Time To Right A Great Wrong?
January 1st, 2018
Expects to be released.
Nothing makes Joe want to punch a hole in the wall more than remembering quite possibly the absolute dumbest move this franchise has ever pulled off.
That was when the Bucs released defensive end Michael Bennett following the 2012 season for no good reason. Aching for a double-digit sackman, Tampa Bay ran off Bennett after he racked up nine sacks.
What galls Joe even more than knowing whoever slapped his palm on the conference table ordering then-Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik to get rid of Bennett should have been drug-tested, is that Bennett wanted to stay with the Bucs and some clown still decided to run him off.
The Bucs tried to con folks saying he had a bum shoulder. BS!
To this day, it is unclear who was inhaling bath salts to come to the decision to dump Bennett, but Bennett in recent years is convinced the mandate came from Team Glazer.
And to think Bennett was run out of town for gun-totin,’ guitar-plucking Da’Quan Bowers. That makes Joe want to pick up the 19-inch screen on his PC and toss it across the home office. No wonder the Bucs are close to Cleveland South!
Well, could the Bucs right an injustice? It seems Bennett is of the mind the Seahawks are going to cut him, so he told Greg Bell of the Tacoma News-Tribune.
@gbellseattle: 2-time Pro Bowl DE Michael Bennett, 32, tells me after #Seahawks’ season ends: “I probably won’t be back next year.
“Just seems like it’s a young man’s game. I can see them going younger, with younger players. That’s part of the game.”
Now Joe understands Bennett comes with baggage. He was embroiled in a con with the Las Vegas cops. He’s also a kneeler. And of course, Bennett likes to speak his mind.
But Joe has freaking had it with this nonsense of the Bucs’ non-pass rush. Joe doesn’t give a damn if Bennett worships Kim Jong-un. The Bucs need a freaking edge rush!
The way Joe sees it, it is time to quit farting around. Go sign Ezekiel Ansah and Bennett. Go draft two defensive ends, say Arden Key and Hercules Mata’afa.
Plenty of dead weight on the current Bucs roster could be shed to afford two defensive ends in free agency.
Robert Ayers is no longer under a guaranteed contract. Joe loves the guy but damn, the team needs production and injuries are caught up with the veteran. Will Gholston no longer has a guaranteed contract. Are his two blocked field goals worth $3,250,000 each? And then there is Swaggy Baker who is just about worthless — anyone notice he was sucking air on the bench in the fourth quarter last night? His contract is no longer guaranteed. Backup offensive lineman Evan Smith is a free agent, and unless he wants to work for close to the league minimum, he shouldn’t be brought back. And there is no logical reason to keep Doug Martin and his bloated contract around either.
The Bucs have been pathetic at pass rushing for too long. If drastic steps like Joe has outlined above need to be taken to correct this, then do it! Sins of the past for not addressing this position are killing this team.
January 1st, 2018 at 9:09 am
If the mandate did indeed come from team Glazer and Joe says it was a stupid move what does that say about team Glazers decision to give this crew that just gave us a 5-11 kick in the arse?
January 1st, 2018 at 9:10 am
Bennett should not have been traded he was a very good player for us.
Don’t really follow Seahawks much but I will say that I seen enough articles about Bennett lately to know that he is causing problems for the team with his discontent at times. Seems like it has been going on nfor the last couple of years.
January 1st, 2018 at 9:11 am
He is 33, has injury issues, and why would he come back? With pass rushers at a premium, wouldn’t he go chase another ring?
January 1st, 2018 at 9:13 am
Replace old Ayers with just as old Bennett. My Jesus.
January 1st, 2018 at 9:14 am
No, thank-you, Joe. The guy is a loose cannon.
January 1st, 2018 at 9:15 am
Too old, and no reason to bring in a DE and try to squeeze one year out of them!!!! It is time to build a D-line!!!!!!!!! Besides the guy holds out every year!!!! Dominik made the move so he could wrongly crowbar in his high draft picks to the lineup!!!!! But that mistake was long ago now, and bringing that guy back would just compound the original mistake!!!!!!!!!
#fix_the_trenches!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 1st, 2018 at 9:18 am
Edit; let go
January 1st, 2018 at 9:23 am
All too often Licht only one good year out of his bridge player.Three or Four
is better,and if you don’t get two it will probably be another failed free agency
signing.
January 1st, 2018 at 9:26 am
No thank you…he is a racist, cop-hating POS
January 1st, 2018 at 9:26 am
He could really sour the locker room. IMO we need to lay low on these spent old timers and go for younger players. Tired of the past results
January 1st, 2018 at 9:30 am
Too old. We have a young nucleus on offense that ready to win. Our LBs are good now let’s build our trenches with free agents and A. Key in first round and a real defensive tackle in the second round.
