Cutler's Old Buddy - Earl Bennett - The Orange Mane

cmhargrove · 02-22-2008, 03:32 PM

This is stolen straight from Mason's Morsel's on denverbroncos.com - i'm jjust reposting.

12:31 P.M. EST: Vanderbilt’s Earl Bennett probably would have made it to the Scouting Combine no matter who tossed him passes as a true freshman in 2005.

But having an already mature quarterback who was on the NFL fast track under center helped him blossom quickly, to the point he was able to become the SEC’s all-time leader in receptions with 236 … in just three years.

“It helped me tremendously,” said Bennett, who turned pro with one year of eligibility remaining. “Sometimes I would get on the field and I wouldn’t even know the play …”

Eh … maybe you don’t want to admit that, Earl. But, anyway, continue.

“… and Jay Cutler would help me out and put me in the right position. He was a great leader. He helped me out on the field. It was great working with a guy of such great caliber — and character, as well.”

If Bennett follows Cutler’s road into the NFL, he’ll be in good shape after two years. He’s already started mimicking his former teammate’s pro path by hiring agent Bus Cook — Cutler’s representative the last two years.

“More Cutler connection,” Bennett said, smiling.

Also worth noting, even though I can’t logically fit it into the above narrative without stewing over phrases and transitions for an hour … the 5-foot-11, 208-pound Bennett cut off the dreadlocks he’d brandished in recent years.

1:03 P.M. EST: More Cutler-Bennett:

I think we can get a decent #2 in the draft. Maybe someone who already knows Jay. Might be worth a look in the fourth.

2KBack · 02-22-2008, 04:06 PM

wow, watching that video, Cutler's form has improved by leaps and bounds.

As for Bennett, you can do worse than a guy that already has a great relationship with your QB.

SpringStein · 02-22-2008, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmhargrove

I think we can get a decent #2 in the draft. Maybe someone who already knows Jay. Might be worth a look in the fourth.

Won't be there in the 4th. May not even last until the 3rd...

Of course I thought that about BMarsh.

Kaylore · 02-22-2008, 04:30 PM

I wouldn't mind Bennett at all.

worm · 02-22-2008, 04:34 PM

Watching Cutler never gets old.

silverwing · 02-22-2008, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpringStein

Won't be there in the 4th. May not even last until the 3rd...

Of course I thought that about BMarsh.

sure ya did........

Los Broncos · 02-22-2008, 07:21 PM

That little floater he threw on the second play
was awesome.

Merlin · 02-22-2008, 09:11 PM

Talk about chemistry and trust. They seemed like they knew each other quite well in those plays. If he can stretch the field and is there in the 4th, take him.

That One Guy · 02-22-2008, 10:35 PM

nfldraftcountdown has Bennett as a 4.55 40 guy... I read a profile somewhere that basically said he's pretty good but not great at anything. Sounds like he could be just another guy. I want someone who excels at SOMETHING that'll cause problems for opposing DBs...

cmhargrove · 02-23-2008, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cah412

nfldraftcountdown has Bennett as a 4.55 40 guy... I read a profile somewhere that basically said he's pretty good but not great at anything. Sounds like he could be just another guy. I want someone who excels at SOMETHING that'll cause problems for opposing DBs...

Just for kicks, what was Rod Smith's 40 time?

It takes more than track scores to be a receiver. I like seeing how people performed during their football career more than a day at the combine. Leading the SEC in receptions has to say something very consistent about this kid. Maybe he's not our guy, but he should be a solid, dependable receiver with good hands. Everyone can use guys like that.

cmhargrove · 02-23-2008, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cah412

nfldraftcountdown has Bennett as a 4.55 40 guy... I read a profile somewhere that basically said he's pretty good but not great at anything. Sounds like he could be just another guy. I want someone who excels at SOMETHING that'll cause problems for opposing DBs...

Another thought. Last year it was Yamon Figurs who broke the clock. He sure had a heck of a year, didn't he? (If you don't even know his name, it helps prove my point).

Atwater His Ass · 02-23-2008, 05:19 PM

But how fast you run in shorts and a t-shirt means EVERYTHING!!!

silverwing · 02-23-2008, 06:03 PM

Is this guy a deep threat? Because we need one. We don't need a possession receiver.

Dedhed · 02-23-2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cah412

nfldraftcountdown has Bennett as a 4.55 40 guy... I read a profile somewhere that basically said he's pretty good but not great at anything. Sounds like he could be just another guy. I want someone who excels at SOMETHING that'll cause problems for opposing DBs...

