Michael Bennett continues to struggle at blocking (1 Viewer)

[Slash]

Michael Bennett - RB - Vikings via rotoworld

Michael Bennett continues to struggle at blocking.

His difficulties protecting the QB could lead to more playing time for Onterrio Smith and Moe Williams. Aug. 3 - 2:45 pm et

Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Such was the case when Michael Bennett (209 lbs.) faced the hard rushing Rod Davis, a 239-pound linebacker. With a single swat, Davis managed to fling Bennett to the side and progress to the backfield unimpeded.

This was a notable scene because of what later happened in practice: During 11-on-11 drills with the first team, a rusher managed to get past Bennett and get into the face of Culpepper, totally disrupting the play in the process. Culpepper proceeded to get into the face of Bennett.

 

[joffer]

you wouldn't think it would be that hard to become at least an average blocker

 

[Skeet Skeet]

Can deciding on a #2 RB get any harder

 

[Loco Barlow]

Meanwhile, take a look at this report from the blogger....

Aug 4, 2004, 10:38

Vikings - RB O.Smith Blocking Better

Vikings.com - [Full Article]

At times during the 2003 season, RB Onterrio Smith struggled pass blocking in the backfield. Smith has made some positive strides picking up the blitz at camp. In one on one drills, Smith successfully stopped charging LB's from getting to the QB. Smith's new physical approach is nice to see because anyone who follows the Vikings knows what QB Daunte Culpepper will do with a few extra seconds.

 

[bostonfred2]

On a somber note, from the blogger....Aug 4, 2004, 10:39Utah - switz' head explodesblackeyedjoe.com - [Full Article]Best of luck in your recovery, switz.

 

[skol asylum]

Meanwhile, take a look at this report from the blogger....

Aug 4, 2004, 10:38

Vikings - RB O.Smith Blocking Better

Vikings.com - [Full Article]

At times during the 2003 season, RB Onterrio Smith struggled pass blocking in the backfield. Smith has made some positive strides picking up the blitz at camp. In one on one drills, Smith successfully stopped charging LB's from getting to the QB. Smith's new physical approach is nice to see because anyone who follows the Vikings knows what QB Daunte Culpepper will do with a few extra seconds.

You mean something like this:Thing of beauty.

 

[cracKer]

Beauty? Brian Russell's coverage?

 

[ratpfink]

you wouldn't think it would be that hard to become at least an average blocker

It must be tough since half the guys in the league are below average!

 

[BlueOnion]

As a Viking fan, I am hoping this is a sign that Onterrio is moving in and Bennett is moving out.

 

[reg]

As a Viking fan, I am hoping this is a sign that Onterrio is moving in and Bennett is moving out.

All it says about Onterrio is he's improving...doesnt say hes as good or better than Bennett.

he (Onterrio) was pretty bad at blocking last year so it wouldn't take much for 'improvement'.

 

[flooredyas]

Wow-miss a block early in training camp, suddenly the guy's 3rd string! Think Dante' wouldn't have "Got in his face" if he didn't know that Bennett is the main RB for Minnyhaha. All I'm saying is that this is WHY teams have training camp, to tweak weaknesses and turn them into positives.

 

[AB in DC]

Michael Bennett is a two-down back. There's nothing wrong with that -- plenty of 2nd round fantasy RBs are two-down backs -- as long as you know what you're getting.

 

[babydemon90]

Bennett = Speed.

 

[Colin Dowling]

Wow-miss a block early in training camp, suddenly the guy's 3rd string! Think Dante' wouldn't have "Got in his face" if he didn't know that Bennett is the main RB for Minnyhaha. All I'm saying is that this is WHY teams have training camp, to tweak weaknesses and turn them into positives.

This is a good point. Bennett may never be a fantastic blocker. It may not be in his future. But he's not going to lose the first-string job over some blocking assignments. WIll this affect the amount he gets the ball? Sure - it will keep him from getting 70-80% of the carries like top-backs get. He can be a piss-poor blocker and still get the 60% most of us project for him.COlin

 

[Jack the Ripper]

If Bennett misses too many more of those blocks, not only will Daunte Culpepper be getting in his face but Mike Tice will be planting his size 12 shoe firmly in Bennett's rearend and calling Onterrio Smith to warm up and show the RB's how you play football. Michael Bennett is going to get Culpeper killed this year.

 

[Tillmanisahero]

"This was a notable scene because of what later happened in practice: During 11-on-11 drills with the first team, a rusher managed to get past Bennett and get into the face of Culpepper, totally disrupting the play in the process. Culpepper proceeded to get into the face of Bennett, who did not miss another blocking assignment. " The whole story from first post

http://www.startribune.com/stories/510/4906906.html

Please post the WHOLE story. Bennett missed one block and then didn't miss another one the whole day. Bennet is by far the best back the Vikes got. Any Vikes fan who wants less talented Leroy Hoard...I mean O. Smith to take over doesn't realize what they are wishing for. But as a Packer fan, I say Bench Bennett and bring on Smith.

 

[BlueOnion]

Please post the WHOLE story. Bennett missed one block and then didn't miss another one the whole day. Bennet is by far the best back the Vikes got. Any Vikes fan who wants less talented Leroy Hoard...I mean O. Smith to take over doesn't realize what they are wishing for. But as a Packer fan, I say Bench Bennett and bring on Smith.

It should be noted that Bennett was born in Wisconsin and played football for the University of Wisconsin...Oddly enough, this is a 'homer' post in my opinion.

 

[packersfan]

Please post the WHOLE story. Bennett missed one block and then didn't miss another one the whole day. Bennet is by far the best back the Vikes got. Any Vikes fan who wants less talented Leroy Hoard...I mean O. Smith to take over doesn't realize what they are wishing for. But as a Packer fan, I say Bench Bennett and bring on Smith.

It should be noted that Bennett was born in Wisconsin and played football for the University of Wisconsin...Oddly enough, this is a 'homer' post in my opinion.

Well make this a "homer" post then too. As another Packers' fan I'd much rather face Smith than Bennett. Given Green Bay's suspect defense, Bennett's not a guy I'd be looking to face twice a year.

 

[BigJim®]

Please post the WHOLE story. Bennett missed one block and then didn't miss another one the whole day. Bennet is by far the best back the Vikes got. Any Vikes fan who wants less talented Leroy Hoard...I mean O. Smith to take over doesn't realize what they are wishing for. But as a Packer fan, I say Bench Bennett and bring on Smith.

It should be noted that Bennett was born in Wisconsin and played football for the University of Wisconsin...Oddly enough, this is a 'homer' post in my opinion.

It is pretty ridiculous that the initial post would stop mid-sentence, place a period there, and omit he words ", who did not miss another blocking assignment." Those are probably the most critical words in the entire story.

 

[Tillmanisahero]

Homer post? I am a Packer fan first! Vikes and Bears are my natural enemy.But if you read the the whole story it speaks for itself.Well look at the whole story. I bet every RB in the league misses a blocking assignment once in awhile. But hey let his value fall thats cool with me.I really think some of the posts on this board are an attempt to hype or anti-hype certain players to change their value. I am not saying Bennett is this years LT I am just saying that because of one missed block in practice i wouldn't get too excited or start calling for Mr. Wiff blocker O. Smith (if you remember last year, Smith was a terrible blocker)

 

[packersfan]

Sidenote: If I was a Vikings' fan I'd be pretty happy to see Culpepper taking charge like that and getting in Bennett's face. That's exactly the type of response you want to see from your QB.

 

[{Syrus}]

Mike Tice has done nothing but praise Onterrio Smith since training camp opened, referring to Onterrio Smith basically as another starter on the team. Michael Bennett is on a shorter leash than most people seem to think, ie. one crucial missed block that gets Culpepper smashed by Dallas' Roy Williams in Week 1, or a Bennett injury, and Mike Tice won't hesitate to hand over the game to Onterrio Smith and possibly the starting job. Onterrio Smith is everything you want in a feaured back and has 4.4 speed to go with great vision, hands, blocking, and inside power running.

