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John Garrett: Martellus Bennett showing signs of maturity and moving toward his true potential
11:34 PM CDT on Thursday, August 26, 2010
SportsDayDFW.com
Dallas Cowboys tight end coach John Garrett was interviewed on KESN-FM on Wednesday to discuss the growth of Martellus Bennett , the loss of John Phillips and the younger players vying for a spot. Here are some highlights:
Are the tight ends ready to go or do they need more work?
We always need more work. We’re in search of the perfect game, the perfect play, the perfect route, technique, block…and I don’t think you ever get there but the pursuit of it is the important thing. So, we’re never arrived and we’re always trying to get better.
What do you see for Martellus Bennett this year and can he mature and take it to the next level?
Well, he’s showing signs that he has matured. He really had a great approach in rehabbing his ankle. He was really professional, he stayed alert and alive in the meetings, and once he was healthy, he showed it, in practice, that he was ready and then he went out for San Diego and made some plays in the passing game and continued to show his ability to block and move people at the point of attack. So we were pleased with his game performance and as we know, he’s got a long way to go to be the kind of player that we hope him to be but also that he hopes to be. We’re moving towards that and we’re really pleased with his development right now.
Before John Phillips was injured, was he ahead of Bennett on the depth chart?
We don’t compare players and John has his specific role, which he fulfilled last year very well. And John is the guy that when somebody gets hurt, he comes in and takes great pride in knowing both positions and even the fullback position. So, they are completely different and they have different roles and there are certain things that Martellus does better than John at this stage and he will continue to do those things and we expect Martellus to continue to have an expanded role in this offense, both in the run game and the pass game, as he demonstrated the ability to handle it and demonstrates his performance in those roles.
Do any of the younger players have a chance at making the team as their third tight end or possibly a full back?
They do have a good chance of making the team. In the past, we’ve kept three tight ends active and one on the practice roster and hopefully that’s the way we’ll go if everything stays status quo and normal. We’re pleased to have Martin Rucker; he was the latest addition and he has some experience playing for other teams and he has a good pedigree. His older brother Mike played in the league for a long time with Carolina as a defensive lineman. He’s the all-time leading receiver in Missouri football history and he has a big enough frame and enough strength to block at the point of attack. And he shown to do that with the other NFL teams that he’s played for, so we like his chances and his ability to pick up the offense.
DajLeon Farr has come in and done a nice job. He’s had to fill in when we had those injuries and we’re pleased with his process. He’s a strong kid, a tough kid and has been able to pick up the offense and have a role in these preseason games and we’re pleased with him.
To listen to the interview, click here.
• • •
11:34 PM CDT on Thursday, August 26, 2010
SportsDayDFW.com
Dallas Cowboys tight end coach John Garrett was interviewed on KESN-FM on Wednesday to discuss the growth of Martellus Bennett , the loss of John Phillips and the younger players vying for a spot. Here are some highlights:
Are the tight ends ready to go or do they need more work?
We always need more work. We’re in search of the perfect game, the perfect play, the perfect route, technique, block…and I don’t think you ever get there but the pursuit of it is the important thing. So, we’re never arrived and we’re always trying to get better.
What do you see for Martellus Bennett this year and can he mature and take it to the next level?
Well, he’s showing signs that he has matured. He really had a great approach in rehabbing his ankle. He was really professional, he stayed alert and alive in the meetings, and once he was healthy, he showed it, in practice, that he was ready and then he went out for San Diego and made some plays in the passing game and continued to show his ability to block and move people at the point of attack. So we were pleased with his game performance and as we know, he’s got a long way to go to be the kind of player that we hope him to be but also that he hopes to be. We’re moving towards that and we’re really pleased with his development right now.
Before John Phillips was injured, was he ahead of Bennett on the depth chart?
We don’t compare players and John has his specific role, which he fulfilled last year very well. And John is the guy that when somebody gets hurt, he comes in and takes great pride in knowing both positions and even the fullback position. So, they are completely different and they have different roles and there are certain things that Martellus does better than John at this stage and he will continue to do those things and we expect Martellus to continue to have an expanded role in this offense, both in the run game and the pass game, as he demonstrated the ability to handle it and demonstrates his performance in those roles.
Do any of the younger players have a chance at making the team as their third tight end or possibly a full back?
They do have a good chance of making the team. In the past, we’ve kept three tight ends active and one on the practice roster and hopefully that’s the way we’ll go if everything stays status quo and normal. We’re pleased to have Martin Rucker; he was the latest addition and he has some experience playing for other teams and he has a good pedigree. His older brother Mike played in the league for a long time with Carolina as a defensive lineman. He’s the all-time leading receiver in Missouri football history and he has a big enough frame and enough strength to block at the point of attack. And he shown to do that with the other NFL teams that he’s played for, so we like his chances and his ability to pick up the offense.
DajLeon Farr has come in and done a nice job. He’s had to fill in when we had those injuries and we’re pleased with his process. He’s a strong kid, a tough kid and has been able to pick up the offense and have a role in these preseason games and we’re pleased with him.
To listen to the interview, click here.
• • •