Michael Bennett Warns Rest of NFL About Rival Lineman
By Erik Lambert
Michael Bennett has always been a hard man to impress. He doesn’t give away praise easily, so a player must be good when he receives it.
To think that Bennett gave it to a division rival has to sound sacrilege in some way. Everybody knows he’s had his fair share of comments about the San Francisco 49ers, especially during the peak hatred years from 2012 to 2013 when they and the Seattle Seahawks were battling for the right to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. My how things have changed.
It seems Bennett has been working this offseason alongside a rising 49ers star in DeForest Buckner. The former top 10 pick finished his rookie year strong and is ready to take his game to the next level. Not only does Bennett see that happening, he believes the kid will end up being the best in the NFL at some point in the near future.
"“I think DeForest, I’m lucky to be working with a guy like that,” Bennett told KHON-TV in Hawaii. “I think DeForest will eventually be a Defensive Player of the Year. I think he has the talent to be able to do that. I keep telling him there’s nobody like him. He’s not normal. His physique, his speed, it’s not normal so when you’re not normal you can do not normal things and winning the defensive MVP is not normal for most people.”"
DeForest Buckner about to receive new test
The tricky part for Buckner is the fact that his team is about to undergo a shift in defensive scheme. He was drafted to play in their 3-4 system this past season. With the arrival of John Lynch as GM and the new coaching staff, it appears they’re planning a move to 4-3. That’s not to say Buckner can’t play in the scheme. He can play in any scheme but that depends on the work he puts in during the transition.
Strangely enough it’s great that he’s working with Bennett. The Pro Bowl defensive end has made his name in 4-3 systems in Tampa Bay and Seattle. That would be a huge help to a young player. Whether Bennett is willing to help a rival team get better? That’s another issue for another day.