This is the second in a series, introducing new players. Our division is among the best in the NFL, and with an upcoming year, facing some tough games, it has been imperative that our teams re-tooled and improved.
The New England Patriots introduced to the world the Two-Tight-End-System, and it was brutal to defend. Last season Bill Belichick attempted to recreate it with a Buffalo cast off, and it just wasn’t there. In order for that system to work, Gronk’s counterpart needs to be athletic, fast, elusive and almost a wide receiver. A Gronk partner simply opens up the entire field and it is very hard to defend. And opportunity knocked at the door this off season….
Martellus Bennett
Martellus just turned 29 years of age. He has played in the NFL for the last 8 seasons, he is 6’6”, 273 lbs. He was a second round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 2008. Played in Dallas for four years, the Giants one, and the last three with the Chicago Bears.
Martellus was not an important player for the Cowboys, his production began to take shape in 2012, playing with Manning in New York. His least productive season since then was last year. His TD totals dropped below 5 to 3, for the first time. Very hard to understand why, especially since the Bears top WR threat was injured most of the season. He did not like Gase’s offense, as it is not designed to highlight the TE position. His targets dropped to the lowest since his days in Dallas.
Bennett brings size advantage with a very athletic body, and his red-zone presence will make Gronk lethal. He will be the best tight end to team up with Gronk since Hernandez. Teams in the AFC East will be smart to add an extra CB or two, and or beef up with LBs that can cover, because to play these guys twice a year, will not be easy.
My take
As a Jets fan, I wanted the Jets to trade for him. He has not been a happy camper in Chicago, mostly because he wants to be the main target. Martellus was not expensive, carries a one year contract, and the gamble is well worth it. The Patriots offense, with the return of Dion Lewis, will be a tough compadre for any defense to face. Martellus will be tough to keep happy, especially since in New England he is Gronk’s caddy, however, his presence alone will make defense coordinator spend a lot of nights awake.
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