Rams sign Drew Bennett (1 Viewer)

[JohnnyU]

Drew Bennett-WR- Titans Mar. 3 - 2:22 pm et

The Rams have reportedly signed Drew Bennett to a six-year deal that will pay him $4.5 million-per-season.

The 6-5 Bennett is exactly what coach Scott Linehan has been looking for in a slot receiver. He easily could've gotten a "starting" job elsewhere, but St. Louis will use more three-receiver sets to keep its best weapons on the field. Bennett, Isaac Bruce, and Torry Holt give the Rams arguably the best top three receivers in the NFL, and should help Marc Bulger solidify himself as a top-five, possibly top-two fantasy QB.

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

 

[Bob_Magaw]

without knowing contract terms, i'm guessing they didn't break the bank... as a rams fan, i like this signing... he will give team very dangerous three WR sets, & he can eventually take over for bruce, maybe as soon as 08-09...

 

[JohnnyU]

At least that one got away from NE. Thank goodness.

 

[Sweet Love]

Wow. It will be interesting to see next season how much (if any) he cuts into Bruce's or Holt's numbers.

 

[cstu]

The Rams need to get younger at WR because now their top 3 WR's will be 31, 34 and 31 this season. This draft would be a good chance for them to develop someone to be a starter in a year or two.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Bulger =

 

[Ron_Mexico]

Huge bump up for Drew Bennett in FF circles.

 

[-OZ-]

Bulger =

VY = Unless the Titans intend to use 2 TE sets as their base, they will need another WR or 3.

 

[Pat Patriot]

At least that one got away from NE. Thank goodness.

For $4.5 a year, I think that is reasonable and would have liked to see him in a Pats uni. Cant win them all. I'll take Thomas as a nice consolation and Wes Welker would be a nice lower level pickup.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Drew Bennett will split up the WR2/3 numbers with Isaac Bruce. I would expect him to post around 750 yards and maybe 4-5TD tops...makes him a very marginal roster spot in redrafts, bye week filler at best IMO. Good for the Rams but I don't see Bennett getting great numbers.

 

[Spike]

Maybe it's just me, but that sounds like small money for someone with Bennett's skills.

 

[Ron_Mexico]

At least that one got away from NE. Thank goodness.

For $4.5 a year, I think that is reasonable and would have liked to see him in a Pats uni. Cant win them all. I'll take Thomas as a nice consolation and Wes Welker would be a nice lower level pickup.

I was also thinking Bennett in NE would have beenthe 2nd big signing. We''ll see how Welker works out at app. 1.5 MIL. I think it will be alright.

 

[Bob_Magaw]

$4.5 mil a year does seem reasonable... i'm wondering if he could have gotten more elsewhere, but maybe he wanted to come to the rams... & though he may not start immediately, he could soon... this could also give team luxury of making BRUCE WR3 at some point, & effectively extend his career a few seasons...

i thought this was a good article on bennett, pre-FA period...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writ.../02/28/bennett/

excerpt...

"In 2004... catching 80 passes for 1,247 yards and 11 touchdowns.

A broken hand in 2005 and the transition to rookie quarterback Vince Young in '06 caused Bennett's numbers to drop over the past two seasons, but he's still more prolific than you might think. Last year he averaged 16.0 yards per catch, more than (among others) Chad Johnson, Terrell Owens, Steve Smith, Torry Holt, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Lee Evans and Javon Walker.

When Bennett's agent, Gary Uberstine of Premier Sports Management, talks contract numbers with the various GMs who come courting later this week, here is one comparison he might want to throw out: Over the past five years Seahawks wideout Deion Branch -- whose former teammate, Tom Brady, told me was as good as any receiver in football during his holdout last summer -- had 266 receptions for 3,469 yards (13.0 average) and 18 touchdowns.

Over that same span Bennett has 249 receptions for 3,704 yards (14.9 average) and 24 TDs.

Last September Seattle traded a first-round pick in this year's draft to acquire Branch and gave him a four-year, $27.5-million contract with $13 million in signing and option bonuses."

 

[Biabreakable]

I am suprised at this one. I did not think the Lambs had WR as a very high priority and expected Bennett to look for a clearer path to starting than this.

Interesting and unexpected.

So we should expect more 3WR sets from the Lambs in 2007 than they used in 2006? That would mean less targets to Steven Jackson I think and a more diversified attack. I also thought they would be using more 2TE sets based off of the coaches history and the drafting of 2TEs last year. This signing seems to indicate that it will not be a major formation for them now.

The big winner here is Bulger.

I am still concerned about the Lambs Oline with Pace getting older now. Thier unit is still decent but I think they need to develop another tackle.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Huge bump up for Drew Bennett in FF circles.

No so sure, he went from a #1wr to a #3wr.

 

[JohnnyU]

Huge bump up for Drew Bennett in FF circles.

No so sure, he went from a #1wr to a #3wr.

Bulger and Ram offense > VY and Ten offense in fantasy circles

 

[Ron_Mexico]

Huge bump up for Drew Bennett in FF circles.

No so sure, he went from a #1wr to a #3wr.

I don't think they paid him 4.5 perto be a #3 WR.Bruce will take over the #3 slot, imo.

 

[Bob_Magaw]

it may not be so cut & dry as he IS WR3 or he isn't...

maybe he is this year, & WR2 in future...

bruce is still playing at high level, but is or will be 35 soon... so while WR may not seem like a pressing need, it was a t least a medium-sized one...

as to two TE set, byrd was a bit of a disappointment in 06, & he may be in legal trouble... he was involved in bar fight (not sure if it was self defense?) last season in which he stabbed somebody in face with broken bottle... doesn't sound like the kind of character the team can depend on in the future...

* i agree with aaron that biggest beneficiary could be bulger...

another element here is that STL has had serious red zone issues since faulk began to go downhill... bruce, curtis & mcdonald are smurf-like... bennett is a 6'5" ex-QB with the athleticism to be a dangerous red zone weapon...

 

[Bonzai]

no much news here.

basically takes over curtis' spot.

 

[Floyd The Barber]

As a Rams homer, the Rams have needed a big angular red zone threat at receiver for almost as long as they've been in St. Louis, so that's great. What's not so great is the money.

Unless it is severely backloaded with funny money, $4.5 million a year for a #3 slot receiver is WAY too high. Hell, they could have resigned London Fletcher (MLB being a true need) for that kind of dough.

Big winner: Bulger.

Holding steady: S-Jax.

Big Losers: Ike, Klop & Byrd.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Huge bump up for Drew Bennett in FF circles.

No so sure, he went from a #1wr to a #3wr.

Bulger and Ram offense > VY and Ten offense in fantasy circles

I dont like Bennetts opportunity as much in STL as I did if he went somewhere else. Not so sure his value increased as much as you guys think

 

[moleculo]

Huge bump up for Drew Bennett in FF circles.

No so sure, he went from a #1wr to a #3wr.

Bulger and Ram offense > VY and Ten offense in fantasy circles

I dont like Bennetts opportunity as much in STL as I did if he went somewhere else. Not so sure his value increased as much as you guys think

He really didn't prduce much last year. A change of scenery has to do him some good, especiually with Holt opposite him. I expect Bennett to be the #2 WR, and let Bruce play #3. so, from that perspective, I'd say it's an improvement. Not the best place he could go, but not the worst.

 

[BringItOn]

What kind of contract does Bruce have? Perhaps this is a sign that they intend on cutting him, or he plans on retiring??

 

[prymetyme25]

Isn't Holt coming off of knee surgery?

 

[houdini]

What kind of contract does Bruce have? Perhaps this is a sign that they intend on cutting him, or he plans on retiring??

According to this, he got $6m of a total $15m/3yr contract in '06. NFLPA reports his salaries are $5m in '06, $2½m in '07, and $3m in '08. That leaves a $1m signing bonus as indicated above and another $3½m in roster or workout bonuses that isn't accounted for. If that's a $3½m '08 roster bonus, then he'll probably have to negociate a new contract again next offseason.

