4tu rounder for him. I don’t think we have that same luxury and need to ensure all our top picks are used for young talent in the draft. If we can get him for less, than let’s go for it but he’s not at the level of Quinn or Campbell last year
March 6th, 2018 at 12:57 am
They’re definitely going to suck their thumbs.
March 6th, 2018 at 1:01 am
Didn’t he close out lat year with 8.5 sacks? I don’t remember anyone on the Bucs with those numbers..
I’m about ready to get my razor blades, fill my tub with lots of warm water, and play some depressing music..
Make it happen Jason or to the tub I will go..lol..
March 6th, 2018 at 1:06 am
I know Bennett is not the perfect answer out there, but a late round pick and using Bennnett as a bridge player is a great idea.
I would offer a 5th this year.
Or offer Desean Jackson for Bennett straight up.
March 6th, 2018 at 1:32 am
The team doesn’t need to be choir boys, for example I say trade for Talib. But when you have an anti-American piece of trash that hates cops and loudly goes around telling everyone about that, well that might work out west with the hippies, but this isn’t a hippie town, and 7 sacks isn’t going to suddenly make people OK with the guy. I don’t want a guy on the team who I actively root for to get injured. I’m not alone in my hate towards this guy, and it doesn’t go away if they got him. The first time this dope runs his mouth and calls the cops murderers, you’re going to have cops refusing to deal with the team and military guys at MacDill not wanting the Bucs around. All of that stuff is real, the guy might be fine in the locker room, but for the public, he’s a cancer.
March 6th, 2018 at 1:45 am
skip bennett it’s a trap
March 6th, 2018 at 2:00 am
I don’t care how many sacks Bennett could get here. They got rid of Baker because his lazy attitude caused problems in the locker room. Bringing in Bennett would be similar to bringing in Baker except we didn’t know that Baker was going to bring the problems he did. We have documented history with Bennett where his off field behavior and cop hating attitude rubbed people the wrong way in Seattle. This ain’t Seattle and folks around here respect the military and law enforcement folks in this neck of the woods. Bringing in a player with his history would be like necking with a Cobra. You’re gonna get bit.
March 6th, 2018 at 2:10 am
Omfg Bennet will be great for years he has a bunch left !!!! Cannot let that mofo play For atl that’s the worst plus looks like Aints gonna get jimmy graham back…
March 6th, 2018 at 2:35 am
Rod Munch & Lakeland Steve have no clue WTF they’re talking about
March 6th, 2018 at 3:48 am
When did Graham play in ATL??
March 6th, 2018 at 3:49 am
Sorry just saw saints.. 3am on this phone in the dark messes with the eyes..
March 6th, 2018 at 3:56 am
Agreed. rod and Lakeland are idiots. Do us all a favor and just shut up while you’re ahead. licht better make this happen and if nobody likes it we’ll go be a Dolphins fan we don’t need you here.
March 6th, 2018 at 4:08 am
We can not over pay for a 30 plus DE. Joe you just got done writing about how our D-line is old with McCoy on the wrong side of 30 along with ayers and McDonald. Yes Bennett is better than anything We have now. But I wouldn’t offer up anything other than a 5th or later.
I hated the rockstar. But he did fleece a few teams in trades. Seems Jason gets fleeced. We never get the good deal in a trade. Partly cause the desperate situation he’s put us in. But let’s not over pay for banner. If he were that good still. More teams would be knocking down the door for him. We gotta be smart guys.
March 6th, 2018 at 4:13 am
Keep up the good work Rod and Lakeland.
Just say no to Bennett ….POS.
March 6th, 2018 at 4:31 am
I have no idea what the pass rush plan could be if they let quinn and bennett out of their grasp for peanuts. Not sure if theres a plan. I still believe the rams didnt care who they traded quinn to. Came down to the best return. Licht thought he was at a dade city auction and was gona save some money.
March 6th, 2018 at 4:32 am
Julius Peppers and other old established DEs at least get 1 sack something we can’t get in years.
March 6th, 2018 at 5:24 am
“For whatever reason, the Rams likely had no desire to trade Robert Quinn to the Bucs.” Miami out bid the Bucs for Quinn. I’m not a GM but if one team offered me 1 pick (Bucs) and another team offered me 1 pick and an improved pick, ie: swapping 6th rounders (Dolphins) I’m taking the deal with the improved pick. The “Rams didnt want Quinn in the NFC” never made sense.
