Michael Bennett reportedly wants around $10 million a year

[MizzouHawkGal]

Geno Aktins is a premier NT and even you know that. Please stop being ridiculous sir.

There are four errors I counted in this statement. Basic spelling, Atkin's position (he's a 3-tech), statement of my knowledge over said incorrect statement which somehow also incorrectly assumes that I don't think Atkins is a premiere player, and then the 2nd sentence, which is delicious irony.

Last year Seattle couldn't get pressure when they blitzed five. This year they had one of the most disruptive pass rushes in the league (PFF) rushing four almost every down. Avril helped but he actually provided several fewer sacks than Clemons did the year before. Should be kinda obvious to everyone that the difference in our pass rush this year was Bennett and McDonald inside.

Rapaport sounded emphatic when he said Bennett will be retained by Seattle. Maybe he had bad info, but if he's right and Bennett stays, I'm going to enjoy the massive u-turn bitch-flipping the moment Bennett signs that contract, and how everyone thought it was the right, obvious move and how we're all so glad to have Bennett back. It is AMAZING to me how much the tide of opinion here has changed over Bennett ever since he made that one "Costco" statement. Reminds me quite a bit of how casual NFL fans / jabronies went into over-reaction nuclear meltdown over the Sherman rant. (It's times like this that I wish Seatown81 would post more.)

Yup, it's going to be a big cap hit. But way too much is being made of that without putting spending into context. You don't spend money on the stuff that's easy to replace. You spend it on the stuff that's hard to replace. And we haven't had a player like Bennett inside in forever.

That plus it seems kind of silly to me to throw so much team resources at guys like Clemons, Avril, and Irvin, and then when you finally get a guy who is a star in his prime at the most premium pass rush spot of them all you just let him walk? Makes no sense.

I like you Kearly but wow are you nuts. On the one hand you have one of the best NT's in the game that plays on all downs getting 10.5 million while being younger compared to a part time rotational player near 30 and you say I am wrong for saying we should pay him 7-8 million? The only worry I have is the length of the contract because I believe someone will be willing to offer him 4-5 years where I don't think we go over 3 years.

 

[EverydayImRusselin]

If I suggested trading Russell Wilson and acquiring some young QBs with mid-late round picks to step in for him, that would sound pretty crazy right? It would be one thing if we had a backup who looked like the next Tom Brady, it's another thing when you have a bunch of unproven guys and a starter who was among the best at his position in 2013. Don't get me wrong, I like a couple of our prospects, but if we were really going to take that tactic then I'd want Seattle to franchise Bennett for a year and see if one of the young guys transitions to a "proven" guy first.

Yes you would sound crazy and here's why.

Russell Wilson put up almost identical college stats to both Andrew Luck and RGIII. Seriously look it up, it's frightening how similar all 3 of their stat lines are.

So Russell Wilson statistically was just as good as the #1 and #2 picks in the draft.

What about Michael Bennett? Oh yeah that's right... he was undrafted.

He was recruited in 2009 as an undrafted free agent by who? The Seahawks...

"Bennett was waived by the Seahawks on October 10, 2009 in order to make room for offensive tackle Kyle Williams, who was signed off of the practice squad"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Be ... ve_lineman)

So we picked him up when nobody else did, and we released him for some guy off our practice squad. If it wasn't for the Seahawks Bennett might have not even made it to the NFL.

His stats were downright AWFUL until 2012... the year before we signed him back. Now he has one decent season when he plays less than 60% of our defensive snaps and he puts up mediocre numbers and wants a huge contract?

I'm so tired of hearing about this guy, he's so overrated. The only reason he's decent is because our defense is legendary, one of the all time greats. You could take a ton of guys and put them in there rested in the perfect situation and they would perform very easily to levels comparable to Bennett.

Comparing Bennett to Russell Wilson is absolutely absurd. And I am looking forward to the day we trade Bennett so I no longer have to hear this nonsense.

The only reason he's so over hyped is because we are such a good team and the media loves drama any way they can get it. The ONLY way the media can get drama is to make Bennett seem like a big deal, he's not.

Yeah, I'm going to go ahead and say no to that. Bennett is a stud, no doubt about it. So is Wilson. It's preferable that we have both.

 

[themunn]

I don't think Bennett is worth 10m a year or 8m a year at all to this defense.

Yes, we got better pressure this year, but we still finished the 2012 season as the best defense in the league, and whilst we certainly improved this year, is Bennett worth that percentage of our cap?