January 1st, 2018 at 9:32 am
Don’t need an open racist on our roster.
January 1st, 2018 at 9:35 am
Hard pass…for a few reasons:
1) North of 30
2) Still has some “Buc bitterness”…perhaps like Gruden
3) The Brothers Bennett aren’t exactly benevolent
4) The time to have signed him was obviously during DirtStar Domink’s tenure
5) North of 30
January 1st, 2018 at 9:36 am
No way on Bennett. Past his prime. Did we not learn anything by bringing in older DEs? Ayers was pretty much invisible this year. It does not work; this is a young mans game. Bennett said it himself. We need to bring in more expensive younger DE talent with more upside. This D line had a zero on the youngry scale per Raheem. lol
January 1st, 2018 at 9:37 am
No distractions! Just say no!
January 1st, 2018 at 9:43 am
Pass
January 1st, 2018 at 9:43 am
Right a wrong?
What? Pull another Ayers?
Bennett is too much of a head case…..all the crazy crap he’s said and done.
No thanks.
January 1st, 2018 at 9:44 am
We need to bring back the swag for the Bucs. A steal in the draft would be to grab Clemson’s Christian Wilkins…a mini Warren Sapp. He plays aggressive, smash mouth football every down. Never slows down. He attacks, he bats down passes, he plays offense on special plays kinda reminds me of Sapp back in the day catching a td pass on the goal line then doing the Beyonce dance. We need that swag back in buc land. I’m sold on this guy he is an all around player but team player first. He has character, humor n personality but his performance speaks for it all. Watch the tape on this guy. “True Grit” type of player!
January 1st, 2018 at 9:45 am
I don’t want Bennett back….he is a loudmouth flag kneeler
January 1st, 2018 at 9:45 am
Righting the wrong means landing Ezekiel Ansah. Bringing Bennett back only digs a deeper hole.
First things first. Bucs need to decide what is going to happen at DC. My guess is they are rolling with Smith again.
January 1st, 2018 at 9:45 am
Such conflicting thoughts on this!! Sure, he is a pos. But if he gets double digit sacks, maybe its worth it.
Maybe he’ll preach about the man enough that it gets to GMC and it puts a chip on shoulder. Wouldnt that be nice??!! Double bonus!!
January 1st, 2018 at 9:46 am
Can we please get a new dc before we worry about adding players who will be mis used?
No thanks on Bennett. Let’s trade up for the best two pass rushers in the draft and pay grimes to stay!
January 1st, 2018 at 9:54 am
No way after learning that he made up that story about the Vegas police.
January 1st, 2018 at 9:55 am
It’s not 2013 or 2015 or even 2017 anymore. We need the next Michael Bennett. 2018 Michael Bennett is the next Robert Ayers
January 1st, 2018 at 9:55 am
Don’t fall into this trap. He’s 32. That ship has sailed.
January 1st, 2018 at 10:03 am
A new special teams coach for sure……and maybe ..maybe a new DC….to be fair to Smith he didn’t get a 1st round defensive player last year with OJ being taken
January 1st, 2018 at 10:03 am
Nah man. I don’t think this locker room needs Michael Bennett
January 1st, 2018 at 10:05 am
Somebody here says Bennett is a loose canon. Thats been our problem on Defense..Not enough bullets flying!!
January 1st, 2018 at 10:05 am
Don’t believe everything you read. –Joe
January 1st, 2018 at 10:05 am
No way. Too old, kneels during anthem, lied about Vegas police to start a problem……..Will poison the locker room. Rebuild the D-Line with young players through the draft or guys in there 5th – 6th year in FA. Bennett is going to be 32 next year on the downhill slide that’s why Seattle is moving on from him,
January 1st, 2018 at 10:07 am
He’s a bum
January 1st, 2018 at 10:07 am
Joe, never realized you were the leader of living in a failed past crusaders that are scared of anything new…. last thing bucs need is another has been that barerly was with an injury history… they have plenty of bums like that on roster alresdy led by mccoy, ayers, McDonald, Martin, dotson etc etc etc
January 1st, 2018 at 10:10 am
This is a joke right???
January 1st, 2018 at 10:13 am
Just replace old with old haha
January 1st, 2018 at 10:38 am
AlteredEgo Says
“A new special teams coach for sure……and maybe ..maybe a new DC….to be fair to Smith he didn’t get a 1st round defensive player last year with OJ being taken”
He also did not get to choose his assistants.
Think about that a second.
He’s being blamed for not having a pass rush, and he didn’t even get the chance to pick who would coach the DL and didn’t get any good players added to it.
While I would understand if he was replaced, I can also see the bucs keeping him and letting him pick some of his staff.
January 1st, 2018 at 10:38 am
Joe are you actually trying to give Dominick a pass on Bennett……someone else slapping their hand on the conference table ordering him to get rid of him.
That is the sickest suck-up reporting I have ever seen…..Mark Dominick wouldn’t even finger someone else for that mistake.
January 1st, 2018 at 10:44 am
Michael Bennett Total Solo Assist SCK F
40 25 15 8.5 0
Hell I’d give him a well paid year!
January 1st, 2018 at 10:46 am
Michael Bennett
Total tackles 40 Solo 25 Assist 15 sacks 8.5
January 1st, 2018 at 10:50 am
We need pass rushers, but hope we can find someone else.
January 1st, 2018 at 10:51 am
I agree with Joe’s recommended cuts to the current Bucs roster with the possible exception of Gholston. Not sure on that one.
Don’t want Bennett.
January 1st, 2018 at 10:53 am
Leave that POS on the left coast licht has signed too many locker room and on the field jokes, again are the bucs building something or trying to be 6-10 for 5 more
January 1st, 2018 at 10:57 am
Bennett would be a mistake……perhaps Joe would suggest Kaepernick as a backup for Jameis.
January 1st, 2018 at 10:57 am
Well, if not ownership then who? Schiano wasn’t in a position to demand Dominik do anything, and Dominik was one of the guys responsible for initially bringing Bennett in as a UDFA. Dom had every incentive to keep him around, and given his renowned overcommittment to bad players (see Lewis, Myron) he drafted it makes sense that he would want to keep a guy who can actually ball. The only people who could have realistically and unilaterally ended contract negotiations were the Glazers.
January 1st, 2018 at 10:58 am
Ansah, and Bennett ok. But then key? You think that’s gonna cover up our pathetic secondary? H*ll no!! I love the idea of signing both but then you are just throwing a bandaid on a pile of sh*t. Next season you will be saying the same thing about the secondary joe lol. Bennet, ansah, DERWIN JAMES or MINKAH FITZPATRICK. Key could easily be a bust if anything Chubb is the pick but he’s going top 5. Derwin James you are taking NyQuil with how much your sleeping in this secondary the bucs got. Cam newton, drew Bree’s, matt Ryan. Need edge rushers AND a secondary
January 1st, 2018 at 11:03 am
Absolutely NOT! Do not bring that divisive personality back to this organization!
January 1st, 2018 at 11:13 am
If the money is right, sign him. None of the other stuff matters if he can still produce. #fact
January 1st, 2018 at 11:14 am
Hell yes to Ezekiel Ansah, anything’s better than watching Darryl Tapp and Will Clarke take the field
January 1st, 2018 at 11:16 am
He’s too old and broken down at this point in his career. Like he said himself it’s a young mans game.
January 1st, 2018 at 11:17 am
Yes, he is 30+ yo. We also need quality depth when injuries occur……
He can play as an inside pass rusher on passing downs and does come with lots of experience.
I am fine with bringing him in. I know he and GMC like each other.
that DT Wilkins looks intersting
January 1st, 2018 at 11:19 am
If he is available and is interested in returning to Tampa, bring him back. He is a productive football player. He is not in the news for drugs, domestic violence, or anything else detrimental to the success of his team.
Please do not be ignorant to the fact that his kneeling is to raise awareness about social injustice, not about “disrespecting the flag or servicemen/servicewomen!”
January 1st, 2018 at 11:32 am
We shouldn’t have done it then, but don’t compound the error by bringing in a guy who is a shadow of his former self. And on that note, Bucs should never, ever bring in a guy who has disrespected our flag and nation. Desean is out, and Mike Evans has learned his lesson. This is a military town, Dont do it.
January 1st, 2018 at 11:36 am
I don’t believe that Bennett story. I will always believe the story like this. Bennett told the Bucs he would let them match any offer. Then when Seattle made the offer. He just signed it. Maybe the Bucs knew about the offer and were gunna think about it. When this guy didn’t get a response in like 30 seconds….he signed. Would we have won a Superbowl with this guy…….heck no. It doesn’t matter how many sacks he had. He would have been a cancer in the locker room. On a losing team and released after a season or two.
