The barbell bench press is a good exercise, if you all have seen my posts over the years I've never said there was an exercise that shouldn't be done, I'm just saying know what it does and make sure it fits.
I think that if a young kid started with using DB's and he was interested in growing his pecs this is all he'd need.
Various presses, flys and such.
the barbell should be used sparingly if you are getting hurt stop it.
Bazza goes off on a tangent and thinks too much when he's got nothing to do.
i reckon the popularity of the bench press has caused "the rotator cuff" syndrome