Following Sunday’s 38-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris said that he would begin working rookies LaGarrette Blount and Arenelius Benn into the offense more regularly. The Buccaneers, of course, are in their Bye Week, meaning they have two full weeks to tweak things before taking the field next against the Cincinnati Bengals. Morris apparently means business with those two plans, as Benn got significant reps with the first team during Wednesday’s practice from his wide receiver position.
Receivers coach Eric Yarber liked what he saw from Benn during Sunday’s game with the Steelers (Benn caught his first three NFL passes), and believes the rookie out of Illinois is ready for the heightened responsibility:
“He knows his assignments, so he’s playing with a lot more confidence and he’s playing faster,” Yarber said. “You’re seeing the real (Benn) right now. He’s really dialed it up because of knowing his plays and studying and playing faster. . . I think if you put them out there too early you could lose them for a while, especially with their confidence.”