Earl Bennett caught everything in 2010

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on May 30, 2011 1:00 PM CDT in Notes

In my opinion there isn't much debate over who the Bears best wide receiver is. The wide out with the best hands, the best route running, and the best blocker in the run game is Earl Bennett. But can he be the Bears #1 receiver? Can he be the go to guy when the game is tight and a play needs to be made? Can he be an explosive play maker?

Pro Football Focus had Bennett graded out as the 17th best WR in the NFL last year, something I touched on in my roster turnover series. Now Pro Football Focus looked even deeper into the stats at the receiver position as they focused on Drop Percentage. Earl Bennett didn't drop a single ball in 2010. He was second behind Jordan Shipley of the Bengals only because he caught 2 more balls than Bennett. Bennett caught all 50 balls thrown his way, PFF had this to say:

It's not shocking to see that up near the top, we have a couple of guys who do most of their damage in catching shorter, underneath routes. Still, you have to give credit to Jordan Shipley and Earl Bennett for holding onto everything thrown their way. That's the kind of dependency that should make life a lot easier for a potential rookie starter at quarterback in Cincinnati, and you would think it might make Jay Cutler seem a little less erratic.

The Bottom line is, as a receiver you have to catch the ball. Both Shipley and Bennett were utilized out of the slot, so maybe if given more opportunity to succeed they'll each flourish.

I also found interesting some of the worst receivers from 2008-2010 in drop percentage. Braylon Edwards was the worst (45th) with a 14.72 drop percentage, Terrell Owens was at 43 with a 12.5%.

I think Bennett is big and physical enough to be the Bears top wide out in 2011, and I think he has the trust of the coaches and his teammates.

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Bennett has always been a bit overlooked

Especially by fans here, just look at last off-season when we ranked how each WR would do, Bennett didn’t do so well in the rankings. Glad to see he’s getting some respect.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on May 30, 2011 1:32 PM CDT reply actions

CAn this finally end the endless pining for Braylon Edwards?

He sucks. He’s always sucked. He will continue to suck. He is not better than the WRs on this team. And he would command a price far higher than anything the Bears have paid WRs in an incredibly long time.

by Doshi on May 30, 2011 2:34 PM CDT reply actions

He only dropped 4 passes all last season

From the link

Just outside the top ten is a name that will surprise a few, Braylon Edwards. The New York Jet developed a reputation for drops after a 2008 that saw his star fall in Cleveland. He didn’t help himself with the odd terrible (but highly publicized) drop in 2009 and even now the label of a guy with bad hands sticks (every drop of his receives more press time than other top guys). Remarkable then that he only dropped four balls all year, a better rate than either of the other Jets to make this list. The ever excellent Santonio Holmes dropped eight balls and finished in 42nd, while the normally reliable Jerricho Cotchery put 10 on the ground for the third worst number in the league. Edwards’ name will come up later, making his improvement in New York all the more stark.

I think Edwards gets too much unfair criticism just based off his past drop problems.

by Dominique Blanton on May 30, 2011 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions

One year =/= trend

He has been the same droppapotomus every single year of his career, including college, except for this past one. I’m not convinced in any way, shape, or form.

by Doshi on May 31, 2011 8:35 AM CDT up reply actions

Solid as a rock

Earl Bennett really needs to get some more play time.

by DaHamsta on May 30, 2011 2:42 PM CDT reply actions

I honestly want to see more vertical plays call for Bennett this season.

Sure he’s not the fastest receiver on the team but he does a great job getting separation to where top end speed is insignificant.

by Dominique Blanton on May 30, 2011 2:56 PM CDT reply actions

Congrats Bennett, and a word about Edwards

Braylon went all the way up to tied for 12th in drop percentage after a truly abysmal 2008. He still has a huge reputation for dropping the ball, despite putting together a great season last year. And he has a terrible quarterback throwing to him. This is a great recipe to pick a high-talent, not over-the-hill, big target on the cheap. And you have to think he would rather have balls thrown to him by Jay.

by Sound_Automatic on May 30, 2011 3:48 PM CDT reply actions

It certainly could benifit our WR corps

But now that we see a WR like Earl Bennett catch every pass that is within reach, combined with the fact Martz has only had 1 WR that is a “Big target” play in his rather successful system (Calvin Johnson) we may not need a big WR as much as we including myself indicated. Plus, its not like Earl Bennett is a midget or anything (6-0 205 is pretty good size imo).

The other issue with Braylon Edwards is that he still gets into legal trouble off the field, having at least 1 DUI in his stay in New York. Having a guy of his skill sets would be nice insurance, but perhaps not necessary, nor not nearly as necessary as continuing to improve our O-Line.

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on May 30, 2011 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions

The Bears still need another target to take the pressure off Bennett and Knox.

A guy like Braylon Edwards will open up things for Knox and Bennett in the intermediate and vertical game while also being able to get open himself for plays.

by Dominique Blanton on May 30, 2011 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions

The ultimate questions with Edwards are:

1) Will he continue to work on his hands ?

and

2) Will he stay out of trouble in Chicago?

He needs to do both to sell himself as a legit player/target for the Bears

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on May 30, 2011 7:44 PM CDT up reply actions

#2 is the one I worry about

by Dominique Blanton on May 31, 2011 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions

I've been a Bennett booster ever since the Bears drafted him.

Not the fastest receiver on the team, but does everything you want a wide receiver to do well and holds onto everything he gets his hands on. How fast a guy moves in space means nothing if he doesn’t catch the ball. Earl is just another example of a player who can be relied on but doesn’t get the love of the media and fans because he wasn’t a high profile first rounder. As I’ve often stated, the guy didn’t get to be the all time receiver in the SEC (in just 3 years) with smoke and mirrors. Maybe if he were more flamboyant he’d be better appreciated.

by BigGeorgeTX on May 30, 2011 4:15 PM CDT reply actions

He really plays faster than his 40 time indicated

He probably just had a bad combine.

