NFL Free Agency Rumors: Tampa Bay Buccaneers interested in Earl Bennett
By Josh Hill
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers seem to always know how to win in the offseason but can’t translate that to the regular season. For two consecutive offseasons, the team has put together a nice class of free agent signings, and they don’t seem to be slowing down yet.
After signing guys like Alterraun Verner, Anthony Collins, Michael Johnson and Josh McCown, the Buccaneers have their eyes set on as many as three free agent targets.
One of those targets is recently released Chicago Bears receiver Earl Bennett, who is the latest in a long line of former Lovie Smith-era Bears players rumored to be interested in a reunion in Tampa Bay.
"he Bucs then met Tuesday with former University of Florida wide receiver Louis Murphy, and there is a chance they will take a look at former Chicago Bears wideout Earl Bennett.A 2008 third-round pick by the Bears — who were being coached by Smith at the time — Bennett was let go by Chicago on Monday and could be a slot option for Tampa Bay."
Adding Bennett would make sense for the Buccaneers but he wouldn’t be a splashy signing guaranteed a prominent spot on the roster. The Bucs looking at Sammy Watkins at No. 7 overall and with Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams holding roster spots, adding Watkins would bump Bennett down.
Still, he’s a former Lovie Smith player and the Buccaneers can never go wrong with receiver depth as they try to figure out who will be throwing the ball in 2014.