Peter King MMQB Mailbag: Now this isn't a bad idea... Martellus Bennett to Pats?

[bayeslife]

Wait, are you insinuating that a 2nd year, 2nd string TE with 35 career catches was being double covered?

Absolutely not, but I'm sure that it will be misinterpreted if what stasheroo said that I replied to gets lost in this mess:

And he knew it poorly enough to be a complete no-factor in the passing game. See how that works?

I'm not saying at all that MB was being double covered (though there may be some evidence to say otherwise in some games). I'm just pointing out how foolish it is to think that just because someone isn't producing, it means that they don't know their playbook well enough. Who knows, MB could be the most un-gifted TE in the history of the world, and maybe that's why he's not producing.

But of course, since MB has set up that kind of aura about him, people will go storming in with their agendas and hound on that one aspect of his personality and try to twist things to make it seem like he's not handling business when it comes to his career. Could it be that he's not studying his playbook? Perhaps, though like theogt has been saying, where's the evidence to prove that?

Off my point a bit, but all I hear about Bennett is, "well he could be better if he wasn't on facebook all the time" or "he should study his playbook instead of going on twitter."

Sounds suspiciously like all the times when we have to put up with Romo for golfing.

[in b4 "show me"]

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

No way in hell we trade Bennett....Not going to happen.

You obviously think a lot of Martellus Bennett. Or you maybe think Jerra is not bright enough to do that trade?

Trying to give you the benefit of the doubt here, bro.

 

[Cowboy_Fan_432]

Watch a game this past season.

Pick one.

Any one.

You'll find at least one play where somebody has to line him up or tell him where to go.

Marty B - too much facebook, not enough playbook.

I agree, we need to get rid of this idiot while there are some teams out there that still want him. Then we can all laugh when he's a bust

 

[casmith07]

I would like to reiterate that once again, this is a thread about a backup tight end behind Jason Witten.

Thanks for your time.

 

[Stash]

Har har.

So what you're saying is, if you were a talented receiver and you had two guys covering you all game, let's say your final stats are 2 rec 12 yds, the conclusion is:

You must not know your playbook well enough.

Not at all.

Not saying anything like that.

Bennett's lack of production had nothing to do with anyone "scheming" to shut him down.

He did that himself.

 

[Stash]

Better work ethic, Martellus Bennett or Matt Jones?

Hmm...

What does one have to do with the other?

Because I once that Jones would be a good signing, that somehow has something to do with Bennett not working hard enough?

 

[Stash]

More blind - Stash or...

And yet, even with my "disability" I can see Bennett forgetting where he's supposed to line up. Time, after time, after time...

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Juuuust kidding, stash... Remember, I was for Jones, too.

But he was/is a lazy turd. And I don't think Martellus is as bad as people think.

 

[Stash]

I'm just pointing out how foolish it is to think that just because someone isn't producing, it means that they don't know their playbook well enough. Who knows, MB could be the most un-gifted TE in the history of the world, and maybe that's why he's not producing.

But we all know that that is not the case. Bennett had the underachiever tag in college as well. There were previous articles written about him struggling to pick up the Cowboys offense. The Cowboys drafted him in the hopes that they could motivate him to maximize his physical potential. Thus far they have had mixed results.

But of course, since MB has set up that kind of aura about him, people will go storming in with their agendas and hound on that one aspect of his personality and try to twist things to make it seem like he's not handling business when it comes to his career. Could it be that he's not studying his playbook? Perhaps, though like theogt has been saying, where's the evidence to prove that?

Where's the evidence to disprove it? I don't see that either.

Off my point a bit, but all I hear about Bennett is, "well he could be better if he wasn't on facebook all the time" or "he should study his playbook instead of going on twitter."

Sounds suspiciously like all the times when we have to put up with Romo for golfing.

[in b4 "show me"]

I don't see too many criticizing Romo anymore. Because the guy busted his tail and became the player everyone was hoping.

And we as fans hoppe the same for Bennett.

But he has to make it happen.

 

[Stash]

Juuuust kidding, stash... Remember, I was for Jones, too.

But he was/is a lazy turd. And I don't think Martellus is as bad as people think.

I don't think he's bad either.

He can just be better.

 

[wileedog]

I'm not saying at all that MB was being double covered (though there may be some evidence to say otherwise in some games). I'm just pointing out how foolish it is to think that just because someone isn't producing, it means that they don't know their playbook well enough.

Its not just about the playbook though, its about putting in the work to become a more polished player. Again I refer to the quotes from Jerry that they are not satisfied with the effort and focus he has put in.

