ESPN: Injury was speed bump for Martellus Bennett

[cowboyjoe]

OXNARD, Calif. – Martellus Bennett’s ankle still isn’t 100 percent, but you can’t tell by his performance on the practice fields.

Bennett missed the first six days of training camp due to the sprained ankle he suffered during an unsupervised workout at Valley Ranch. He didn’t play in the first two preseason games and missed the first two practices in Oxnard. He sat out Wednesday morning's practice as a precaution.

But Bennett has looked like a blossoming weapon when he has practiced, catching balls on a variety of routes and getting the job done as a blocker.

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4670970/injury-was-speed-bump-for-martellus-bennetthttp://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys

 

[YosemiteSam]

OXNARD, Calif. – Martellus Bennett’s ankle still isn’t 100 percent, but you can’t tell by his performance on the practice fields.

Bennett missed the first six days of training camp due to the sprained ankle he suffered during an unsupervised workout at Valley Ranch. He didn’t play in the first two preseason games and missed the first two practices in Oxnard. He sat out Wednesday morning's practice as a precaution.

But Bennett has looked like a blossoming weapon when he has practiced, catching balls on a variety of routes and getting the job done as a blocker.

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys

Thats what we say every year about Bennett, then....

 

[CATCH17]

Thats what we say every year about Bennett, then....

We said it 1 year and that was last year.

 

[YosemiteSam]

We said it 1 year and that was last year.

I recall some excitement about him during the 2008 training camp also.

If I remember correctly, many people were poo pooing the fact that we drafted him when we already had Fasano. Then people started to change their minds about it in training camp because of his athletic and playmaking ability.

 

[21Savage]

We said it 1 year and that was last year.

You mean that doesn't make it every year?

 

[CATCH17]

I recall some excitement about him during the 2008 training camp also.

If I remember correctly, many people were poo pooing the fact that we drafted him when we already had Fasano. Then people started to change their minds about it in training camp because of his athletic and playmaking ability.

Did Bennett disapoint you as a rookie? He looked more than legit to me.

 

[urface59]

Thats what we say every year about Bennett, then....

Yeah I'd much rather he looked horrible in practice since we know for a fact he will be no good in the regular season anyways. We should cut him and move Buehler to TE.

 

[Stautner]

This may have been a speed bump, but the 2009 season was a brick wall.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Did Bennett disapoint you as a rookie? He looked more than legit to me.

2008: 20 receptions and 283 yards.

That isn't exactly lighting anything up. Even for a rookie.

 

[CATCH17]

2008: 20 receptions and 283 yards.

That isn't exactly lighting anything up. Even for a rookie.

Please watch the games and don't throw stats at me. Are you expecting Witten numbers or something?

Romo to throw for 7,000 yards so everyone has healthy numbers?

Bennett looked really good as a rookie.

 

[Fletch]

Stay focused Bennett and you'll become a force to reckon with.

 

[Stautner]

2008: 20 receptions and 283 yards.

That isn't exactly lighting anything up. Even for a rookie.

It's not bad for a rookie No. 2 TE who is playing behind a Pro-Bowler though.

Stay focused Bennett and you'll become a force to reckon with.

Can he do that? That's the question. So far he has proven to have million dollar talent and a 5 cent head.

 

[Doomsday101]

For me I'm more than willing to give the benefit of doubt of Bennett stepping up and producing this season. I know he has the physical talent to be a very good all around TE. I do think it is put up or get out time for Bennett who will be in his 3rd season. For those who have given up on Bennett I may not agree but do understand after all Bennett has not done much to change your minds.

 

[Stautner]

For me I'm more than willing to give the benefit of doubt of Bennett stepping up and producing this season. I know he has the physical talent to be a very good all around TE. I do think it is put up or get out time for Bennett who will be in his 3rd season. For those who have given up on Bennett I may not agree but do understand after all Bennett has not done much to change your minds.

I am very down on Bennett, and am skeptical taht he will pull it together, but I also recognize the immense physical talent and agree that he has to get the chance this year to show something. It's just not time to walk away from that kind of talent yet.

 

[Gemini Dolly]

Im still on the fence about Marty B. Physically, hes got the tools to be very successful. He just seems very fickle in the head and thats what I think ultimately will be the reason why he succeeds or fails.

 

[jobberone]

I think expectations are unreasonable. He's the number two TE. He isn't going to get that many balls thrown his way. If he continues to block well and make the most of the opportunities he gets, then he'll be doing his job. He isn't going to have a breakout season as he's not going to get that many balls thrown his way.

 

[InmanRoshi]

For those of us who have followed him since college, this routine has been going on for much longer than a year. The "he's only a #2" allows us to set the bar so low that there's no way he can't hurdle it. Especially if the coaches just throw out the "he's a great blocker" excuse for fans to grasp on to, as though any fan really knows what his blocking percentages are.

He'll have temporary flashes of greatness. That's what teases do, otherwise they wouldn't be teases. He'll have temporary moments of motivation when he gets mad at the media or the fans giving him too much flack. But in the end those outside forms of motivation are fleeting. Sustainable motivation comes from loving what you do and the desire to be great.

 

[Doomsday101]

I am very down on Bennett, and am skeptical taht he will pull it together, but I also recognize the immense physical talent and agree that he has to get the chance this year to show something. It's just not time to walk away from that kind of talent yet.

I think that is fair on your part. I can't say that I have been pleased in Bennett play. I do think he is a heck of a good blocker for a TE but he has to produce in the passing game when the ball comes his way. Once he can prove himself as a playmaker on this team he will get more opportunities to make plays, but he has to show it when it counts and take advantage of the limited opportunities he may get.

 

[CATCH17]

Im still on the fence about Marty B. Physically, hes got the tools to be very successful. He just seems very fickle in the head and thats what I think ultimately will be the reason why he succeeds or fails.

He won't fail in this league as long as there is blocking assignments for TE's.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think expectations are unreasonable. He's the number two TE. He isn't going to get that many balls thrown his way. If he continues to block well and make the most of the opportunities he gets, then he'll be doing his job. He isn't going to have a breakout season as he's not going to get that many balls thrown his way.

I agree to some extent but I do think once a guy shows he can produce big plays QB's and OC tend to look in your direction more often. So while he may get limited throws early on the more he does with those opportunities will go a long way in getting more looks coming his way. If he is dropping ball or not carrying out the play correctly those chances will be even fewer.