Walking the talk
Rookie tight end Martellus Bennett’s laid-back nature and seemingly couldn’t-care-less attitude has been one of the hot topics of training camp.
Sports Illustated’s Peter King criticized him for having poor body language, while HBO is chronicling the tough love he’s getting from tight ends coach John Garrett weekly on Hard Knocks.
Bennett said he’s been this way his whole life and doesn’t care what outsiders think as long as the Cowboys are happy with his performance.
"That’s how people are," said Bennett, when asked about being judged from his body language. "It’s America. They will judge a book before they read it. It’s about what happens between the snaps that matter. For all they know, I could have Scoliosis or something. I just walk like that. But they never know. That is just the way I walk. I just walk funny."
For the record, Bennett acknowledges that his play between the snaps has not always been up to snuff in training camp. He said he’s glad he has a coach like Garrett to push him. He said he and Garrett have a good relationship.
Owner Jerry Jones said Bennett’s play has improved over the last week and his teammates agree. Bennett said he’s regularly stays after practice getting extra lessons from receiver Terrell Owens, tight end Jason Witten and Garrett.
"Only people I got to impress are Mr. Jones and my teammates," Bennett said. "As long as they are happy and they feel like I am getting better that is all that really matters."
"But stay tuned to the next episode of Hard Knocks, I think things are going to turn," Bennett said with a smile.
Clarence E. Hill Jr.
