Martellus Bennett Not A Fan Of Jay Cutler, Jason Witten
FOXBORO Tom Bradys been fairly buttoned-down in his comments so far since returning from suspension. Just the facts, just the football, just 2016.
But ask him about his new toys and Brady brightens.
The main one for this offense is Martellus Bennett, who had three touchdown receptions from Brady against Cleveland.
Martellus has been so productive, being here for such a short time, said Brady on Wednesday afternoon. Gronk, what he did last week and him kind of getting back to where he wants to be is such a big part of our offense because those guys are so dynamic. Theyre tough matchups, theyre both 6-foot-6-plus, 270-pounds-plus. Theyre hard matchups for anybody because theyre just very unique players.
Brady expanded on how it unfolds by using one of the Patriots touchdowns on Sunday as an example.
(The Browns) focused all their coverage on Gronk, and then Martellus gets the one-on-one and he gets the ball, said Brady, referring to New Englands second touchdown when safety help moved outside to meet Gronk and Bennett wound up 1-on-1 with a linebacker. Again, thats what makes a good offense. If theyre going to double cover someone, it means other guys have single coverage. If youre playing with a guy like Gronk, its great for you because youre not the one getting double covered, so youll have opportunities and you have to take advantage of the opportunities when you get them.
It will be interesting to see if teams begin to split their double-teaming attention between Bennett and Gronk. Gronk got most of the multiple coverage on Sunday. At the rate Bennetts going, youd have to think they will.
ESPN First Take - Martellus Bennett Compares Tom Brady to Jay Cutler
BOSTON (CBS) Martellus Bennett is a man who tends to tell it like it is, and the fact that hes now a member of the Patriots isnt turning him into a shy person.
On Tuesday after practice, Bennett was asked what he likes about Rob Gronkowski on the football field.
Bennetts answer was as simple as it gets.
Gronk? Gronk is just really [expletive] good, Bennett said with a laugh.
After that, Bennett did get into detail about what it is that makes Gronkowski such a great player.
Its been a pleasure playing with him. I think weve been raising each others game. He does some things very well, and I do some things differently. The thing is, were built alike but were two totally different players. The way we run routes, the way we go about our business is totally different, Bennett said. Its been very fun playing with him. Hes very passionate, he brings it every single day in meetings, on film. And its just been a joy to play with him, because hes one of those guys that makes you up your game. And I try to do the same thing for him. I think weve been feeding off each other a lot. Hes been in this offense for a long time, so I just ask him a lot of questions and he helps me out a lot. Theres so many different plays. Ill be like, Hey, Rob, we got this on this play? And h**l be like, Yeah, thats what we got. I always double-check with him.
Before fully finishing the question, Bennett just had to reiterate: But hes really [expletive] good.
The Bears are a week away from their exhibition opener and trying to squeeze the most out of their remaining stay at training camp. On a somewhat eventful Wednesday at Olivet Nazarene University, here"s what we learned.
1. Martellus Bennett is still talking about Jay Cutler. Brandon Marshall is too.
Cutler"s reaction? Just plain amused.
Here"s the background: Bennett"s verbal swipes at Cutler came within a lengthy ESPN Magazine profile published this week in which the loquacious tight end and his equally opinionated brother, Michael, were asked to riff about several players and hot-button topics around the NFL. When the discussion shifted to Cutler, Michael Bennett, a defensive end for the Seahawks, called the longtime Bear the "worst quarterback in the NFL."
Martellus Bennett, who played with Cutler for three seasons before being traded to the Patriots in March, piled on: "I"d be open and he"d throw into double coverage," he said.
Marshall, whose fractured relationship with Cutler is beyond repair after his tempestuous 2014 season, spent part of his Tuesday visit on ESPN"s "First Take" offering optimism about his former quarterback. Said Marshall, entering his second season with the Jets: "I truly believe if Alshon Jeffery stays healthy and then you have Kevin White if this rookie can come in and catch 55-plus b***s, Jay Cutler can be an MVP this year."
Cutler was asked about the thoughts of both former teammates and simply laughed.
"Most receivers and tight ends (think they) are always open," Cutler said of Bennett"s claims. "Hopefully Tom (Brady) can do a better job of finding him than I did."
And what of Marshall again offering high praise rather than sharp criticism of Cutler?
"You can"t please everybody. We"re at both ends of the spectrum here," Cutler quipped. "We wish both those guys good luck. I had fun playing with them here, and that"s just kind of how it goes."
Asked later why his name keeps coming up with former teammates, Cutler knew better than to continue any easily sensationalized jibber-jabber.
"I could say something clever and smart," Cutler said, "but I"ll just pass."
Long story short: The Bears pushed to trade Bennett and Marshall to minimize melodrama. Given both players" track records with the Bears and their talkative personalities, their comments this week need to be kept in proper perspective: exaggerated opinions at best, hollow gibberish at worst.
Cutler"s taking the right approach and won"t lose sleep knowing both players are no longer his concern.
2. Kyle Long"s return to practice Wednesday came with plenty of eagerness.
Long was limited, but after missing four full practices with a calf strain he was simply glad to be back in the mix.
He suffered the injury during the first practice last week. Per his recap, he was "trying to chase Danny Trevathan for the dozenth time at a practice" when the injury occurred.
Long hates missing practice time and, by his own admission, still hasn"t figured out how to harness his restlessness when injured.
"It gets boring," he said. "I"m here to play football, and when I"m not playing football, I feel like I"m doing something wrong and feel kind of guilty about it."
The Bears appreciate Long"s drive but have made clear they intend to be cautious as they blend him back in. Coach John Fox said he"s keeping the Sept. 11 opener against the Texans in focus regarding Long rather than being concerned about the right guard"s availability for next week"s exhibition against the Broncos.
3. The roster churn continues.
The Bears signed cornerback Joel Ross and are expected to sign veteran fullback Darrel Young as they continue to shape the bottom of the roster during the camp grind.
Recently signed cornerback Brandon Boykin was placed on injured reserve; he tweeted Wednesday night that he had been playing with a torn pectoral muscle for five days without realizing it. The other corresponding roster move is not known.
