Chiefs acquire Michael Bennett

BigSaint8050 · May 11, 2006

Saints dangling veteran back BennettBy Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com

Less than two months after signing with the New Orleans Saints as the presumptive caddy to Deuce McAllister, veteran tailback Michael Bennett could find his career on a different course for 2006.

Saints officials have spoken to representatives from at least two other teams, ESPN.com has confirmed, about trading Bennett, who was bumped down a notch on the depth chart when New Orleans chose Reggie Bush with the second overall pick in last month's draft. The most in-depth discussions have been with the Houston Texans, and there has also been dialogue with the Miami Dolphins in recent days.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2441237

Any insight to who the player was that was offered and rebuffed?

jerek · May 11, 2006

Sign me up, for the right deal. Injury plagued but still, IMO, has potential to be a very serviceable back.

ThaShark316 · May 11, 2006

Hey Saints, give us that other fast RB you have. :redtowel:

texanfan2100 · May 11, 2006

BigSaint8050 said:
Any insight to who the player was that was offered and rebuffed?

Probably Buchannon. :sarcasm:

Seriously, there's one problem in making a trade with the Saints. We have no one to conduct the trade. Our GM got fired - oops, I mean resigned yesterday. I don't know how they'd conduct a trade minus a GM.

BigSaint8050 · May 11, 2006

texanfan2100 said:
Probably Buchannon.

Seriously, there's one problem in making a trade with the Saints. We have no one to conduct the trade. Our GM got fired - oops, I mean resigned yesterday. I don't know how they'd conduct a trade minus a GM.

LOL...

No faith that the owner and the head coach are making the calls?

Porky · May 11, 2006

texanfan2100 said:
Probably Buchannon.

Seriously, there's one problem in making a trade with the Saints. We have no one to conduct the trade. Our GM got fired - oops, I mean resigned yesterday. I don't know how they'd conduct a trade minus a GM.

CC is still on the job. He won't be leaving until June 1st. Which is a scary thought when thinking about the last trade he made. Hey Charley, why not give up a 2nd a 3rd for him. :tease:

If healthy, Bennett is a good back. I think he had about 1600 combined yards in his best yr, but he is very injury prone. If we can get him on the cheap, go for it. Otherwise, I think I would pass. He isn't "special" enough to spend a first day pick on, especially given his injury problems. Wonder if they would consider trading Reggie Bush for Mario Williams instead? :drool:

Double Barrel · May 11, 2006

I agree with Porky. I hope the FO doesn't trade off too much of our future for this dude. He's got some upside, but not enough to warrent what the Saints are probably asking.

Trapped · May 11, 2006

i would bring him in for our next years 6th round pick. The saints will prolly give him up for that too. With their 100 milion dollar backfeild, the fans will get mad if he steps on the feild. He is useless for them.

While for us, he can be our potential tatum bell. Neither Morency or Davis have that homerun speed. Ill bring him in for a 6th, maybe, maybe a 5th.

SAMURAITEXAN · May 11, 2006

Yeah! DO NOT GIVE SAINTS TOO MUCH. JUST A LITTLE A LITTLE A LITTLE would be fine.

Kaiser Toro · May 11, 2006

Since we will have cap issues next year I do not see a problem parting with a late pick or Bruenner. Payton will want to run some smash mouth football if he emulates his boss.

Ibar_Harry · May 11, 2006

How many backs do we need? I could understand perhaps if we were looking for a safety or a CB, but a running back? Do we have that big a problem at RB? I'm not certain I see the logic in this at this point.

SAMURAITEXAN · May 11, 2006

Ibar_Harry said:
How many backs do we need? I could understand perhaps if we were looking for a safety or a CB, but a running back? Do we have that big a problem at RB? I'm not certain I see the logic in this at this point.

Yes but, recent FO's movement tells me something about DD's status? I just hope, we are interested just to upgrade our RB position.

Porky · May 11, 2006

Ibar_Harry said:
How many backs do we need? I could understand perhaps if we were looking for a safety or a CB, but a running back? Do we have that big a problem at RB? I'm not certain I see the logic in this at this point.

Maybe you missed the part where DD gets injured every year, and it's bound to happen at some point again. In fact, IF, and this is a big IF, Bennett can stay healthy, he is flat out better than DD, and would likely be the starter. He has homerun speed, something DD lacks, and it would give us a breakaway threat in the backfield, something we have never had, and Bush was going to give us. It would bring our offense a totally new dimension. Bennett had 3 games in a row where he broke off runs of 60 yards plus. How many times has DD done that? Bennett was on his way to being an elite back, has made the pro-bowl as a running back, and is an upgrade over DD. I forget. How many times exactly has DD made the pro-bowl? But...he has been bitten by the injury bug, so we are getting a bit of an unknown. If they want a draft pick, I would not go higher than a 5th due to the uncertainty, but his talent is unquestioned if healthy. :crutch:

chuckm · May 11, 2006

Assuming his legs are still sound he's the home run hitter we're lacking ....

dalemurphy · May 11, 2006

Ibar_Harry said:
How many backs do we need? I could understand perhaps if we were looking for a safety or a CB, but a running back? Do we have that big a problem at RB? I'm not certain I see the logic in this at this point.

