ESPN MacMahon: Position battle: Phillips pushing Bennett?

[WoodysGirl]

Jul 27
12:45
PM CT

By Tim MacMahon


SAN ANTONIO – Martellus Bennett, who likely is a few days away from getting off the nonfootball injury list, is working out on the side and watching John Phillips make plays during practices.

Phillips, a sixth-round pick in 2009, doesn’t have Bennett’s talent. It’s not even close.

But Phillips has earned something Bennett hasn’t: the trust of his coaches. That’s why his role expanded throughout his rookie season.

“Every opportunity he gets, he seems to make the catch, make the block, do the little thing that helps our football team,” offensive coordinator Jason Garrett said. “He did that really all throughout last year in a limited role, and he has a little bit more of a role with Martellus out here the first four or five practices. He’s doing it. It’s not always flashy, but he always seems to make the block or make the catch or do something that helps our offense.”

Garrett danced around a question about whether Phillips could earn playing time at Bennett’s expense, saying the Cowboys have “healthy competition” at every position.

The Cowboys firmly believe that they can tap into Bennett’s immense talent. They don’t regret declining the Bengals’ offer of a premier draft pick for the talented tight end before last season’s trade deadline.

The 6-foot-6, 265-pound Bennett has a rare combination of size, speed and athleticism that should make him a weapon in the passing game. However, he has to prove that he can be dependable for Garrett to include him in game plans and Romo to look for him.

Bennett is a good inline blocker who can be used in the slot or as an outside receiver. Phillips is much more effective as an H-back or fullback, making it possible that he could be utilized instead of Bennett in the two-tight end package from time to time.

“He’s one of those crafty guys, he finds a way to get it done,” Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten said of Phillips. “He works his tail off. Whatever you ask him to do, he does it pretty good.”

Witten called Phillips’ performance in Monday’s session the best practice he’s seen from him. Phillips might have been even better Tuesday morning, when he made several catches.

Phillips hasn’t been as fun to watch as Bennett was during last year’s training camp, but he’s making a strong case for an bigger role.

 

[tomson75]

Seems to me, by all accounts, that Phillips has as much (or more) talent than Bennett.....at least as it pertains to playing football.

...I think the more accurate statement here would be that Phillips lacks the immense "physical ability" or "athleticism" that Bennett has... which amounts to ZERO on the football field if your head is stuck in your ***.

 

[Doomsday101]

Seems to me, by all accounts, that Phillips has as much (or more) talent than Bennett.....at least as it pertains to playing football.

...I think the more accurate statement here would be that Phillips lacks the immense "physical ability" or "athleticism" that Bennett has... which amounts to ZERO on the football field if your head is stuck in your ***.

True it is wasted talent if Bennett does not use the gifts he has. I hope Bennett relizes it before it is too late.

 

[28 Joker]

Put the heat on Bennett.

Nolan Ryan heat!

 

[Doomsday101]

Put the heat on Bennett.

Nolan Ryan heat!

I agree I'm glad to see Phillips bring the battle to Bennett.

 

[Stash]

Seems to me, by all accounts, that Phillips has as much (or more) talent than Bennett.....at least as it pertains to playing football.

...I think the more accurate statement here would be that Phillips lacks the immense "physical ability" or "athleticism" that Bennett has... which amounts to ZERO on the football field if your head is stuck in your ***.

Well said.

You can only tease with talent for so long.

If that talent doesn't turn into reliability and production quickly, it will be too late.

That said, what a great 'problem' to have.

And if the team doesn't regret not taking that deal from the Bengals, they SHOULD!

 

[wileedog]

And if the team doesn't regret not taking that deal from the Bengals, they SHOULD!

In fairness, they are not going to come out publicly while Bennett is still on the team and say "damn, should have took that deal."

But with every play that Phillips makes you know its in the back of their minds just a little bit more.

 

[WoodysGirl]

per the ESPN chat from earlier..

9:25 [Comment From Rev_CowboyRev_Cowboy: ]
guys, can you touch on the odds that John Phillips beats out either Deon Anderson or Martellus Bennett.

9:28 Tim MacMahon (ESPNDallas): They're still very, very high on Bennett. I don't see Phillips surpassing him on the depth chart, even though he's practicing well while Bennett is working out on the side. Phillips has a much better job of taking over as the fullback. Anderson's no lock to make the roster. Phillips proved last season he could be an effective lead blocker, and the Cowboys don't use a fullback very often anyway.

 

[Stash]

In fairness, they are not going to come out publicly while Bennett is still on the team and say "damn, should have took that deal."

But with every play that Phillips makes you know its in the back of their minds just a little bit more.

You're absolutely right.

Even if Bennett flames out, they'll likely never admit it was a mistake.

Teams seldom do.

 

[Doomsday101]

You're absolutely right.

Even if Bennett flames out, they'll likely never admit it was a mistake.

Teams seldom do.

And if the team is right about Bennett and he starts playing to the level they feel he can then will they get credit from the critics for going through some growing pains with him?

 

[wileedog]

And if the team is right about Bennett and he starts playing to the level they feel he can then will they get credit from the critics for going through some growing pains with him?

Sure.

Although I will throw out the caveat that we will probably never know what the actual draft pick that was offered. If it was a first though, I don't care what Bennett develops into, because he will never play to that value stuck behind Witten on the depth chart.

Heck, if Phillips continues to make plays I hope MartyB becomes all world and we trade him for a 1st anyway.

 

[Doomsday101]

Sure.

Although I will throw out the caveat that we will probably never know what the actual draft pick that was offered. If it was a first though, I don't care what Bennett develops into, because he will never play to that value stuck behind Witten on the depth chart.

Heck, if Phillips continues to make plays I hope MartyB becomes all world and we trade him for a 1st anyway.

True we don't know so it is hard to talk about what we don't know to start with. The Cowboys drafted him because they saw this talent they are trying to get this kid to live up to the talent they see in him. I hope for the sake of the team they do get through to him. He was clearly one of the top performers in pre season last year which gave the staff hope going into the season and gives them reason to think he can produce at a high level in this league.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

per the ESPN chat from earlier..

He may not pass Bennett on the depth chart per se.. but after this traning camp he's having and Bennett's continued issues with maturity and even getting on the practice field i would be willing to bet that Phillips will see a substantial increase in playing time this year and will probably end up being on the field more often then Bennett, both as TE and that TE/FB hybrid that we like to use. I'd be all for it. Phillips is solid, he won't make big mistakes.