As far as Bennett goes yea the Bucs should try to trade for him. I expect him to end up in Atlanta tho. I have no faith in Licht to get a deal done.
March 6th, 2018 at 5:52 am
Problem with your assumptions joeypop is the Bucs pick is 3 spots higher than the mis pic
March 6th, 2018 at 6:05 am
Joe doesn’t give a damn about Bennett’s politics-
Bennett has a right to express his political views as much as anyone- in the appropriate forum,
but taking a knee during National Anthem is disrespectful to every Veteran who sacrificed their life or limb or sanity so everyone, including Mr Bennett , can live free and have opportunities like he has had. I do not think taking a knee during National Anthem will go over well in MacDill’s backyard…
March 6th, 2018 at 6:11 am
The team is better off with felons than career losing choirboys like cancer93…. points and talent wins games not choirboys… It’s sports entertainment… raise your own damn kids…
March 6th, 2018 at 6:16 am
For those who think Character have nothing to do with success in football or sports in general – you’re ignorant of reality to put it kindly…
March 6th, 2018 at 6:21 am
He took a knee. He didn’t sit down for the national anthem. This has been said before, but there’s a significance there.
You have to give these guys some benefit of the doubt that they were supporting a cause they believed in. They have a right to do that whether or not you think it was the best possible way. It’s what we fight wars for.
March 6th, 2018 at 6:23 am
Alanbucsfan
Might want to review bucs super bowl roster. character is for old people to cry about… talent wins championships
March 6th, 2018 at 6:25 am
[That’s a bit over the top. — Joe.]
March 6th, 2018 at 6:27 am
Oddly, this Joe doesn’t seem to care about Bennett’s protests. The other Joe was an epic douchebag about it. Are both Joe’s on board with Bennett now?
March 6th, 2018 at 6:45 am
I’m a military man (currently 17 years of active duty service) so I rarely openly engage in politics talk. Bashing Bennett (Kaepernick too) because he took a knee is so annoying. It takes courage for someone to take a stand (in this case a knee) to fight for something they believe in or think is unjust. Some of you Cowards choose to continue and point out how disrespectful it is for him to take a knee during the Anthem rather than address the real issues of our country.
We really bashing these young black athletes for peacefully protesting??? For using their platform to speak for the black culture??? Come on people get over yourself, it’s not about you!!!
Bennett is exactly what this team needs right now (1) for his talent and (2) because he will hold players accountable.
March 6th, 2018 at 6:49 am
The Graham Tram Says:
“they were supporting a cause they believed in. They have a right to do that whether or not you think it was the best possible way. It’s what we fight wars for.”
Maybe 100-200 years ago. But no one reading this has seen the US involved in a “war” during their lifetime for any reason other than control, imperialism and the enrichment of the military industrial complex.
March 6th, 2018 at 6:49 am
If they are willing to take a 5th rounder this year then do it! Jason Licht has hit on 4th round draft picks as much as the Patriots are guaranteed to cheat every year…10 out of 10!
March 6th, 2018 at 6:51 am
People forget it was a Military man who suggested to these players to take a knee. He described it as a humble way to protest because taking a knee had been known as a way to show respect towards something or someone.
March 6th, 2018 at 6:53 am
I’d take Bennett for the right price but wouldn’t give up much to get him. Even in his younger days he only had 1 double digit sack season and 1 season with 9 sacks and the rest were around 7 a season. That’s better than what the Bucs currently have but nothing to get overly excited about. I’d have to look back but I think Ayers had similar numbers coming into Tampa.
March 6th, 2018 at 6:58 am
Oh and trust me on this, Seattle would much rather send Bennett to the Bucs than Atlanta.
March 6th, 2018 at 6:59 am
F Bennett
March 6th, 2018 at 7:10 am
I don’t believe we can fix everything in one year…..here is what I’d like to see.
Two really good DEs in FA.
One in the Draft.
One top RB either FA or Draft
One top CB either FA or Draft (2 if Grimes doesn’t stay)
One top OG either FA or Draft
That’s 6 or 7 players from the Draft and FA……Probably 3 from the Draft and 4 from FA…
I think that is very doable.
Id rather have Peppers than Bennett…..he is better, comes from a division rival and he stands.
March 6th, 2018 at 7:11 am
Bucs need multiple new players on DL. Get him.
March 6th, 2018 at 7:15 am
So lets think about this…..Quinn gets traded, not a peep about it. We later find out the Bucs were indeed involved which sends the message to other teams unloading DEs that the Bucs are in the market.
Now….it just so happens that our division rival is in “talks” with Seattle about a trade for Bennett and its being publicized for everyone to know. Doesn’t that seem a bit odd as if maybe to put public pressure on Licht/Bucs to up their offer or face the scrutiny of losing out on another pass rusher….this time to a division rival.
Personally, if we’re going to start giving up picks, make the move to trade for Chubb and be done with it. He’s younger, cheaper and has less wear/tear on his body with waay more upside. I know folks say that rookies dont have a big impact on the defensive line their first year but 5-6 sacks his huge considering our pathetic state….You match that up with hopefully a healthy Spence, along with a fresher Ayers, McCoy, McDonald and maybe another free agent pick up….you got a pretty good rotation in place.
March 6th, 2018 at 7:16 am
It makes way to much sense for clueless Licht to understand! I am definitely not holding my breath on this one.
March 6th, 2018 at 7:28 am
Joe, seriously, what is your obsession with this player? He’s an older slightly above average DE and he’s an idiot, possible distraction in the locker room (see Swaggy Baker).
I, for one, hope Liecht doesn’t waste a second thinking about this guy.
March 6th, 2018 at 7:37 am
Hope this don’t turn out like it did with Sweezy. I wouldn’t trust the Seahawks after Licht/Glazers got taken for a ton of money thanks to that fiasco.
March 6th, 2018 at 7:44 am
Damned if you do, Damned if you don’t.
Somehow for the Bucs none of those options works. If we sign a free agent,they turn into useless players. If we don’t,they go and have a great year somewhere else.
It’s a Bucs life!
March 6th, 2018 at 7:50 am
I hope that the Buc do not trade for any DE!!!! Draft D-line and find the best DE in free-agency that they can get!!!!!! Keep R Ayers for depth of the bench, as I think he will be like CM98 who could not stay healthy as a starter, But was productive as a backup!!!!!!!!
After a while, too many band-aids have been applied and none will stick!!!!!! And if so many think that we have so many holes on a roster, then you do not trade draft picks for older players!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 6th, 2018 at 7:56 am
I can not see the Glazers even allowing Licht to go after guys like Talib and Bennett. For to sign them, is for us to admit we made a mistake letting them go in the first place.
I will be surprised if it surfaces that we were in the running for Bennett at all.
March 6th, 2018 at 8:29 am
Marinebucsfan:
Thank you for your service
I agree that protest against police abuse is warranted and that professional athletes are in a special position to make a difference. I just think that the playing of the National Anthem is a moment for patriotic acknowledgement, even with all our faults as a country.
And I think the players would have more of an impact with their message if they chose a different venue for their protests- like a public service announcement or a public place demonstration (other than their workplace) that calls attention to the issues. As it is now, the message gets lost in the divisiveness.
March 6th, 2018 at 8:30 am
As long as we can draft BPA we are all good.
As soon as the lack of traded/FA dictates the Bucs drafting on need, we have a huge problem.
If we are going to dig out of this mess, we need to do it by adding the best possible players to our roster.
I’d sign Bennett if he were cut, but no trade. If we can’t offer a 3rd for Robert Wuinn, then we fed should not offer anything for Bennett.
I would be all for a Bennett and Talib reunion. Based on our lack of talent and results, cutting/trading them was a dumb ass maneuver. Dom and Lovie’s mistakes could finally be righted!
March 6th, 2018 at 8:47 am
See what infuriates me is this. The Bucs aren’t one player away so to fix the pass rush with a guy who may give you two years and you surrender a pick for him is stupid…..problem is the Bucs believe they’re very close so it’s them who should want the deal. Because on paper it sounds nice to get Bennett but it makes no sense
March 6th, 2018 at 9:06 am
I hope we manage to get him, just so we don’t have to read “who the Bucs let walk out the door for no good reason” anymore.
