Loading ...During the New York Giants' 32-31 preseason loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday night, tight end Martellus Bennett was one of the many payers who flashed. The fifth-year veteran hauled in three passes (on three targets) for 27 yards and a touchdown, proving that he's got more to offer the team than just his superb blocking ability. However, after the game Bennett was humble and uncharacteristically subdued, acknowledging that he's far from comfortable in the offense and still has a long way to go.
“I have a long, long way to go. I’m getting a little more comfortable doing things. The coaches and all the players here have been great. I’m not scratching the surface on how I could be playing yet. I’m just trying to get better. It’s my first time really having a chance to try to make the players," he said.
Bennett's touchdown catch was the first he's made since the 2008 season, and although it doesn't go into the stat sheet, it was a confidence booster and a step in the right direction for the tight end.
“It was very exciting. I almost cried after I scored because I’ve been through a lot the last four years – a lot of ups and downs. I was very unhappy with the situation I was in. Everybody here has embraced me as a player. On the touchdown, David made a good throw and I was able to get both hands on it and bring it in.”
The Black Unicorn, as he's come to be known, had a lot of hype to live up to in Dallas. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, that never really panned out. However, Bennett seems rejuvenated in New York, thrilled to be with the Giants and anxious for his fresh start. He's looked good at training camp, looked good on Friday night, and as he gets used to the offense and more familiar with the playbook, may finally develop into the star so many thought he could be.
Tip your cap to General Manager Jerry Reese as he seems to have found another diamond amongst the rough.
Photo Credit: Mike Gannon
Also…
- Be sure to "like" Giants 101 on Facebook and to follow Giants 101 on Twitter
- Text "oneteam" to 20222 to donate $10 to the One Team for the Lights charity initiative.
Related Videos
Returning Soon!!!!No related posts.
Short URL: http://sport-ne.ws/iob
Repost from last thread:
Speaking of black unicorn’s, and with respect to the Plax comments from a little back:
Without drawing too many conclusions from last nights performance, I think the Giants can get away with having a murky #3 with the help of Bennett. He looked very good last night. I think if need be we can use him to make up some of the lost production from MM, and he’ll also be an outstanding red zone threat. Having a guy with his size and speed on the field should give Randle the time to learn and come into his own within the offense.
Repost:
norm says:
August 11, 2012 at 12:53 PM
I get that we were all starved for football and thoroughly geeked to see the reigning Super Bowl Champs in action again. So it’s not unreasonable to think that all of that anticipation may have unrealistically skewed our expectations for what we were going to see in the first preseason game.
Yes, we were all eager to watch the SB champs but the notion that they would take the field and simply pick up where they left off last year is the height of fantasy. In all that excitement, it was easy to lose sight of the fact that one of the main purposes of the preseason is for the regulars to shake off the rust and iron out the kinks. And it’s hardly surprising that the two units most dependent on cohesion and synergy – the O-line and the secondary – came off looking the worst.
The day to start worrying about the performances in the first preseason game will be the day that the greedy, moronic owners extend the regular season to 18 games and shorten the preseason to two. Fortunately, that day is not yet upon us. So I did not see much to cause me concern last night. For a first outing in a four game preseason, it was actually a fairly decent showing (and, as GOAT correctly pointed out earlier, far superior to the first preseason game against Caroline last year)
And, of course, any preseason game that does not result in any significant injuries is always a huge win.
So, overall, color me pleased with last night’s contest.
I didn’t think Bennett would be a huge contributor this year, especially with those rumors that he was pushing 300 early in training camp, but he really did look good last night. He’s a solid blocker who actually uses his size and strength well, plus he showed the ability to get open — especially in the endzone. He looks to be exactly what you want for a safety blanket for a QB, plus he can block. It was a small sample size, but he made the most out of limited snaps last night. And I’m really digging the humble approach he took afterward. The cocky nicknames, such as the Black Uniform, are entertaining and all, but he became more likeable while showing humility after the game. He could very well be the best bargain of the year.
Teams aren’t fully “formed” until sometime in November. It’s a process, especially with the lesser practice time under the new CBA.
So last night, and most of the rest of the preseason, will be nothing but hoping some players flash and hoping the starters can start to get a bit of timing prior to opening against the Cowboys. But don’t be surprised to see some ragged performances over the first month of the regular season. We’ll have to hope that our pass rush and Eli, Nicks and Cruz carry the day while the rest of the team starts to come together.
By the way, both Justin Trattou (whom I’ve liked since Day 1) and Adrian Tracy are better than Dave Tollefson. So our #4 DE position will be upgraded this season, which is very good news since that player will frequently benefit from worn-down offensive linemen who have had to contend with Tuck, Osi, JPP and blitzers over much of the game.
I also think we will be better at DT, partly because Joseph has gained critical experience and partly because I expect Shaun Rogers to be a real presence there.
We should be better in the defensive backfield IF Thomas can come back. If he cannot then a big burden falls on Prince, but I think he will prove equal to the task. Adding Will Hill at safety is a big upgrade over Sash as the #3 safety.
