Martellus Bennett

Martellus Bennett
Martellus Bennett

Bennett in December 2006
No. 80     Dallas Cowboys
Tight end
Personal information
Date of birth: March 10, 1987 (1987-03-10) (age 24)
Place of birth: Alief, Houston, Texas
Height: 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) Weight: 275 lb (125 kg)
Career information
College: Texas A&M
NFL Draft: 2008 / Round: 2 / Pick: 61
Debuted in 2008 for the Dallas Cowboys
Career history
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 4, 2011
Receptions     71
Receiving Yards     730
Touchdowns     4
Stats at NFL.com

Martellus Demond Bennett (born March 10, 1987 in Alief, Houston) is an American football tight end for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He played college football at Texas A&M.

Contents

Early years

Bennett played football and basketball at Alief Taylor High School in Alief, Texas. He was a three-year starter and two-time All-District and All-Greater Houston selection at tight end. As a sophomore, he averaged 12.4 yards per catch. During his junior year, he grabbed 13 catches for 170 yards and two touchdowns. In his senior year, he caught a team-high of 42 catches for 487 yards and six touchdowns, earning first-team Class 5A all-state honors from the Texas Sports Writers Association. He also averaged 23 points and 8.2 rebounds per game as a senior in basketball.[1]

As a college football prospect in his senior year of high school, Bennett was a five-star recruit ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 1 tight end and No. 8 best player in the 2005 prospect class. He was recruited by Texas A&M, Duke, Kansas, LSU, Miami, Oklahoma, and Texas. Although originally committed to play for Miami,[2] he chose to sign a National Letter of Intent to play for Texas A&M.[3]

After his senior season, Bennett decided to declare for the 2005 NBA Draft, though did not hire an agent, intending to go to college if he did not get selected in the first round. NBA scouts informed him that it was unlikely he would, causing him to withdraw from the draft a few days prior. As a result, he decided to enroll in classes in the second summer session at Texas A&M.[4]

College career

In his freshman season at Texas A&M University, he caught 18 passes for 162 yards and 3 touchdowns, earning freshman All-American honors from Sporting News.[5] In his sophomore season, he was named one of eight semifinalists for the John Mackey Award, given annually to the nation's top tight end, after making 38 catches for 497 yards and three touchdowns.[6] On October 28, 2006, he caught a career-high of 133 yards and two touchdowns on five catches against Baylor. He was named the Mackey Award Player of the Week after the game. He finished his sophomore season with All-Big 12 Second Team honors.[7] In his junior season, he made 49 receptions for 587 yards and four touchdowns.[8] After his junior season, an NFL committee indicated to Bennett that he would be a first or second-round pick in the NFL Draft, so Bennett decided to skip his senior season and declare early.[9][10]

In his three seasons at Texas A&M University, Bennett caught 105 passes for 1,246 yards and 10 touchdowns. His 105 receptions equal the school record of most receptions by a tight end.[11] He only averaged 34.6 yards per game, though many felt that his head coach, Dennis Franchione, who ran a run-oriented offense,[12] did not properly utilize his talent.[9][13] After his sophomore season, Bennett recorded a rap song called "Throw me the ball coach," and made a remix of it with his teammates.[14]

Bennett also played basketball for Texas A&M for two seasons under head coach Billy Gillispie,[15] but decided to focus on football in January 2007.[16] In the 2005–06 season—his first—he became the first Texas A&M athlete since 1969 to letter in both basketball and football.[17] He played in 26 games his freshman season,[18] averaging 1.9 points and 1.5 rebounds. In his sophomore season, before choosing football, he averaged 0.5 points and 0.5 rebounds.[19]

Professional career

Pre-draft

At the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine, Bennett finished the 40-yard dash in 4.68 seconds, ranking seventh out of the eight tight ends in his group. He ranked third in the vertical jump (34 inches) and fifth in the broad jump (9–9).[20] Along with 30 other prospects,[21] he was invited to the Dallas Cowboys' Valley Ranch headquarters for a pre-draft visit on April 17–18, 2008.[22]