If Witten Twittered all night long every night I would care as much as i do about Bennett doing it, or about Romo golfing. Could care less 1as long as they produce on the field.

But two of those guys do and one doesn't. And more disturbingly, Bennett looked much worse on the field in his 2nd year than he did in his first. THAT's the biggest factor for me. In a year when most players with his talent take a big jump forward, he took a large step back.

I would suggest his playbook knowledge, or lack thereof, is more of a symptom. He may know it great, although there is certainly circumstantial evidence he struggled with it, or not. And to my admittedly untrained eye he looked like he was nowhere close to where he was supposed to be on some of the balls thrown to him.

But again, when Jerry is calling him out, we know there is an issue. And the lack of production on the field backs it up. And maybe most importantly nothing Bennett has said this offseason indicates he understands he has a problem.

 

[Hoofbite]

More blind - Stash or...

Says the guy with Ken Hamlin pajamas.

 

[bayeslife]

And more disturbingly, Bennett looked much worse on the field in his 2nd year than he did in his first. THAT's the biggest factor for me. In a year when most players with his talent take a big jump forward, he took a large step back.

To both you and stash, you've brought up great points and I can see the line on where we differ lies on how we see his personal life so I won't bother with that anymore. I don't really buy into distractions or work ethic all too much based on how often they like to use technology, but I can see where you're coming from.

I'm not his biggest fan or anything, but I think some of this stuff is way overblown. There are players like Bennett all the time personality wise, you can't get hard working by the book stoic person with every draft pick, so I always enjoy having a Bennett on the team. He absolutely has things to improve on, but something about me just doesn't buy that he wouldn't be at least taking his career professionally and doing what he can to keep earning money. I don't deny he's a bit lazy, but I don't think he's as bad as we're making him out to be. I wouldn't trade goofy and lazy for walking down the wrong path or anything, so I'm just glad he's not doing anything to hurt himself especially at 23/24 years old.

Although I am curious to two things: How can you really be sure he looked worse on the field this year? Because of his statistics? That's not really a fair measurement. Also, where do you guys get that he doesn't know where to line up? I mean I'm sure he has to be occasionally confused on his position but I refuse to believe that he's that out of place. I just don't see it.

 

[DallasEast]

http://i356.***BLOCKED***/albums/oo4/DallasEast1701/FishStoryPic.png​

 

[Fletch]

With 1 team or in his career?

Gotta mean 1 team because it's taken the idiot this long and he hasn't even learned the entire playbook yet.

A lot of people sound bitter towards Bennett. I remember a lot being said (minus the immaturity) about James a couple seasons ago. Let's see how he fairs this season before tossing him onto the scrap heap.

There is just too much talent there to let go. And the Cowboys know it. This year will be his make or break season.

 

[Doomsday101]

A lot of people sound bitter towards Bennett. I remember a lot being said (minus the immaturity) about James a couple seasons ago. Let's see how he fairs this season before tossing him onto the scrap heap.

There is just too much talent there to let go. And the Cowboys know it. This year will be his make or break season.

I agree. I think this is an important season for Bennett.

 

[theogt]

Says the guy with Ken Hamlin pajamas.

What you're likely not getting is that it wouldn't matter if I'm blind or not in terms of judging Ken Hamlin. I can't judge Hamlin based on *watching* him because I don't have enough information. None of us do. For one, he isn't on screen half the time, and second, we don't know the coverage calls. All we can rely on in our judgment are the statistics. It's the people that think they can judge him based solely on a television broadcast (or a single stat line on NFL.com) that are blind -- blind to their own stupidity.

 

[Hoofbite]

A lot of people sound bitter towards Bennett. I remember a lot being said (minus the immaturity) about James a couple seasons ago. Let's see how he fairs this season before tossing him onto the scrap heap.

There is just too much talent there to let go. And the Cowboys know it. This year will be his make or break season.

We know he has a world of talent but what does it matter if he is behind Witten? How much should a #2 TE be expected to contribute? I think he could be a key player as well but I also think he will always be a luxury. If Dallas can find a trade partner and can get good value, he should be gone.

I'm not really bitter towards Bennett but ya just got to face facts, he's a guy who doesn't seem to care.

I tried for a while to give him the benefit of the doubt but it was just too much.

I'm sorry but I don't give people free passes because they are immature. I think that is ridiculous.

 

[casmith07]

Almost 8 pages on a backup TE.

This is the offseason. I hate it.

 

[MONT17]

Too bad witten doesn't have the Testaverde or the Eliis effect on his understudy!