Dallas Cowboys strong safety Barry Church (L) tackles Chicago Bears tight end Martellus Bennett after a 4-yard gain on a short pass during the third quarter at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago. UPI/Brian Kersey |
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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Tight end Martellus Bennett was a Pro Bowl tight end two years ago in Chicago when he caught 90 passes for the Bears. His arrival in New England via trade this offseason gives the Patriots one of the best tight end duos in the game today, and maybe the best combo that Tom Brady has had to work with in his career.
Tight end Rob Gronkowski has only had a few reps on the practice field with Bennett at this early point in the process, but he's clearly looking forward to what the pair might be able to produce.
"It's great to be out there with him," Gronkowski said this week following an OTA workout. "He's another guy that brings a lot of football knowledge to the game in the meeting rooms.
"I think he's going on his ninth year so he has so much experience. He's been with a few teams, with a few coaches, and has played all around, so it's great to get so much knowledge from him and from the coaches. Going out on the field, he's a hard worker. He puts some dedication in so it's great to be with him out there."
--Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo might just have to be under center when the Patriots open the season on Sunday Night Football Sept. 11 in Arizona, depending on the status at that point of Tom Brady's appeal of his four-game Deflategate suspension.
If indeed the third-year backup has to play early in the season, the man he's likely to be looking for early and often with his reads seems to have confidence in the young passer's progressions New England's high-powered passing attack.
"He's doing great, definitely," Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski said after a recent OTA session. "You can see a huge development over the last two years in the way he handles the offense now. He's doing a great job going out there, listening to coaches and just working together with the whole team."
NOTES: TE Rob Gronkowski returned to the practice field in Foxborough for New England's OTA session June 13, the first time the All-Pro was in attendance during a session open to the media this spring; ... RB Dion Lewis (ACL) was also on the practice field June 13, his first practice with his teammates since suffering the injury early last November. He was not wearing a brace on his surgically-repaired left knee and appeared to be cutting without issue. ... G Shaq Mason practiced on a limited basis for New England's final OTA session that was open to the media, his first work in front of the press corps this spring. ... RB D.J. Foster was absent from the June 13 OTA session after seeming to sustain a hamstring injury during the final day of New England's mini-camp on June 9. ... TE Michael Williams was released June 10 after suffering a torn ACL in mini-camp practice a week earlier. Assuming he clears waivers, the veteran will land on injured reserve with the Patriots.
