Loading ...For tight end Martellus Bennett, signing with the New York Giants was like being given a second chance. After years of limited action behind Jason Witten -admittedly one of the NFL's best- the fifth-year veteran finally has the opportunity to prove himself in the world's largest media market. And he hasn't been shy about his excitement over that opportunity. Unfortunately for the Black Unicorn, that confidence has not been well-received by many.
During a Monday episode of First Take on ESPN, both Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless unloaded on Bennett for some of his recent comments about finally being given an opportunity to shine.
"His life will be made to be a living hell if he does not show up and produce," Smith said.
Thank you, captain obvious! That's the nature of the game for any athlete in New York, not just Martellus Bennett. In other news, the sky is blue and the grass is green.
Generally, Stephen A. Smith is a bit more level-headed than his Big Blue-hating co-host Skip Bayless, but as the saying goes, you are the company you keep and eventually stupid will wear off on you.
Nothing Bennett said about what happened in Dallas or what he expects here in New York was outlandish – and that's saying something when you consider many of the outlandish things he does say. But like every athlete who steps onto the field, he believes in himself, his ability and feels it will only take one legitimate opportunity to prove that to everyone watching. We call that confidence, and it's something everyone in the NFL needs to survive.
Bennett may or may not live up to his own hype, but only time will tell. That said, having confidence in oneself is exactly what you want from every player because the alternative is doubt … and that's a recipe for failure. And unlike television shows such as First Take, athlete's in the NFL don't last long when they fail over, and over, and over, and over again.
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So I missed the bit where Martellus Bennett said he was a better player the Jason Witten?
Fairly sure there’s a difference between that, and being a capable player behind one of the top 3 at the position. Admittedly the production has been lacking but c’mon man..
Steven A. Smith can focus all he wants on the 288 yards a season but my focus (and I believe this includes Giants nation) is him being rated as the best blocking Tight End in the entire LEAGUE! That says something, I will take that anyday.
Bennett only has to be a solid and reliable blocker and a capable occasional receiver to be effective and valuable in the Giants offense
Witten has to be other-wordly to make the Dallas offense click
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/09/04/brandon-carr-cowboys-fed-up-with-giants-success/
It really would be a wonderful thing if Skip was someday true to his name and really did start baying less.
That said, one can’t help but wince when thinking about how he and his sidekick will be gloating on Thursday morning. After Bennett finishes Wednesday night with zero receptions. On account of having to stay home and assist an overmatched Locklear against the steady onslaught of one DeMarcus Ware.
The guys at ProFootballTalk have weighed in with their 2012 predictions. For SB XLVII Mike Florio is going with (stop me if you’ve heard this one before) … the Giants over New England.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/04/pfts-2012-season-predictions/
I stand by my position that if this were indeed to occur, NFL Network will need to make a New England version of “America’s Game: The Missing Rings.”
Hold me up ! Those two knuckleheads both think the spread of 4 points is too low – they both think it should be 6 0r 7
Also Skippy on Vick ” Zip it , Michael and play ! ”
I think they have the shut up and play syndrome – its about time , confidence is one thing but the unsupported arrogance that these players exhibit gets me to want to get in there and tackle them myself . Yeah , well that soon passes as I try and stand up on my sore knees and aching back and I havent done anything yet .
Re Bennett – I look at it as enthusiasm that he is getting a chance to shine
-he was playing behind Witten who is as good as it gets but also remember the
complaints about Romo and his favorite target a year or two ago ? Was it cause or effect ? was Bennett that bad or was Romo only looking for Witten ? I guess we will find out about his pass catching abilities but as Jim says “Bennett only has to be a solid and reliable blocker ” to be a good pickup for the Giants
I think this is the MAIN reason they got Bennett and with the HUGE upgrade in speed in the Giants RBs , its almost to the point that Bradshaw is the slowest of that group and I dont think we have seen the new look Giants yet and I think we will see them revealed tomorrow
As I noted the other day, I really can not recall the last time any team placed so much importance on the first game of the regular season.
But it sure seems that Dallas are treating this contest as a make or break game for their season.
In their minds, they’ve made beating the champs who have been a thorn in their side for several years an absolute prerequisite for a successful season. Get it done and they will have the confidence of knowing they can beat anyone, anytime, and that they are legit contenders. They’ve raised the stakes to an unprecedented level for a game in which teams traditionally are still shaking off rust and finding their footing.
Of course, in putting so many of their eggs in one basket so early on, the Cowboys run the risk of going into an emotional tailspin if they lose. This has never been an outfit that’s been known for its resiliency or mental toughness. I’m going to go on record right now: If the Giants win tomorrow, Dallas will not go on to win more than 6-7 games this year.
The Giants are a much better, more well-rounded team than Dallas on paper. They also have the confidence that only two Super Bowl wins in the last five years can give. They understand that in the grand scheme of this season, a win or loss tomorrow is not going to make or break them. There is no way they are going to come out with the same level of emotional intensity as the Cowboys.
My hunch is that the Cowboys “all in” gambit pays off for them tomorrow. The champs come out of the gates a bit flat (as has been their wont at home for the past several years anyway) and are unprepared for the level of intensity of their opponent. The Giants become the first defending champ to lose the opener since the NFL adapted the format of having the Super Bowl winners kick off the regular season at home.
17-13, Cowboys.
I said this a while ago that I thought that the drafting of Wilson and now letting Jacobs and Ware go – both reliable but meh slow getting slower , the Giants are going back to a run first second third offense . First , you get the “best blocking tight end in the league ” not my words . Then you get a LOT of speed in the backfield – Bradshaw , Wilson , Brown and Scott – that improves your offense but ALSO negates all the money that the Eagles last year and the Cowboys this year spent on DBs and all the great pass rushers both the Eagles and Cowboys have . The theory is , if you spend more of your cap on an area that suddenly gets used less , you have been forced to take money away from other areas and thats the area that the other team exploits .
Makes a lot of sense… but do you do that even with the best qb and probably the top TWO receivers in the division? Keeping in mind our offensive line is hardly built to dominate anyone.
I guess we can’t say no respect:
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/features/writers/expert/picks
Norm , I am going to disagree with you and as much as I cringe at the mountain of verbosity you will send my way for daring to have an opposing opinion , I remain true to my roots as one of the few true Os and say the Giants come out and quietly thump Dallas 27-13
One thing , I heard the weather was going to be lousy tomorrow ? is that true?
If it is , then we are going to see the Giants go to the running game a lot
I’m in a charitable mood this morning, so I’ll spare you the torment of my verbosity.
Here’s another way at looking at things that might make you feel better. I’ve been on something of a prediction hot streak lately (RB in the 1st, Cordle, 4 DTs) But my history suggests that I’m really just a 50/50 prognosticator, at best. I’m going to have to revert to the mean sooner or later. Might as well start tomorrow.
Still- it’s hard not to go into a nationally televised game without being a little pumped up. On top of that, the Giants know full well what the media thinks of them. Lucky, overachieving, suspect in most categories.. They aren’t coming into this with your standard Super Bowl hangover. I imagine they’re a bit pissed, actually, and will want to show everyone why they are champs.
The Giants are infamous for coming out flat in big games and I do think the Cowboys will have some serious emotional intensity when they step on the field. But I think you’re underestimating the potential for some Giants intensity as well.
But yeah, those guys have laid stinkers before and I wouldn’t be shocked to see it happen again. That said, if the Giants do go out and win tomorrow night, it’ll perhaps be an indicator that the old, flat, inconsistent Giants are a thing of the past.
But.. I’m like an 8 year old on Christmas Eve. My opinion is only in some categories rational…