Bennett: I’ll Give The Bucs The Chance To Match
March 11th, 2013
The Bucs’ best defensive end wants to return and will offer the Bucs every chance to re-sign him, so he told the “Gary and The Commish” show on 98.7 FM this morning,
“I’ll give the Bucs the chance to match any offer I get. I love the Bucs and want to finish [my career] here,” Bennett said.
Bennett said at least eight teams have talked to his agent about signing him when the free agency bell rings Tuesday.
As Joe has written multiple times, Bennett confirmed he is personally close to former Bucs defensive line coach Keith Millard, who is now the pass rush specialist for the Tennessee Titans, a team seeking a premier defensive end.
Bennett said he’d love to be around Millard again and that he and Millard were in touch during the Bucs’ regular as Bennett sought Millard’s guidance and breakdowns of Bennett’s film.
March 11th, 2013 at 10:18 am
He also said…being in this type of defense makes it hard to rush the passer
March 11th, 2013 at 10:37 am
I give up trying to predict what this FO is going to do…
I would have completely bet against us letting Bennett walk.
March 11th, 2013 at 10:39 am
I dont think we should resign this guy for more then 5 mio/year.
March 11th, 2013 at 10:56 am
…..and why didn’t those Clowns follow-up on Bennett’s statement re: This defense makes ithard to rush the passer??????????????? AssHats
March 11th, 2013 at 11:01 am
Old news. Haven’t we known this all along?
March 11th, 2013 at 11:02 am
he doesn’t care about Tampa, and to be honest we don’t need him! We got Clayborn and Bowers! I’d rather have Tampa spend money on the secondary first.
March 11th, 2013 at 11:10 am
what is he doing going to other coaches to review his film? I understand it, maybe bucs need to look at some d line coach help. Shoud be able to get all assistance he needs in house.
March 11th, 2013 at 11:13 am
“He gone” -hawk harrelson
March 11th, 2013 at 11:24 am
We will not overpay, and if a team wants to (they will) than so be it.
We are better off pursuing a Paul Kruger or another FA, that can generate better pass rush.
I just don’t think Mike Bennett is a 10m per year DE, Bucs should give him 7.5m per tops.
March 11th, 2013 at 11:36 am
Players develop into elite players and that is exactly what’s happening with Bennett no matter how tempting it is at some point we have stop drafting for DE and fill in the rest of the team. We finally have a shot at that but we let em walk?
Counterproductive if you ask me..
March 11th, 2013 at 11:39 am
Tampa will probably match any reasonable offer he gets.
This is all just posturing.
March 11th, 2013 at 12:03 pm
Apple,
Key word is “reasonable”. It’s the unreasonable offers that’s got everybody worried!
March 11th, 2013 at 12:09 pm
No need to worry, we are not paying $1 million per sack.
“But he is so stout against the run”
-True, but he was also a consistent piece of one of the worst pass D last year, and if you look at the past few seasons, our D has never been all that.
we are better off, offering exactly what Bennett is worth, and if he wants to get the most $$ possible, then he may as well pack up his locker.
March 11th, 2013 at 12:28 pm
How can anyone root against this guy? Undrafted free agent who has gotten better every year. I hope he stays but this is a business, you gotta get your money. If he leaves I will wish him the best.
I had a nightmare and signed with ATL. He would dominate Dotson.
March 11th, 2013 at 12:47 pm
exactly what is it that people HOPE bowers can do that this guy hasn’t already PROVEN he can. you know like maybe..stay healthy? lead the team in sacks? and if bowers were to put in a healthy season and sniff double digit sacks is everyone going to line up to rush him out the door too? cause ya know why would you pay someone who is young and productive if you don’t want to keep this guy? i hope the bucs brass has a lot more sense than the media outlets otherwise the team is in trouble.
March 11th, 2013 at 1:27 pm
wouldnt exactly consider him a premier specialist…good blue collar guy though…..
March 11th, 2013 at 6:06 pm
Bowers has the potential to be much better than Bennett but so far its just that… potential. Letting go of the best DE you have, that is continually getting better each year and have nothing to replace him with is silly. Unless he is asking for more money that he’s worth. I dont think the Bucs are just letting him go however, they are simply letting the market predict his value. If somebody else is willing to pay him more than what the Bucs believe he’s worth then so be it… who’s better to determine how much he’s worth than the team who has seen him day in and day out? I’m gonna trust Dom and Schiano on this one.
March 11th, 2013 at 7:51 pm
This is a mistake. We have the money and Bennett isn’t going to get a million a sack. He’s much better than that. Did his play against the run even get talked about? He was the best DE without question and as good as Bowers and Clayborn can be, their past injuries are extremely significant. Then theres the whole gun thing. Mistake to let Bennett walk as he is entering his prime after a big year.
March 11th, 2013 at 7:51 pm
This is a mistake. We have the money and Bennett isn’t going to get a million a sack. He’s much better than that. Did his play against the run even get talked about? He was the best DE without question and as good as Bowers and Clayborn can be, their past injuries are extremely significant. Then theres the whole gun thing. Mistake to let Bennett walk as he is entering his prime after a big year.
March 11th, 2013 at 7:53 pm
Let me clarify. I don’t mean he will be getting or should get more than a million a sack. Of course not. He does, however do more than just rush the passer. The front office is undervaluing him. We have money.