As many talented players as possible competing for 4 spots on the roster.

MikeMc · May 11, 2006

Well, I would not rely on the Undrafted FA the Texans signed. They are a few years away. If they got Bennett, the depth chart would be DD, Bennett, Smith, Morency and Lundy. I could see Kubiak using these RBs much like he did last yr. They will serve as RB specialists, but not compromise the play calling (tipping off what type of play is called).

TwinSisters · May 11, 2006

texanfan2100 said:
I don't know how they'd conduct a trade minus a GM.

Sherman was the GM for Green Bay or had GM duties in Green Bay, before they got a GM and kicked him out.

Not to much of a surprise, because Holmgren had the same problem ( but won the politik in Seattle )

titan hater · May 11, 2006

Saints have to do something to sign Bush...They are looking to unload salary...

Hulk75 · May 11, 2006

Speeeeeeeeeeeed, thats Michael Bennet.

Errant Hothy · May 11, 2006

titan hater said:
Saints have to do something to sign Bush...They are looking to unload salary...

Which is why we shouldn't sign him...I need something/a story to follow till trainig camp; and the Saint's trying to sign Bush looks like the best so far.

BigSaint8050 · May 11, 2006

titan hater said:
Saints have to do something to sign Bush...They are looking to unload salary...

The Saints are 15 million dollars unde the cap. Bennett signed a two year deal worth 3 million with a 1 million dollar signing bonus.

They don't need to unload him for anything other than the fact that he will now recieve limited playing time with the drafting of Bush.

TwinSisters · May 11, 2006

BigSaint8050 said:
The Saints are 15 million dollars unde the cap. Bennett signed a two year deal worth 3 million with a 1 million dollar signing bonus.

They don't need to unload him for anything other than the fact that he will now recieve limited playing time with the drafting of Bush.

Is that 15 million under ... before or after signing Bush?

TexanFan881 · May 11, 2006

Michael Bennett is better than Antowain Smith and was really good up until he got hurt. He had a great year in 2002 and last year he finished off the year pretty good. I would love to see us get him, and that probably means signing Antowain Smith was for nothing. We could probably trade them a 6th at the highest considering we got Eric Moulds for a 5th.

whiskeyrbl · May 11, 2006

If we do end up trading and getting Bennett Who is the odd man out?
I'm sure it won't be DD, so Moreancy,Lundy,or Smith? No I didn't forget anyone these are just the one's I think would actually make the team. :twocents:

titan hater · May 11, 2006

BigSaint8050 said:
The Saints are 15 million dollars unde the cap. Bennett signed a two year deal worth 3 million with a 1 million dollar signing bonus.

They don't need to unload him for anything other than the fact that he will now recieve limited playing time with the drafting of Bush.

Two Words...Tom Benson...

TexanFan881 · May 11, 2006

whiskeyrbl said:
If we do end up trading and getting Bennett Who is the odd man out?
I'm sure it won't be DD, so Moreancy,Lundy,or Smith? No I didn't forget anyone these are just the one's I think would actually make the team.

If it's anyone it will probably be Smith because the two young RBs Morency and Lundy have a lot more upside than Smith who is on the downside of his career and 34 years old. They won't need Smith if we get Bennett considering he is 34 years old and I am guessing they would cut Smith so we could develop our young players.

BigSaint8050 · May 11, 2006

TwinSisters said:
Is that 15 million under ... before or after signing Bush?

Thats before, but it doesn't matter much. We have a rookie pool of 5.2 million, meaning that of that 15 million (worst case senario) we will still be 9.8 million under the cap. Not to mention that under the CBA the salary cap will increase over the next several seasons, making cap hell less and less a factor.

Anyway, like I said, money is not an issue here at all. The Saints do not have to trade him, though it might be the best thing for both Bennett and the Saints. Worst case senario the Saints go into the season with 3 1st round draft picks lining up in the backfield (Deuce 200 1st 23rd overall, Bennett 200 1st 27th overall and Bush 2006 1st 2nd overall).

I do however think a trade happens. A player for player trade seems likely with the recent dealings we have had (Wayne Gandy for Bryan Scott, Courtney Watson for Eddie Moore, moving down in the 2nd for Jeff Faine and moving down in the 4th for Hollis Thomas). This staff seems to like to parlay players for players, though a draft pick wouldn't be out of the question.