How about a guy that excels at producing on game day? Does that count.

That One Guy · 02-23-2008, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dedhed

How about a guy that excels at producing on game day? Does that count.

How many guys can you name that were competing with this guy for catches? Theory has it that if you throw the ball at the guy enough times, he'll get a lot of catches. I don't know whether it was superior talent or just a superior number of targets but the numbers always have a story behind the scenes.

I just looked it up, the next highest receiver had 32 catches after Bennetts 75... maybe there just was no alternative?

Again, this comes down to I'd rather take someone that has a little more upside. There's nothing wrong with this guy, as far as I know... but if there's better, I wont lose sleep over not drafting him.

Inkana7 · 02-23-2008, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmhargrove

Another thought. Last year it was Yamon Figurs who broke the clock. He sure had a heck of a year, didn't he? (If you don't even know his name, it helps prove my point).

He had 2 TD returns this season for the Ravens.

Kaylore · 02-23-2008, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cah412

How many guys can you name that were competing with this guy for catches? Theory has it that if you throw the ball at the guy enough times, he'll get a lot of catches. I don't know whether it was superior talent or just a superior number of targets but the numbers always have a story behind the scenes.

I just looked it up, the next highest receiver had 32 catches after Bennetts 75... maybe there just was no alternative?

Again, this comes down to I'd rather take someone that has a little more upside. There's nothing wrong with this guy, as far as I know... but if there's better, I wont lose sleep over not drafting him.

I think upside is overrated. It's nice but they should be a good football player first and upside should be just that: upside. It's a perk but ultimately shouldn't color the fact that the guy was successful playing on a crappy team in the SEC with an average QB last year.

That One Guy · 02-23-2008, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaylore

I think upside is overrated. It's nice but they should be a good football player first and upside should be just that: upside. It's a perk but ultimately shouldn't color the fact that the guy was successful playing on a crappy team in the SEC with an average QB last year.

He had one of the lower YPC on his team and was the only one who caught more than 2-3 catches per game. I haven't really watched him play much more than the highlight reel posted (which wasn't all that impressive, I thought) so without some real analysis, I just don't really get it.

Most catches... could be like DJ being one of the tops in the NFL in tackles. Both impressive stats but if you just look at numbers, you're gonna deceive yourself.

Inkana7 · 02-23-2008, 08:31 PM

You can stumble into a tackle. Ian Gold made a career of it. Catches are different, though.

He's a a football player. Mind you, Marshall ran something like a 4.59 at the combine..

Kaylore · 02-23-2008, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cah412

He had one of the lower YPC on his team and was the only one who caught more than 2-3 catches per game. I haven't really watched him play much more than the highlight reel posted (which wasn't all that impressive, I thought) so without some real analysis, I just don't really get it.

Most catches... could be like DJ being one of the tops in the NFL in tackles. Both impressive stats but if you just look at numbers, you're gonna deceive yourself.

Oh I'm not saying he's a first round pick, and we probably could use more of a burner, but the guy is a solid player that was productive with a below average qb in the best conference in college football. He's a good player.

That One Guy · 02-23-2008, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inkana7

You can stumble into a tackle. Ian Gold made a career of it. Catches are different, though.

He's a a football player. Mind you, Marshall ran something like a 4.59 at the combine..

Marshall makes his money on being untackleable. If he went down at first or second contact, he too would be just a guy. Marshall brings something to the table that makes him above average and ultimately very good. Take away his YAC, he's playing up to the 4th round standard...

Does Bennett bring something similar?

And I don't think it's any easier to stumble into a tackle than it is to make a catch. Both are accomplishments but if you never take the catch for anything spectacular or if you never make those tackles behind the LOS, you're still just a decent role player, I think.

That One Guy · 02-23-2008, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaylore

Oh I'm not saying he's a first round pick, and we probably could use more of a burner, but the guy is a solid player that was productive with a below average qb in the best conference in college football. He's a good player.

Oh, I know that. If he's the best player on the board at some point and they take him then so be it. I just kinda have a feeling that folks are either getting wrapped around an insignificant number or they're going the Cutler-Bennett route... either way, it seems that most are thinking he's going to be more than he's shown so far.

Dedhed · 02-23-2008, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cah412

How many guys can you name that were competing with this guy for catches? Theory has it that if you throw the ball at the guy enough times, he'll get a lot of catches. I don't know whether it was superior talent or just a superior number of targets but the numbers always have a story behind the scenes.

