Patriots trade for TE Martellus Bennett!

supafly said:

I'm not sure what that's supposed to mean, but apparently you aren't familiar with the man's work...

He openly brags about not having any friends, the fact that he's been kicked out of IHOP's all over the country, has fought his own teammates and been suspended, made many comments that have thrown coaches and teammates under the bus, and was repeatedly caught mocking his coaches on "Hard Knocks" during his rookie year. He certainly hadn't displayed traits that are normally seen in players that Belichick looks for.

He's now worn his welcome out in various cities and is on his 4th team, and the Bears have been trying to trade him since the end of 2014.

Belichick liked the fact that he's shown talent on the field and came cheaply on a one year deal via a 4th/6th round swap. It's basically Haynesworth or Chad Johnson all over again. If it works out, great. If it doesn't, he'll be gone at the end of the year, and will likely have improved upon the production of Scott Chandler. Either way, my point still stands. I would have seen him as the opposite of what Belichick looks for, aside from the fact that they practically handed him to us and that he's in the final year of his deal.

Click to expand...

Calling Bennett the "ULTIMATE ANTI-PATRIOT" is hyperbolic to me...I can think of at least ten current NFL players that fit that description better. You are more than welcome to YOUR perception however.

AndyJohnson said:

You seem agitated by my post. I do not know why.
I am simply asking for you to explain why you feel that would happen so I can understand what you mean.

Click to expand...

I'm not meaning to come off as agitated, but this was addressed by Deus as soon as I made the comment.

I voiced a concern, you addressed it and gave your opinion, now we should just move on. I'm not sure what else there is to say on the matter? I brought up the possibility of Bennett seeing less targets while having more blocking responsibilities than he's used to. You disagreed and made fine counter points.

Joker said:

Calling Bennett the "ULTIMATE ANTI-PATRIOT" is hyperbolic to me...I can think of at least ten current NFL players that fit that description better. You are more than welcome to YOUR perception however.

Click to expand...

I said that as of yesterday, he seemed like everything "anti-Patriot" to me. That opinion was based on past behavior and attitude + maturity issues.

I don't believe that I used the word "ultimate," which would suggest that he's on the top of some hypothetical list. I agree with you that there are many other NFL players who would rank above him on such a list.

Either way, his talent plus the cheap asking price was enough to justify bringing him in on a one year rental, so we'll see where it goes from there. His talent will almost certainly improve the offense.

juny said:

Cool off the field story about Bennett
Bears fan here sharing a story about Martellus Bennett's character. • /r/Patriots

Click to expand...

It is a cool story, although even here, the author points out how Bennett's competitive nature doesn't fit into what the Bears are looking for in their locker room.

Again, the signing/trade is a good one due to the circumstances and cheap trade compensation, but if we're being totally honest and fair, his attitude issues have been very well documented. Hopefully in NE, the change in culture can rub off on him. If not, he's still a nice piece to have for a year.

Gotta laugh at the boston media spinning this

"This is because the Pats are worried Gronk is gonna hold out"


Ya because the Pats haven't been looking for a legit #2 TE for the last 4 years or anything

I think the "odd duck" comparison to Lloyd seems like an apt one. He just seems to be wired a little bit differently but after having read up a bit about him, he strikes me as being pretty intelligent and relatively sophisticated - the dude likes ballet! I actually think Gronk will be a great partner for him on a personal level... Gronk is a big goof and lighthearted but knows how to balance work and play perfectly. I don't know if there's any better person to pair Bennett with, and I think it's incredibly fortunate that they are playing the same position.

supafly said:

Let's not act as I've reached into some unknown dimension and pulled out some odd concerns about attitude, work ethic, and the fact that he's been quoted as saying that he's proud of the fact that he doesn't have any friends, etc. Many describe him as "quirky, or odd." Some describe him as a major pain in the ass. We will see. I'm guessing that it's somewhere in the middle. The concern that he'll need to accept a lesser role as the 4th/5th option and likely be expected to do some different things in practice, off the field, etc, isn't exactly my own invention...c'mon, now.