You can look at Sherman or ET and say a huge contract for them would string us up and make it difficult to add pieces elsewhere in the team, but we don't know how the defense would look without them, we do know how it would look without Bennett.

That said, he is more worthy of Clemons and/or Bryant's contracts than they are, simply because of his versatility (and Clemons has clearly lost a step).

 

[Seahwkgal]

Bennett will never get that kind of money from this team. We have a receiver to pay. I will hate to see Bennett go, but it looks like that will happen. I don't see Tate going anywhere.

 

[Evil_Shenanigans]

He wont make that kind of money in Seattle. Nobody in their right mind is going to pay an ~8 sack guy 10 million dollars! His production this year while unquestionably great was also unquestionably a byproduct of the overall unit. When you have guys as good as Mebane, Clemons, Avril, etc. all applying pressure simultaneously, one or more of those guys is going to get home! And that is exactly what you saw this season! The year prior we only really had Clemons and Irvin (no offense to Mebane) doing most of the pass rushing duties and it showed. Point being we went out and got a couple of good pass rushers in FA and plugged them into a pretty good core group and it payed off. We can and likely will do so again! I like Bennett but the price might be too steep!

 

[AbsolutNET]

If a team pays him that kind of dough to be THE guy on the DL, he won't be on a team that is winning games, and they won't be getting the production that kind of money would demand. The dude can play, but he has quite a bit of talent taking attention off him on this team.

FWIW, he was equally productive the year before on the NFL's very worst pass rushing defense. He's produced with a strong supporting cast and with a terrible supporting cast equally.

That's a fair point. I could counter with now he has the cross hair on him, but I don't know if I believe that has much to do with anything.

Question is, why is he worth double today for the same numbers as a year ago? Because he played on a historically good D? Did this year raise everyone's price tag? I think it's reasonable to wonder how much of it is synergy, because if Mike had similar numbers to what he had in TB, why is his price tag doubling?

and again, we are basing this all on a baloney editorial.

And FWIW, the author tweeted that he got his $10 million number from 710 ESPN. funny how no one else here heard it.

 

[Hawkboi]

Gone.... Exit Stage Left... :|

 

[volsunghawk]

If a team pays him that kind of dough to be THE guy on the DL, he won't be on a team that is winning games, and they won't be getting the production that kind of money would demand. The dude can play, but he has quite a bit of talent taking attention off him on this team.

FWIW, he was equally productive the year before on the NFL's very worst pass rushing defense. He's produced with a strong supporting cast and with a terrible supporting cast equally.

That's a fair point. I could counter with now he has the cross hair on him, but I don't know if I believe that has much to do with anything.

Question is, why is he worth double today for the same numbers as a year ago? Because he played on a historically good D? Did this year raise everyone's price tag? I think it's reasonable to wonder how much of it is synergy, because if Mike had similar numbers to what he had in TB, why is his price tag doubling?

and again, we are basing this all on a baloney editorial.

And FWIW, the author tweeted that he got his $10 million number from 710 ESPN. funny how no one else here heard it.

Part of the reason his price tag is jumping is that the pass rusher market was depressed last year. We got Avril on a $7.5M per year deal when he turned down a $10M per year deal from the Lions the year before.

Another part of the reason is that sack and tackle numbers do not fully tell the story of what Bennett brought to the Seahawks. I know there are folks here who keep throwing his stats out there, but they ignore how many times he forced QBs to throw the ball away or how many times his inside pressure allowed Avril, McDonald, or someone else to wrap up the QB for a sack.

 

[Scottemojo]

If I suggested trading Russell Wilson and acquiring some young QBs with mid-late round picks to step in for him, that would sound pretty crazy right? It would be one thing if we had a backup who looked like the next Tom Brady, it's another thing when you have a bunch of unproven guys and a starter who was among the best at his position in 2013. Don't get me wrong, I like a couple of our prospects, but if we were really going to take that tactic then I'd want Seattle to franchise Bennett for a year and see if one of the young guys transitions to a "proven" guy first.

Yes you would sound crazy and here's why.

Russell Wilson put up almost identical college stats to both Andrew Luck and RGIII. Seriously look it up, it's frightening how similar all 3 of their stat lines are.

So Russell Wilson statistically was just as good as the #1 and #2 picks in the draft.

What about Michael Bennett? Oh yeah that's right... he was undrafted.

He was recruited in 2009 as an undrafted free agent by who? The Seahawks...

