DMN Blog: Waiting for Martellus Bennett's break out

[WoodysGirl]

9:11 AM Fri, Oct 02, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
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After Martellus Bennett's preseason - 12 catches, 155 yards, which were both team highs - it looked like he was ready to take off in his second year.

Through three games it hasn't really happened yet. Jason Witten has 19 catches for 181 yards and a touchdown. Bennett has just three catches for 27 yards.

Now the '12' personnel package has been successful so far for the Cowboys in the running game and confused Tampa Bay in the opener, but Bennett's numbers aren't there yet.

"I've got to be patient as a player and let the game come to me," said Bennett, who has been targeted by Tony Romo nine times. "I felt like I've pressed to make a play and it's kind of thrown me off my game. I've got to let my game come to me. Sometimes basketball players force shots. Some guys force shots, Kobe. Some players let the game come to them, LeBron. I'm a LeBron player, although Kobe is great. I believe my chances are coming later on this season, this game or the next game."



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[LittleBoyBlue]

"I've got to be patient as a player and let the game come to me," said Bennett, who has been targeted by Tony Romo nine times. "I felt like I've pressed to make a play and it's kind of thrown me off my game. I've got to let my game come to me. Sometimes basketball players force shots. Some guys force shots, Kobe. Some players let the game come to them, LeBron. I'm a LeBron player, although Kobe is great. I believe my chances are coming later on this season, this game or the next game."

That was just silly.

 

[viman96]

Regardless of the silly metaphor I like that he knows patience is the key.

 

[DallasDomination]

There is a lot of good players out there and Marty is not our best TE...So He will get his shots when they come. I'm not worried.

 

[BruceWayne]

Kobe got the rings though. Get off my Lakers Marty B

 

[WoodysGirl]

Martellus Bennett's moments will come

October 2, 2009, 10:05 AM

By: Tim MacMahon


Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett wowed the Alamodome crowds with his athletic ability in August, making acrobatic catches and big plays on a regular basis during training camp.

September wasn't so spectacular for the second-year player.

The Dallas Cowboys have had great success with their two-tight end sets, an emphasis this season because of Bennett's development. However, Bennett hasn't made much of a mark yet, catching only three passes for 27 yards.

That's not to say that Bennett has failed to contribute. He has blocked well, helping the Cowboys average 7.5 yards per carry out of their two-tight end sets. His presence has created matchup problems, particularly in the season opener, when the Cowboys twice exploited matchups of wide receivers on safety Sabby Piscitelli for long touchdowns because the Buccaneers opted to put a cornerback on Bennett split wide.

But the 6-6, 265-pound Bennett's freakish athleticism has yet to translate into personal production in the passing game this season. Twice Tony Romo has targeted Bennett on fade routes in the end zone, but there was miscommunication on both plays.

"There's a couple of opportunities," Bennett said. "I've just got to cash in on them. We've just got to get on the same page. It's still early in the season."

Bennett is being patient. He figures the Cowboys' success running the ball bodes well for him down the road. Don't be surprised to see Bennett get loose down the seam on a play-action pass soon.

"If the running backs do well, the tight ends usually do very well, because the play-action pays off," Bennett said. "It's going to open things up in the middle for Witten and me."

When that happens, Cowboys fans around the country will see what all the buzz in San Antonio was about.

 

[aikemirv]

Bennett is not going to "break out" this year IMO. He may have a few games where he has 3-4 catches and a TD but for Romo, Witten is #1, Williams is #2 and any # of players could be #3 at any given point in time in the pass plays. Then, if you consider we are running the ball 25-30 plays a game, there is just not enough ball to go around!

 

[dmq]

Like many of our players, the moments probably won't come until it's a contract year.

 

[kmd24]

Like many of our players, the moments probably won't come until it's a contract year.

Bennett's been awesome in run blocking. Just because he hasn't caught a lot of balls, don't make the mistake of thinking he hasn't been playing well.

 

[Future]

I don't know why expectations were so high for a 2nd string TE to begin with.

 

[MC KAos]

lets see how long it takes for slate to comment about the basketball anology! lol.

im thinking of picking him up for this week in my fantasy league since tony gonzales has a bye week, i think marty b gets a td this week

 

[windward]

I dunno about Martellus ever taking it to the next level while in Dallas. Too many weapons. I doubt he'll ever come anywhere close to Witten's career until he dedeivates himself more to his craft.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Kobe Bean Bryant is the best player in the NBA and the most clutch... Leave my Lakers out of your mouth Martellus.

 

[dbair1967]

Bennett is gonna get his at some point. Eventually teams will have to make adjustments to slow the run game, and the results will be Romo finding alot of people in the intermediate to deep areas. Bennett (and even Witten) have hardly run any routes past of 6-8 yds so far. Witten excels at that (stretching the defense). Both of them will be major mismatches downfield for LB's and safeties.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Martellus Bennett's moments will come

October 2, 2009, 10:05 AM

By: Tim MacMahon

Hell must be freezing over because I actually agree with MacMahon.