The Pewter Plank
FanSided

Five Best Edge Pass Rushers the Buccaneers Face in 2016

By Alan Schechter

Jun 14, 2016; Tampa Bay, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter (left) and defensive end Noah Spence (57) talk as they work out during mini camp at One Buccaneer Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2016; Tampa Bay, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter (left) and defensive end Noah Spence (57) talk as they work out during mini camp at One Buccaneer Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 15, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett (72) walks back to the locker room following a minicamp practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 15, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett (72) walks back to the locker room following a minicamp practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Michael Bennett

Our number five selection is a familiar face as he started his career in Tampa.

Michael Bennett was an undrafted rookie in 2009, joining the Bucs out of Texas A & M.  He grew into a starting role in 2011, and posted nine sacks in 2012, his final year as a member of the Bucs.  He joined the Seahawks the next year and has been a force in an otherwise strong defense each season since his arrival.

His first season in Seattle yielded 8.5 sacks, predominantly in a backup, situational pass rushing role.  Bennett became a starter in 2014 and posted 17 sacks over the next two years, seven in 2014 and a career high of ten last year, earning him his first Pro Bowl selection.  Since leaving, he has faced the Bucs once and posted a sack.

We don’t need to go through the litany of weapons that the Seattle defense can throw at an offense.  In this category, Bennett is one that the Bucs had better be ready for, or Jameis might be running for his life.

Next: Number Four

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