Bennett Wants to Remain a Buc

[DeltaBuc5]

“Of course I want to come back,” said Bennett, who had 41 tackles and 19 tackles for loss in 2012. “I want to see what happens when [Da’Quan] Bowers gets healthy, when A.C. (Adrian Clayborn) gets healthy – just to see where we could be as a group. I want to be back because I’ve been here a long time and I’ve grown with the Bucs. It would be a great chance to be back and play with these guys.”

Bennett, who has amassed 98 tackles, 15 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in his four seasons in Tampa Bay, would prefer to have a long-term deal from the organization, but didn’t seem opposed to having the franchise tag being placed on him.

“I don’t know,” said Bennett, who signed a one-year deal worth $2.742 million as a restricted free agent in 2012. “I haven’t thought that far as far as being franchised or it being a long-term deal. You know, ultimately you want a long-term deal, especially with this team and the way it’s going. They have all these young guys here making big plays. I’m just looking forward to the draft and the players they are going to bring in.

“I’ve got a great relationship with Mark. He’s helped me grow as a player, especially him and Raheem Morris. I love those guys and what they did for me.”

http://www.pewterreport.com/index.php?option=com_k2&Itemid=20&view=item&layout=item&id=8682

[BucBalla85]

He had a great year. He deserves to get paid and stay with this team.

[Benchwarmer#1]

19 tackles for loss. Nice.

Turn those into sacks and you're one rich mo fo.

[nick777777]

I really worry about this move.  He has 15 sacks in 4 seasons.  Yes he had a breakout year with 9 sacks but that means over the 3 years prior he averaged 2 sacks a year.  I've always loved his run defense and he played the run well this year and last year he was the only one on the line who seemed to stop the run.  It still worries me to pay a player who has had 1 good year rushing the passer.  If I do a long term deal and gonna pay top dollar for a DE I want someone who has put multiple years of solid sack numbers together not someone who broke out on his contract year.  I like Bennett I really do but I also like what Bowers has done with limited reps and think he could be up in double digit sacks given more reps

[Tampa-Two]

If everyone stays healthy we could move Bennett inside on passing downs. AC-Bennett-McCoy-Bowers is gonna wreck havoc for offensive lines in 2013. We do need more depth than  just DTN though.

[Rusty]

Clayborn, Bennett, McCoy, Bowers, Teo-Nesiem, Gibson and Miller.. that's 7 solid, not great Dlinemen. IMO, we need a total of 9 to continually rotate and keep the pressure up. Oh yeah, to remain healthy would be nice. I'd even stash 2 on the PS.

[MUSCLE_HAMSTER]

If the price is right.

He's not an elite DE though, hopefully we don't pay him like one.

[Bschucher]

He might indeed get tagged.

[The Anti-Java]

With the Bucs pitiful pash rush, they don't need to sit back and watch guys walk out the door.  Pay the man.

[Boid Fink]

With the Bucs pitiful pash rush, they don't need to sit back and watch guys walk out the door.  Pay the man.

Agree. But the point of contention is how much?  And given Doms history with team re-signs, be afraid. Very afraid.

[dbucfan]

Depends on how much his brother wants - maybe there is a family discount of some sort

[dmajik85]

I think it sends a strong message to pay a guy like Bennett that grew up here, and his play merits him staying here. Ill take his brother in our O any day; trick will be leveraging their desire to be together into a reasonable price. He may be the best TE on the market this year.

[chace1986]

The grass will most likely be greener for him elsewhere. He could have the possibility of playing with a better back 7 behind him, possibly more money, and have the benefit of a more consistent QB leading the offense.