A week prior to the draft, an Associated Press sports writer critiqued Bennett's playing abilities as follows: "Played basketball for the Aggies as well, and has the athletic ability to be a nice red-zone target. Lack of speed means he’s not a deep threat, but once he improves his routes, his strength and size should make him an asset. Needs to improve zone recognition, too. Good, aggressive blocker."[23]

Dallas Cowboys

Bennett was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round (61st overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft.[24] According to Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones, Bennett was selected not because they needed a backup tight end, but to "add a new dimension" by being part of a two tight end offense.[25][26] [27] In the 2008 preseason, Bennett learned technique from tight end Jason Witten.[28][29][30] During the preseason camps, the documentary series Hard Knocks initially portrayed Martellus as a lazy and unmotivated player.[31] Although Bennett was initially having trouble learning the Cowboys' offense, he worked hard to improve, as later episodes of Hard Knocks showed.[32][33][34]

Bennett agreed to a four-year contract with the team on July 24.[35] He was given the No. 2 tight end position over Tony Curtis.[36][37][38][39] Bennett finished his rookie season with 20 receptions for 283 yards and four touchdowns.[40]

In his second season, Bennett compiled only 15 catches for 159 yards and no touchdowns. In a January 2010 news conference following the season, Jerry Jones indicated that while Bennett has breakout potential, he needs to put in the focus to meet it.[40]. Despite a left ankle sprain in the preseason, he responded in 2010 with a career high 33 catches, but for only 260 yards and no touchdowns.[41]

Bennett raised some eyebrows during a radio interview when he stated that backup quarterback Jon Kitna deserved a chance to compete for the starting quarterback job after filling in for the injured Tony Romo during the 2010 season.[42] He had an injury plagued preseason in 2011, with an injured hamstring and right high ankle strain keeping him out of two out of four preseason games. He is expected to miss the season opener, as well.[43]

Personal

Bennett is a friend of former Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett. After Everett's career-ending neck injury in 2007,[44] Bennett chose to honor Everett by wearing his jersey number for two games during his 2007 junior season at Texas A&M.[45]

He is also known for his sense of humor.[14][46][47] As a Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporter put it, Bennett "had more memorable quotes than memorable catches at Texas A&M".[25] After being drafted by the Cowboys, Bennett stated, when referring to incumbent quarterback Tony Romo: "Any quarterback that can get Jessica Simpson, I’ve got to play with him". The Cowboys addressed his comment shortly afterwards.[48] During an interview at the NFL Combine, when asked about his interest in both basketball and football, he responded: "Football is my wife and basketball is my mistress".[49]

In January 2009, Bennett was fined $22,000 for an explicit rap song he posted on YouTube.[50]

Martellus has one sibling named Michael, who played defensive end for Texas A&M and plays defensive end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[51][52] Their parents are Penny and Michael Bennett Sr.[53]

In 2011, Bennett married Siggi Walker from Oakland, CA. She studied Psychology at Sarah Lawrence College and attended Marin Academy High School in San Rafael, CA. They currently live together in Dallas, TX. Martellus is also a FC Dallas fan, and has been spotted watching their practices and games.

