DC.com: Second Team Tight End Reps Go To...

[CCBoy]

Second Team Tight End Reps Go To ...
Posted by jellis at 7/30/2010 3:22 PM CDT on truebluefanclub.com


http://www.truebluefanclub.com/blog...&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest


Martellus Bennett has been Jason Witten's first understudy since he was drafted, but second-year tight end John Phillips showed up nicely when Bennett missed the first week of training camp with a sprained ankle.

Would Bennett keep the job, or would his offseason baggage comine with Phillips' impressive play to necessitate a change? The thought of a competition at tight end didn't arise overnight, but it was going to be interesting to see who gets the second-team reps with Bennett returning for practice this afternoon.

It's Bennett. He's lining up with the rest of the second-team offense, though he and Phillips were on the field together on the first play rehearsal of the day.

Wade Phillips said yesterday that John Phillips can play all three tight end spots, either lined up at scrimmage, motioning or in a backfield three-point stance.

 

[Apluz]

We want Bennett to reach his full potential we become exasperated because he seems to not take the game seriously. But the team is going to give him every opportunity to get with the program this season.

They will evaluate his play and make a decision on his future going forward. Bennett's blocking is becoming a thing of legend it seems and that alone will keep him on the field this year.

Check out this report on his first practice by Ralf Vela.

And Now Let Us Praise Aquaman

I'm the guy who suggested shopping Martellus Bennett for OL depth, so it's on me to point out his strong first practice. Bennett took his place with the first offense and put on a blocking clinic in the 9-on-9 drill. He shoved Marcus Spears on his first down, creating a huge running lane off right tackle. Bennett then sealed off all the linebackers he faced on subsequent plays. He ended his downs by flopping on top of Spears after putting the end on the turf.

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A TE with the ability to plant a guy of Spears size and strength on his *** is going to get time to develop. Get it together Marty B the sky is the limit if you focus on the game.

 

[CCBoy]

Thanks Apluz. That is indeed a great return. Maybe there is professional level drive in that player finally. I never doubted that the level of potential was in his grasp. Now, he has to start producing in times of need for the Cowboys to become a duplicate and great tight end with Ware. This doesn't make me sad for Phillips, because he is well needed at tight end this season as well. This is even without any injury considerations we are worrying about in the present...as the running game might well now be able to force issues in the Red Zone and short yardage situations now.

 

[Ashwynn]

Not quite sold on Marty, I hear all about his potential, but have yet to see more then a flash here or there.
Phillips came out of no where and at first I was like JAG, but hes grown on me and the more I hear about him, the more I like him. If hes the poor mans Jason Witten, as I have heard him described, how cool is it to have the rich and poor version of Jason Witten on your team.

Marty probably will get the 2nd string job based on his "potential" but he may lose it this year if he cant put more then flashes together. Phillips is coming on strong and is not playing games like Marty does. Marty needs to get back to being Martellus the football player and lose the alter ego of Marty B.

 

[SaltwaterServr]

Not quite sold on Marty, I hear all about his potential, but have yet to see more then a flash here or there.
Phillips came out of no where and at first I was like JAG, but hes grown on me and the more I hear about him, the more I like him. If hes the poor mans Jason Witten, as I have heard him described, how cool is it to have the rich and poor version of Jason Witten on your team.

Marty probably will get the 2nd string job based on his "potential" but he may lose it this year if he cant put more then flashes together. Phillips is coming on strong and is not playing games like Marty does. Marty needs to get back to being Martellus the football player and lose the alter ego of Marty B.

The thing is, Martellus graded out as an elite blocking TE last year by one site's metrics. Forget which one. Witten was the best, and I want to say Marty B was in the top 10 as well.

I'll take him being an elite blocking TE who can on occasion catch a pass. If he develops his receiving skills, we've got a return on our draft investment. Right now, we're holding a player who underperforms in one regard, but is elite in another.

If this was 1996, 90% of what he does that he receives grief for wouldn't even reach us. However, it isn't so we get a negative opinion of him.

 

[hammer1]

Knowing what you know about Bennett and Phillips...which would you take to start your new team?

For me there's no question...it would be Phillips.

 

[CCBoy]

I have seen both on a basketball court. I can tell you straight up, that the physical abilities and coordination of Marselus Bennett are far superior to those of Phillips.

In blocking roles, either in the normal tight end set or as an H-back, both are very good. They both have very useful skills even if neither proves to be as efficient as Jason Witten in receiving. Here, although, I would have to be very disappointed if the receiving skills of Bennett was not every inch, potentially, as good in the long run, as are Witten's. Marselus will at some point achieve the continuous dedication and discipline needed to be a very dominant receiver as well.

When personality issues are removed in considerations with younger athletes, they often measure up to the expectations and demands placed upon them. One needs to only look at the military to understand this is a fact in the development of younger men. This is the third year for him, and expectation drives a little edge in anticipation in some fans although. He's an athlete by choice, and wishes to succeed as a Cowboy. I have faith that he will succeed with his given talent levels although.

 

[DallasDomination]

The only impressive play i've seen from Bennett was the nice catch in the washington game. besides that I have not seen this potential. Sure he blocked good but nothing more then what we've seen from Phillips.

in the tight end battle right now I'll take production > potential.

 

[Ashwynn]

I dont believe you could call Phillips a slouch in the blocking department.

 

[Apluz]

Here is the thing... Bennett has produced on the field he has far surpassed what was expected of him in the blocking department.

Now all it would take is for him to continue being a outstanding blocker, stop making negative headlines, get 20-25 receptions with 3-4 TD and most fans would be overjoyed.

The Kid dose not have far to go and at this point we should all know that the team is going to give him the chance to develop so we should all just hope for the best.

 

[dbair1967]

in the tight end battle right now I'll take production > potential.

So how could you possibly support taking Phillips over Bennett then?

 

[big dog cowboy]

Not quite sold on Marty, I hear all about his potential, but have yet to see more then a flash here or there.

Marty probably will get the 2nd string job based on his "potential" but he may lose it this year if he cant put more then flashes together.

I'm guessing some people will never get that Marty is one of the best blocking TE's in the league. Too many weapons on our team for him to be 50+ catch a year guy.

 

[adbutcher]

I'm guessing some people will never get that Marty is one of the best blocking TE's in the league. Too many weapons on our team for him to be 50+ catch a year guy.

That's it in a nutshell. Speaking of nuts, some of our fans are nuts, lol.

 

[dbair1967]

calvinwatkins: TE Martellus Bennett with a nice stiff arm on LB Jason Williams. Bennett has looked pretty good since coming back from ankle injury. [via Twitter]

 

[adbutcher]

calvinwatkins: TE Martellus Bennett with a nice stiff arm on LB Jason Williams. Bennett has looked pretty good since coming back from ankle injury. [via Twitter]

He is a bum, let's cut him.

 

[dbair1967]

Tim MacMahon (ESPNDallas): Martellus Bennett catches a quick out, then lowers his shoulder, knocking Bradie James on his butt.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

None of that matters, David. He did teh youtubez!!!

 

[adbutcher]

Tim MacMahon (ESPNDallas): Martellus Bennett catches a quick out, then lowers his shoulder, knocking Bradie James on his butt.

It appears as our dysfunctional child came back with a vengeance. Bradie, you better button up and check all of your pads, lol.

 

[DanTanna]

I hear all about his potential, but have yet to see more then a flash here or there.

You need to start watching the games then. When Bennett is in the game we average over 5 yards a carry. He's been a STUD his entire time here, but most fans only value a player when the ball is in his hands. That is 90% of Bennett's job.

 

[jobberone]

You need to start watching the games then. When Bennett is in the game we average over 5 yards a carry. He's been a STUD his entire time here, but most fans only value a player when the ball is in his hands. That is 90% of Bennett's job.

Someone gets it.

We run the 12 over 50% of the time. Bennett is a beast blocking. I mean very elite. I don't know about his F back role though. He's never going to get a lot more catches in this offense esp with us probably going to a 3 WR set much more often this year. That's a guess but I bet ya its a good one.