I just looked it up, the next highest receiver had 32 catches after Bennetts 75... maybe there just was no alternative?

Again, this comes down to I'd rather take someone that has a little more upside. There's nothing wrong with this guy, as far as I know... but if there's better, I wont lose sleep over not drafting him.

If there was no alternative, that would mean that Bennett faced the best CBs the SEC had to offer week in and week out, and probably had safety help on the majority of snaps. Makes his numbers even more impressive.

02-22-2008, 03:32 PM	#1
cmhargrove Is this thing on??? Travis Henry's love child... Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 6,405 Adopt-a-Bronco: Peyton Hillis	Cutler's Old Buddy - Earl Bennett This is stolen straight from Mason's Morsel's on denverbroncos.com - i'm jjust reposting. 12:31 P.M. EST: Vanderbilt’s Earl Bennett probably would have made it to the Scouting Combine no matter who tossed him passes as a true freshman in 2005. But having an already mature quarterback who was on the NFL fast track under center helped him blossom quickly, to the point he was able to become the SEC’s all-time leader in receptions with 236 … in just three years. “It helped me tremendously,” said Bennett, who turned pro with one year of eligibility remaining. “Sometimes I would get on the field and I wouldn’t even know the play …” Eh … maybe you don’t want to admit that, Earl. But, anyway, continue. “… and Jay Cutler would help me out and put me in the right position. He was a great leader. He helped me out on the field. It was great working with a guy of such great caliber — and character, as well.” If Bennett follows Cutler’s road into the NFL, he’ll be in good shape after two years. He’s already started mimicking his former teammate’s pro path by hiring agent Bus Cook — Cutler’s representative the last two years. “More Cutler connection,” Bennett said, smiling. Also worth noting, even though I can’t logically fit it into the above narrative without stewing over phrases and transitions for an hour … the 5-foot-11, 208-pound Bennett cut off the dreadlocks he’d brandished in recent years. 1:03 P.M. EST: More Cutler-Bennett: I think we can get a decent #2 in the draft. Maybe someone who already knows Jay. Might be worth a look in the fourth. Attached Images

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

02-22-2008, 04:06 PM	#2
2KBack Rumblin' Bumblin' Cake is delicious Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Wash DC Posts: 7,275	wow, watching that video, Cutler's form has improved by leaps and bounds. As for Bennett, you can do worse than a guy that already has a great relationship with your QB.

02-22-2008, 04:30 PM	#4
Kaylore 6-37, Raider fans. Yummy birds and snow! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ceti Alpha V Posts: 41,028 Adopt-a-Bronco: Wesley Duke	I wouldn't mind Bennett at all.

02-22-2008, 04:34 PM	#5
worm Great moments are born... ...from great opportunity Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,947 Adopt-a-Bronco: #20	Watching Cutler never gets old.

02-22-2008, 07:21 PM	#7
Los Broncos Ring of farmers Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Anaheim Hills, Santa Ana Mountains CA Posts: 18,766 Adopt-a-Bronco: Ryan Clady	That little floater he threw on the second play was awesome.

02-22-2008, 09:11 PM	#8
Merlin Ring of Famer Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,798	Talk about chemistry and trust. They seemed like they knew each other quite well in those plays. If he can stretch the field and is there in the 4th, take him.

02-22-2008, 10:35 PM	#9
That One Guy Producer of Nonsense Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sun and Beachville Posts: 14,042 Adopt-a-Bronco: None	nfldraftcountdown has Bennett as a 4.55 40 guy... I read a profile somewhere that basically said he's pretty good but not great at anything. Sounds like he could be just another guy. I want someone who excels at SOMETHING that'll cause problems for opposing DBs...

02-23-2008, 05:19 PM	#12
Atwater His Ass Ring of Famer Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 5,360 Adopt-a-Bronco: None	But how fast you run in shorts and a t-shirt means EVERYTHING!!!

02-23-2008, 06:03 PM	#13
silverwing Solid Starter No. Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 121 Adopt-a-Bronco: None	Is this guy a deep threat? Because we need one. We don't need a possession receiver.

02-23-2008, 08:31 PM	#19
Inkana7 Ring of Famer Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 8,231 Adopt-a-Bronco: Derek Wolfe	You can stumble into a tackle. Ian Gold made a career of it. Catches are different, though. He's a a football player. Mind you, Marshall ran something like a 4.59 at the combine..