Notes

  1. ^ "Martellus Bennett". AggieAthletics.com. http://www.aggieathletics.com/bios.php?SID=MFB&PID=7610&YOS=2007. 
  2. ^ "Canes steal top recruit from SEC". http://arkansas.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1033&CID=373008. 
  3. ^ Martellus Bennett - Football Recruiting
  4. ^ "Aggies get boost as top recruit Bennett bails on NBA". CBS Sports. 2005-06-22. http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/8586758. 
  5. ^ SportingNews.com - Your expert source for TSN's 2005 Freshman All-American Teams
  6. ^ http://nassausports.org/mackey/2006%20John%20Mackey%20Award%20Semi-Finalists%20-%2011-17-06.pdf
  7. ^ "2006 AT&T All-Big 12 Football Awards Announced" (Press release). http://www.big12sports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112806aac.html. 
  8. ^ "#13 Martellus Bennett". ESPN. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=177364. 
  9. ^ a b Texas A&M's Martellus Bennett to enter NFL draft | Sports News | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas
  10. ^ Scout.com: Bennett declares for NFL draft
  11. ^ Texas A&M TE Bennett will skip senior year, enter NFL draft - International Herald Tribune
  12. ^ College stardom doesn't ensure draft selection
  13. ^ Option hard for Texas A&M tight end Bennett | Sports News | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas
  14. ^ a b Texas A&M TE discusses mistress
  15. ^ "Martellus Bennett Profile". http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/players/46630. 
  16. ^ Aggies: Martellus has a change of heart; Gillispie to go deeper on his bench
  17. ^ The top prospects
  18. ^ MySA.com: KENS 5: Sports
  19. ^ "Texas A&M Aggies Statistics". http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/teams/stats?teamId=245&year=2007. 
  20. ^ Williams, Charean (2008-02-24). "TCU's Blake is tested at hospital". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. http://www.star-telegram.com/329/story/491416.html. Retrieved 2008-02-24. [dead link]
  21. ^ DallasCowboys.com - News
  22. ^ Star-Telegram.com: | 27 March 2008 | Cowboys drop a few draft hints with invitation list
  23. ^ Freeman, Rick (2008-04-19). "DRAFT 2008: Profiles of the top players by position". Associated Press (Yahoo! Sports). http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-draft-profiles-offense&prov=ap&type=lgns. Retrieved 2008-04-20. 
  24. ^ "Cowboys' picks of Jones, Jenkins unconventional". http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/other/04/27/0427cowboys.html. 
  25. ^ a b "Cowboys make draft moves that have the best fit". http://www.star-telegram.com/332/story/606727.html. 
  26. ^ "OTA Notes & Observations (PART I)". http://phi.scout.com/a.z?s=67&p=2&c=757999. 
  27. ^ "Expect Wade Phillips to be gone next season". http://www.dallasnews.com/s/dws/nwsltr/sports/ivr/stories/070908dnspoinsidethecowboys__.31900ea.html. 
  28. ^ "Dallas Cowboys' Bennett steps back to move forward". http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/stories/062408dnspocowlede.2f3734a.html. 
  29. ^ "Dallas Cowboys need more than star power to succeed". http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/072508dnspoarcher.892aa3cd.html. 
  30. ^ "Cowboys notebook: Owens, Jones put on a show". http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/jul/28/owens-jones-put-on-a-show/. 
  31. ^ "Curtailed Drama". http://was.scout.com/a.z?s=71&p=2&c=822567. 
  32. ^ "NFC team reports rundown". http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=430275. 
  33. ^ "Dallas Cowboys' Witten shows heart on, off the field". http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/stories/062508dnspocownewsletter.1c0a751.html. 
  34. ^ "Campo Headlines 'Superstar' Coaching Staff". http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=661104AD-9581-6B80-88EB1E68C533FFF0. 
  35. ^ "Bennett signs as Cowboys shift focus to first-round picks". http://www.star-telegram.com/332/story/781684.html. 
  36. ^ "Camp Notes: Henry to safety a welcome possibility". http://mvn.com/nfl-cowboys/2008/07/27/camp-notes-henry-to-safety-a-welcome-possibility/. 
  37. ^ "1st-Rounders Practice This Afternoon". http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=60ED9988-B61D-8FA5-AC6D4B2848200A5D. 
  38. ^ "Whispers — NFC East". http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Way+We+Hear+It/Whispers/2008/nfceast120608.htm. 
  39. ^ "Dallas Cowboys rookies quickly find their way to the field". http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/stories/110908dnspocowlede.2aa3a02.html. 
  40. ^ a b "Dallas Cowboys want improved play from Martellus Bennett". http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/story/1915837.html. 
  41. ^ Calvin Watkins (2011-08-29). "Martellus Bennett likely out 2-4 weeks". http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story/_/id/6904433/dallas-cowboys-martellus-bennett-expected-2-4-weeks. Retrieved 2011-09-07. 
  42. ^ Tom Orsborn (2011-08-31). "Cowboys prepare for opener without CB Terence Newman and TE Martellus Bennett". http://blog.mysanantonio.com/nfl/2011/08/romo-had-a-sitdown-with-bennett-regarding-kitna-comments/. Retrieved 2011-09-07. 
  43. ^ David Moore (2011-09-07). "Cowboys prepare for opener without CB Terence Newman and TE Martellus Bennett". http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/09/cowboys-prepare-for-opener-wit.html. Retrieved 2011-09-07. 
  44. ^ Sports Illustrated (2007). "Everett's injury 'catastrophic'". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on September 20, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070920060906/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/09/10/bc.fbn.bills.everetthur.ap/index.html?cnn=yes. Retrieved September 11, 2007. 
  45. ^ "Day 1 Combine wrap up [Ryan O'Halloran"]. http://video1.washingtontimes.com/redskins/2008/02/day_1_combine_wrap_up_ryan_oha.html. 
  46. ^ "Live chat tonight on VY; More Martellus Bennett". http://blogs.chron.com/jeromesolomon/2008/01/live_chat_tonight_on_vy_more_m.html. 
  47. ^ "A&M tight ends form a fearsome tandem on the field, an odd couple off". http://www.thebatt.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticle&ustory_id=c7129884-ab33-4aef-a9ff-dfd467d5b0c5. 
  48. ^ "Bennett gets a talking". http://www.star-telegram.com/332/story/607985.html. 
  49. ^ "Multiple personalities". http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Scouting+Combine/2008/feature022208.htm. 
  50. ^ "Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett fined by team for rap video". http://www.star-telegram.com/332/story/1172542.html. 
  51. ^ "The Big 5: A&M senior Michael Bennett enjoys his sibling rivalry". http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/story/863488.html. 
  52. ^ "Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett predicts Texas A&M win over UT". http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/other/11/24/1124bennett.html. 
  53. ^ "Dallas Cowboys' Bennett is fun-loving but hardly apathetic". http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/texasam/stories/113008dnspocowlede.3999f38.html. 