"Bennett was waived by the Seahawks on October 10, 2009 in order to make room for offensive tackle Kyle Williams, who was signed off of the practice squad"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Be ... ve_lineman)

So we picked him up when nobody else did, and we released him for some guy off our practice squad. If it wasn't for the Seahawks Bennett might have not even made it to the NFL.

His stats were downright AWFUL until 2012... the year before we signed him back. Now he has one decent season when he plays less than 60% of our defensive snaps and he puts up mediocre numbers and wants a huge contract?

I'm so tired of hearing about this guy, he's so overrated. The only reason he's decent is because our defense is legendary, one of the all time greats. You could take a ton of guys and put them in there rested in the perfect situation and they would perform very easily to levels comparable to Bennett.

Comparing Bennett to Russell Wilson is absolutely absurd. And I am looking forward to the day we trade Bennett so I no longer have to hear this nonsense.

The only reason he's so over hyped is because we are such a good team and the media loves drama any way they can get it. The ONLY way the media can get drama is to make Bennett seem like a big deal, he's not.

You lost the second you used sack numbers. How many times did we sack Manning? How many times was he under pressure? ANd which of those mattered more?

 

[Marvin49]

@Marvin...If that's the case (they don't factor in anything but money as in the total number without factoring in the guaranteed portion or the ACTUAL team/situation they join) maybe they should have taken a class or three and get that degree so that life isn't dependent on a 3-5 year window in your early 20's...just maybe?

Got no argument from me.

Alot of these guys jump for the money and then regret the hell out of it later. I know thats what happened to Dana Stubblefield. I think it happened to Goldson too. In the Bucs off week he flew to SF to visit his ex-49er teammates.

Unfortunately, these guys usually only learn that lesson AFTER they've taken the big money deal.

Dana Stublefield that name is familiar (I was born and raised in Martinez, Concord and Richmond) wasn't he a DE?

DT. Was Defensive Rookie of the Year and later Defensive Player of the Year. Interesting trivia...he was who the 49ers selected with the 1st round pick they got from the Chiefs for Joe Montana.

Anyway, he left the 49ers when he got a huge contract with the Redskins. He regretted it and hated Washington.

As soon as he was able, he "came home" and resigned with the 49ers.

Unfortunately, players never seem to learn this lesson until AFTER they sign that big money deal elsewhere. I can see some Seattle players over the next few years bolting for bigger paychecks, realizing it sucks to be on a bad team making big money, and eventually end up back in Seattle down the road.

 

[Sarlacc83]

I personally think 10 million a year is about right for Bennett. I agree with Scotte that his numbers on PFF are great, and he passes the eye test as part of the pass rush. I mean, in the 49ers game, he and Avril were Kaepernick's worst nightmare. Against the Saints, he and Avril combined for a TD. This front office wants playmakers, and he is one.

 

[CPHawk]

@Marvin...If that's the case (they don't factor in anything but money as in the total number without factoring in the guaranteed portion or the ACTUAL team/situation they join) maybe they should have taken a class or three and get that degree so that life isn't dependent on a 3-5 year window in your early 20's...just maybe?

Got no argument from me.

Alot of these guys jump for the money and then regret the hell out of it later. I know thats what happened to Dana Stubblefield. I think it happened to Goldson too. In the Bucs off week he flew to SF to visit his ex-49er teammates.

Unfortunately, these guys usually only learn that lesson AFTER they've taken the big money deal.

Dana Stublefield that name is familiar (I was born and raised in Martinez, Concord and Richmond) wasn't he a DE?

DT. Was Defensive Rookie of the Year and later Defensive Player of the Year. Interesting trivia...he was who the 49ers selected with the 1st round pick they got from the Chiefs for Joe Montana.

Anyway, he left the 49ers when he got a huge contract with the Redskins. He regretted it and hated Washington.

As soon as he was able, he "came home" and resigned with the 49ers.

Unfortunately, players never seem to learn this lesson until AFTER they sign that big money deal elsewhere. I can see some Seattle players over the next few years bolting for bigger paychecks, realizing it sucks to be on a bad team making big money, and eventually end up back in Seattle down the road.

On that note, if Tate leaves I see him being a Santana Holmes, Wallace or even a Larry Brown. A guy who is a system guy, I don't see him being around very long anywhere else.

