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TAMPA - Michael Bennett lit up the preseason, running 45 times for a team best 203 yards and catching 10 passes for 52 more.
His reward for that outstanding effort? It looks like it will be a seat on the bench.
Though plenty could change between now and kickoff for Sunday’s opener at New Orleans, Bennett doesn’t see himself getting much playing time against the Saints.
In fact, he’s under the impression right now that he may not even dress for that game.
“You know [you’re not going to play] when you got to practice and basically get no reps or nothing,’’ Bennett said Wednesday.
Bennett said he believes the Bucs plan is to dress two tailbacks (Earnest Graham and Warrick Dunn) and two fullbacks (B.J. Askew and Byron Storer).
If that proves to be the case the Bucs will be without the player who was easily their most productive during the preseason. That’s nothing new.
For years Graham dominated the preseason and then sat when the regular season got going. Unless Graham or Dunn gets hurt, Bennett may do the same.
In another offensive notE of interest, Ike Hillaird said plans call for Antonio Bryant to start at flanker opposite Joey Galloway on Sunday.
Hilliard started 10 of the 15 games he played last year but he and the other flanker candidates are likely to get plenty of playing time.
The Bucs make regular use of three and sometimes even four wide receiver sets so Hilliard, Michael Clayton and Maurice Stovall will all get their share of work.
Posted by charles, kc,mo on 09/05 at 11:43 AM
As for Jones, I agree he was a better runner then Pittman, but Grudens offense relies heavily on RBs catching out the back field and blocking, 2 things Jones wasnt better then Pittman at. Pittman was alot better at both and thats why he started.
Posted by charles, kc,mo on 09/05 at 11:42 AM
KM You just proved my point with TO. He totally disrespect McNabb and Reid. And because of that the Eagles got rid of him. If he had never disrespected either of them he would still be wearing and Eagles jersey. As for McCardell, yes he said Gruden/Allen promissed him a new contract, but then he refused to play until he got one. Him not playing is why the Bucs got rid of him, not cause he called them liars. If he would have continued to play the season afetr callong them liars and not sat out he would have not gotten traded. If anyone on the Bucs right now were to refuse to play they would get traded also. It wasnt cause he called them liars.
Posted by Michael Harris, Oldsmar, FL on 09/05 at 10:33 AM
These are some nice times in Tampa; and some great problems to have. There’s plenty of talent on this Bucs team and the talent runs deep. That’s what it takes to win and make the playoffs in the NFL’s LONG, LONG, WAYYYYY TOO LONG OF A SEASON. Bennett will get PLENTY of playing time before all is said and done. Unfortunately, injuries are a given in the NFL. I can’t wait for kick off, 1 p.m. Sunday.
Posted by KM, undisclosed location on 09/04 at 04:09 PM
Sorry Charlie. Not buying it. Every team has a player that “disrespects” their coach(ie-T.O.,Vanderjack,Ocho Cinco, ect, ect). Doesn’t mean you just dump them. This is the NFL..gotta deal with the crybabbies if they’re talented.
Mc Cardell said publicly Gru/Allen promised to redu his contract then lied to him later and didn’t. And why is it every player who voices displeasure in any way whatsoever on this team gets dumped or passed over for another player?
Everyone can see how talented Bennett is. Everyone knew how talented T. Jones was. Why would you not start your most talented players?..why?..cause they all went against “The Jon”! btw..Google maps is great for looking up locations!
Posted by charles, kc,mo on 09/04 at 03:15 PM
Km first off Keyshawn disrespected gruden in front of everyone and thats why he is gone. 2nd McCardell refused to play for the amount of money he was making, he wanted Keyshawn money since he was going to be the primary receiver. It wasnt because he called Gruden a liar. 3rd Gruden would have gone after Favre even if Garcia wouldnt have griped about his contract. Gruden is always looking for better talent at every position and Favre is better then garcia. last where exactly is New Tampa?
Posted by KM, New Tampa on 09/04 at 09:48 AM
Most of us believe Bennett has ‘home run’ potential. You can clearly see it. But do you all remember when Bennett voiced his displeasure about a lack of playing time last season? He hasn’t seen the field much since. Coincidence?
Remember when Thomas Jones was clearly the better RB? But Jones was acquired by trading Marquise Walker, high draft pick bust by Gruden. Coincidence?
Keyshawn grumbles about playing time, he’s traded. McCardell says Jon lied, he’s outta here. Garcia grips about his contract...they go after Farve. see how this works. It’s Jon’s world here. Even at the expense of the more talented players seeing the field. Opps, i said too much! I’m outta here!
Posted by rick charlton, st.louis mo on 09/04 at 06:08 AM
Can’t understand the game still being played in N.O. Eighty percent of the town is still without electricity. It’s pretty dark in the dome without lights.GO GO BUCCS.
Posted by Nick, Oviedo on 09/03 at 10:30 PM
Bennett don’t worry he’ll(Gruden) run one of the two into the ground the Saint or panthers will help getting you into the game.