January 1st, 2018 at 11:40 am
Forget him….we need a couple more young twenty guys that we can groom and keep for a decade. No more “stop gaps”. And if Swaggy doesn’t come into camp in game shape….McDonald Shape…waive him goodbye. Playing three quarters of the season to get into shape won’t cut it.
January 1st, 2018 at 11:46 am
Nope, to late….he’s not Peppers….and yeah, too much baggage.
January 1st, 2018 at 11:54 am
Make him an offer with a cut clause if he kneels…..
January 1st, 2018 at 12:00 pm
I never agreed with the move to let him go a few years back but at this point in his career I don’t think his production is worth the headaches he brings I’d pass on him.
January 1st, 2018 at 12:06 pm
Joes, you guys are so over protective of Mark Dominik it is sad. He was the GM. He was in charge of player personnel. The coach at the time was Schiano. It’s quite likely that Schiano didn’t like Bennett. If Dominik was any GM at all he would have stood up to Schiano and said “he’s our best pass rusher, work with him.” Instead of cutting him loose.
Dominik’s awful manglement of the Bucs still have fans watching garbage like the 2017 season.
January 1st, 2018 at 12:10 pm
Don’t go after an old coach but after old players? Basically get rid of old arse Ayers to sign a guy who’s the same age? He was let go 6 years ago so you make no sense saying bring him back for nostalgic reasons at that age when the line needs to get younger. Please take the rest of the day off
January 1st, 2018 at 12:11 pm
Doug’s money is over
Ayers’ money is over
TJ Ward’s money is over
Gholston is overpaid so has to go
Baker’s money is over
Dotson is probably done
Go sign two free agent DEs and draft two
January 1st, 2018 at 12:19 pm
Bennett is too worried about being a social justice warrior to spend time playing football. This dummy went out west and became a full-tune fruit and a military town like Tampa isn’t going to want this guy around. If you love cop killers so much Mike, then love them in the northwest with the rest of hippie trash.
January 1st, 2018 at 12:21 pm
If I remember correctly, Bennett was a free agent, the Bucs asked Bennett to give them a shot at matching a salary before signing with another team, and he decided to go with SEA anyway. You can’t blame him for wanting to leave then, but I think if we’re going to play top money in FA for a DE, we could certainly find one without the baggage?
January 1st, 2018 at 12:43 pm
I think the Irving DE on Dallas who ate up the Bucs last year is up for a contract. He’s way younger and when healthy has been an effective pass rusher. We have to get younger and tougher players like Godwin and Beckwith. Our strength training is weak especially when it comes to lineman
January 1st, 2018 at 1:38 pm
So bennett is a racist because he kneeled for the anthem? Some of you white people on this thread are too funny. Show me where he said blacks are superior to whites? Show me where he said he hates white people. I get it, any black person is racist when they ask this country to stand behind the principles it was founded on like equality for all. Some of you are a piece of work or as you call bennett a POS.
January 1st, 2018 at 1:46 pm
We don’t need the controversy from him kneeling (see webster’s comment above and those that proceeded).
January 1st, 2018 at 1:59 pm
Beggars Can’t Be Choosey.
Ask around league TAMPA is not very high on everyones go to list.
If Bennett wants to come to the Bucs – sign him up.
January 1st, 2018 at 2:03 pm
I bet U Jacksonville will welcome him w/open arms.
January 1st, 2018 at 2:08 pm
He could help mentor ANY young defensive end prospects ala Franks (Seattle).
And provide quality depth across the DLine. Probably only takes a three year commitment – so no biggie.
January 1st, 2018 at 2:19 pm
he is a kneeler=do not remind me of racial bs that could be halted if the cops knew they could go to jail. it is about the cops not the flag. the flag mess is a deflection from the real issue of too many americans have a jim crow mind set. run jump and sing for me but do not call out my bs
January 1st, 2018 at 2:20 pm
Somewhere in the ballpark of 3yrs $24M – should get the deal done.
Leaving us w/plenty of room for additional free agents.
January 1st, 2018 at 2:22 pm
Don’t want that guy anywhere near Tampa.
Mark Dominik still sucks. One of the worst GMs of all-time.
January 1st, 2018 at 2:23 pm
At his age Bennett is no more than a stop gap player. I’d rather get 6-8 sacks from a player on his way up…Noah Spence?…than one on his way out.
Now if Bennett was a “character” or locker room guy then he might have utility in Licht’s typical plan of drafting the prospect and signing an FA to mentor him. Bennett does not impress me as having mentor skills.
January 1st, 2018 at 2:26 pm
The Bucs should be happy getting any free agent that can stand on two legs and don’t carry a oxygen tank. These fans refuse to accept the fact that this team is a joke among NFL players. The Bucs are 31st on their list of teams, only Cleveland is lower.
January 1st, 2018 at 2:52 pm
C. Campbell is also north of 30.
January 1st, 2018 at 2:58 pm
Unfortunately, the Bucs gave away the 3 places they now have holes in. Edge rusher – Bennett, cb- talib/Revis and rb – Blount
January 1st, 2018 at 3:11 pm
NO THANKS … HE STRIKES ME AS A NUTJOB … AND WE ALL SAW WHAT HIS BROTHER DID TO THE PACKERS THIS YEAR TOO …
I want DEMARCUS LAWRENCE or ZIGGY ANSAH in free agency and BRADLEY CHUBB or ARDEN KEY in the draft!
January 1st, 2018 at 3:12 pm
Google
HOW MICHAEL BENNETT’S ‘GRUESOME’ HAWAII WORKOUTS HELPED NFL PASS-RUSHERS – https://247sports.com/nfl/seattle-seahawks/Bolt/Bruce-Arians-drops-the-mic-on-Seattle-following-26-24-win-112995406
January 1st, 2018 at 3:14 pm
Ho w Many sacks did the Bucs have in 2017. How many did Bennett have.
January 1st, 2018 at 3:30 pm
Possible Option
Draft
• NT – Vita Vea
• DE – Sam Hubbard
• DE – Duke Ejiofor
• LEO – Marquis Haynes
Sign
• Michael Bennett
• Denico Autry
• Clinton McDonald
• Will Clarke
LEO Noah Spence | Marquis Haynes
LDE Michael Bennett | Duke Ejiofor | Will Clarke
LDT Gerald McCoy | Clinton McDonald
RDT Vita Vea | Sealver Siliga
RDE Denico Autry | Sam Hubbard
January 1st, 2018 at 3:30 pm
The Bucs don’t want Edge Rushers, who can sack the QB. They want DEs who are good against the run. That’s why they broke the bank for Will Gholston, for his run-stopping abilities.
January 1st, 2018 at 3:34 pm
Michael Bennett continues to teach d-lineman in Hawaii
https://247sports.com/nfl/seattle-seahawks/Bolt/Michael-Bennett-continues-to-teach-d-lineman-in-Hawaii-105307160
January 1st, 2018 at 3:35 pm
The Bucs had 22.0 sacks in 2017 as a team. 0.5 sacks less than what Michael Strahan had in 2001.
January 1st, 2018 at 4:08 pm
Poona Ford (DT, Texas) to replace fat lazy POS Baker!!!
January 1st, 2018 at 4:09 pm
Sign him…… He had more sacks than anyone on the team
January 1st, 2018 at 5:18 pm
Hell no, he’s a diva and a locker room cancer. We don’t need him on this team being a distraction, whether it’s protesting during the national anthem or lying about his encounter with the police.
January 1st, 2018 at 6:07 pm
Bennett is another entitled, Lying, racist POS.
Seattle is dumping him- just for that reason
He’ll sit home, just like that other idiot Kapernick.
January 1st, 2018 at 6:22 pm
Capt tim
Please provide the link where bennett did anything racist. And no, your alternative facts opinion does not count.
January 1st, 2018 at 6:42 pm
Y’all acting like kneeling is a crime 😂😂….GO BUCS!!!
January 1st, 2018 at 7:38 pm
Build defensive and offensive lines through draft
Save cap money to resign Jameis, Evans, David, Kwon, etc
And no more picks for kickers
Do not use no 1 pick on a frickin running back- there are no Elliotts or Petersons in next years draft
January 1st, 2018 at 7:44 pm
Sure why not over pay a guy after his prime. We always do. Jackson Revis.
January 2nd, 2018 at 1:03 am
Looking at these comments when I understand why the bucs stink every year smh. The same peoplle saying they don’t want someone over 30 were the same people kicking themselves for not getting Calais Campbell last year smh
January 2nd, 2018 at 3:34 am
********************
Capt. Tim,
Kaepernick is sitting at home because he is a backup talent with a starter’s following and isn’t worth the headache … it’s the same reason TeBow isn’t in the league … no team wants the fans chanting the backup QB’s name when he’s not as good as the starting QB …
As for Bennett, I wouldn’t want him on this team, but I would be SHOCKED if he wasn’t signed in free agency by someone as he actually has starting-level talent without question.
*****************
January 2nd, 2018 at 10:18 am
Webster-
Look up Bennetts completely fabricated story about Las Vegas police.