Michael Bennett (Footballspieler, 1985)

Michael Bennett, Jr. (born November 13, 1985) is an American football defensive end and defensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Texas A&M.

Bennett has also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is the brother of Chicago Bears tight end Martellus Bennett.

Early years

Bennett earned first-team All-District honors as a defensive lineman as a senior at Alief Taylor High School in Houston, Texas, after compiling 110 tackles and four quarterback sacks. He earned honorable mention All-District honors as a junior.

College career

In 2008, Bennett played in 11 games and made 42 tackles with 12.5 for losses and 2.5 sacks. In 2007, he was selected to the honorable mention All-Big 12 team at defensive end after registered 43 tackles including six tackles for a loss of yardage. In 2006 he the team's top tackler among defenders that did not start a game—he posted 27 tackles, including two sacks and 6 tackles for loss, while seeing action in every game. He also forced a pair of fumbles and batted down a pass. In 2005, as a freshman, he made 27 tackles, including 3.5 quarterback sacks, while seeing action in all 11 games (4 starts).

Professional career

Pre-draft

At the NFL combine Bennett measured 6-3½ and 274 pounds and did 24 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press, had a 31" vertical jump and a 9'2" broad jump. He ran a 5.00 forty-yard dash with a 10-yard split of 1.62 and a 20-yard split of 2.84.

Seattle Seahawks

Bennett was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Seattle Seahawks on April 27, 2009. An NFL Draft analyst noted that Bennett was not drafted probably due to his inconsistent performance in college. The team initially believed he could serve at left defensive end. After working with coaches during training camp, he was moved to the inside as a pass-rushing tackle. During the preseason, he compiled nine tackles, two sacks, five QB hurries, a tipped pass and a fumble recovery. He made the final roster by the end of the preseason.

Bennett was waived by the Seahawks on October 10, 2009 in order to make room for offensive tackle Kyle Williams, who was signed off of the practice squad.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bennett in 2012 with Tampa Bay

Bennett was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 12, 2009. Tampa Bay switched him back to defensive tackle, and he became a key part of the defense filling in for the injured Gerald McCoy.

Bennett's best season as a Buccaneer came in 2012 when he recorded career-highs in tackles (41), sacks (9) and forced fumbles (3).

Second stint with Seahawks

Bennett was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Seattle Seahawks on March 14, 2013. He signed a 1-year contract reportedly worth $4.8 million, with $1.5 million guaranteed. On March 24, 2013, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Bennett has a torn rotator cuff. On December 3, 2013, Bennett scored his first NFL touchdown against the New Orleans Saints after recovering a fumble from the Saints quarterback Drew Brees.

Defensive Stats

Year	Team	Games	Combine Tackles	Tackles	Assisted Tackles	Sacks	Forced Fumbles	Fumble Recoveries	Fumble Return Yards	Interceptions	Interception Return Yards	Average Interception Return	Longest Interception Return	Interceptions Returned for Touchdown	Pass Defended	Stuffs	Stuff Yards	Kicks Blocked
2009	TB	7	3	2	1	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2010	TB	13	15	13	2	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	5	0
2011	TB	14	39	35	4	4.0	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	9	27	0
2012	TB	16	41	34	7	9.0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	10	25	0
2013	SEA	16	31	18	13	8.5	1	1	22	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	8	0
Total	Total	66	129	102	27	23.5	5	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	26	65	0

External links

• Seattle Seahawks bio
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers bio
• Texas A&M Aggies bio
• Seattle Seahawks star Michael Bennett abandoned his puppy at Tampa boarding facility