 

[jurb26]

"This was a notable scene because of what later happened in practice: During 11-on-11 drills with the first team, a rusher managed to get past Bennett and get into the face of Culpepper, totally disrupting the play in the process. Culpepper proceeded to get into the face of Bennett, who did not miss another blocking assignment. " The whole story from first post

http://www.startribune.com/stories/510/4906906.html

Please post the WHOLE story. Bennett missed one block and then didn't miss another one the whole day. Bennet is by far the best back the Vikes got. Any Vikes fan who wants less talented Leroy Hoard...I mean O. Smith to take over doesn't realize what they are wishing for. But as a Packer fan, I say Bench Bennett and bring on Smith.

Wow, and I was just about to start taking this thread seriously. Thank you Tillmanisahero.

 

[{Syrus}]

(if you remember last year, Smith was a terrible blocker)

Last year Onterrio Smith did an adequate job blocking otherwise Mike Tice would not have ever let him into the game as a rookie. Be it as it may, Onterrio Smith was a rookie and rookies usually aren't completely refined yet at pass blocking. In his second year Onterrio Smith is showing vast improvement......so what's Bennett's excuse? Bennett is a 4-year vet and still hasn't learned how to block.

 

[Colin Dowling]

MOD "SUGGESTION"

Posting news stories is always appreciated. However, please post the full story, or a the least the majority of the story so that we can all read it and learn from it.

I'm not suggesting that this is what anyone was doing, nor that it was done on purpose, but posting only the parts that help make a specific point is a disservice to everyone.

Thank you.

Colin

 

[Dman30]

please post the full story, or a the least the majority of the story so that we can all read it and learn from it.

Colin

This is all I need to see and read from the story to realize and learn Michael Bennett is still a lousy blocker:With a single swat, Davis managed to fling Bennett to the side and progress to the backfield unimpeded.

 

[jurb26]

(if you remember last year, Smith was a terrible blocker)

Last year Onterrio Smith did an adequate job blocking otherwise Mike Tice would not have ever let him into the game as a rookie. Be it as it may, Onterrio Smith was a rookie and rookies usually aren't completely refined yet at pass blocking. In his second year Onterrio Smith is showing vast improvement......so what's Bennett's excuse? Bennett is a 4-year vet and still hasn't learned how to block.

Your kidding me right. The article just said he missed 1 block in parctice. As AI says "PRACTICE!" This is why they practice, to better themselves. It would seem that he did in fact learn from his mistake, hence the "...Bennett, who did not miss another blocking assignment." part of the article. Boy this is really reaching IMO.

 

[Lehigh98]

Misinformation tactics showing up already?

 

[Confucius]

Misinformation tactics showing up already?

What's the misinformation here?---Michael Bennett continues to miss key blocks in practice, being knocked off his block with a single swat.---Daunte Culpepper gets in Michael Bennett's face (need I remind you Bennett is a veteran RB in his 4th year). I can just see Drew Brees getting in 4th year RB Ladainian Tomlinson's face for missing a block.---Onterrio Smith's blocking is being praised by the team and his level of physical play is being noticed.The info is pretty clear to those who aren't Bennett owners. If you're a Bennett owner you obviously have your rose-colored glasses on.

 

[Colin Dowling]

Misinformation tactics showing up already?

What's the misinformation here?---Michael Bennett continues to miss key blocks in practice, being knocked off his block with a single swat.---Daunte Culpepper gets in Michael Bennett's face (need I remind you Bennett is a veteran RB in his 4th year). I can just see Drew Brees getting in 4th year RB Ladainian Tomlinson's face for missing a block.---Onterrio Smith's blocking is being praised by the team and his level of physical play is being noticed.The info is pretty clear to those who aren't Bennett owners. If you're a Bennett owner you obviously have your rose-colored glasses on.

Its not misinformation, its incomplete information.Colin

 

[packersfan]

Misinformation tactics showing up already?

What's the misinformation here?---Michael Bennett continues to miss key block in practice, being knocked off his block with a single swat.

Edited to correct your original "misinformation."

 

[jurb26]

Misinformation tactics showing up already?

What's the misinformation here?---Michael Bennett continues to miss key blocks in practice, being knocked off his block with a single swat.---Daunte Culpepper gets in Michael Bennett's face (need I remind you Bennett is a veteran RB in his 4th year). I can just see Drew Brees getting in 4th year RB Ladainian Tomlinson's face for missing a block.---Onterrio Smith's blocking is being praised by the team and his level of physical play is being noticed.The info is pretty clear to those who aren't Bennett owners. If you're a Bennett owner you obviously have your rose-colored glasses on.

If this was not an attempt to mislead, then please expalin to me what is? Not only was the article not presented in full, but it was only presented in a manor to make Bennett look bad. Which by the way was opposite of the initention if you actually read it. So the good parts along with the good intention were left out, along with a link to verify it. However, parts were extracted out that made Bennett look bad. I think it is the Smith owners who need to take off the glasses here. Oh by the way I own neither.

 

[BigJim®]

Misinformation tactics showing up already?

What's the misinformation here?---Michael Bennett continues to miss key blocks in practice, being knocked off his block with a single swat.---Daunte Culpepper gets in Michael Bennett's face (need I remind you Bennett is a veteran RB in his 4th year). I can just see Drew Brees getting in 4th year RB Ladainian Tomlinson's face for missing a block.---Onterrio Smith's blocking is being praised by the team and his level of physical play is being noticed.The info is pretty clear to those who aren't Bennett owners. If you're a Bennett owner you obviously have your rose-colored glasses on.

Its not misinformation, its incomplete information.Colin

I respectully disagree. If the title of a thread is "continues to struggle at blocking" and the words "who did not miss another blocking assignment" were omitted, this is definitely misinformation.

 

[switz]

On a somber note, from the blogger....Aug 4, 2004, 10:39Utah - switz' head explodesblackeyedjoe.com - [Full Article]Best of luck in your recovery, switz.

Now why would my head explode?

 

[Keysersoze666]

It WAS misinformation. I have no idea what credibility Slash may have built up or not but when someone posts an edited story from a source to support a particular point of view ... it IS misinformation.As other have noted in this thread, one could read that story and conclude:1) Culpepper is taking charge and becoming a better field general2) Bennett needs continued work on his blocking3) When challenged by teammatesafter a mistake, Bennett responded by NOT missing another blockMy read of the story actually supports all 3 of the points above. But the act of reading a sentence up to a comma ... ADDING in your own period and deleting the part you want to DE-emphasize is ridiculous.Thankfully, now I know to ignore everything this person says in the future. He is wasting his time on this board, with those editing skills he should be working for one of the political campaigns ... OR Michael Moore!

 

[jurb26]

Thankfully, now I know to ignore everything this person says in the future. He is wasting his time on this board, with those editing skills he should be working for one of the political campaigns ... OR Michael Moore!

:rotflmao: I couldn't agree more.

 

[The Juggernaut]

Did I just see a veiled reference to "message board cred"?

 

[Tillmanisahero]

Or maybe get a job with the Bush econmics team or War planning team. (Just thought I would give the Democratic jab)

 

[BlueOnion]

As far as Bennett's blocking...it is suspect and will most likely always be suspect because of his technique. Onterrio's poor blocking last year was due to his limited understanding of his blocking scheme and missing an assignment (this is very correctable with experience). However, Smith's blocking technique is much more inline with that of Moe Williams.What I foresee the problem being is Bennett is a speed back and more suited for an east-west blocking scheme upfront. However, with David Dixon, Bryant McKinnie and Everett Lindsey are north-south runners.This is a similar problem to 1988 when Minnesota had a solid east-west blocking scheme with their offensive linemen but then went out got Herchel Walker who was a north-south runner.Bennett's value to a team would go up greatly if a team ran more east-west blocking schemes such as Bill Walsh old 'west-coast' offense, or maybe even the Broncos current system. But what the Vikes have is a system closer to the old Giants (under Parcells), Gibbs Max-Pro\Jumbo packages and such. Onterrio (Ahman Green) fits much better into this system.

 

[packersfan]

Bennett's value to a team would go up greatly if a team ran more east-west blocking schemes such as Bill Walsh old 'west-coast' offense, or maybe even the Broncos current system. But what the Vikes have is a system closer to the old Giants (under Parcells), Gibbs Max-Pro\Jumbo packages and such. Onterrio (Ahman Green) fits much better into this system.

The problem with all of this is that Bennett has clearly succeeded in a system which, according to you, he isn't a good fit for. That's pretty significant and yet it somehow gets ignored frequently in discussions such as this. Given how productive he's been (and when you consider how well he was running last year before his second injury and all that came on a bad foot it's pretty impressive), Smith is going to have to be really really good to supplant Bennett as the starter. That's been the clear and distinct signal Tice has been sending for months. Of course, Bennett needs to prove he can stay healthy; that's the biggest question he has to answer. But if he does, I don't see Smith being anything more than a backup as long as the two of them are on the same roster.

 

[Biabreakable]

Mike Tice has done nothing but praise Onterrio Smith since training camp opened, referring to Onterrio Smith basically as another starter on the team. Michael Bennett is on a shorter leash than most people seem to think, ie. one crucial missed block that gets Culpepper smashed by Dallas' Roy Williams in Week 1, or a Bennett injury, and Mike Tice won't hesitate to hand over the game to Onterrio Smith and possibly the starting job. Onterrio Smith is everything you want in a feaured back and has 4.4 speed to go with great vision, hands, blocking, and inside power running.

:rotflmao: Dallas would be crazy to blitz Roy Williams against the Vikings. They need him and Newman shadowing Moss if they want to have a chance. I am sure Minnesota will use movement to keep Dallas from using both to cover Moss when they can. But blitzing thier best cover guy against Moss is suicide.

 

[Keysersoze666]

Onterrio (Ahman Green) fits much better into this system.

OMG, is this an insinuated comparsion of O. Smith to A. Green???Now THAT is MISinformation at it's best!

 

[The Boss]

Such was the case when Michael Bennett (209 lbs.) faced the hard rushing Rod Davis, a 239-pound linebacker. With a single swat, Davis managed to fling Bennett to the side and progress to the backfield unimpeded.

This was a notable scene because of what later happened in practice: During 11-on-11 drills with the first team, a rusher managed to get past Bennett and get into the face of Culpepper, totally disrupting the play in the process. Culpepper proceeded to get into the face of Bennett.

For those claiming Michael Bennett missed just one block in practice, you need to reread the article. His problems at blocking are not one isolated incident as you claim is the case. Michael Bennett has a history of poor blocking and has always been a below average blocker, but as far as THIS story goes, he missed more than one key block in THIS mentioned practice:Missed block #1) Michael Bennett was swatted away easily by rushing LB Rod Davis who entered the backfield unimpeded.

Missed block #2) And later in the practice another rusher got by Bennett and got into Culpepper's face breaking up the play which prompted Culpepper to get on Michael Bennett's case about his blocking.

In this story alone there are two missed blocks by Bennett that in a game situation have the potential to sideline Culpepper with an injury for a few weeks. Yes, this is practice. But Mike Tice won't be putting up with pitiful blocking like Bennett displayed once the regular season starts.

 

[BlueOnion]

Onterrio (Ahman Green) fits much better into this system.

OMG, is this an insinuated comparsion of O. Smith to A. Green???Now THAT is MISinformation at it's best!

No. I will be first to say Ahman Green is in a class all his own. Been a big fan of his since Nebraska and through Seattle. It was a comparison of their running styles, not a comparison of talent or effectiveness.

 

[switz]

The problem with all of this is that Bennett has clearly succeeded in a system which, according to you, he isn't a good fit for. That's pretty significant and yet it somehow gets ignored frequently in discussions such as this. Given how productive he's been (and when you consider how well he was running last year before his second injury and all that came on a bad foot it's pretty impressive), Smith is going to have to be really really good to supplant Bennett as the starter. That's been the clear and distinct signal Tice has been sending for months. Of course, Bennett needs to prove he can stay healthy; that's the biggest question he has to answer. But if he does, I don't see Smith being anything more than a backup as long as the two of them are on the same roster.

1296 yards, 9 TDs = clearly succeeded. Not even Pro Bowl caliber.Well, only 12 backs had more than 1296 last season, ten backs had more TDs.

That makes Bennett, what top third at his position (starting NFL RB)... if I drafted an RB with my #1 pick, I wouldn't be satisfied. 1500 yards is the new measuring line for top-tier RBs, 6 broke it last year, 9 broke 1400.

