Giving Up On Arrelious Benn

March 13th, 2013

Joe remembers being mildly blasted by an insider at One Buc Palace last summer because Joe repeatedly suggested Arrelious Benn was a candidate to be cut from the Bucs roster. The source told Joe he was out of line and that the New Schiano Order was supportive of Benn and would not hold Benn’s training camp absences against him.

Benn had missed most of 2012 training camp and preseason with a knee injury after colliding with E.J. Biggers and Tiquan Underwood, who was lighting up the practice field. The Bucs kept Benn and cut Underwood. But Benn was quickly phased out of the Bucs offense and Underwood was re-signed and thrived.

Now, multiple, credible reports have Benn being shopped by the Bucs, and rockstar general manager Mark Dominik must know that it would be a near miracle if he could fetch a sixth-round pick for Benn.

The case of the New Schiano Order giving up on Benn is an interesting one.

Benn is only 24 years old and was the 39th overall pick in the 2010 draft, considered one of the deepest in NFL history.

So why are the Bucs eager to part with a young player, who still has a load of potential and one who is solid on various special teams?

Joe’s always been suspicious of Benn’s makeup ever since Josh Freeman talked of Benn losing his mind during a game in September 2011.

“Reg kind of got in a little bit of a funk. He’s a guy that takes his performance to heart,” Freeman said. “You know, he’s a great team guy and I felt like he felt he let the team down. The coach wanted to mix in Dezmon Briscoe, give him some plays. Reg wasn’t being punished. I think that he kind of got in a funk and that’s what he felt like.

“When I came back [from getting an IV] he was looking kind of blue on the sideline. I went over and started talking to him. I was like, ‘Dude, what’s wrong?’ He’s like, ‘I don’t know. I’m just kind of out of it.’ I’m like, ‘Well get ready because we’re about to make a run. And we’re going to need everybody …

Joe has to think that trusted Schiano confidant and former Bucs wide receivers coach P.J. Fleck just didn’t think Benn has what it takes to succeed in the NFL.

19 Responses to “Giving Up On Arrelious Benn”

  1. Tbuc Says:

    Great pick Rock Star!!!

    Has Joe commented on the Rockstar getting his phone call recorded? This doesn’t happen to well run organizations it happens to the poorly run teams like the Bill and Tampa. Bucs need to have a strong offseason to prevent becoming like the Bills, perennial losers.

  2. T in Orlando Says:

    Despite the use and re-use of the “Benn’d around”, I was a Benn fan, and really wanted to see him do well, and thought he showed flashed a few times. I always thought it was a matter of opportunity, however the fact that two different regimes can’t find a way to utilize him, then perhaps the issue is the player.

    If he is released or traded, all the best to him, however I don’t think it will be a blow at all to this offense.

  3. Terraj Says:

    No chance anyone trades for this guy. He’ll be lucky to make a roster…I’m hoping he’s gone along with ERIC WRIGHT (still waiting to hear the grievance ruling that was suppose to be announced yesterday)

  4. @MikeInTampa2 Says:

    Please cut him….if they’re gonna try him at Kick Returner again

  5. the_buc_realist Says:

    they did the Been around play cause the rock star wanted his draft pick to get touches, this was about the only play that they could run to get been the ball. The sooner the Rock star leaves the better the Bucs will be off.

  6. the_buc_realist Says:

    Please trade the boy-genius gm for a conditional 7th round pick!

  7. Bucs Fan #238 Says:

    Are tbe Bucs being nit picky on deals?

    Because we haven’t closed anything yet.

    Dom was even whinning to the Bills GM about not being able to sign any of his own guys.

  8. bucfanjeff Says:

    I’ve always liked Benn, but have always wondered about his mental aptitude – I just don’t think he’s very bright. Especially in Sullivan’s offense, the WR has to read and react to the coverage. It’s not just running 1 route off a play call, it’s could be a couple routes based of coverage.

  9. Oil Derrick Brooks Says:

    Another bad pick.

    I don’t think Dominick is the worst GM in the league. I will certainly give him credit for his successes. But, the absolute best you can rank the guy, when you put his bad draft choices and awful FA signings (Derrick Ward?, extending Clayton) is in the middle of the league.

    He’s a middle of the pack GM. Some good, and some bad. Certainly not great.

  10. FlBoy84 Says:

    Hopefully a change of scenery gets Benn back on track.

  11. the_buc_realist Says:

    @oil derrick brooks
    please name 14 other GM’s that the rock star is better than. And it has to be NFL only

  12. don't.be.naive Says:

    Why is it that fans seem to pick up quicker on whether a players worth a shiit or not? Coaches and GMs are always so reluctant to cut players that have been drafted. They will pull them along like an anchor for a couple of years hoping to tap into that potential they may have seen in college tapes. Regardless of where a player is drafted, if he ain’t cutting the mustard, get rid of his ass, move on.

  13. Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:

    Another wasted draft pick

  14. REDDMAN Says:

    Joe, What’s going on with Eric Wrights grievance? Haven’t heard a peep.

  15. Oil Derrick Brooks Says:

    Well, there’s 7 brand new GM’s. We can’t really rate them better or worse, can we?

    So, of the remaining 23 teams (I am naming teams, as not every team has a GM listed, per se, sometimes its an EVP, etc.):

    Patriots
    Ravens
    Bengals
    Steelers
    Texans
    Colts
    Broncos
    Giants
    Packers
    Falcons (perhaps debatable)
    Saints
    49ers
    Seahawks

    Everyone of those teams has had a front office leader that has either had a combination is some form, either more success on the field (more wins), better drafts, or better free agent signings), in my opinion.

    He’s middle of the pack.

  16. Piratic Says:

    the_buc_realist Says:
    “The sooner the Rock star leaves the better the Bucs will be off.” (sic)

    Takes like these show how truly ignorant you are. Among those whose opinions genuinely matter, MD is well respected. Your schtick got old a LONG time ago. Please take this to heart and stop embarrassing yourself. (And us.)

  17. the_buc_realist Says:

    why is the GM on such thin ice now. you know what schtick get old. watching ( not really they are blacked out) the team go 4th, 3rd, 4th and 4th in the division.

  18. teacherman777 Says:

    He is a poor mans Percy Harvin.

    He looks THICK and strong and fast!

    But he is a Diva!

    A spoiled diva punk ass WR.

    A quiter.

    So bye bye!

  19. teacherman777 Says:

    He is a poor mans Percy Harvin.

    He looks THICK and strong and fast!

    But he is a Diva!

    A spoiled diva punk ass WR.

    A quitter.

    So bye bye!