 

[Colin Dowling]

Too much money for that guy, IMO, even as a WR2.

 

[JohnnyU]

Isn't Holt coming off of knee surgery?

The good surgery.Torry Holt has been recovering from knee surgery for the last two weeks.

Holt has been rehabbing in St. Louis. "He's going to be a lot better off," coach Scott Linehan said. "He's not going to have the pain he was getting the last two years. He was starting to feel it at the end of the season." Holt expects to be at full speed well before minicamps, so this shouldn't be a major concern. Source: St Louis Post-Dispatch

 

[prymetyme25]

Isn't Holt coming off of knee surgery?

The good surgery.Torry Holt has been recovering from knee surgery for the last two weeks.

Holt has been rehabbing in St. Louis. "He's going to be a lot better off," coach Scott Linehan said. "He's not going to have the pain he was getting the last two years. He was starting to feel it at the end of the season." Holt expects to be at full speed well before minicamps, so this shouldn't be a major concern. Source: St Louis Post-Dispatch

Thanks

 

[acefootball]

Too much money for that guy, IMO, even as a WR2.

I think that will be said alot, just like every other year during free agency.

 

[Family Matters]

Huge bump up for Drew Bennett in FF circles.

No so sure, he went from a #1wr to a #3wr.

Bulger and Ram offense > VY and Ten offense in fantasy circles

I dont like Bennetts opportunity as much in STL as I did if he went somewhere else. Not so sure his value increased as much as you guys think

While I would prefer he be the number 1, it looks good from a number of fronts. First off, he will be a solid WR2/3 that benefits from Holt's double coverage. He should have a few WR1 games in STL. He's in a position to take over for Bruce which I would think will be soon. He's a great redzone target and should see significant redzone targets playing opposite Holt. Lastly, I like this because now he'll face a team's DB2/3 rather than their DB1 and no longer faced with double cover. With the number of passes they tend to throw in STL he could easily be an evey week starter in leagues you can start 3-4 WR's.

 

[JohnnyU]

Huge bump up for Drew Bennett in FF circles.

No so sure, he went from a #1wr to a #3wr.

Bulger and Ram offense > VY and Ten offense in fantasy circles

I dont like Bennetts opportunity as much in STL as I did if he went somewhere else. Not so sure his value increased as much as you guys think

While I would prefer he be the number 1, it looks good from a number of fronts. First off, he will be a solid WR2/3 that benefits from Holt's double coverage. He should have a few WR1 games in STL. He's in a position to take over for Bruce which I would think will be soon. He's a great redzone target and should see significant redzone targets playing opposite Holt. Lastly, I like this because now he'll face a team's DB2/3 rather than their DB1 and no longer faced with double cover. With the number of passes they tend to throw in STL he could easily be an evey week starter in leagues you can start 3-4 WR's.

Very

 

[Colin Dowling]

So I'm clear, I don't dislike Bennett as a player. He has deceptive speed, a great football head, and is a fantastic locker room presence. His hands are questionable at times and despite solid route running, he has hell beating the jam off the line.

He's a good signing for St. Louis, particularly as Bruce ages. I just think it was more money then he is worth.

 

[massraider]

After his 5 game duet with Volek a few years ago, I just took bennett off my board. I knew he'd always be drafted earlier than I would take him, so I just ignored him.

Now on the Rams? He'll be drafted much earlier than I would take him.

 

[JohnnyU]

Isaac Bruce-WR- Rams Mar. 3 - 7:10 pm et

Isaac Bruce is not expected to lose his starting job following the Rams' signing of Drew Bennett to a six-year, $30 million contract.

Bruce and Torry Holt will remain outside while Bennett plays mostly from the slot. Rev. Ike will remain a Ram in 2007, but could be in danger of being released when his base salary escalates to $5 million in 2008.

Source: stlouisrams.com

 

[TecmoBeast]

i think this signing is to improve the red-zone scoring... Bruce has only totaled 6 TDs in the last 2 seasons

 

[Colin Dowling]

i think this signing is to improve the red-zone scoring... Bruce has only totaled 6 TDs in the last 2 seasons

Which is one fewer then Bennett in the same time period while Bennett was serving as a #1 WR. Just saying...

