I'm shocked he would leave a program that utilized his talent so well!?!?!

Posted by Guentherlover on December 16, 2009 at 9:40 AM  |  Suggest Removal

Bob, why in the world would you not wait and let Benn announce this in a few hours?

Are you that desperate to be the first one to announce it?

Pretty pathetic.

Posted by JL on December 16, 2009 at 9:57 AM  |  Suggest Removal

Agree with JL

Can't wait to here you cite 'journalistic ethics'

What an oxymoron. Thanks for everything Rejus. Sorry Bob wouldn't let you have your moment.

Posted by PE on December 16, 2009 at 10:06 AM  |  Suggest Removal

"I'm shocked he would leave a program that utilized his talent so well!?!?!"

FWIW in over 100 years of Illinois football, there have been *6* seasons in which a receiver had a 1,000 yard season. David Williams (2), Brandon Lloyd (2), Mike Martin and Benn. Plus, he got to play in a Rose Bowl.

Posted by illiniba on December 16, 2009 at 10:08 AM  |  Suggest Removal

Agree with JL too. Bob, why didn't you report on this as an obvious insider? Is it because you are not objective and really clubby with the DIA: "For all practical purposes, Schultz was gone by midseason. Zook wasn't satisfied with the way he ran meetings and disagreed with the decision to bench Juice Williams. When Guenther grudgingly went public at the Purdue game, insiders knew the mention of "other changes" referred to Schultz. It didn't matter what happened after that".

Posted by TotalIlliniFan on December 16, 2009 at 10:09 AM  |  Suggest Removal

If this is true, then I believe Benn is mistaking a mistake now that he has Petrino as OC.

In the NFL, the only money that matters is the kind that's guaranteed. The difference in guaranteed money between a top 10 overall pick and a lower first-round pick is huge — well over $10 million.

Here is the guaranteed money that last year's first-round wide receivers signed for:

No. 7 overall: Darrius Hayward-Bey, Oakland, $23.5 million guaranteed

No. 10 overall: Michael Crabtree, San Francisco, $17 million guaranteed

No. 19 overall: Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia, $9.5 million guaranteed

No. 22 overall: Percy Harvin, Minnesota, $8.42 million guaranteed

No. 29 overall: Hakeem Nicks, NY Giants, $6.5 million guaranteed

No. 30 overall: Kenny Britt, Tennessee, $6 million guaranteed

Everything about the draft is a gamble. If Benn and his advisers really believe he will be chosen near the top 10, then he should enter the draft. If not, then he should come back and work for a breakout season that would make him a hot commodity in 2011. A great senior season could earn him an extra $10 million or more in guaranteed money. He now has a coach who could make that happen.

Anyway, good luck to him.

Posted by dporreca on December 16, 2009 at 10:16 AM  |  Suggest Removal

PE, JL and TotalIlliniFan,

Do you guys understand what the role of a news organization is? Are you mad that ESPN is also reporting it? Shouldn't Bob have it just like ESPN? You're mad when Bob does his job and reports the news and mad when he doesn't report the news. You people need to get over yourselves.

Posted by UIfansarehomers on December 16, 2009 at 10:22 AM  |  Suggest Removal

I am upset that it got out, I wish the guy would have his moment. I understand the role of a news organization. Sensationalize coverage, through crap against the wall and hope it sticks, and whine about access to practice when you don't pay attention anyways.

So yeah, I have an idea of what their job is.

Posted by PE on December 16, 2009 at 10:32 AM  |  Suggest Removal

UIfansarehomers,

Bob can cover it at the news conference in a few hours just like every other news reporter.

Leaking the decision instead of allowing Benn the spotlight is selfish and is only done so that Bob can say he got the story first.

Benn has given Illinois 3 years and he deserves his moment at the press conference.

Posted by JL on December 16, 2009 at 10:43 AM  |  Suggest Removal

So much for Coach Petrino's "FTS" (Feed The Stud) offense in 2010. His Stud is leaving for the NFL . . . (Unless Coach considers Eddie McGee to be the Stud) . . . . .

Posted by peterborich on December 16, 2009 at 11:11 AM  |  Suggest Removal

STUPID, GREEDY NEWS-GAZETTE

Let Arrelious Benn make his own announcement!!!!!!

Rejus would have been better served to play a year under Petrino, lead the nation in catches & yards. Then he would have been a top 5-10 pick, guaranteed more money and made more money. Whomever is advising him is steering him wrong and Loren is way out of line and out of touch . .

Posted by RPeterE on December 16, 2009 at 11:18 AM  |  Suggest Removal

Illiniba-

So you were satisfied with the way Benn was used year: 38 catches for 490 yards (catching an occasional swing pass, running back the opening kick, and running the sweep from the Power I formation)?