I do know the Saints are thin at LBer and CB. Rumor on saintsreport.com is the player that was dangled by the Texans and refused by the Saints was Antwan Peek. The poster is a very reliable and well known member (member since 2000) of the site, so its not some noob that just registered.

nunusguy · May 11, 2006

If this guys got real spped, that would be a much needed commodity for a Texan RB to have. But IMO, we shouldn't just trade a valuable draft pick for
a guy who's only virtue is speed, He needs more than that to play in the NFL.
But their are burners just waiting to be discovered, which calls for a scouting department with a good eye. Maybe the fastest RB we played against last year, Willie Parker with the Steelers, was picked up as an undrafted FA rookie.

Porky · May 11, 2006

TexanFan881 said:
If it's anyone it will probably be Smith because the two young RBs Morency and Lundy have a lot more upside than Smith who is on the downside of his career and 34 years old. They won't need Smith if we get Bennett considering he is 34 years old and I am guessing they would cut Smith so we could develop our young players.

My first thought was the same....but....Smith bring things to the table the others lack, and that's a bigger back who can give you that heavy runner you are looking for in short yardage situations. Sometimes it's not always the flat out best players who make the roster, but the ones who can bring a certain something, a niche if you will, that nobody else can fill. My guess is Lundy goes to the practice squad if they sign Bennett, and Smith makes it as the last back. Just a guess though.

BigSaint8050 · May 11, 2006

titan hater said:
Two Words...Tom Benson...

I can see prior to this season why you would say that, but this season is speaking volumes for Benson....

Signed the best FA QB out there in Drew Brees
Signed two veteran LBers in Scott Fujita and Anthony Simmons to compete for starting spots
Made some very good depth moves bringing in guys like Michael Bennett, Mark Campbell, Omar Stoutmire, Chris Horn, Jonathan Goodwin and bringin back guys like James Allen, Cedric Woodard, Willie Whitehead, Michael Lewis
Then made the move of all, didn't trade back in fears he would have to put out too much money (just one year after signing Deuce to a 54 million dollar contract) and told the GM to stay put and take Bush.

You can say what you want to, but the moves made this year don't sound anything like moves in past years.

Trapped · May 11, 2006

if we get Bennet, Lundy will be on practice squad. DD, Bennet, and Morency in the backfield. Smith will get cut.

TexanFan881 · May 11, 2006

Porky said:
My first thought was the same....but....Smith bring things to the table the others lack, and that's a bigger back who can give you that heavy runner you are looking for in short yardage situations. Sometimes it's not always the flat out best players who make the roster, but the ones who can bring a certain something, a niche if you will, that nobody else can fill. My guess is Lundy goes to the practice squad if they sign Bennett, and Smith makes it as the last back. Just a guess though.

Wali Lundy is that kind of back, he just needs some improvement.

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/players/draft/415672

Despite his size and natural strength, Lundy does not consistently run aggressively and gain yards after contact like a big back should. He is never going to be an explosive ball carrier who can shoot through the hole and run away from the defense, but his visions/instincts, smartness following his blockers and quick feet enable him to find the hole consistently and he gets through it quickly. If he learns to run more aggressively on every snap, consistently lowers a shoulder to deliver a blow to the tackler and picks his feet up better in traffic, he can be a good starting big back in the NFL who can handle carrying a power offense on his back. The most intriguing aspect of his play is his ability to stop and start quickly to make tacklers miss well out in space. However, he is never going to be more than a dependable, solid receiver out of the backfield. He will be a backup for a season or two, but will eventually be a good starting power back -- he reminds you a lot of Stephen Davis and Mike Anderson when they came out of college.

Lundy is a big, strong running back with the playing strength to keep his feet vs. hard hits, break tackles and gain yards after contact when he runs aggressively.

Basically, Lundy sounds like a RB who has the size and strenght but does not use those characteristics as good as he can and he still can improve...like a 6th round RB should be. I like the way he compares him to Stephen Davis as he is a big, bruising back.

the wonger need food · May 11, 2006

Todd Wade for Michael Bennett... we'll take it.

Texan in Japan · May 11, 2006

the wonger need food said:
Todd Wade for Michael Bennett... we'll take it.

u read my mind

MikeMc · May 11, 2006

Smith is also durable and can carry the load if Davis goes down. The others are "for the future" RBs. Bennett is that change of pace guy. He has injury concerns (as does DD). So choosing 4 out of those 5 will be a nice problem to have! Morency or Lundy could be the odd man out...anything is possible.....remember Charles Hill???? My point exactly!

