Getty ImagesMaybe the agent for Buccaneers free agent-to-be Michael Bennett didn’t hear what he was looking for this weekend during the legal tampering window.
Or maybe Bennett’s just loyal.
The defensive end told 98.7 FM (via JoeBucsFan.com) that he was serious about wanting to stay with the Bucs.
“I’ll give the Bucs the chance to match any offer I get,” Bennett said. “I love the Bucs and want to finish [my career] here.”
Bennett said at least eight teams had called his agent this weekend, no surprise for a 27-year-old who had 9.0 sacks last year.
The Bucs are taking a chance by letting him listen, as that puts a lot of pressure on Adrian Clayborn and Da’Quan Bowers.
But he’s apparently going to give them a chance to cover themselves. Whether they take him up on it remains to be seen.
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This piece is more important than the Bucs think. Those are some shaky knees ready to replace him.
Glad to hear a young player say this about the “least-liked” coach that needs to return to college.
Dallas needs to sign him then drop Anthony Spencer’s Franchise Tag. That’ll lower their cap hit and give them a true DE with pass rush abilities.
Classy move by a good player, however I see the Bucs logic here. Bennett will get paid and deservingly so, but the Bucs could get a cheaper player with a little more experience to help Bowers and Clayborn with thier development. Clayborn is a beast and Bowers has the potential to be just as good, so they need to play the majority of the snaps. They can spend thier cap money on a much needed cornerback and possibly make a run at a top slot reciever like Welker or Amendola to sure up the offense, and give Freeman another option.
So what incentive does another team have to negotiate a contract with Bennett? Why should they do the work of the Bucs Capologist?
Bucs get a chance to match no matter what he is restricted free agent hes a smart one
Actually, he’s a UFA. That “gotampabay52″, he’s a smart one.