Martellus Bennett Needs to Learn What it Takes to be a Champion
By Joe Tufaro
The story came out this week that Martellus Bennett, the free -agent tight end signed this off-season from the Dallas Cowboys, weighed in at a whopping 291 lbs. He is listed at 265 on the Roster. It seems Mr. Bennett has a little work to do before training camp begins in August.
On Thursday Legendary Tight Ends Coach Mike Pope stated that it seems that “We may run a little more than he is used to.” That statement may explain all you need to know about the Dallas Cowboys the last ten years. The fast starting Cowboys have been known to win few games in December and January. As a matter of fact in the past 12 years they have had 6 winning seasons, and have one two playoff games since 1996. Many place this at the feet of Tony Romo, which I do not. I place it at the feet of Jerry Jones and his coaches.
The evidence of this for me comes from a statement made by Wade Phillips after the 2007 Cowboys lost to the New York Giants in the playoffs. He continually stated that the best team had lost that day. He was convinced that the Cowboys were better than the Giants, and any other team in the league. He continued to defend his troops even after all the stories of them vacationing BEFORE the playoff game during their bye week. Heck, the Cowboys didn’t need to practice, they had it all wrapped up. Jerry Jones had the plans made for the following weeks game and all would be right in Dallas…..Well, the Cowboys lost again in the playoffs. When a coach continues to tell his players that they are better, that they “Should” have won, that they played great, they tend to not work so hard the next time around. Why work hard when you are already the better team, even though you still haven’t won anything. Of course the next year they went 9-7 and finished third in the eastern Division.
Wade Phillips is gone, but it seems the culture has remained. Only work as hard as you want…not as hard as you have to.
Martellus has a great chance here to make a name, and become a great player, I hope he works as hard as he has to, not only as hard as he thinks he needs to.