Patriots’ Third Preseason Game No Different From Rest For Martellus Bennett

FOXBORO, Mass. — New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick spoke earlier this week about his belief that the media overrates the importance of a team’s third preseason game.

Martellus Bennett seemed to agree with that sentiment, but for a different reason.

While Belichick talked up the stark differences between New England’s upcoming exhibition matchup with the Carolina Panthers and any given regular-season game, Bennett said he views them all — preseason or regular season — the same way.

“All my snaps are full speed,” the Patriots tight end told reporters Wednesday. “I don’t slow down. I just go full speed. It’s just a regular game for me. It’s just like the same, whether it’s regular season or preseason. The same.

“I put my pants on the same way. I put my shoes on the same way. Tie them the same way. The same gloves, the same face mask.”

As Rob Gronkowski continued his usual trend of not playing during the preseason, Bennett served as the Patriots’ top tight end against the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears. He’s looked like a good fit for the Patriots’ offense thus far, catching five of the six balls quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has thrown his way for a total of 59 receiving yards.

“I feel OK,” said Bennett, who’s entering his ninth NFL season and his first with the Patriots. “I’m getting closer to where I want to be. It’s a journey, (and) I’m just enjoying the ride right now and constantly working on my craft and constantly looking for different ways to get better and learn even more details of the offense.

“It’s a growing process, like anything else in life.”

Thumbnail photo via Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports Images