 

[Hawkfan77]

I like you Kearly but wow are you nuts. On the one hand you have one of the best NT's in the game that plays on all downs getting 10.5 million while being younger compared to a part time rotational player near 30 and you say I am wrong for saying we should pay him 7-8 million? The only worry I have is the length of the contract because I believe someone will be willing to offer him 4-5 years where I don't think we go over 3 years.

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but you are acting like you know everything and you couldn't be further from the truth. Try doing research before you tell others how wrong they are.

In 2013, Atkins a DT, not NT, played 454 defensive snaps while Bennett played 600...

That "part time rotational player" led our DL in snaps. So the next time you try to diminish what Bennett did our defense, look it up.

 

[DavidSeven]

In 2013, Atkins a DT, not NT, played 454 defensive snaps while Bennett played 600...

That "part time rotational player" led our DL in snaps. So the next time you try to diminish what Bennett did our defense, look it up.

That's misleading. Atkins only played half the season (finished 8 games). So, double his snap count. He's an every-down player.

Further, Atkins was 24 when he signed his contract. Bill Belichick said he would go #1 overall if there were a re-draft. Come on, y'all. I love me some M. Bennett, but you can't compare the two. Atkins had all the upside in the world when he signed his deal and was on pace for yet another 12+ sack season while rushing exclusively from the the interior and playing 90% of the downs. He's a 2X All-Pro and probably would have made it against in 2013 if he hadn't gotten hurt. Bennett has never even been voted a Pro Bowl alternate and has played longer. I know some of that is just based on "perception," but perception is what defines contract value 99% of the time. There's just no way these two guys should be offered the same money.

 

[seedhawk]

If I am Bennett, I am thinking, the Hawks have Wilson on the cheap for 2 more years, then look out. I want my MONEY NOW, cuz in year 3 basically no matter what I am gone/cut.

 

[SouthSoundHawk]

Wow...10M...sounds pretty steep.

NFL careers are short, gotta get that paper while you can.

 

[brimsalabim]

Good point from the comments section:

" Remember the Houston game in which he lay motionless on the field and had to be taken away by ambulance. The immediate concern was that he would ever walk again. And yet he came back and was an integral part of the Seahawks world championship. The career of an NFL player is very short. Please don't begrudge him the opportunity to bankroll a little extra money for himself and his family"

It's not personal but as a fan of the team you must "begrudge" him for demanding more than we can pay under the cap because If you are not with us you are against us. I can understand if he wants to go to the cowboys or bears and make more money but I don't have to like it.

 

[plyka]

I think he stays. Schneider & Co offer up front money to counter his "Home town discount" statement. I believe he will realize that the extra few million playing elsewhere isn't worth it. Buy doing this, he will get others to follow in keeping this team in tact. A little bit too optimistic?

A little. I remember this happing with the Niners in the late Nineties. I always hoped for that "hometown discount" and it never really happened.

Now, what MIGHT happen is player goes off into the world for big $$$, discovers that losing really sucks, their teams discover the player is not as good without the supporting cast, they get released, and then they "come home" for less money.

Thats what happened with Dana Stubblefield. I can see that happening.

These guys have a short window to make as much money as they can. They will take more mony 99% of the time.

Good god, the good ole days with Stubblefield and Young. Two incredible d-linement. BEASTS through and through.

 

[Lords of Scythia]

Yikes. That's steep.

I would say he probably can't get it but with the Raiders sitting out there with 60 mil in cap space you just never know.

Al Davis is gone. The Raiders are just going through the motions now.

 

[had2bhawk]

I think he stays. Schneider & Co offer up front money to counter his "Home town discount" statement. I believe he will realize that the extra few million playing elsewhere isn't worth it. Buy doing this, he will get others to follow in keeping this team in tact. A little bit too optimistic?

A little. I remember this happing with the Niners in the late Nineties. I always hoped for that "hometown discount" and it never really happened.

Now, what MIGHT happen is player goes off into the world for big $$$, discovers that losing really sucks, their teams discover the player is not as good without the supporting cast, they get released, and then they "come home" for less money.

Thats what happened with Dana Stubblefield. I can see that happening.

These guys have a short window to make as much money as they can. They will take more mony 99% of the time.

Sure they do, yur right but, hasn't he already gone through this with Mora. Didn't Pete/Schneider already bring him back from the dead? I admire his contribution to the D but to pay him 10m is throwing money away. I would think if it wasn't for his money hungry agent he would of never said the things he did. I think the 7m area give or take a half is showing appreciation for the job done and give us a few more years of great effort.