Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

KB not surprised by the trade

NAS

By NAS,
in Carolina Panthers

Recommended Posts

NAS Grand Master

NAS

Posted
Posted

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/21316573/kelvin-benjamin-buffalo-bills-really-surprised-trade-carolina-panthers

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Speaking to reporters for the first time since being traded to the Buffalo Bills last week, wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin said Monday he was not surprised by the Carolina Panthers dealing him away after more than three seasons.

"To tell you the truth, I kind of really wasn't surprised," Benjamin said. "I could kind of feel that the offense was kind of going toward another direction.

"But this is a great opportunity for me. I'm excited -- brand-new city, brand-new team. When I got here, man, they had open arms. I'm loving it. I'm excited."

However, the fourth-year wideout did not know why the Panthers traded him, saying Monday, "Who knows?"

"It could have been multiple reasons," Benjamin said. "Money issues. Who knows? At the end of the day, I'm here, I'm happy, I'm excited. Right now, I'm just moving forward."

Asked if he was frustrated with the offense and needed a change of scenery, Benjamin responded, "Oh definitely. "I thought about it," he said. "At first, when [the trade] first hit me, I was like, 'Ah.' Because that's all you know. I got drafted there."

Benjamin said he only had "two or three conversations" with Panthers interim general manager Marty Hurney since he replaced fired GM Dave Gettleman in July. But Benjamin added that Hurney "was new with me, so it was nothing personal."

The Bills acquired Benjamin for third- and seventh-round selections in the 2018 draft in a trade that was completed shortly before last Tuesday's NFL trade deadline. Bills coach Sean McDermott did not make Benjamin active for Buffalo's 34-21 loss last Thursday to the New York Jets because of limited practice and meeting time.

"I wanted to [play]," Benjamin said Monday. "I remember telling Coach I can. But I didn't want to be thrown in that fire like that."

Benjamin missed practice time earlier this season because of his left knee, which was surgically repaired after he tore his ACL and missed the entire 2015 season. Benjamin said Monday his knee was "definitely" 100 percent healthy.

"Since I got in, they put me on the plan," he said of the Bills' medical staff. "We've been attacking it, keeping the quad healthy, keeping all the muscles around that knee healthy."Benjamin participated in his first full practice Monday and is expected to play in Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints. However, McDermott cautioned Monday about Benjamin being viewed as more than one part of the Bills' 26th-ranked offense.

"A team is never made up of just one guy," he said. "So let's get over that. Let's get past that. He will integrate into what we're doing and add to what we're doing. We've got good players already in this building, and we were able to add another good player with Kelvin.

"So I expect him to embed into what we're doing and work on being, A, a good teammate and B, learning the system."

The Bills are 5-3 this season and currently in position to receive an AFC wild-card playoff berth.

"They've been winning without me," Benjamin said. "I'm just coming in, adding an extra target for [quarterback] Tyrod [Taylor]."

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Nails Newbie

Nails

Posted
Posted

I really do wish him and the Bills the best in spirit and the future, but have to also pull for them to lose so our 3rd will be a mid-high 3rd instead of a low 3rd.  We’ve often seen the value of draft position and it’s importance.  Just sucks that their loss is New England’s gain.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Khyber53 Grand Master

Khyber53

Posted
Posted

Good luck to him. Seems like the team culture will be something he can be comfortable with (not much of a change) and I think he can offer them something on the field that is unique there but was repetitive here. Hopefully this works out well for both parties involved.

Hopefully we'll meet up with him again in Minneapolis!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Jay Roosevelt
      fug the HATERS

      By Jay Roosevelt · Posted

      No, you're right. It doesn't mean you can't call out his flaws and poor play. But it also doesn't mean you can't admit when he plays well and shows improvement. Not you personally, just in general I mean.
    • Jay Roosevelt
      fug the HATERS

      By Jay Roosevelt · Posted

      I will say, I do think there's a version of Bryce that could be really successful as a high-volume passer in a spread-based offense built around quick throws and timing-based intermediate throws with deeper throws schemed up around them. I actually think the power run based offense we're running is a poor fit for Bryce as it requires him to play under center far more often. It's a very traditional offensive approach whereas I think a scheme that spreads defenses out and lets Bryce distribute the ball quickly with anticipation and accuracy is the sweet spot for him. The key, of course, is to find a way to run the ball efficiently out of those formations. Our personnel right now (backs and OL) aren't good fits for that style of offense and I'm not sure it's a scheme Dave Canales favors very much either.
    • Martin
      fug the HATERS

      By Martin · Posted

      I root for him, and I hope for the best, as does essentially everyone. But that doesn’t mean you can’t call out flaws and bad plays. And that’s what a lot of people get wrong.  I hope I’m wrong and that he continues to improve a lot, I just doubt it. But I’ve been wrong before 
×
×
  • Create New...