Coming into yesterday, I would've pegged him for the ultimate "anti-Patriot." Apparently, Belichick disagrees, at least enough to swap 4th/6th rounds picks in order to give him a chance here. It's a fairly low risk shot like we've seen with Haynesworth or Chad Johnson. He obviously has talent. Let's hope he makes the best of this chance. In the meantime, I may think twice about purchasing a jersey until next spring, that's all. Even a semi-productive season may not keep him here past one year.

Click to expand...

Coming into yesterday, I would've pegged him for theultimate "anti-Patriot."

just making sure I wasn't seeing things.....

supafly said:

I'm not meaning to come off as agitated, but this was addressed by Deus as soon as I made the comment.

I voiced a concern, you addressed it and gave your opinion, now we should just move on. I'm not sure what else there is to say on the matter? I brought up the possibility of Bennett seeing less targets while having more blocking responsibilities than he's used to. You disagreed and made fine counter points.

Click to expand...

Ok I thought the point of the board was to discuss. Sorry. I will move on without getting the answer to the question

robertweathers said:

So you are of the belief that Hogan does not replace LaFell?

Click to expand...

No I don't. I'm not high on Hogan at all. Afraid he's going to be a bust.

robertweathers said:

So you are of the belief that Hogan does not replace LaFell?

Click to expand...

I think Dobson is gonna replace Lafells role

supafly said:

I said that as of yesterday, he seemed like everything "anti-Patriot" to me. That opinion was based on past behavior and attitude + maturity issues.

I don't believe that I used the word "ultimate," which would suggest that he's on the top of some hypothetical list. I agree with you that there are many other NFL players who would rank above him on such a list.

Either way, his talent plus the cheap asking price was enough to justify bringing him in on a one year rental, so we'll see where it goes from there. His talent will almost certainly improve the offense.

Click to expand...

Reading through your posts I think you've definitely made a lot of valid points regarding his off the field behavior.

Still I have an inkling that Bennett, considering he is in the final year of his deal, has good reason to behave and give the best performance he can. He is almost 30 and this may be the last chance for a good contract coming up. He has all the incentive to shut the hell up (doesn't mean he can't be a colorful personality), work his ass off and be as productive as possible.

I think that combined with an elite winning organization is enough to make me feel confident that good things are on the way in 2016. TBH I have doubts that he'll be here more than one year unless he really blows us away. But even so his cap hit isn't egregious by any means and we can milk potentially one impressive year out of him. A fairly low risk, potentially great reward.

Not saying you disagree with any of that but I get where you are coming from with some trepedation. If I had to guess this is a rental. Lots of dudes to extend coming up I'm not sure he is here for the long haul.

Bradyking12 said:

I think Dobson is gonna replace Lafells role

Click to expand...

Is that role "Next WR from 2015 who gets cut in 2016"?

JMC00 said:

Gotta laugh at the boston media spinning this

"This is because the Pats are worried Gronk is gonna hold out"


Ya because the Pats haven't been looking for a legit #2 TE for the last 4 years or anything

Click to expand...

Well, since June 26, 2013. . . .

On the surface, it's an exciting move. He's probably gonna be another enigma like Lloyd. But as long as he gets 900 yds and 6-8 TDs, I'll be pretty content with that. At least Lloyd played a decent role in the Pats deep playoff run.

Joker said:

Coming into yesterday, I would've pegged him for theultimate "anti-Patriot."

just making sure I wasn't seeing things.....

Click to expand...

Sorry for wasting your time, Joe. I didn't remember using the word "ultimate."

Either way, voicing concerns for Bennett's attitude isn't exactly news, so you shouldn't shoot the messenger. There have been multiple articles on the subject today that have come across our news feed just here on the site. It isn't like I attempted to show a one-sided picture of him. He's obviously very talented, which I have brought up many times.

AndyJohnson said:

Ok I thought the point of the board was to discuss. Sorry. I will move on without getting the answer to the question

Click to expand...

You have a history of attempting to "stand over" and lecture posters on things that you disagree with, which is exactly what you've attempted to do with me, and this is far from the first time. What is the point of posting responses 5-6-7 times over and over again to try and make your point? You made it the first time, and I actually gave you credit. Actually, if you want the truth, @Deus Irae already made it for you last night within minutes, we exchanged a post or two, and moved on.

The concern came from the fact that we may be using more pure 2 TE sets and Bennett is lower on the food chain that he's used to. You (and initially, Deus, whose comment you looked right at, then went and began pounding the drum for the same thing) made fine counter points, stating why you don't think it's an issue, and your reasoning made a lot of sense. What else do you think we should talk about on the subject?

What was the thinking process that was based on voicing this concern? Is that what you're asking? The fact that Bennett was seeing less snaps at certain times last season in blocking situations, that he's recently been used to being a major focal point of their offense, and has shown some signs of having an attitude problem. Human error? Faulty logic? I'm not sure what you're looking for, here, but I am very sure that you got the general point a long, long time ago and are showing signs of your usual argumentative nature.

supafly said:

You have a history of attempting to lecture posters on things that you disagree with, which is exactly what you've attempted to do with me, and this is far from the first time. Remember when Miguel had to jump in last year because you were so adamant about the fact that "we'd never use a first round pick on the DL again," and that "Siligia was the clear cut starter for 2015?" Those were both statements that I heavily disagreed with, but you just wouldn't let up, and guess what? You were very wrong on both accounts.

What is the point of posting responses 5-6-7 times over and over again to try and make your point? You made it the first time. Actually, if you want the truth, @Deus Irae already made it for you last night within minutes, we exchanged a post or two, and moved on.

Any slight (or actually, I used the term "minor") concerns involved wondering out loud about Bennett's potential to see decreased targets and the possibility that he'd be used to block more in 2 TE sets. I'm not sure how many times you wish for me to state the exact same thing? The concern came from the fact that we may be using more pure 2 TE sets and Bennett is lower on the food chain that he's used to. You made fine counter points, stating why you don't think it's an issue, and your reasoning made a lot of sense. What else do you think we should talk about on the subject?

Click to expand...

Supa, you said nothing you need to defend. If someone's got an issue with you about your Bennett posts, let them go pound sand.

supafly said:

As far as any comments on Jimmy Graham go, I think you could ask anyone in the NFL and they'd likely tell you the same. He's always been a glorified receiver.

Click to expand...

Back in 2011 it was all about Jimmy Graham being the best Tight end in football. I couldn't handle that garbage. Even back in 2011 it was obvious Gronk can block, and Graham couldn't yet people still took Graham over Gronk. WTF!

Looks like a Good trade . Hopefully he has a productive season with the Patriots.

Kdo5 said:

Reading through your posts I think you've definitely made a lot of valid points regarding his off the field behavior.

Still I have an inkling that Bennett, considering he is in the final year of his deal, has good reason to behave and give the best performance he can. He is almost 30 and this may be the last chance for a good contract coming up. He has all the incentive to shut the hell up (doesn't mean he can't be a colorful personality), work his ass off and be as productive as possible.

I think that combined with an elite winning organization is enough to make me feel confident that good things are on the way in 2016. TBH I have doubts that he'll be here more than one year unless he really blows us away. But even so his cap hit isn't egregious by any means and we can milk potentially one impressive year out of him. A fairly low risk, potentially great reward.

Not saying you disagree with any of that but I get where you are coming from with some trepedation. If I had to guess this is a rental. Lots of dudes to extend coming up I'm not sure he is here for the long haul.

Click to expand...

Excellent post, and I agree that this is the perfect setting for him to excel and make a strong push for another big contract next spring. We've seen Belichick and even Brady help to manage some of the larger personalities of other players, and the positive locker room environment can be catchy.

Swapping approx. 50 draft spots is peanuts on the dollar, so his 5m dollar salary is quite manageable in the bigger picture for the upcoming season. It also provides some insurance against injury to our main weapon in Gronk, as well. There's no denying Bennett's on the field talent should make the offense more potent, so any and all additional pieces are welcome. Voicing some concerns about his past attitude issues and some immature and even possibly team destructive behavior isn't meant to piss on anyone's parade, it's just bringing up a concern. Since he's not here on a long term deal, it really shouldn't be a problem even if things end up turning that way. Who knows? Maybe he wins Belichick over and we end up with a solid TE2 for the future, as well.