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Bucs' Bennett Signs 3-Year Deal

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By ROY CUMMINGS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 16, 2008

TAMPA - Seldom is the re-signing of a veteran running back who averaged five touches per game the previous season significant.

With running back Cadillac Williams' future largely uncertain, though, the re-signing Friday of seldom-used Michael Bennett to a three-year contract could prove to be as significant a signing as the Bucs make this offseason.

The return of Bennett, who was slated to become a free agent in March, assures the Bucs their lineup will include a home run hitter, which is precisely what they lost when Williams went down four weeks into the 2007 season.

Williams tore the patellar tendon in his right knee and it may be well into the 2008 season before he returns. Even then, he is likely to struggle to regain the form that made him the 2005 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

That means the Bucs probably will have to turn to someone else to give them a change of pace from projected feature back Earnest Graham, and Bennett is just the kind of back who can do that for them.

A first-round draft pick of the Vikings in 2001, his 810 NFL carries have produced 3,615 yards (or 4.5 yards per-carry average) and 13 touchdowns. He has also caught 150 passes for 1,218 yards and six touchdowns.

The re-signing of Bennett coincided with an equally significant loss, that of former starting cornerback Brian Kelly, who exercised a buyout option in his contract that allows him to become a free agent.

"I negotiated and exercised this right because I wanted to take advantage of this unique opportunity," Kelly said in a statement released by his agent. "I have enjoyed my career with the Bucs and my teammates, and couldn't have asked for a better coaching staff, team, city or fans."

Kelly, 32, was the Bucs' starting left corner from 2001 to 2006 but was replaced by Phillip Buchanon after injuries forced him to miss most of the 2006 season and most of the first half of '07.

Kelly, who has 22 career interceptions, has made no secret of his displeasure with the contract that paid him a $2.6 million base salary in 2007 and would have paid him $3.2 million for '08.

The trick for Bennett, meanwhile, is to find a way to get on the field more regularly. He was used sparingly last season, largely because he was slow to comprehend Coach Jon Gruden's complex scheme and playbook.

Bennett is confident, though, that the time he has in the system already and the time he'll spend this offseason learning will give him all the knowledge he needs to be comfortable.

"I plan to come in there and even sit down and take a class with the quarterbacks," Bennett said. "I'll do whatever I have to do so that when I get on the field I'm comfortable and everything is second nature to me."

With Graham expected to return as the feature back, Bennett considered looking elsewhere. In the end, the Bay area lifestyle and the chance to win a Super Bowl drew him back.

Graham, meanwhile, has a year remaining on his contract, but his agent told the Tribune on Friday that he is in discussion with the Bucs on a long-term extension and he's hopeful a deal will get done soon.

Reporter Roy Cummings can be reached at (813) 259-7979 or rcummings@tampatrib.com.

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