Up Goes Bennett’s Price
December 9th, 2012The hope and promise of the proverbial “next year” is the only thing soothing Joe right now following the heinous debacle against the Eagles and their rookie quarterback before a packed house in Tampa today. And what’s intriguing about 2013 is how the Bucs will approach their defensive line.
Michael Bennett, with two sacks today, has nine on the season. Bennett plays the run like a beast. And Bennett rushes inside and outside — one of his sacks was off an inside rush today — and he only turned 27 a few weeks ago.
Translation: Bennett is adding bags full of money to his inevitable unrestricted free agent contract coming after this season.
Joe doesn’t know of any effective, young pass rusher who doesn’t get paid big bucks in free agency. Then throw in the versatility in Bennett’s game, and he’s going to be in demand when the free agency whistle blows in March.
Will the Bucs invest heavily in Bennett? Joe doesn’t see how they have any other choice, unless they’re going to use one of their prime draft picks, which improve weekly. He’s the best of the Bowers-Clayborn-Bennett trifecta.
December 9th, 2012 at 9:00 pm
Show him the money!
Then in the draft:
1st round: cornerback
2nd round: cornerback
3rd round: cornerback
4th round: cornerback
5th round: cornerback
6th round: cornerback
7th round: cornerback
December 9th, 2012 at 9:05 pm
this is not one of our problems…….
December 9th, 2012 at 9:06 pm
A signature sack/pressure at the end would have been nice …
December 9th, 2012 at 9:07 pm
sign the man !
December 9th, 2012 at 9:10 pm
It’s going to be interesting to see how many guys want to stick around next year. And if we get a lot of responses from free agents.
December 9th, 2012 at 9:32 pm
The Glazers are sooo far under the salary cap….pay him NOW
December 9th, 2012 at 9:39 pm
i believe we are only a few million dollars under the cap… don’t forget we spent big time on nicks jackson and yes mr. 35 million eric wright.
December 9th, 2012 at 9:42 pm
Anyone know what free agent CB’s are on the market? Drafting is fine but we need experience too. But pay Bennett. Wait til after 2013 for Freeman.
December 9th, 2012 at 9:50 pm
@Legit. ….i’ve been keeping track like a hawk…we were 15million under…and now that they didnt have to pay Talib and Wright while he is suspended….it about $19,000,000 Million right now…which is borderline criminal!!!!!!!! we lack sooo much quality depth
December 9th, 2012 at 10:19 pm
Ugh. I was afraid of this.
Bennett is good not great. Hes in a contract year so hes balling out but hes only been ok-to-solid ever since hes been here. Hes never going to be a double digit sack guy again. I just dont think he has the tools.
As long as he doesn’t ask for crazy money we should resign him. He could be to us, what Charles Johnson is to the Panties: an overpaid albatross around our necks.
December 9th, 2012 at 11:33 pm
agree with BucFan2 sign him, wait on Freeman. @Sensible, you really want to take the chance of lettin the ony guy who gets pressure on the QB? At worst he’s a major cog in the rotation imo.
December 10th, 2012 at 12:49 am
With Clayborn back next season, Bennett’s more of a luxury, if Clayborn and Bowers can stay healthy.
December 10th, 2012 at 2:36 am
@JonBuc – Bennett had his second sack on the second play of the final drive.
December 10th, 2012 at 8:59 am
@Patrickbucs
Yep. Let him go if he’s asking for Charles Johnson. 6 year $76 million with $32 guaranteed for a guy who is assured of being a rotational player over the next 2-3 years? That’s more than Justin Tuck and half a million less than Osi Umenyiora. Too rich for my blood.