Bennett suddenly a valued Buc

Michael Bennett didn’t exactly set the town on fire last season during his limited role in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers backfield, yet the team chose to resign the veteran running back acquired midseason in a trade with Kansas City.

The reasons: Bennett’s potential and the knee injury to Cadillac Williams.

A former first round pick by Minnesota in 2001, Bennett has one Pro Bowl year on his resume.

But the bigger picture is the loss of Williams, who tore the patellar tendon in his right knee. Bucs general manager Bruce Allen predicted Williams will return next season without losing a step, but this is probably more wishful thinking than anything else.

Williams’ injury is a potential career-ender.

If he does return, it won’t be until the middle of next season, and who knows when he will regain his old form and how much of that old form he can regain.

Earnest Graham, who rose from third string running back/special teams specialist last season to lead the team in rushing and touchdowns, will enter camp as the No. 1 running back.

Michael Pittman said he was going to explore free agency.

Free agency and the NFL Draft can also change the landscape in the backfield, but for now, Bennett is suddenly a valuable member of the Bucs running game.