Ellis: Maybe It Is Time To Move Bennett

[Midswat]

No way to know where Martellus Bennett heard the rumor Tuesday that he could be traded, or whether there's any validity to it. But come to think of it, this might be the time.

It's not that Bennett isn't a useful player for the Cowboys. He was pretty good in 2010, actually much more consistent than in the two years prior. He said himself that he's ready to be "the guy."

Well, he'll never be the guy here because of Jason Witten. And entering his fourth season, he would be coming up on free agency under the old salary camp system. If he feels he's ready to be "the guy," one wouldn't believe he will plan on re-signing and remaining a very solid No. 2.

Next year the Cowboys have a very capable blocker and occasional pass-catcher coming back in John Phillips.

For the right price, perhaps a third- or fourth-round pick, perhaps it's time to make Bennett available.

 

[dbair1967]

I wouldnt move him for anything less than a very high 3rd, and preferably a 2nd.

He provides very good insurance for Witten should he miss games or God forbid gets IR'd, and his role in the offense as-is makes him more worthwhile than some late middle rd pick.

If he didnt play much (like Choice for instance) then trading him just to get something in return makes sense.

 

[Midswat]

I want him gone because he's an immature guy who doesn't give his best effort.

 

[dbair1967]

I want him gone because he's an immature guy who doesn't give his best effort.

When has he appeared not to give effort? He's a superb blocker and a big part of good blocking is effort.

 

[sbk92]

We have three quality tight ends. That's nice but really not something we can maximize unless there's an injury.

It's all about the offers out there for him. If you can get a 2nd or 3rd round pick, I'd do it. But I wouldn't give him away.

 

[sbk92]

But there isn't any doubt in my mind that Bennett is the 3rd best TE we have.

 

[Midswat]

When has he appeared not to give effort? He's a superb blocker and a big part of good blocking is effort.

His rookie year in training camp, for one.

I could be off, and I hope I am, but he only seems like he'll give 100% when he's either the go to TE in an offence (which he'll never be here) or perhaps in a contract year.

Otherwise, we'll get more of the stupid social media shenanigans, the lazy route running, and the sometimes lackluster effort in making catches.

 

[sbk92]

Sturm posted the passing stats through the season. The targets for each receiver and the QB rating when throwing to that receiver.

I believe Dez, Austin, Witten, Felix and even Roy hovered at 100 QB rating or more. Even guys like Barber, Choice and Gronkowski were in the 70's and 80's.

Bennett was in the 50s. Whatever the reason, he stood alone as the least productive pass catcher in this offense.

 

[cmd34]

I'd move him in the right deal, let's say for a starting safety. I'd trade him for a 2nd round pick now or a 3rd round pick on draft day if it meant drafting someone we were very high on. I wouldn't trade him just to get rid of him.

 

[Cr122]

Next year the Cowboys have a very capable blocker and occasional pass-catcher coming back in John Phillips.

For the right price, perhaps a third- or fourth-round pick, perhaps it's time to make Bennett available.

I just hope Phillips will be fine next year which I think he will.

I rank our tight ends like this.

1) Witten

2) Phillips

3) Bennett

I know I will catch hell for this especially from Laz, but hey.

 

[Cythim]

I wanted to trade him a couple of years ago when it was rumored that Cincy would give us a first rd pick.

 

[Mr.Po]

I wanted to trade him a couple of years ago when it was rumored that Cincy would give us a first rd pick.

Ditto for me..........

1-2 years too late. Now that his stock has continued to plummet we couldn't get a stack of towels and a 6 pack of G2 for this lazy mental midget.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

I wouldnt move him for anything less than a very high 3rd, and preferably a 2nd.

He provides very good insurance for Witten should he miss games or God forbid gets IR'd, and his role in the offense as-is makes him more worthwhile than some late middle rd pick.

If he didnt play much (like Choice for instance) then trading him just to get something in return makes sense.

Yeah let's trade him ansd then what? Come this next draft, just draft another TE. Brilliant. I'm with you on this dbair. Phillips is coming back off a season-ending injury. And even if he played, would he have done any better than Bennett? No.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

But there isn't any doubt in my mind that Bennett is the 3rd best TE we have.

Of course. This is coming from the GREATEST FOOTBALL MIND EVER. Bullshit. Don't give me that crap that Phillips is better than Bennett. You are already spouting off about gewtting either a 2nd or 3rd for Bennett, do you think any team would give that for Phillips?

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

His rookie year in training camp, for one.

I could be off, and I hope I am, but he only seems like he'll give 100% when he's either the go to TE in an offence (which he'll never be here) or perhaps in a contract year.

Otherwise, we'll get more of the stupid social media shenanigans, the lazy route running, and the sometimes lackluster effort in making catches.

His receptions to target ration is only behind Witten and Felix. When targeted, he catches the ball at a better rate than Bryant and Austin.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

I just hope Phillips will be fine next year which I think he will.

I rank our tight ends like this.

1) Witten

2) Phillips

3) Bennett

I know I will catch hell for this especially from Laz, but hey.

Of course. Just like Moss is rated higher than Bowles even though Bowlesa have more expereince in the 3-4. We know.

If Phillips is supposedly better than Bennett, then why not trade Phillips and see if we can get a better draft pick, right? Or you guys just full of shit.

 

[Cr122]

Of course. Just like Moss is rated higher than Bowles even though Bowlesa have more expereince in the 3-4. We know.

If Phillips is supposedly better than Bennett, then why not trade Phillips and see if we can get a better draft pick, right? Or you guys just full of shit.

Your right I may be full of shit, who knows.

 

[VAcowboy]

Garret's offense depends on TE's as much as any offense in the League. Ideally, it has two all around guys who can both block and catch well, and a third blocker who can catch a ball some too. Bennett was supposed to be that second guy, but while he's been arguably the best blocking TE on the team, he has yet to become the receiving threat he was drafted to be.

The interesting thing to me was the way Phillips started to blow up this past preseason. It was preseason, yes, but Phillips was playing better than any other Dallas player on the offensive side of the ball. He blocked like a freight train and caught everything thrown his way. Until the injury, he was the guy who moved the chains. Romo was looking for Phillips. You could see it. And when Phillips went down, the offense started to stagnate.

Now, I'm not saying JP is the most valuable player to the Dallas O. Like I said, it was preseason. I'm not saying JP is better than Bennett. He's certainly not in Bennett's class as an athlete. But he's very smart, technically sound, plays HARD--snap to whistle, every single down--and as I told folks when Dallas selected him, his athleticism and ability as a receiver is going to surprise everyone.

Bottom line, I think Phillips can play that #2 TE role at least as well as Bennet has been. If Martellus plays to the significant potential, of which we've seen flashes the past two training camps, he will be a monster on the order of Visanthe Shiancoe, and I think you'll witness the Dallas O produce at a whole new level. Until that time, Marty B is a disappointment, in my book.

Doesn't mean we trade him. Until we have a replacement who gives the offense what Bennett does or someone makes Jerry an offer he can't refuse, Marty has significant value to the team.

 

[Midswat]

Agree with the noob ^^

 

[sbk92]

Then I'll say it. Phillips is a better player than Bennett.

I don't care about athletic ability. Plenty of all world athletes don't have more than a cup of coffee in the NFL. Phillips is a better football player.