The defense will be better than it was in 2011, and I’m talking about the one we had late in the season, not the disaster we had earlier. Remember, Tuck and Osi start out healthy. That, itself, is a huge difference.
I really think all the questions this season will be on offense, where I still think the loss of Manningham was a big one. The most encouraging thing about last night’s game to me was that Bennett, Wilson and Randle looked good, and Brown and Ware also looked good at times. I think we will be okay in regard to skill players. Jury is obviously still out on the offensive line and they appear to have a long way to go.
I loved Tollefson as a rotational guy, but I agree that Tracy should be an upgrade over him. He looked explosive and strong last night. Plus he also looked so much bigger than I remember. I love players like that who work their asses off to become faster, stronger, and better. I hope he continues to work hard and grows as a player because (penalty aside) he looked impressive last night.
Love everything Bennett has been saying. He sounds like a guy who just got out of jail. His experience in Dallas must have been horrible. And he sure sounds like someone who is going to work extremely hard to become as good as he can give, which would appear to be a lot.
As for all the hand-wringing over Prince’s performance last night, I’ll just write it off as a classic example of “confirmation bias” (favoring data that confirms a pre-existing belief)
Anyone who’s read this site for the past several months knows that the “Prince is a bust” meme had already gained a great deal of traction prior to the players ever setting foot on the field last night. So it’s hardly surprising that the proponents of that viewpoint would eagerly seize upon his shaky opening series as its “confirmation.”
In his article today, Mike G offers a far more measured view of Prince’s performance. He points out that it basically boiled down to two bad plays followed by a one excellent one (stripping the ball carrier):
The first of those plays came when Amukamara, who is starting for the injured Terrell Thomas, was lined up too far inside wide receiver Cecil Shorts on a “switch” route at the line, thus giving Shorts a clear lane to the outside for a 29-yard gain.
Three plays later, Shorts caught a fade to the outside against Amukamara for a 3-yard touchdown, courtesy of Amukamara’s “mental mistake” of playing too far inside again.
But one defensive snap later, the Jags ran an end around to Amukamara’s side. On the previous drive, he’d been flattened on a run in his direction. This time, he shed the blocker and stripped Shorts. Justin Tuck recovered to set up the Giants’ first touchdown.
“That’s a good thing,” coach Tom Coughlin said of Amukamara’s bouncing back. “You’ve gotta be coached about it, but then you move on.”
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/08/giants_drop_preseason_opener_3.html
To sum up: His “horrible” night largely consisted of two big errors – both mental, and therefore correctable. But the kid showed the mental toughness to not get down on himself, put it behind him, and make a big play on the next series. Exactly the kind of up and down play one expects to see from a physically talented young player who is still learning to master the mental aspects of the game.
Anyone worried about Prince also needs to remember that for the home opener against Dallas, we will be up against a team in exactly the same boat- actually a little worse off actually. Claiborne has been dealing with wrist and other injuries since drafted, and as far as I am aware has not been very active in camp as a result. If we’re worried about Prince, the Boys ought to be absolutely petrified. lets not forget, the Giants actually have pretty good safety play. Dallas does not. And their depth behind Brandon Carr is Orlando Scandrick (Of bad angles chasing Cruz fame) and Mike Jenkins, who threw his recovery offtrack pouting over the arrival of Claiborne.
In summation: If we’re bad, the opposition might just be worse.
And for your amusement:
http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1286512/eaglesderp.gif
Note to self (JR to do list):
Aquire TE. Check.
Well I’ve been one of the people that has been somewhat negative about the Prince but I certainly do not think he’s a bust. The recurring arguments I’ve been pushing are:
1. TT is a better corner than Prince. I think people really underrated or forgot how good TT was for us in 2010. And there was an argument being made that it was only a matter of when and not if, Prince would pass TT on the depth chart. Which I strongly disagreed with. Obviously Thomas re-injured his leg, but if healthy there really is no chance Prince takes a starting spot from Thomas.
In comparison it IS only a matter of time until Wilson passes Ware on the depth chart, but that won’t be in time for the season opener.
2. I just think Prince has a long way to go mentally. He’s most def not a bust, but he’s not nearly as close to TT and Webster as some people were saying he was.
What I’m trying to say is, I like Prince. I think he will be good. But people were anointing him way too soon.
That’s a fair assessment.
At this point, his ceiling is still a wide open question. He could be very good (but likely not “shutdown corner” good – which is the rarest of species). Or he could wind up being just average… or below average.
The physical gifts are certainly there. He’s much faster than Ross ever was (and TT for that matter) but is not as far along in his recognition and understanding of the game as either of those two were when they first entered the NFL.
I agree that he has a ways to go. And that more head scratching moments like the ones we witnessed last night will continue to occur. How far he progresses will ultimately be dependent on the degree he applies himself to being a “student of the game” (and staying healthy, of course) But it could take awhile; much longer than many fans would prefer.
Who is # 33 on the giants…watching the preseason game he has made two nice tackles to stop screens
Dante Hughes. Camp fodder.
yeah…we got him back from the eagles didnt we…
nevermind that must be another player I am thinking of Dante Hughes is only 26 tho and Tryon was beat a few times…he may not be out of it for the last corner spot