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on May 30, 2011 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Wow, if I thought Earl Bennett was good before

This completely changes my perception about him.

He was Jay Cutler’s #1 target his senior year, a senior year that helped Jay Cutler become a 1st round QB no less. If there was a more prolific tandem in that very 2005 season in the SEC, speak now because I truly can’t think of any other tandems that were as good as this.

Now; to see him proving that he is reliable 100% of the time when the ball is anywhere close to him that is catchable really makes me see why the coaching staff has so much faith in him. Oh, and he is faster than his time indicates, just needs to continue with his rehaps and strengthening of his past injury.

This post now has me believing if healthy, Earl Bennett can become our #1 WR next season.

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on May 30, 2011 4:16 PM CDT reply actions

Please, Please, Please,

Get a OG, CB, C in FA and forget the WR

Encouraging professional football in Israel

by BearDownIsrael on May 30, 2011 4:24 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

I agree, to an extent...

OG/CB for sure before a WR (unless like V Jax is a FA and willing to take a pay cut to be a Bears or something crazy like that)…

But after OG/CB, I’m pretty sure Bears will sign Olin back so I doubt they will be looking at C. LB might be a bigger need than WR as well as DT (either spot for depth).

I wouldn’t forget the WR, but I would put towards the bottom of the list of positions unless someone Edwards (or MSW/Holmes/etc…) is willing to sign for cheap, then I would def. take that chance. Like people said before, Edwards get somewhat a bad rap with his hands. Since he got to the Jets, he really worked hard with his hands and catching. Also a lot of the passes thrown to Edwards aren’t exactly easy ones and with Sanchez being the one throwing those passes… Edwards has done pretty well IMO. He’s certainly better than he was when he was with the Browns.

by bart s on May 30, 2011 5:46 PM CDT up reply actions

The only real issue that remains with Edwards are his legal problems

Even in New York he has got himself in some legal issues.

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on May 30, 2011 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Actually was referring to UDFAs

don’t think the Bears should spend anything on FAs. Use all the money to resign Manning, Adams, etc. and bring in as many camp bodies as possible

Encouraging professional football in Israel

by BearDownIsrael on May 31, 2011 8:07 AM CDT up reply actions

If we can grab a veteran interior lineman with even adequate skills for a reasonable amount of coin, I'd go with that.

by Doshi on May 31, 2011 8:42 AM CDT up reply actions

I would put WR as a priority before CB.

The Bears have 2 players that can start opposite of Tillman (Bowman and Jennings) and a young player they are high on (Joshua Moore). The Bears are really thin at WR as you can see last year when they start cutting Hester playing time as a receiver so he can primary focus on Kick and Punt return. They might ideally want Hester to be the #4 receiver or specialty wide out who get put in certain packages.

The Bears probably don’t even need a big name as guys like James Jones, Roy Williams, or Mike Sims-Walker could be enough to get this passing game to the next step.

by Dominique Blanton on May 31, 2011 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions

2 players?

You really think Bowman can start opposite of Tillman and not expect our secondary to be torched?!

Bowman had his chance and blew it, thats why Jennings got the nod as a starter because he just plain sucked in coverage.

As for Roy Williams, which one?!

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on May 31, 2011 6:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Wasn't Bowman benched because he missed a tackle?

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on May 31, 2011 7:06 PM CDT up reply actions

That

And also constantly getting beat in coverage by WRs that actually know what they are doing.

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on May 31, 2011 9:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Based on this alone

Earl should be starting next season. Best all-around WR the Bears have at the moment. He’s a vicious blocker, fantastic hands, and flawless route-running.

"Our ideas held no water but we used them like a dam" - Modest Mouse

by propheteer on May 30, 2011 8:43 PM CDT reply actions

His speed is also underated

He can develop into a great WR with his attributes

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on May 30, 2011 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Impressive

I’d never really expect someone with as many catches as Earl had last year to not have any drops.

Fitz only dropping 3 passes when he had 90 catches last year is amazing too, especially with what he had throwing to him.

Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Phoenix Suns/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].

by JoeCB1991 on May 30, 2011 11:37 PM CDT reply actions

Wa-da-ya-mean?

Can he Be? … He IS!

pbanachi

by pbanachi on May 30, 2011 11:52 PM CDT reply actions

Will this constant bashing of Cutler ever end

and you would think it might make Jay Cutler seem a little less erratic.

I hope he plays unbelievable this year, with over 35 TD and less than 10 ints, then maybe some of these idiots will stop, I doubt it though.

Why do all my socks smell like feet?

by touchdown bears on May 31, 2011 9:04 AM CDT reply actions

Makes sense, though. Bennett is reliable – as we all saw last year – and Knox was more of a high-risk, high-reward kind of target (can make a big play based on speed, but 12 passes targeted at him were intercepted).

Acreman20: 127 hours is pretty decent.
awfullyquiet: How long is that movie?
Acreman20: 93 minutes.

by Spongie on May 31, 2011 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions

A good number of those ints were probably the result of a bad route or miscommunication

Johnny Knox just needs to work on his physicality and route running to be a better WR.

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on May 31, 2011 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions

Yes, but that’s irrelevant. The fact of the matter is that Cutler’s erratic effectiveness in the passing game is at least partly attributable to the receivers, with some being more reliable than others. I don’t see how that’s Cutler-bashing.

Acreman20: 127 hours is pretty decent.
awfullyquiet: How long is that movie?
Acreman20: 93 minutes.

by Spongie on May 31, 2011 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions