“I’m Not Pleased With Our Kickoff Return Unit”
October 18th, 2012
Arrelious Benn is the 17th ranked kickoff returner in the NFL among those with nine or more attempts.
Make no mistake. The leader of the New Schiano Order is a special teams stickler.
No longer is the Bucs punt cover unit called “punt cover.” It’s now the “punt block” team. Hell, Schiano has even recruited Ronde Barber to bring the greatness of the Rutgers special teams to Tampa.
Today, Schiano made it clear change is coming to the Bucs’ kickoff return team. There are no smiles when Schiano thinks about the Bucs’ production in that area.
“I’m not pleased with our kickoff return unit,” Schiano said. “We’re not doing what I think we’re capable of doing.”
When questioned, Schiano wouldn’t say whether Arrelious Benn is — or is not — part of the problem. Schiano only said to expect changes on that unit.
Benn is ranked 17th in the NFL among kick returners with nine or more returns.
October 18th, 2012 at 3:59 pm
This all comes down to coaching, and we have a poor one running our special teams. Bob Ligashesky might be a high energy guy but he is not coaching up to Schiano’s standard. It was very clear in watching the Bucs replay from the Chief’s beatdown that Schiano was not pleased at all with Ligashesky. We had to call a TO because we have too many men on the field for a punt return. With the camera zoomed onto Schiano and Liga right next to him, you could see how visually dissapointed he was and he let him know. Schiano will bring in another ST coach next year without a doubt. I am 100% on board with Schiano
October 18th, 2012 at 4:40 pm
Schiano never should’ve gotten flustered and benched Michael Smith after a less than successful week 1. He’s far more faster and explosive than Benn yet you replace him. Way to use the fastest player wearing pewter..
October 18th, 2012 at 4:40 pm
I’m still in favor of Michael Smith getting another shot…speed kills and the dude is fast.
October 18th, 2012 at 4:42 pm
Buc’It beat me to it! ^^
October 18th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
Good I’m glad he isn’t happy with special teams. What the hell are we gonna do with this Benn fellow?
October 18th, 2012 at 5:09 pm
2 words for you…Michael Smith…
October 18th, 2012 at 5:33 pm
Joe when are we going call benn a bust he has not devolped in to a Wr he has shown flashes but he is no where near consistent . Now he is a kickoff returner with no success at all benn is a bust
October 18th, 2012 at 6:19 pm
I don’t know what the prognosis is for Benn, but the signs and signals don’t look good for his longevity with the Bucs.
Here’s what I do know. (1) You don’t draft a WR in the 2nd round to return kickoffs. (2) The Bucs are continuing to stockpile WRs. (3) The trade deadline was moved to Oct. 30th.
WRs Chris Owusu was recently added to the active roster at 6-0, 196. Dale Moss was already on the PS at 6-3, 213. And Wednesday Tori Gurley was added to the PS at 6-4, 232. They seem to like big receivers.
I don’t know if any of these new guys are worth a dime but they’re there and the Bucs either have an affinity for WRs or they are looking for something they don’t have. If it’s the latter, Benn could be on shaky ground.
October 18th, 2012 at 6:27 pm
We haven’t had a good returner since Spurlock was inexplicably benched for- Parker, was it?- I don’t know, they’ve all been interchangeable, as in they might as well just down it in the endzone.
October 18th, 2012 at 7:17 pm
Yes, I’m all about Mike Smith returning Kicks. You would think with his speed in the bye week the would have worked on that with him. As long as he doesn’t lose the ball, let him grow into that role. Benn is not a Kick returner and we already have problems with him getting hurt, so why put him in a worse position to sustain more injuries.
October 18th, 2012 at 7:46 pm
Peanut 2.0 (Smith) should be running back kicks.
Schiano should take over special teams like Urban Meyer did at Florida.
Bob Ligashesky should take over collecting fines.
Benn should fetch a 7th round pick.
I’m hoping Bryan Cox gets some type of promotion. Hopefully on this team.
What the heck is Butch Davis doing? I hope he’s the one who ran the intervention and talked some sense into the Little General over the bye week. You could clearly see the LG stranglehold over this team was relaxed and common sense made a surprise appearance.
October 19th, 2012 at 12:13 am
I think we have ALL wanted Michael Smith returning kicks. That is probably the only thing most Bucs fans agree on.
Plus, as an added bonus we could still yell, “Run, Michael, run!”
I’m actually surprised we don’t see them looking for another RB for depth.
As to Benn, he’s depth, but with Jackson and Williams at 1 & 2 all we have left is slot…the rest is depth. And Benn is #2 depth at best right now. I think Stroughter isn’t a bad slot WR…but honestly…I also think Sullivan prefers a tightend in the slot.
October 19th, 2012 at 1:11 am
Can someone tell Schano that most fans are asking for him to give Michael Smith a go at it. Really looking forward to this Sundays game. Go Bucs!
October 19th, 2012 at 2:02 am
I’m okay with giving Michael Smith a shot at returning kicks, but the problem is that outside of a couple kickoff returns per game (hopefully, if the defense does its job), he holds very little value the rest of the game. He’s not going to see any time on the field as a RB (nor should he), so why activate him for one or two plays a game. Besides, it seems like 80% of kickoffs now just go for touchbacks anyway, so he would be a waste of a spot. There’s just not enough players on the game day roster to do that.
October 19th, 2012 at 3:27 am
The problem is right there! Benn sucks, Benn is a bust! Is anyone else still waiting for him to show up? How much more does it take to prove whether a guy can play in the NFL or not? He can’t, he’s not meant for this game! Yes, he’s a good guy and holds the type of character you’d want on your team but that’s just it he’s the exact oppposite of Aqib Talib!
Talib=bad character but can play (for the most part)
Benn=Great character but can’t play (in most entirely)
Hey, Mark! Time to call the Bears again and hand them one of our hand-me-downs! Time to get what you can from him before everyone is convinced he sucks!
Sorry, Benn! You’re a great dude but not cut for this game at this level. You’re holding up a spot on our roster that could be utilized by someone that can contribute. I.E. A Tiquan Underwood! How does someone like Underwood that is not as talented as Benn, do what he does??? Hey Benn, PAY ATTENTION, BUDDY!! =P
October 19th, 2012 at 3:49 am
@ Amare
Has Benn has inconsistent hands, poor route running, combined zero ability 2 get separation from DB’s. Underwood does all the above better than him. I think tearing his ACL hurt his speed and confidence along tha way as well. It’ll be a true blessing if we got a 7th rd pick for him