Drew Bennett

I disagree, gross stats are far more important than %'s. Especially for a WR. They demonstrate endurance, the ability to actually get open enuff to receive a throw, and the ability to make a play. %'s are like the per/48 minute stat in the nba. Useless. They only measure your potential. Not your ability on the field. You got to be in top physical condition to make 100 catches. There is an intangible there, that gross stats can measure, but that percentages cannot. As far as a #2, I do think Bennet is a decent number two, but not great, and can sometimes be near the bottom. I consider him a great #3. Even at a high price.

 

2004

Rec Yards Avg Lng TD's
80 1247 15.6 48 11


Pretty decent #2....although he was #1 that year, Mason was #2 with 1000 yards.

 

Even though Jones dropped a higher % of passes thrown his way this year than Bennett did?

 

Bennett is still our best WR. Getting rid of him would be stupid. Who would we replace him with? Each rookie WR takes 1 or 2 years and the FA are just even with him or worse.

 

You miss the whole point. If a WR is playing in an offense where the emphasis is running the ball and the QB is a rookie even the best WR is going to have much less than 100 catches even if he was superman.

Bennett could have put up the same stats being the number 3 WR on some teams that have better passing QBs and pass the ball more. Hines Ward for example has not broken 1000 yards the last two years (in 2004 he had 1004, 975 the last two years). Are you going to make the assumption he is not in shape or talented enough to catch more passes for more yards anymore because his "gross stats" are not spectacular?

By the way Bennett is not near the bottom as a number 2. Like I said before, Bennett could easily be a consistent 1000+ yard reciever in a system that throws the ball more. That makes him a very capable #2. Also, would it help Bennett if he had a quality #1 guy playing along side of him? He hasn't had that after Mason left so yes Bennett does get most of the attention. The fact he does as well as he does in an offense that doesn't throw the ball particularly well with the WRs playing opposite him not being great either is a testement to how good he is not how bad he is. How do we think Jones will do if he is the best WR on the field and doesn't have much across from him. Bennett and Jones with VY improving in his passing game is not a bad combo and could get worse, believe me if Bennett leaves.

 

Bennett is an UFA QB who fortunately adapted to WR. He has a little above average speed (albeit deceptive), AVERAGE hands that are more "basketball" gifted than WR, and decent height. His strongest asset is what he can do between the ears- he can recognize coverage and find an open deep out or seam better than most WR's. A number 3 WR on about half of NFL teams, a #2 on one fourth.

He expects Givens type (#1 WR) of money. IMO, it is unwise for us to give it him. I'd like to keep him but only for 3-4 mill/year, 4 years and 3-5 million signing bonus. It WON'T be the end of world for Bennett to be gone. We'll be fine (actually better IMO) without him.

 

It was unwise to give Givens #1 WR money

 

I don't think you can say that after one year where we saw nothing of him. You can't predict an ACL.

 

Here we go again factboy. You "proved" that did you. You "proved" that he doesn't drop more balls than ANY OTHER receiver.

For the same reason that we shouldn't use a high draft pick on a receiver or chasing Randy Moss and co., we shouldn't be paying Drew Bennett big money. Our future success is predicated on us having a run-first (and run-second) offense.

You have to look at the diferrential - I think we are better off accepting the potential slight drop-off in production between Bennett and a Roby/Williams/Wade/Free agent receiver to pair with BJ and Givens when he returns and using the money we save to shore up the defense or O-Line depth. Every $1m a year we save at WR is another $1m a year we can contribute towards the salary of upgrading FS, CB, DT, DE or MLB.

 

I'm saying before the past season. Bennett has better career numbers than Givens ever had and the Titans gave Givens #1 WR money. Why is it cool to give Givens #1 money but would be unwise to give Bennett the same?