Seahawks Add Another Pass Rusher – Sign DE Michael Bennett

Apparently the Seahawks weren’t done adding to their pass rush. We thought they were. They thought otherwise.

Pete Carroll must not have believed that adding Cliff Avril was enough to help fix the team’s biggest weakness from a year ago. The Seahawks have signed DE Michael Bennett away from Tampa.

Adding Bennett gives Seattle a tremendous amount of versatility on the defensive line. He had 9 sacks a year ago, and can rush from both the inside and the outside of the line. Bennett is also the best run stopper of the 3 healthy DEs on the roster, making him a candidate to be the Leo on 1st and 2nd downs.

I expect that Bennett will slide inside to the 3-tech DT tackel spot on obvious passing downs. Essentially, Bennett will replace Jason Jones as the situation inside pass rusher, and might be more.

Personally, I think the Seahawks just like making these announcements at 5:00 pm local time. “Oh, you guys who cover the team and want to go home to your families, not so fast!” ahhh… good times…

Oct 25, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) throws over Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Michael Bennett (71) during the first quarter at the Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports