There’s just something about the off season that brings out the worst in Dallas Cowboys backup tight end Martellus Bennett. Many NFL players go into broadcasting careers when they finish playing, so it’s no surprise that some of them might practice being in front of a camera every now and then. However, Marty B. was not practicing analyses of football games on camera. Dressed in a fake beard in the likeness of Osama Bin Laden, Bennett parades around a tattoo parlor yelling, “Y’all been looking for me? I’m making bombs!” Such a video might have been funny to Bennett’s buddies at Taylor High School in Katy, Texas eight years ago. It’s not funny here and now.
The worst part about this year’s video is that it was posted on July 4th. On a day when then country was celebrating its independence and praying for future safety from terrorists like Bin Laden, Bennett put frowns upon those of Cowboys Nation, including owner Jerry Jones. The Cowboys fined Marty B. one game’s pay for one of his videos last year, but he just shrugged it off as harmless joking.
I’m a big Marty B. fan, and have been since the big athletic tight end joined the Cowboys three seasons ago. Bennett only had 15 receptions this past season, but he averaged over 10 yards on each catch. With Jason Witten latching on to every pass thrown in his direction, Bennett will not be a Pro Bowler any time soon. However, he makes big plays for the Cowboys at the most needed times, specifically third-and-long situations.
Cowboys nose tackle Jay Ratliff said last week that he is not thinking or talking about the Super Bowl, and he thinks his teammates will not either, saying “we have a very mature team.” Unfortunately for Ratliff, his words were spoken only a few days before Bennett’s video was posted. The fact that the Super Bowl is at Cowboys Stadium this year reflects Ratliff’s comment. Outside linebacker Demarcus Ware said in early June that this year’s Cowboys team is “more focused” than past years. Apparently Marty B. missed that memo.
Fortunately, no one in the Cowboys organization is making a big deal out of Bennett’s videos. The only concern of Cowboys Nation is the possibility of Bennett posting a video that is more offensive; one that might earn him a heftier fine from his team or even a suspension from the league. If the Cowboys are to make history and host the Super Bowl this season, they are going to need more focus from players like Bennett.
Original Story:
http://www.thecowboyscentral.com/2010...