External links

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Active roster

1 Mat McBriar | 3 Jon Kitna | 5 Dan Bailey | 6 Chris Jones | 7 Stephen McGee | 9 Tony Romo | 11 Akwasi Owusu-Ansah | 16 Jesse Holley | 19 Miles Austin | 20 Alan Ball | 21 Mike Jenkins | 24 Tony Fiammetta | 25 Frank Walker | 26 Abram Elam | 28 Felix Jones | 29 DeMarco Murray | 32 Orlando Scandrick | 34 Phillip Tanner | 40 Danny McCray | 41 Terence Newman | 42 Barry Church | 43 Gerald Sensabaugh | 50 Sean Lee | 51 Keith Brooking | 54 Bruce Carter | 55 Alex Albright | 56 Bradie James | 57 Victor Butler | 60 Kevin Kowalski | 62 David Arkin | 63 Kyle Kosier | 64 Montrae Holland | 67 Phil Costa | 68 Doug Free | 75 Derrick Dockery | 77 Tyron Smith | 78 Jermey Parnell | 80 Martellus Bennett | 81 Laurent Robinson | 82 Jason Witten | 85 Kevin Ogletree | 88 Dez Bryant | 89 John Phillips | 90 Jay Ratliff | 91 L. P. Ladouceur | 92 Josh Brent | 93 Anthony Spencer | 94 DeMarcus Ware | 95 Sean Lissemore | 96 Clifton Geathers | 97 Jason Hatcher | 98 Marcus Spears | 99 Kenyon Coleman
Reserve lists

2 Kai Forbath (NF-Inj.) | 18 David Buehler (IR) | 61 Bill Nagy (IR) | 86 Raymond Radway (IR)
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AFC East: BUF · MIA · NE · NYJ • North: BAL · CIN · CLE · Persondata
Name Bennett, Martellus
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth March 10, 2001
Place of birth Alief, Houston
Date of death
Place of death

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