Bennett Needs To 'Pick It Up'
Published: Dec 11, 2007
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TAMPA - If Bucs coach Jon Gruden wanted to push running back Michael Bennett's button during his Monday news conference, it worked.
Asked about uncharacteristic drops by running back Earnest Graham in Tampa Bay's 28-14 loss to Houston, Gruden took the opportunity to air his dissatisfaction with Bennett.
"Could be fatigue has set in [with Graham]. I know I'm guilty of overworking him but he gives us the best chance to win right now," Gruden said. "I'm expecting a lot more from Michael Bennett - we need him to pick it up."
Bennett had to pick his words wisely when informed of Gruden's mandate.
"My thing is I practice full speed. I am a team guy. I'm not going to sit up here and be mad or upset," Bennett said. "We still have a long way to go. My thing is to continue learning, and when it's time for me to step up, I will. But if I don't get in the game, then how can I show you what I got?"
Bennett has been frustrated about his lack of playing time since Tampa Bay acquired him in a trade from Kansas City on Oct. 16 after injuries to running backs Cadillac Williams and Michael Pittman. In six games with Tampa Bay, Bennett has rushed 11 times for 69 yards and one touchdown.
The past four games, Bennett was declared inactive against Atlanta, did not play against Washington, rushed one time for 12 yards against New Orleans and did not play against Houston.
The lack of playing time has confused Bennett, who said coaches frequently compliment him during practice as he splits reps with Graham.
"You can practice hard and do everything right in practice, but when it comes to game time, you're on the back burner; getting in maybe one play a game or two plays a game," Bennett said. "For some people, that's good. But my thing is I work my butt off during the week to be rewarded on Sunday.
"Again, it's not a big money issue with me. I just want to play. I'm part of a winning team. I want to feel like I'm contributing somehow. … I just think I can be out there doing something. Whether it be running down on kickoffs, or whether it be anything. I just want to be out there on the field."
Bennett said he knows most of Gruden's playbook and could play if called upon but re-emphasized it will be hard for him to step up if he does not step onto the field.
"I can't sit up here and say what's right and what's wrong. He's the head coach and obviously I haven't gained his trust enough to get out on the field, so that is kind of the way I'm looking at it," Bennett said. "My thing is, I will keep going at it. I've been here a month-and-a-half. I'm comfortable with a lot of things. I'm not going to grasp it in three or four months. Like Earnest said, he came here two or three times during each offseason every year to get everything down and it really helped him.
"So, again, if I'm here next year and the following year, then I will have a chance to do that. If not, you know."
Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can
be reached at (813) 259-8425