 

[rabidfireweasel]

i think this signing is to improve the red-zone scoring... Bruce has only totaled 6 TDs in the last 2 seasons

Which is one fewer then Bennett in the same time period while Bennett was serving as a #1 WR. Just saying...

I think he can can help red zone scoring- with his blocking. Bennett will not see the ball a ton in the red zone- none of the wr's will, except maybe Holt. The are a running team that will distribute the ball fairly evenly to the wr's/Te's with Jackson getting most of the touches.

 

[Benchwarmers]

I think Bennett will out produce Bruce this year sharing time with him and in 08 become the WR2 by himself. Bennett will have some big games but wont be consistent to start every week. I think Holt loses a little off his numbers from last year and Bulger spreads the ball around more.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Let's take a look at the Rams' WR corps, shall we?

There are 3 WRs on the roster right now signed for 2007.

Torry Holt - WR1 - Age 30, turns 31 in June.

Contract status (Base salary):

2007 - $4.15M

2008 - $5.65M

2009 - $6.65M

So he'll be 34 after 2009 and that could be the end.

Torry Holt - WR2 (before today) - Age 34, turns 35 in November.

Contract status (Base salary):

2007 - $2.5M

2008 - $3.0M

So he'll be 35 in season, with one more year on his deal. That sounds like the end to me.

Who's the third? Surprise - Dane Looker - WR3 (before today) - Age 30, turns 31 in April.

Contract status (Base salary):

2007 - $595K

2008 - $670K

Barring additions, he's a nice sleeper even with Drew Bennett in the mix.

Now, Bennett. He's the only guy under 30 on the roster at WR (he's 28, will turn 29 in August) I can (easily) see him lining up opposite of Holt as the starter, with Bruce in on third downs and being the possession receiver. Looker as the WR4 is also viable. Bennett will be the clear #2 until Bruce is either released next year or retires the year after, then he challenges for the #1 spot. Either way, he'll be productive.

Nice move for the Rams. Marc Bulger has to love this.

 

[Birdie048]

I like the signing. It offers StL a young, TALL Red Zone target when the running game can't punch it in. Bennett is a very good down field blocker (but then so are Bruce & Holt).

I think the signing is more a concern with the injury concern they have with I Bruce. He is a valued component of the team, but they needed a better option when he is out. Bennett gives that to them.

I agree he won't see alot of WR#1 numbers, but he will provide good #2 value when he gets more time in the offense!

 

[redman]

Too much money for that guy, IMO, even as a WR2.

I think that will be said alot, just like every other year during free agency.

Last year's signings by the Redskins of Randle El (7 years, $30M) and Brandon Lloyd (7 years, $28M) were ridiculed but when put next to this deal and that of Welker (7 years $38.5M) they seem a lot better. As the cap goes up, the numbers and the scales change.

 

[Biabreakable]

I hope Holt will be scored as the WR1 and WR2 in 2007 based off Jeff's post.

 

[chook]

Too much money for that guy, IMO, even as a WR2.

I think that will be said alot, just like every other year during free agency.

Last year's signings by the Redskins of Randle El (7 years, $30M) and Brandon Lloyd (7 years, $28M) were ridiculed but when put next to this deal and that of Welker (7 years $38.5M) they seem a lot better. As the cap goes up, the numbers and the scales change.

Exactly.As for Bennett's move, it might be just the tonic Bulger needed after seeing the Niners' new secondary that he'll have to face twice next year!

 

[msommer]

I hope Holt will be scored as the WR1 and WR2 in 2007 based off Jeff's post.

Yeah, but how does he know how many candles to put on the birthday cake?

 

[TDavi118]

Huge bump up for Drew Bennett in FF circles.

No so sure, he went from a #1wr to a #3wr.

Bulger and Ram offense > VY and Ten offense in fantasy circles

Thanks,... sounds good to me.