Bennett announces retirement

By DAVID GINSBURG, AP Sports Writer



BALTIMORE (AP)—Ravens wide receiver Drew Bennett announced his retirement Sunday night, just two days after signing with Baltimore in an effort to rekindle his NFL career.

Bennett agreed to a one-year deal after a tryout Friday. But he aggravated an old knee injury during the workout, and after returning home to Nashville, Tenn., the 30-year-old receiver decided to quit.
“A previous knee injury flared up, making me realize that I am unable to play another NFL season,” Bennett said in statement distributed by his agent, Steve Caric. “Therefore, I have decided to retire from the National Football League.”
Bennett’s decision comes after Derrick Mason surprised the Ravens by announcing his retirement on July 13. Although Mason has left open the possibility of returning, Baltimore is currently very slim at the wide receiver position.

The 6-foot-5 Bennett played one game with St. Louis last year because of a foot injury. Over an eight-year career, he has 307 catches for 4,412 yards.
He expected to add to those numbers this season, but things didn’t work out as planned.
“The Ravens are a first-class organization that I was truly excited to join,” Bennett said. “After an offseason of workouts and rehab, I thought I was ready to play again, but it became apparent over this weekend that while my mind is willing, my body will not be able to make it through another NFL season.
“I have been blessed to have the opportunity to play in the NFL for as long as I have, but it is time for me to move on to the next chapter in my life.”
Bennett’s most productive season was in 2004, when he had 80 catches for 1,247 yards and 11 touchdowns with Tennessee.
When the Ravens open training camp Monday, their most accomplished receivers will be Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams.

This announcement is approx. 3 years late.:D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by laram0

This announcement is approx. 3 years late.:D

---

Doggone it, laramo, ya beat me to it!!:D

Is this guy a giant sissy or what? Quite possibly the biggest waste of money the Rams ever spent.

did absolutely nothing for us except wasted our time and money! Good riddance!

“A previous knee injury flared up, making me realize that I am unable to play another NFL season,”

He could have just asked us and avoided having his knee flare up.

Poor Bennett....he just faded away....that's just not a very exciting end to his football career.

I wonder if McNair's death influenced his decision. His best years were with the guy, after all.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Azul e Oro

I wonder if McNair's death influenced his decision. His best years were with the guy, after all.

---

That is a good point, all though McNair was already retired and out of football.

I disgust him! When I remember that we let Curtis go, so easily, to give this guy bunch of money (he literally stole it, so his place is in prison) I start to hate everyone and everything.

It is sad to think we gave up Curtis for Bennett. Bad call.

Bennett's best time as a WR was when McNair was out injured i think, i remember that Billy Volek was the guy tossing the long bombs to Bennett anyway

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tomahawk247

Bennett's best time as a WR was when McNair was out injured i think, i remember that Billy Volek was the guy tossing the long bombs to Bennett anyway

---

I believe you are right. Bennett had like 200 yards in the 1st half against the Chiefs in one game years ago with Volek in. Here is something very impressive:
For three games in Weeks 13-15 of the 2005 season, Bennett put up stunning, historic numbers for the Tennessee Titans. Catching balls from backup Billey Volek, Bennett posted 28 receptions, 517 yards and eight touchdowns in those three games.

Maybe Bennett and Volek as a package deal would have been best :D

Didn't we really give up Bruce for Bennett? I'd like to think that is even worse.:o

We let curtis leave and signed bennett instead. It was a move that i supported at the time and therefore, as wrong as it turned out, i wont criticize it now. Curtis was a speedster and often injured. Guys like that generally dont get faster or more durable as they get older. Bennett was a big red zone target who was steadier if less spectacular than curtis, a large target that just about all of us agreed that we needed. He had a higher likelihood of keeping his skill set for a longer period of time

Quite possibly the biggest financial bust in the history of the organization. Worse than jamie duncan, worse than lawrence phillips, worse than mike shad. In terms of pure dollars, certainly the least production for the money of any player we ever signed.

ramming speed to all

general counsel