Onterrio Smith, based on last year's stats, given Bennett's 2002 carries would have been much closer to 1400, and that was his rookie year, not his second season (which was Bennett's best)

I agree that Smith would need to blow Bennett out of the water to get the starting nod. There's money, and pride involved in Bennett. However, I don't see how ANYONE can argue that Bennett is clearly better than Onterrio at all.

Bennett when drafted, was considered top-3 potential at his position in that draft, but considered raw. Onterrio when drafted was considered top-3 at his position in the draft, but considered undisciplined, perhaps with an attitude problem.

Onterrio fell because of his attitude, which he's obviously improved. Bennett was taken high. Still, bottom line is that both were considered extremely high prospects at their positions in the year they were drafted, Onterrio at certain points was even #1 on many pundits boards.

Bottom line, this year Bennett is clearly the starter, no matter how badly he blocks. He will probably have 16 GSs by the end of the season, barring injury. I do NOT feel he will lead the team in carries by a predominant amount though. That's just my opinion, but so far every season Tice has had Bennett split time, even his best season. Nothing said this year is contrary to that. This is RBBC all the way...

 

[switz]

Onterrio (Ahman Green) fits much better into this system.

OMG, is this an insinuated comparsion of O. Smith to A. Green???Now THAT is MISinformation at it's best!

Oh come on, in other threads people compare Barlow to LT2, and most recognize it is the situation they are referring to. I'm pretty sure that applies here too, Green is a runner made for the WCO who was not in the proper scheme in SEA, he went to GB who run a modified WCO and excelled. Smith is a better WCO-type RB than Bennett. I'm not sure anyone would say the Vike run a WCO but their run blocking is better for a guy like O than Bennett.Here's the thing, few would argue that MIN has a top-3 run blocking line, why doesn't MIN have a top-3 rusher?

 

[packersfan]

but so far every season Tice has had Bennett split time, even his best season.

That's inaccurate, switz. In 2002, the Vikings' RBs accounted for 351 carries. Of those, Bennett had 255 or 73% of the carries. How exactly is that "splitting time." He had 3 times as many carries as the No. 2 guy on the list (Moe Williams with 84). Bennett was CLEARLY Tice's preferred RB and he has remained Tice's preferred RB whenever he's been deemed healthy. You and I have had this discussion before, but the facts don't lie. Bennett was not part of a RBBC in 2002 and he was not part of a RBBC last season (not by my definition anyway) when he was deemed healthy. He did lose goal-line touches and that could happen again though Tice has promised to give Bennett more of a chance in those situations. We'll see if that comes to fruition. And it's irrelevent how Bennett's 2002 numbers stack up against the competition in 2003. That's a rather silly basis for an argument in my opinion. Instead, compare his numbers against the rest of the RBs in that particular season. In 2002, Bennett was 11th in yardage (again TDs are going to be reduced since Williams was the goal-line guy), but significantly his YPC ranked fourth among RBs who got 200 carries. Only Portis, Holmes and Dillon were better. And if we want to play the game of "let's project the numbers," if you take the four games Bennett started last season when he was deemed healthy and project them out to a full season they would come to 1,348 yards rushing and and a 5.1 YPC (all on a bad foot by the way). To me that's pretty successful considering he supposedly isn't a good fit for this offense.

 

[jurb26]

Here's the thing, few would argue that MIN has a top-3 run blocking line, why doesn't MIN have a top-3 rusher?

Umm maybe because they haven't had any single RB rush the ball enough to do so over the last 3 seasons. The most any single RB on Minn has ran the ball was 255 by Bennett in 2002. He performed remarkable with a 5.1 avg and was not even close to sniffing the top 10 in carries that year. Number 10 was Alexander with 295 (40 carries more). How do you possibly expect a Minn RB to be in the top 3 of the league in yds when they get bottom 3 in carries. You can't possibly expect a 7.5 YPA.

 

[Big Daddy Kane]

and a 5.1 YPC (all on a bad foot by the way). To me that's pretty successful consider he supposedly isn't a good fit for this offense.

Onterrio Smith, 5.4 ypc as a rookie. Bennett couldn't top that.

 

[Macdaddy_2004]

This is clearly a post with mis-informationEven if Bennett misses two blocks in pre-season camp there is no reason to speculate he will get the yankAll tice has done in the off-season is pimp BennettI think Slash has some explainning to do