Somebody tell IKE to shut-up, he’s lucky to still have an extra year on to his career, if he plays his cards right he could be a position coach. Mr. Slow-n-old sounds like the green eyed monster has set in...Don’t Pull a Dixon.
Posted by BigBucFan, Sarasota on 09/03 at 07:41 PM
Kinzer, what the @#$% are yout talking about it? This is the sports, NFL, Buccaneers report. Hello, Knock Knock, is anybody there? Nope, guess not. Go Bucs!!!
Posted by James R. Kinzer, 351 Winfield Ave., Winfield, WV 25213 on 09/03 at 07:14 PM
Don’t you guys get into a tizzy, you only have 4 more years of this Bull$h67!!
Posted by kyle f, kansas on 09/03 at 05:59 PM
Sounds like week one will be decided “smash mouth” style!
Posted by Otis, Virginia on 09/03 at 04:47 PM
Graham has proven himself as a force, and Dunn can catch it out of the backfield or line up at receiver. With Askew recently coming off injury, this is the only logical course of action. Once Askew is healthy, Bennett will dress. Calm down.
Posted by Hardhat0038, on 09/03 at 04:34 PM
Man. shut up! this is actually SMART! If either of our running backs goes down,. he will be there for us,.. please shut up. idiots.
Posted by Steve Smith, Florida on 09/03 at 04:19 PM
What the heck is Gruden thinking??!! Bennett is by far the most talented running back on the whole team. The decision was obviously not based on qualifications. Gruden is running a popularity contest. Whoever made that decision needs to be canned.
Posted by Brandon Short, Woodbridge, VA on 09/03 at 04:07 PM
"In another offensive notE of interest, Ike Hillaird said plans call for Antonio Bryant to start at flanker opposite Joey Galloway on Sunday.”
Who put together this horribly constructed, poorly written paragraph? George Leslie, did you hack into the site again?
Posted by glenn, lakeland on 09/03 at 03:12 PM
Ive been a big Warrick Dunn fan since his days at FSU, but I think Bennett has shown more than I think Dunn has left in his tank. Bennett is faster and more powerful than Dunn. I’ll be disappointed if we don’t see him on the field at gametime.
Posted by BigBucFan, Sarasota on 09/03 at 03:04 PM
Why does every story have to have a negative spin to it? Bennett will get his for sure. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but his time will come. Why do all reporters these days instantly look for something negative to report? It’s like watching CNN which has the absolute worst, most biased reporters ever. I just want the Facts. I don’t want spin. I don’t want reporter’s take or opinions. Just the facts maam, please just stick to the facts that are relevant to the case. Can we get back into The No Cry Zone? Simms hasn’t been gone 15 minutes & the whining is already in full swing.
Posted by KBA, Orlando on 09/03 at 03:02 PM
I really like Bennett as well. He’s fast and has the ability to pick up big chunks of yards.
If Dunn wasn’t Dunn (i.e. a Buc Fan Favorite like Alstott was) and this was based purely on production ability, I think you’d find Gruden dressing Graham and Bennett and Dunn would be the odd man out.
Hopefully I’m wrong but we’ll see after this weekend. Go Bucs!!!!
Posted by George Leslie Hicks, Dallas,Texas on 09/03 at 02:55 PM
Well fans I know everyone was impressed with running back bennett in pre-season. But this is a long season. I thinkf Bennett will gets it chances espically if Grahoam or Dunn Faulters. Go Bucs
Posted by Greg, Bradenton on 09/03 at 02:52 PM
Bennett earned his way into playing in this game. I agree with other poster’s, more Bucs BS. Michael is the only homerun threat out of the backfield, unless they used Jackson on an end around. Gruden sometimes gets too cute with his game planning. What you want to be loyal to a guy (Graham) who played well last year? Graham is a workhorse back, short yardage and ball control but don’t expect any great runs of significant yardage like Bennett can produce. If you want to win play your best.
Posted by Rickky Roberson, Lake county FL. on 09/03 at 02:48 PM
QB Johnson looks very good
Posted by John Klopfer, Ocala, Florida on 09/03 at 02:42 PM
Most fans are not privy to practice, so it hard to tell what goes into the coaches decison not to dress Bennett. Preseason production is just that...preseason. Remember years ago when fellas like Jerry Goldstein and Jack Thompson lit up the preseason?
Posted by CVal, Nashville on 09/03 at 02:23 PM
Why do we need 4 average QB’s?
Posted by raw_as_fuq, Largo on 09/03 at 01:25 PM
Yes! Antonio Bryant is our #2!
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Posted by charles, kc,mo on 09/05 at 11:45 AM
As for Jones, I agree he was a better runner then Pittman, but Grudens offense relies heavily on RBs catching out the back field and blocking, 2 things Jones wasnt better then Pittman at. Pittman was alot better at both and thats why he started.