Michael Bennett speaks his mind. The Seattle Seahawks are fully aware of that fact. Knowing that, it did not prevent the team from signing him to a lucrative extension following Seattle’s Super Bowl victory in 2014. With rumors of Bennett asking for a trade out of Seattle, and preferably to the Atlanta Falcons, now comes the news that Bennett is not backing down from comments he made regarding what he believed was a “soft, overrated” tight end. The problem is, that player is none other than Jimmy Graham, who is now teammates with Bennett in Seattle after being acquired from the New Orleans Saints in March. Will that force the Seahawks to trade Bennett to the Falcons or another team prior to the 2015 NFL Draft?
It is highly unlikely.
“Nobody likes Jimmy Graham. I think he’s one of the softest players in the NFL,” Bennett said following a Seahawks’ playoff victory over the Saints on their way to a Super Bowl championship. “I think he’s overrated and I really don’t like him as a person or as a player… When he’s not in the game he’s not in the game. He doesn’t help on the blocking plays. I think he’s just overrated.”
So, now that Graham is a teammate of Bennett’s, is he changing his tune?
“I still feel the same way,” Bennett said. “Just because he’s on my team I don’t stop feeling that way.”
Ouch.
Bennett would go on to say that he would put the past behind him and try to “be a better teammate” because the two are on the same team, but don’t expect him to start sending Graham Christmas cards or inviting him over for cook-outs any time soon.
Ultimately, this will likely have nothing to do regarding any possible trade. If the Seahawks deal Bennett to the Falcons or to another team, it is either at his request or because Seattle feels it is in the team’s best interest.
After all, Seattle linebacker Bruce Irvin said he wanted to “fade’ – basically, another term for fight – Graham following the same incident. I certainly wouldn’t expect the Seahawks to explore a trade involving Irvin.
Whether or not the three can all get along remains to be seen. But, one thing is certain.
Winning helps heal all wounds.
“With rumors of Bennett asking for a trade out of Seattle, and preferably to the Atlanta Falcons, now comes the news that Bennett is not backing down from comments he made regarding what he believed was a “soft, overrated” tight end.”
C’mon man! in the same interview that Bennett said he still feels the same way about Graham, he also said that he never asked for a trade!
Holy moly…sensationalist cherry picking much?
Trade him might get a first round draft pick.(vic Beasley,Bud Dupree,Preston Smith)