Lessons in chemistry
Bennett learns about new club
‘I like guys who have an edge, and I think a lot of guys on this team have an edge. . . . It makes you bring it up a notch too.’ — MARTELLUS BENNETT
FOXBORO — Just two days into training camp and the competitiveness already has started to show.
During 7-on-7 drills in the red zone, new tight end Martellus Bennett reached out over safety Patrick Chung to haul in a pass from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo along the back of the end zone and celebrated by dropping the ball at the veteran defensive back’s feet.
“Every single day I’ve been here since OTAs has been very competitive,” said Bennett, who was acquired along with a sixth-round draft pick for a fourth rounder on March 17. “Everyone here does their job so well and everyone’s competing so you’ve got to bring it every day.”
Quarterback Tom Brady was next, and he showed some vim on the following series, spiking his helmet hard enough to cause pieces of padding to dislodge and fly out. He was upset after a pass intended for wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell was knocked down at the line of scrimmage.
“He’s been competitive even when we’re just working out,” Bennett said about Brady. “It’s fun because he plays at such a high level that you have to match that level. Oil and vinegar don’t mix, you just want to make sure you rise to the top when he rises to the top as well.
“I like guys who have an edge, and I think a lot of guys on this team have an edge,” he added. “When they have an edge it makes you bring it up a notch too.”
Bennett was solid throughout practice yesterday. The Patriots are hoping he delivers the type of season he had with the Bears in 2014, when he caught 90 passes for 916 yards and six touchdowns and earned a spot in the Pro Bowl.
Bennett’s production in 2014 is similar to former Patriot Aaron Hernandez during 2011, when he and fellow tight end Rob Gronkowski had a combined 169 catches, 2,200 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns. Bennett and Gronkowski are similar in size, but the new Patriot points out there are differences in their games. He is also playing catchup in the type of chemistry Gronk has developed during six seasons with Brady.
“I think for Rob it’s a little different from me, he’s been with Brady for so long and they know each other’s body language,” Bennett said. “We move differently, although a lot of people think we’re alike, the way we run routes (is) a lot different so just get an understanding body language of how I break in my cuts and where I like the ball, it’s different than where he throws the ball to Rob, and we’re always talking about that so we’re just trying to build as much chemistry as possible.”
When talk turned to developing chemistry with two quarterbacks because of Brady’s four-game suspension, Bennett took a lighter tone.
“I’ve dated two girls at the same time before,” he joked. “That’s the old Martellus, though.”
After missing the last five games last year with a rib injury, Bennett is happy to have meaningful football just around the corner.
“I just love playing, anytime you get to play is exciting. . . . so I really haven’t had that much football in a long time, so it’s really, really good,” he said. “It’s like, you know, you break up and you finally get back with the girl you love in the first place.”