WR Drew Bennett feels like he’s up to the challenge of replacing an icon.
Bennett will serve as the Rams’ No. 2 receiver, filling the cleats of longtime Rams fixture Isaac Bruce, who was released in a salary cap move this past winter. Bruce subsequently signed with the San Francisco 49ers, joining 49ers offensive coordinator and former Rams coach Mike Martz.
“I’m happy to be more involved in the offense and be a starter again,’’ Bennett said. “That’s what I came here to do. Obviously, it’s very difficult to replace a guy like Isaac Bruce. Hopefully, I can just play my own game and do my own thing. With this offense and (QB Marc) Bulger throwing the football the way he is, it should be a good year.’’
Last season was definitely a bad year for both Bennett and the Rams.
After signing a six-year, $35 million contract to come to the Rams, the 6-foot-5 Bennett struggled with injuries early in the season and never developed into the kind productive No. 3 receiver and red-zone threat that the club had envisioned.
“There was no good feeling going to sleep at night when you’re 0-5 and beat up a little bit,’’ Bennett said. “You're not playing as much as you want to and the team is not doing well. It was a very compound problem.’’
Bennett started off on the wrong leg with the Rams as he missed the team’s season opener due to quadriceps injury. He caught only eight passes for 94 yards and one touchdown in the Rams’ next five games.
“The first six or seven weeks were frustrating as to how my body felt and how I wanted to go out there and run and I couldn’t,’’ Bennett said. ”I'm looking forward to this year with full leg strength.’’
Adding to the frustration was the realization that he’d overestimated his role as the No. 3 receiver in the Rams’ offense. He finished the season with only 33 catches for 375 yards and three touchdowns.
“I think I had a different expectation as to what I would do as a (No.) 3 (receiver) here,’’ Bennett said. “I was frustrated standing on the sideline as much as I did last year. There were guys ahead of me who definitely deserved to be playing ahead of me. They're two future Hall of Fame guys. That's the situation I was in. I’m happy about my role now and what they expect from me.’’
Bennett said he’s excited about the new offense being installed by offensive coordinator Al Saunders.
“I love the new offense,’’ Bennett said. “I think we’re going to be in good shape. It’s a complicated offense with complicated sets, complicated shifts. I think he’s really utilizing Bulger. Bulger is an extremely smart quarterback. He loves having multiple protections, multiple looks and a bunch of shifts. He loves being in control of that stuff.’’
Bennett said he realizes that he has a lot to prove to Rams fans after last season.
“I signed a six-year deal to come in here and do big things,’’ Bennett said. “That didn’t happen. I want to prove to people that I’m worth the energy and money the team spent to go out and get me. I want to make some good things happen. I want to get in the end zone and win some games. Everything takes care of itself when you’re winning.’’
As for Bruce, Bennett said he enjoyed his one seasons as teammates with veteran receiver.
“I had my locker next to him,’’ Bennett said. “I got along with him great and I learned a lot from him. I’ve played seven years and I still learned a lot from him. I appreciate the time I had with him. It’s nice to play with a future Hall of Famer like that. It’ll be interesting to see him on the other side of the field.’’
It’ll also be interesting to see how Bennett handles his increased role with the Rams.
Bennett will serve as the Rams’ No. 2 receiver, filling the cleats of longtime Rams fixture Isaac Bruce, who was released in a salary cap move this past winter. Bruce subsequently signed with the San Francisco 49ers, joining 49ers offensive coordinator and former Rams coach Mike Martz.
“I’m happy to be more involved in the offense and be a starter again,’’ Bennett said. “That’s what I came here to do. Obviously, it’s very difficult to replace a guy like Isaac Bruce. Hopefully, I can just play my own game and do my own thing. With this offense and (QB Marc) Bulger throwing the football the way he is, it should be a good year.’’
Last season was definitely a bad year for both Bennett and the Rams.
After signing a six-year, $35 million contract to come to the Rams, the 6-foot-5 Bennett struggled with injuries early in the season and never developed into the kind productive No. 3 receiver and red-zone threat that the club had envisioned.
“There was no good feeling going to sleep at night when you’re 0-5 and beat up a little bit,’’ Bennett said. “You're not playing as much as you want to and the team is not doing well. It was a very compound problem.’’
Bennett started off on the wrong leg with the Rams as he missed the team’s season opener due to quadriceps injury. He caught only eight passes for 94 yards and one touchdown in the Rams’ next five games.
“The first six or seven weeks were frustrating as to how my body felt and how I wanted to go out there and run and I couldn’t,’’ Bennett said. ”I'm looking forward to this year with full leg strength.’’
Adding to the frustration was the realization that he’d overestimated his role as the No. 3 receiver in the Rams’ offense. He finished the season with only 33 catches for 375 yards and three touchdowns.
“I think I had a different expectation as to what I would do as a (No.) 3 (receiver) here,’’ Bennett said. “I was frustrated standing on the sideline as much as I did last year. There were guys ahead of me who definitely deserved to be playing ahead of me. They're two future Hall of Fame guys. That's the situation I was in. I’m happy about my role now and what they expect from me.’’
Bennett said he’s excited about the new offense being installed by offensive coordinator Al Saunders.
“I love the new offense,’’ Bennett said. “I think we’re going to be in good shape. It’s a complicated offense with complicated sets, complicated shifts. I think he’s really utilizing Bulger. Bulger is an extremely smart quarterback. He loves having multiple protections, multiple looks and a bunch of shifts. He loves being in control of that stuff.’’
Bennett said he realizes that he has a lot to prove to Rams fans after last season.
“I signed a six-year deal to come in here and do big things,’’ Bennett said. “That didn’t happen. I want to prove to people that I’m worth the energy and money the team spent to go out and get me. I want to make some good things happen. I want to get in the end zone and win some games. Everything takes care of itself when you’re winning.’’
As for Bruce, Bennett said he enjoyed his one seasons as teammates with veteran receiver.
“I had my locker next to him,’’ Bennett said. “I got along with him great and I learned a lot from him. I’ve played seven years and I still learned a lot from him. I appreciate the time I had with him. It’s nice to play with a future Hall of Famer like that. It’ll be interesting to see him on the other side of the field.’’
It’ll also be interesting to see how Bennett handles his increased role with the Rams.