March 6th, 2018 at 9:10 am
Those saying not to get Bennett are mistaken.
Offer a 5th, and if necessary switch it to a 4th.
We’ll get no one better for that pick, and you know what Bennett would be? A bridge player to whoever we draft. Since there are no guarantees with draft picks,, it gives us the luxury of a couple more years of drafting DEs to find a good one.
Just put all his guarantees in his first year so we can cut him whenever we want.
March 6th, 2018 at 9:13 am
Lakeland Steve Says
“I don’t care how many sacks Bennett could get here. They got rid of Baker because his lazy attitude caused problems in the locker room. Bringing in Bennett would be similar…”
Bennett has NEVER been a problem in the locker room and he always practiced hard and never took plays off. The only thing against him is he took a knee during the anthem.
After Trump said what he said, a good 50% of the players in the NFL did that, and I don’t blame them. Trump suggested discriminating for exercising their freedom of expression rights. I would have done it too, and I am a very patriotic guy.
March 6th, 2018 at 9:17 am
Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says
“I can not see the Glazers even allowing Licht to go after guys like Talib and Bennett.”
Multiple GMs for Tampa have said the Glazers are mostly a hands-off ownership group. They do not interfere at all.
And they don’t actually care about the money, since they know there is a league minimum and maximum.
March 6th, 2018 at 9:20 am
@Buccaneer Bonzai
We have been patching that d-line too much that trading for a DE is a bad idea!!!!!! Look for a free agent like Alex Okafor, who played 4 years in Arizona with our new D-line coach and who played last year for New Orleans and keep the draft pick!!!!!!! We don’t need an old DE who’s first priority is not football!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!
March 6th, 2018 at 9:32 am
^Realist,
I agree! If a 27 y/o Quinn doesn’t warrant parting with a draft pick, neither should 32 y/o, drama filled, Bennett!
I like the idea of signing FA DEs and drafting some. Keep churning until we hit on a player or two or three.
March 6th, 2018 at 9:55 am
lol….some of yall fans kill me…..
-some think its no big deal that we whiffed on Quinn……
-some don’t want Bennett because he’s a kneeler…..
-some don’t want Sheldon Richardson because they think he’s a cancer…..
-some don’t want big mo because they thin khe’s a cancer….
-ziggy just got tagged…..lawerence just got tagged…..
beggars cant be choosers!!!!!!…..do yall want to win or not…..nice guys come in last!!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
March 6th, 2018 at 10:02 am
Some cops do murder people…just get your head out the sand!!
March 6th, 2018 at 10:02 am
stevek
the only problem with that is licht smitty and dirk don’t have the time to just “Keep churning until we hit on a player or two or three.”……
we need absolute hits right now…..swing and miss this year and they’ll be fishing with lovie…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!!…..GO BUCS!!!!!
March 6th, 2018 at 10:14 am
813bucboi,
I agree with you. We need to win some ball games. No time to waste sucking anymore. Quinn should be a Buc.
March 6th, 2018 at 10:15 am
Hell no to that fake social justice warrior. What a POS.
March 6th, 2018 at 10:46 am
Well if we bring Bennett and Talib back might as well sign Freeman and Blount back for the other side of the ball….lol gotta love it.
March 6th, 2018 at 10:48 am
Bennett – under contract for 3 years at less than $9M per with no guarantees – is well worth a 5th or 6th round pick considering our desperate need to get better pass rushers. Dude had 8 1/2 sacks last year and gets about that many every year since we released him “for no good reason. Yes he’s on the wrong side of 30 – but Bennett would have led our team in sacks last year and just might this year if we can manage to bring him in without giving up too much.
I would much rather have Bennett at $8.75M for 3 years at a cost of a 5th rd pick – than have paid a 3rd rd pick(which is what it would have taken) to get Quinn for only 2 years at $12M per.
March 6th, 2018 at 11:06 am
stevek
I agree….Quinn should be a buc…..
imo, had licht grabbed Quinn and lets say big mo or poe and drafted well like he’s done in the past, that could’ve got him and maybe the staff another year depending on how the product looked on the field…
fans and owners would/could say licht showed a sense of urgency and grabbed some much needed talent and filled some holes…..coaching didn’t get it done
but now missing on Quinn this year and CC last year while ziggy and DL are getting tagged in addition to the Bennett to ATL rumors, he’s screwed up big time…..