3960AD · May 11, 2006

I could see us going into next season the way Denver Broncos has over the past decade. With at least 3 able backs being able to rush for several hundred each. If we pick up Bennett and he gets healthy, we'll have a solid 3 for sure. What I'm wondering is how many Kubiak is willing to take. The only one eligible for practice squad would be Morcency, and I doubt that would happen..

kiwitexansfan · May 11, 2006

TexanFan881 said:
Michael Bennett is better than Antowain Smith and was really good up until he got hurt. He had a great year in 2002 and last year he finished off the year pretty good. I would love to see us get him, and that probably means signing Antowain Smith was for nothing. We could probably trade them a 6th at the highest considering we got Eric Moulds for a 5th.

Bennet was great in 2002 and has done very little since. He is a injury waiting to happen. I suspect the Smith signing may have killed this trade as much as anything.

As for the Wade for Bennet trade idea. Wade is as good as retired with his knee injury. I remember reading that somewhere.

GP · May 11, 2006

1. DD
2. Morency
3. Lundy

Practice squad:

Bennett
Smith (if he doesn't get cut)

To me, I'd rather have Bennett. Would make a great replacement if one of our three goes down with injury.

TheRealJoker · May 11, 2006

I dont think Smith or Bennett are eligible for practice squad.

Bearfan Blue and Orange · May 11, 2006

BigSaint8050 said:
The Saints are 15 million dollars unde the cap. Bennett signed a two year deal worth 3 million with a 1 million dollar signing bonus.

They don't need to unload him for anything other than the fact that he will now recieve limited playing time with the drafting of Bush.

You guys should probably keep him, because with a PT Running back trying to take on a full load, he will definitley get hurt.

mexican_texan · May 11, 2006

the wonger need food said:
Todd Wade for Michael Bennett... we'll take it.

If New Orleans thinks they know disaster, they have not met...Todd Wade.

Meloy · May 11, 2006

titan hater said:
Saints have to do something to sign Bush...They are looking to unload salary...

I do not follow the Saints, but what about a combo trade? Bennett plus another player ( we need & they could give up) for higher picks or picks and a player we don't need?

Texian · May 11, 2006

If the Texans are wheeling and dealing for another RB they should go after TJ Duckett who is on the block after the Falcons drafted J Norwood. I am not a Bennett fan.

titan hater · May 11, 2006

BigSaint8050 said:
I can see prior to this season why you would say that, but this season is speaking volumes for Benson....

Signed the best FA QB out there in Drew Brees
Signed two veteran LBers in Scott Fujita and Anthony Simmons to compete for starting spots
Made some very good depth moves bringing in guys like Michael Bennett, Mark Campbell, Omar Stoutmire, Chris Horn, Jonathan Goodwin and bringin back guys like James Allen, Cedric Woodard, Willie Whitehead, Michael Lewis
Then made the move of all, didn't trade back in fears he would have to put out too much money (just one year after signing Deuce to a 54 million dollar contract) and told the GM to stay put and take Bush.

You can say what you want to, but the moves made this year don't sound anything like moves in past years.

Benson is not mush different then Bud Adams (Rich Jerks). Back in the day Bud negotiated with Jacksonville to get a better deal from the Astrodome officials. Did not Benson do the same with San Antonio? I would not put much faith in Benson. If he gets a chance to get out of LA...he will!!!

TexanFan881 · May 11, 2006

Texian said:
If the Texans are wheeling and dealing for another RB they should go after TJ Duckett who is on the block after the Falcons drafted J Norwood. I am not a Bennett fan.

I'd be very, very happy if we traded for Duckett because he is not an injury like Bennett and was successful with Warrick Dunn.

tiger06 · May 11, 2006

I'd like to bring Bennett in for a reasonable price... no high round draft picks. He'd give us that homerun speed we need. His injuries concern me, however.

BigSaint8050 · May 11, 2006

Bearfan Blue and Orange said:
You guys should probably keep him, because with a PT Running back trying to take on a full load, he will definitley get hurt.

I love it when other fans are so informed.... Have you ever heard of a guy named Deuce McAllister?

hot pickle · May 11, 2006

yall think maybe morency will be involved in the trade

i like morency and i wouldnt like to see him go

TexanFan881 · May 11, 2006

dunta23 said:
yall think maybe morency will be involved in the trade

i like morency and i wouldnt like to see him go

I think at the most we should only give them a 5th for Bennett, and Morency was a third, so I would be mad if he left, but I only see it being a draft pick. I think they are trading Bennett because they don't need another RB with Reggie and Duece, so I don't think they'd want Morency in return.

TheOgre · May 11, 2006

ThaShark316 said:
Hey Saints, give us that other fast RB you have.

Deuce McAllister?

Chiefs acquire Michael Bennett

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