“That’s A Hamstring Waiting To Happen”
August 17th, 2011
The Bucs keep being careful with Arrelious Benn, who ripped up his ACL Dec. 26. Rightly so.
But the official word all through the offseason was Benn came through surgery like a champion, was ahead of schedule on his rehabilitation and would be ready for training camp. Benn’s been participating, but he will not play in his second consecutive preseason game tomorrow against New England.
Exactly how long Benn will be held out of game action is unclear.
Former Bucs guard Ian Beckles (1990-1996), co-host of The Ron and Ian Show on WDAE-AM 620, said today he’s not confident in Benn’s ability to stay healthy this year. All that missed offseason time doesn’t sit well with Beckles.
“That’s a hamstring waiting to happen,” said of Benn’s eventual 2011 return.
Joe wrote countless times during the offseason that Benn returning at 100 percent from ACL surgery this season was far more dream than reality, which is why Joe thought the Bucs might look to the secondary free agent market for a receiver. But that didn’t happen — not yet anyway.
Apparently, the next-man-up mantra will rule, with Dezmon Briscoe filling Benn’s spot and Sammie Stroughter and Micheal Spurlock waiting behind him.
Interestingly, this area was a minor point of concern and interest for Pat Kirwan yesterday on Sirius NFL Radio. The former NFL coach and personnel guy was discussing how defenses likely will approach the Bucs with a mindset of double covering Mike Williams and making someone else beat them.
August 17th, 2011 at 1:09 pm
raheem did say in one interview that he was being perhaps too cautious with him
August 17th, 2011 at 1:17 pm
Make someone else beat them, like winsow in the seam? Or blount in a dunk pass? Maybe briscoe on a cross? Or just give it to mike in double coverage and let him get it?
I like our odds.
August 17th, 2011 at 1:22 pm
Exactly JRock. Doubling MW would play into our hands. Teams will have to pick their poison with us.
August 17th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Just read about the whole Miami Booster club mess….now that alone is a shock. Winslow is in the article at Yahoo sports. Nice pic of Winslow on the front of Yahoo Home page right now.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Miami-scandal-has-deep-and-massive-ties-to-curre?urn=nfl-wp5211
August 17th, 2011 at 1:40 pm
Scotty
Joe already addressed this, along with a link, in the glorious “morning cup of Joe!”
August 17th, 2011 at 1:58 pm
@JRock You nailed it, brother. I hope they do double Mike. At this point in time, no other NFC South team has the combination of weapons the Bucs have.
Williams, Benn, Briscoe, Winslow, Blount, and Freeman?!?! Are you kidding me? This team is stacked on the offensive side of the ball. If the defense can be even marginally better than last the Bucs are in the playoffs for sure, barring any major injuries.
August 17th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Our WRs are fine.
August 17th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Get off Pat Kirwins jock for god sakes Joe.
August 17th, 2011 at 2:47 pm
Ok…lets not act like Regis Benn is dead. He will start on Sept 11th and I am sure that he is conditioning and practicing so I dont see why his hamstring would be at risk. if he wasnt dressing…fine? but becuase he is not playing in pre-season games???? meh….
August 17th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
Never able to say this before, but I think Bucs are Fine at WR. If Benn needs time, Briscoe, Stroughter, Spurlock, Preston Parker, and the impressive Ed Gant still present a formidable challenge. Only conerns I have on offense is depth behind Winslow( hope Stocker solves that!), and o- line starters( not a cohesive unit). But the line has talented depth. I think our offense will prove to be best in Buc history- excited to see them!! I think Defense is gonna be disruptive this year also. Should be some excitement there also. Kirwan is a very knowledgeable football expert- and he’s excited about this team! Me too!
August 17th, 2011 at 3:48 pm
Mauha Deeb, gotta disagree with you on no other NFC South team having the weapons that we’ve got. Roddy White, Jones, Gonzo and Turner are better at this point. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
August 17th, 2011 at 4:06 pm
White and Gonzo are getting old, and Jones is an unkown at this point. I would have included Ryan in there as well though. When will they be better, after proving it this year? I would not trade any of the guys listed for the Falcons list. I am going to predict Atlanta goes back to their true identity and miss the play offs this year. Yeah, I said it!
August 17th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
@MikeBuc Winslow is better than Gonzo at this point. You will be hard pressed to find someone to disagree with that. Williams, Benn, and Briscoe have shown more than Jones so far. White and Williams are near the same levels. Blount may have a better year than Turner, especially if he is able to get between 200-300 yards receiving. Freeman and Ryan are on par with each other and all signs lead to Freeman posting much more yardage than Ryan given his system.
I do not believe the Falcons have more talent at the skill positions than the Bucs. Not as a whole at least.
August 17th, 2011 at 5:11 pm
Mauha
If Win-slow would learn to block, I still might not join that “is better than Gonzo” club.
Thier numbers, from last year, are not that far enough apart to say that! In fact, Tony had 4 more catches and 1 more td!