DMN Blog: How much of an impact will Martellus Bennett make?

[WoodysGirl]

12:21 PM Wed, May 20, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips

This was a hot topic of sideline discussion during yesterday's OTA workout.

OK, it was just CBS 11's Steve "Radio Boy" Dennis and me yammering back and forth. But I ended up with a sunburn, so that makes it a hot topic of discussion.

Radio Boy made the case that, for all the talk about the wide receivers, Bennett would play a major part in replacing T.O.'s productions. He expects the Cowboys to go with two tight ends as often as three receivers.

I'll buy that. Jason Witten and Bennett ("Rice and Beans," according to Marty B) form arguably the league's top tight end tandem. Witten is a perennial Pro Bowler, and Bennett has that type of potential. They're both comfortable lining up as a traditional tight end or flexed out, giving the Cowboys formation flexibility, which can cause all sorts of matchup problems for defenses.

Bennett's size, speed and athelticism will present problems for most linebackers and safeties. With a larger role, it's reasonable to expect a significant jump from his rookie stats (20 catches, 283 yards, 4 TDs).

But Radio Boy is going overboard with his 50-catch, 10-TD projection, right?


Comments (1) Leave comment | E-mail entry

 

[dmq]

I'll just be happy to get Witten back to 100%. As last years memory fades, I forgot how much that really hurt our offense.

 

[ZeroClub]

Jason Witten and Bennett ("Rice and Beans," according to Marty B) form arguably the league's top tight end tandem.

I like Bennett's potential too, but maybe we should tap the brakes a bit here.

 

[Dawgs0916]

I don't want Bennett affecting how many touches we give Witten. Thats not right or fair to him. In the redzone, definitely take advantage of Martellus, but I don't want to see 50 catches from him, if Witten isn't injured.

 

[Cowboys22]

This is why I don't get all the attention on RW11 having to replace TO's numbers. If he just has an average year of 60-70 catches and 7-8 TDs, then all we need is Bennett, Austin, and Felix to moderately increase their production from last year and TO's numbers will more than be replaced. Then there is Hurd and Choice who could both easily outproduce what they did last year. Why does everybody think it all has to fall on one guy to replace TO? I say let Romo get back to speading it around to the open man on each play. That is when he was at his best.

 

[WoodysGirl]

I don't want Bennett affecting how many touches we give Witten. Thats not right or fair to him. In the redzone, definitely take advantage of Martellus, but I don't want to see 50 catches from him, if Witten isn't injured.

Bennett may have some maturity issues, but if he has the same upside as Witten, then why not feed him if he's producing.

Can you imagine how uncoverable our entire receiving corps would be?

The passing game would be pretty effective if everyone is producing when given the opportunity.

 

[Hoofbite]

I like Bennett's potential too, but maybe we should tap the brakes a bit here.

Why? Jason is top 3 in the league. You could argue he is the best.

Gates and Gonzo are right there with him and those guys don't have anything close to a complement like Bennett.

 

[Typhus]

I've been preaching about the advantage of the 2TE set since BP was running the show, but now, it just seems as though this team can no longer "not" unleash it.

Not that JG hasnt been using it, he has, but now without TO demanding looks I would fully expect JG to use it as a base offensive set.

This team would get more talent on the field at the same time out of the 2TE set, and not only that, it just sets up the entire offense to be more explosive and dominating as the game progresses.

Witten and MB are big physical players, and with enough attention can start to wear on the safties and LBs through the course of a game, if Romo keeps the game short and controlled and keeps feeding them the ball, and pounding the ball with MB3.

Get the inside of a D a little winded, and then is the perfect time for the speed of this offense, Felix/Choice, Austin, to take full advantage, and exploit a defense that is having to adjust inside to help with coverage issues.

The 2TE set is a thing of beauty if you are fortunate enough to have all the components necessary to make it actually effective.

This team is as close as its ever been to do it, closer than any other team in the league in fact, and with a little fine tuning on the inside running game, could be down right dominating.

 

[Dawgs0916]

Bennett may have some maturity issues, but if he has the same upside as Witten, then why not feed him if he's producing.

Can you imagine how uncoverable our entire receiving corps would be?

The passing game would be pretty effective if everyone is producing when given the opportunity.

Eh thats true. I guess I just don't want someone who's as dedicated and tough as Jason is to have to lose any of his touches.

I know its selfish of me. But your right, the more versality we get and can spread it around to all our talent the more dangerous we will be, and the more we will be.

I'm sure Witten feels the same way.

 

[jday]

I don't want Bennett affecting how many touches we give Witten. Thats not right or fair to him. In the redzone, definitely take advantage of Martellus, but I don't want to see 50 catches from him, if Witten isn't injured.

