FOXBORO, Mass. — It’s safe to say Bill Belichick likes what he has seen from Martellus Bennett thus far.
The New England Patriots coach lauded the 6-foot-6 tight end’s size and skill Monday before hitting the field for a joint practice against Bennett’s former team, the Chicago Bears.
“He’s a big player, he’s talented, blocks well, runs well, he has got skills in the passing game and the running game,” Belichick said. “I’d say there’s really not a whole lot that it looks like he can’t do. It looks like he can do pretty much everything you want a tight end to do. He’s smart, very smart.
“He handles the formations and adjustments and things like that, which are a big part of our offense at that position. He handles those well, and it’s been pretty easy.”
After the practice — in which Bennett exchanged words with Chicago linebacker Lamarr Houston during one of several post-whistle skirmishes — Bears coach John Fox was asked to share his feelings about the outspoken tight end, who joined the Patriots via trade in March.
“In this business, people change cities,” Fox said. “Coaches do it, players do it. It’s part of this business. So there’s no ill will or anything like that. Sometimes it doesn’t work out. There’s a business side, there’s a football side — there’s a bunch of things that happen in the course of a football career.
“I still wish Martellus nothing but the best.”
Though Fox was diplomatic in his response, Bennett’s relationship with the Bears clearly wasn’t the greatest during his three seasons in the Windy City. This was especially true about his feelings toward Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler, whom Bennett has publicly criticized on multiple occasions.
At the root of this unrest was Bennett’s belief he was not getting the ball often enough, despite the fact that only Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery had more targets last season than his 80.
Asked what the Patriots, who boast a wealth of offensive weapons and the best tight end in football in Rob Gronkowski, expect from Bennett in his first season in New England, Belichick offered a simple response.
“My expectations are the same for every player,” Belichick said. “… That’s to know what to do, do it with the proper technique, play hard at all times, put the team first. There are no different expectations for anybody. It’s all the same.”
Thumbnail photo via Howard Smith/USA TODAY Sports Images
