A new favorite of Chargers fans, ex-Bucs RB Michael Bennett faced questions from the San Diego media regarding his role in a Tampa fight involving Bucs players and a restaurant patron

Former Bucs running back Michael Bennett talked about his playoff performance on Saturday that has Chargers fans ecstatic. And Bennett also discussed the civil law suit that has Bucs fans scratching their heads wondering if the speedster was cut by Tampa Bay because he is accused of flashing a gun during a fight at a Tampa IHOP in October.

Yes, before Christmas, Joe first broke the ugly details of the IHOP disturbance. The local and national print media woke up to the story in the past few days.

Questioned by the San Diego Union-Tribune on Monday, Bennett called the law suit “hocus pocus.”

The suit alleges he and former offensive lineman Anthony Davis – who the Bucs cut days after the IHOP incident – seriously beat the plaintiff and Bennett threatened him with a holstered gun.

A Tampa police report states Bennett was not identified in two photo lineups by witnesses at the scene. 

One witness interviewed by police said a man wearing a green outfit punched the plaintiff in the jaw, according to the report, and Bennett later told police he was wearing “a green hat and green longsleeve shirt with a white undershirt.”

No charges were filed by police, and Bennett told the Union Tribune on Monday that he was “the peacekeeper” at IHOP, where Davis was enraged and out of control.

Joe promises to keep you informed as the civil suit progresses through the court system.

And Joe is rooting for Michael Bennett on the field. Chargers fans are giddy about Bennett’s 31 yards (four carries and a seven-yard reception) in his San Diego debut against Indianapolis on Saturday. A former Pro Bowl running back, Bennett came on in the second half after LaDainian Tomlinson left the game injured.

Bennett showed the speed and power Bucs fans saw from him throughout the 2008 preseason. As stated many times in September, October and November, Joe disagreed with Chucky sticking Bennett in his doghouse before needlessly cutting him two months ago.