At the end of the day, seniority should not be figured in with their formula for winning. Let the man who best puts them in a position to win get the ball. Period. I love me some Witten, but at the end of the day, Martellus is going to be better with the ball in his hands than Witten, I think. No question, Witten is the better all-around TE, but Martellus has speed and athleticism that gives him a very slight edge in the passing game.

 

[FCBarca]

I am curious about 'High & Tight'...He could be an interesting x-factor this season as he teased fans with the special skill set he brings to the club.

Will he be exclusively a TE or will we see him as a WR in some packages?

I think I'm most interested in seeing what kind of year 2 he has...Sometimes rookies can let it slack after turning heads in their rookie season...We'll see if he takes it up a notch and becomes an integral part of the future

 

[Bob Sacamano]

This is why I don't get all the attention on RW11 having to replace TO's numbers. If he just has an average year of 60-70 catches and 7-8 TDs, then all we need is Bennett, Austin, and Felix to moderately increase their production from last year and TO's numbers will more than be replaced. Then there is Hurd and Choice who could both easily outproduce what they did last year. Why does everybody think it all has to fall on one guy to replace TO? I say let Romo get back to speading it around to the open man on each play. That is when he was at his best.

I like the idea of flexing both Witten and Martellus out wide in the slot in some passing situations

I would love to be Jason Garrett right now, but of course last year he had all this talent and completely ****ed it up

 

[Clove]

I don't want Bennett affecting how many touches we give Witten. Thats not right or fair to him. In the redzone, definitely take advantage of Martellus, but I don't want to see 50 catches from him, if Witten isn't injured.

That's the theme this offseason right? Throw it to the opened receiver? So if Witten's constantly doubled, we still throw it to him?

 

[btcutter]

how about this answer: better than some expected but not as good as other expects.

I like to see some fake screen to Felix and screen to MB on the other side.

 

[Dawgs0916]

That's the theme this offseason right? Throw it to the opened receiver? So if Witten's constantly doubled, we still throw it to him?

Ok I admitted I was being selfish and totally wrong in my initial thinking lay off guys

 

[Hoofbite]

I don't want Bennett affecting how many touches we give Witten. Thats not right or fair to him. In the redzone, definitely take advantage of Martellus, but I don't want to see 50 catches from him, if Witten isn't injured.

Whats right and fair to the team is to do whatever needs to be done.

Honestly, I could give a **** if Witten gets his catches. If this team is winning, I don't think anyone would or should care.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I think between Bennett, Roy, Austin, Hurd, Felix, and Choice this offense is more than going to make up for the production of TO. It just means that several people are going to be given more chances with the ball, rather than one guy.

I'm excited about what Bennett can bring to this team, especially in the redzone.

 

[bbgun]

I see he's enjoying himself.

 

[joseephuss]

I like Bennett's potential too, but maybe we should tap the brakes a bit here.

If you look at the production of the top two tight ends from each team last season Dallas is near the top in the receiving categories.

Receptions
KC 103
Dallas 101
Indy 96
Chicago 95
Saints 95

Yards
Dallas 1235
KC 1121
Saints 1062
Denver 1034
Indy 1014

TDs
KC 10
Miami 10
San Diego 10
Dallas 8
Giants 8

Average yard per reception
Denver 14.36
Miami 13.91
Oakland 12.82
Dallas 12.23
Rams 11.91

The averages per team are:
59.5 catches
650.5 yards
4 TDs
10.83 avg.

Witten and Bennett are one of the better tandems out there. A lot of teams don't have one good tight end much less two. Having Witten plus any other tight end like a Tony Curtis would be better than most other teams in the league. Bennett ranked 39th in receptions, 31st in yards, 10th in TDs and 10th in average for all tight ends.

I don't know if they are the best tight end tandem in the league, but they are one of the best tandems easily.

 

[hendog]

If you look at the production of the top two tight ends from each team last season Dallas is near the top in the receiving categories.

Receptions
KC 103
Dallas 101
Indy 96
Chicago 95
Saints 95

Yards
Dallas 1235
KC 1121
Saints 1062
Denver 1034
Indy 1014

TDs
KC 10
Miami 10
San Diego 10
Dallas 8
Giants 8

Average yard per reception
Denver 14.36
Miami 13.91
Oakland 12.82
Dallas 12.23
Rams 11.91

The averages per team are:
59.5 catches
650.5 yards
4 TDs
10.83 avg.

Witten and Bennett are one of the better tandems out there. A lot of teams don't have one good tight end much less two. Having Witten plus any other tight end like a Tony Curtis would be better than most other teams in the league. Bennett ranked 39th in receptions, 31st in yards, 10th in TDs and 10th in average for all tight ends.

I don't know if they are the best tight end tandem in the league, but they are one of the best tandems easily.

And to think that last year MB was a rook and JW was beat all to hell. They should both be much improved this year.