I hope he can somehow get kony ealy and suh(or poe or big mo) but the way he’s playing FA, we’ll settle for mid-bottom tier FA’s…..I hope im wrong tho….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
March 6th, 2018 at 11:14 am
Before all is said and done I see Jason Gump doing another Albert Haynesworth
March 6th, 2018 at 11:30 am
pickgrin
why not sign both?….we need 2 productive DE’s this year today right now…..this staff doesn’t have time to draft and develop…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
March 6th, 2018 at 12:25 pm
813 – “why not sign both?”
Because we couldn’t just “sign” either. Have to give up valuable draft picks for their rights. It would have taken our 3rd rd pick or more than 1 pick to get Quinn – for only 2 years of somewhat expensive service. That 3rd rd pick can easily net us a good player who at minimum would provide 4 years of inexpensive service if the drafting eval is solid.
Bennett’s 3 year contract at a semi-reasonable price with no guarantees is worth trading a late pick for considering our desperate need at DE.
Trading a higher pick or multiple picks to get Quinn for only 2 years would not have been worth it. Licht was right to cap his offer at a 4th rounder.
March 6th, 2018 at 12:35 pm
As a former military member I say we castrate all who kneel. Also, let’s get some White, Hispanic and/or Hawaiians on the team. They don’t kneel like this scum. #LVPD
March 6th, 2018 at 12:37 pm
pickgrin
I disagree….
I would rather have a proven Quinn for 2 years vs a unproven rookie that will have to develop under a staff that has shown the inability to develop DE’s……
and as you and so many have stated before the draft is a crap shoot…..your telling me a 3rd round pick has more value than Quinn, what he’s accomplished and our pass rush needs?……there’s not a 3rd DE that has the talent Quinn has and can come in and be productive like Quinn can…..saying a 3rd price is too high is BS…..its well worth what Quinn brings to the table…..
you say its not worth it…..but what if we got Quinn and he produce 8-10sack that helped us get to the playoffs…..would it be worth it then?….I think so…..
licht should’ve agreed to sign both because this staff hasn’t developed DE’s nor do they have the time to do so…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
March 6th, 2018 at 12:49 pm
Myron lewis
if your not part of the solution, your part of the problem…..
don’t worry about black man kneeling, worry about whites and Hispanics shooting up schools and concerts!!!!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!…..GO BUCS!!!!
March 6th, 2018 at 2:25 pm
i agree with the “bennett is past his peak” folks but that was true of Freeney, Peppers and any number of former studs who all would have led the bucs in sacks had they been on this roster. Yes Bennett is probably closer to 2017 Robert Ayers than to 2017 Calais Campbell, but this is a team that can’t assume upgrades are coming from unexpected or unproven sources; that assumption has failed the team for over a decade
March 6th, 2018 at 2:26 pm
Robert Quinn was just okay the past 2 years and that was despite playing amongst a far more talented group than the bucs can boast, including a guy everyone on this message board believes is worlds better than McCoy
March 6th, 2018 at 2:34 pm
the difference between Bennett and Quinn is that the former has almost never had a down year in production. After 19 sacks in 2013 Quinn got 19.5 sacks in the next 3 seasons total. His production was Gholston-esque 2014-2016 which meanse his consistency is somewhere in the Doug Martin zone
March 6th, 2018 at 2:34 pm
*closer to 2016 Robert Ayers than 2017 Calais Campbell
March 6th, 2018 at 2:57 pm
Alan,
It’s all good bro. We all just passionate Bucs Fans that want the best for our team. We are all entitled to our own opinion, if you don’t want Bennett because of his age or you think he could be bring a locker room issue due to his attitude or something then so be it. The kneeling argument just annoys me!! I respect your opinion. Sorry if I came on too strong.
March 6th, 2018 at 5:45 pm
great post Joe. especially the second to last paragraph.
March 6th, 2018 at 6:14 pm
The guys own team doesn’t want him because his play has diminished, he’s a major distraction and a major Turd. Bucs please stay away
March 6th, 2018 at 8:49 pm
Dang TMAX you got the shut down