Seahawks' Michael Bennett Hates Quarterbacks, But Respects Tom Brady
BOSTON (CBS) -- Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett thinks NFL quarterbacks are overpaid, over-covered, and over-protected. But he does respect Tom Brady, for one simple reason.
Bennett joined Brock & Salk on ESPN Radio Tuesday afternoon and went on an epic rant about why he dislikes quarterbacks in today's NFL.
Bennett said he hates playing against Aaron Rodgers because of his trash talk, but added why he respects TB12: "When Tom Brady gets hit he gets up like 'Good job, good hit' and gets back in the huddle and holds his own like a man." So by that logic he must really like Andrew Luck, aka the friendliest quarterback of all time.
One of Bennett's main gripes is how much money middling quarterbacks can make over elite players at other positions in the league.
"Quarterback is the only position in the NFL where you be mediocre and get paid. At every other position, you can't be mediocre," he said. "If I was like Ryan Tannehill, and the most games I ever won was seven, how could you get $100 million for that? I guess that's the value of the position."
He answered his own question right there. Quarterback is easily the most important and valuable position on the field, and arguably the only position that could mean the difference between a team being good and bad. Put an elite quarterback on any basement-dwelling team and they become instant contenders. So QBs get paid the most money, even the mediocre ones.
Who's more key to the Dolphins making a Super Bowl run, Tannehill or Ndamukong Suh? You may be quick to say Suh, but without at least a serviceable QB Suh could have 30 sacks and still not get the Dolphins to the Big Game.
It may not be fair. Tannehill may be grossly overpaid. But it's just how business works in the NFL.
"Nice hit Mikey! Too late though, ball's out." (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Bennett complained about the league's emphasis on protecting quarterbacks, and how unlike Brady QBs complain to the referees about getting hit. He specifically called out Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford after he complained about a low hit by Terrell Suggs in a preseason game.
"Quarterbacks get protected more than any other player in the NFL. I mean [Bradford] gets hit in his knees and he's about to cry? 'He hit me in my legs!'," he said, mimicking Bradford in a crybaby voice. "I mean, everybody gets hit in their legs. Every play somebody tries to hit me in my legs. So what makes him different, what makes his life better than mine?"
He also shot a pretty awesome, multi-layered zinger at Robert Griffin III: "The best way to not get hit is to complete a pass."
Sounds to me like Bennett should play a few games at quarterback and then see how he feels about it. QBs have giant physical specimens running after them and trying to maul them on every single snap. And you can watch just a single series and see that defensive linemen do not get hit in the legs on every play like Bennett claims.
The problem with Bennett's thought process is quarterbacks are lone soldiers left on an island in the pocket, while defenses work as units with everyone on the line trying to get to them. Quarterbacks get paid the most money for the sheer scarcity at the position, that pesky "value" he brought up himself. If every team had only one pass rusher, then maybe the mediocre ones would be highly paid at that position too.
Bennett may have a legitimate gripe about quarterbacks who complain about getting hit and call for flags. QBs should understand that hits are part of the game too and sometimes a guy might go low even if it's not his intent to go for the knees.
But he lost me at the trash talk part. He can't handle a QB yapping at him in-between plays, when he plays on the same defense as arguably the biggest loudmouth in the entire league?
Also, let's not forget that Sherman once said Brady talks more trash than people think, and Bennett got fined for his involvement in the brawl that marred the end of Super Bowl XLIX. Doesn't exactly paint a picture of a man who handles defeat well.
(Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
Bennett may have a few good points about why he dislikes quarterbacks. But the money, the protection, the trash talk? That's not going away - he's going to have to live with that.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for CBSBostonSports.com. Read more from Matt here and follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff.
