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Bennett compares QBs to Brussels sprouts

RENTON, Wash. -- Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett makes it clear that he doesn’t really like quarterbacks.

“It’s kind of like when you’re a kid and your mom feeds you Brussels sprouts,” Bennett said Sunday. “You eat ‘em, but they taste nasty. That’s how feel about quarterbacks. You need ‘em, but they taste nasty.”

The Seahawks gave Bennett a four-year deal worth $28.5 million after last season because of his ability to sack and harass quarterbacks.

“Quarterback is the only position where you can be mediocre and get paid,” Bennett said. “Any other position you hold to a higher standard than quarterback.

“I’m not going to say this quarterback’s name, but he’s won 15 games in five years and he’s made over 90 million dollars in guarantees. And I know one quarterback who went to the playoffs one time and he got over a 100 million-dollar contact.”

Bennett said that kind of situation doesn’t happen at other positions.

“If you’re a receiver and you only get 500 yards for three years, you’re gonna get a bad contract,” Bennett said. “But if you’re a quarterback and you throw 26 interceptions and 16 touchdowns, you’re OK.

“It’s good for the quarterbacks. Obviously, this is a fantasy-football type of league now. That’s why they make the rules the way they are.”

But Bennett said he gets it on the business side of things.

“The quarterback is the face of the franchise,” he said. “There’s a lot that goes into it from jersey sales and advertisements and commercials. For the $100 million they pay him, they probably make $500 million.

“Who knows a defensive lineman, unless they can dance and they’re good-looking.”

Bennett does do a provocative pelvis-thrust dance after a sack, though.

Speaking of quarterbacks, he was asked about his season-opening opponent, Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Bennett said Rodgers is not a Brussels sprout.

“He’s more like a green bean,” Bennett said. “He’s a great quarterback.”