Posted by Guentherlover on December 16, 2009 at 11:21 AM  |  Suggest Removal

Loren, Rejus will never make up enough ground solely on combine testing to climb into top 10. With a good year under his belt under Petrino he would. Yes, always a RISK HE COULD GET HURT, but without high guaranteed money, same risk in Pros.

If Rejus is gone, Eddie McGee, Jarred Fayson, Terry Hawthorne, Jack Ramsey, Jenkins, Sykes, Hull, etc. are ready and waiting for their chance.

Posted by RPeterE on December 16, 2009 at 11:25 AM  |  Suggest Removal

Apparently, it is OK for the News-Gazette to break "Benn to the NFL," but apparently not OK for it to report that Mike Schultz was "Dead Man Walking" after the Indiana game. The beef I have with the News-Gazette is its decision to sit on a story in one case and not in the other. Hypocrisy and irresponsible journalism.

Posted by peterborich on December 16, 2009 at 11:25 AM  |  Suggest Removal

Guentherlover - obviously not - but IMO he had 2 out of 3 pretty good years (other than Td's) - leaves Illinois IIRC tied for 4th in total career catches (10 behind #2), 4th or 5th in total receiving yards as well. Lead the team in receptions and yardage all 3 years. So, I'd say he had a pretty good career, just not a great one though.

Posted by illiniba on December 16, 2009 at 11:31 AM  |  Suggest Removal

This is much ado about something that was most likely going to happen regardless of the coaching situation. AB was pegged to go to the NFL after this season regardless. He will do fine.

I am looking at the 2010 receiving group with some enthusiasm. Especially if they are willing to put Hawthorne in the mix. He is the type of athlete that can do alot of things for the Illini on both sides of the line. It'll be interesting to see if he works out as a WR when Spring Practice roles around.

BTW - as for our RB's --LeShoure & Ford combined for 1,322 yards in 2009 and both averaged over 6 yrds per carry. Between Juice and the other RB's who combined for over 1,000 the Illini rushed for 2,405 and ended up second in the Big 10 in Rushing Offense (Only Wisconsin had 75 more). If the air attack improves at all I believe we could see much different results in 2010.

Posted by butchp on December 16, 2009 at 11:45 AM  |  Suggest Removal

I wonder how much a possible uncapped year in the NFL affects this decision? (I'm not sure exactly how that works out)

Injuries and team suckitude will always leave us wondering what could have been...good luck, Benn

(maybe this is just to setup the miraculous story of a last minute change of heart, leading him to coming back for his senior year and another bowl berth...a boy can dream)

Posted by chrs3084 on December 16, 2009 at 12:38 PM  |  Suggest Removal

dporreca and RPeterE,

After the 2010 draft, the NFL is going to put a cap on rookie salaries, including signing bonus money. If he wants to maximize his earnings, Benn has to leave now.

Good Luck and Thank, Rejus

Posted by ekane555 on December 16, 2009 at 1:22 PM  |  Suggest Removal

JL, RPeterE,

Why are you mad at Bob for reporting it when ESPN was reporting it at the same time. If Bob didn't get it you would have been blasting him for not doing his job.

And who knew Schultz was dead man walking? It's all rumors until someone confirms it. Bob can't report that.

C'mon, guys.

Posted by UIfansarehomers on December 16, 2009 at 1:55 PM  |  Suggest Removal

Congratulations and best of luck Arrelious. I can't wait to hear "Arrelious Benn, University of Illinois" on Monday Night Football.

Go make us proud.

Posted by youlikeroses on December 16, 2009 at 2:16 PM  |  Suggest Removal

Lets just hope he doesnt get drafted by the bears. Where receivers go to die.

Posted by dave1956 on December 16, 2009 at 3:27 PM  |  Suggest Removal

Congrats to Benn. This is Basic Business 101.

Bob what is your motivation. Are you a relative of Guenther?

Posted by William on December 16, 2009 at 3:57 PM  |  Suggest Removal

Arrelious, good luck in the NFL and thank you for choosing to play at the U of I.

Posted by ccherry on December 16, 2009 at 4:22 PM  |  Suggest Removal

"Thanks for nothing, Juice." - Rejus

Only Zook and this pathetic excuse for a football program could waste such a talent. Good luck, Rejus. We hardly knew ye.

Posted by oskeewowwow on December 16, 2009 at 4:43 PM  |  Suggest Removal

"Thanks for nothing, Juice." - Rejus

Only Zook and this pathetic excuse for a football program could waste such a talent. Good luck, Rejus. We hardly knew ye.

Posted by oskeewowwow on December 16, 2009 at 4:44 PM  |  Suggest Removal

Regis:

It has been great having you here. Dude, you scored a touchdown in the Rose Bowl and a lot of wonderful players cannot say that. I will always remember you flipping the ball after the TD into USC's band. That was so cool !!! Good luck and we'll catch you on Sundays instead of Saturdays!!

Peter Borich

Posted by peterborich on December 16, 2009 at 4:46 PM  |  Suggest Removal