The Martellus Bennett Question for the Packers

The beginning of free agency has come and gone.  Free agency itself is certainly not over, but there are a lot of dream targets for Packers fans that have signed with other teams.  There's no question about it.

Matt Forte is a New York Jet.  Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman are Chicago Bears (okay that actually does suck a little bit).  Ladarius Green will be a Pittsburgh Steeler and Lamar Miller ended up with the Texans.  A lot of these deals were reasonable financially as well.  Coach McCarthy told us that we might be "shocked" by the Packers in free agency, but no one is shocked, and it appears that everyone is real mad.

The Packers are a very good team.  They lost in overtime in the second round of the playoffs.  The lost to the NFC Champions on the road on the last play of the game.  They were close, and they were close without Jordy Nelson (by the way he is that good).  They do have needs that should be addressed.  Inside linebacker, tight end and a second running back who can catch passes are chief among those needs.

Inside linebacker is a need that can be fixed immediately with a young player.  ILBs play well as rookies all the time.  This is a deep running back class as well, and everyone knows how Ted Thompson feels about old running backs.  What isn't deep, though, is the 2016 tight end class.  After Hunter Henry, it might be a bit of a wasteland, and definitely a wasteland for players who can contribute without a little seasoning.

So who's left? Specifically, who's left that has been connected to the Packers?  The only answer it seems is Martellus Bennett, formerly of the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and Chicago Bears.  Bennett is a talented player and a mismatch.  He is a very talented player, but his talent comes with a lot of attitude and baggage.  Bennett complained publicly about his pecking order in Chicago's passing offense a season ago, and many surmised that his season ending trip to the injured reserve may have had more to do with his personal problems than it did any real injuries.

So why is Bennett linked to the Packers, first in trade rumors and now more likely a possibility if Bennett should receive his outright release in Chicago?  Green Bay is a place where the locker room is valued.  Thompson likes to keep "Packer people" around 1265 Lombardi Avenue.  Why does he have reported interest in adding a player with Bennet's temperament?

It's because Bennett satisfies the One A**hole rule, which is a rule I'll refer to as the "1A" rule forthwith.  It's the same reason that Thompson brought Colt Lyerla in for a look.  You can get away with one a**hole.  It's one of the reasons why the strong locker room in Green Bay is so important.  As long as the one knucklehead on the team has a strong support system around him and no other knuckleheads to do dumb stuff with, the situation has a better chance of working out.  Side note: I know that if Letroy Guion did all the things that he has been accused of doing, he is worse than an a**hole.  For football purposes, though, his teammates say nothing but wonderful things about him.  His presence in the locker room is a positive one.

Nothing keeps players of questionable character and attitude more motivated than winning.  Look what happened to Randy Moss when he went from the Raiders to the Patriots.  Yes his QB was better, but so was his effort and his individual production.  Bennett would have a better chance at winning and a better QB in Green Bay as well.  His skill-set perfectly coincides with what Richard Rodgers brings to the table, and the two could be used together.  The Packers can make the Martellus Bennett expiriment work, it remains to be seen if they will try.

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Ross Uglem is a staff writer for Cheesehead TV. He can be found on Twitter @RossUglem 

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Comments (43)

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DrealynWilliams's picture

March 14, 2016 at 02:06 pm

We've had worse. Might not have been public/reported, but we've had worse. If we can pull off this signing that would allow TT/Dom to focus more towards a Defensive heavy draft. Unless a highly rated OL or RB drop I hope TT doesn't draft offense before the 3rd or so.

6 foot 7 and 270 pounds?
Effective run blocker
Proven hands
Can be placed anywhere as a receiver
Speed. Speed. Speed.

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Tundraboy's picture

March 14, 2016 at 05:34 pm

Don't be shocked if TT goes OL early.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

March 14, 2016 at 06:10 pm

I wouldn't be at all. Protecting #12 will always be priority #1.

If TT goes goes OL in the first most likely that guy slipped (even if it's just a handful of picks)

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Mojo's picture

March 14, 2016 at 02:06 pm

Wonder what Peppers thinks of him? I believe Peppers wants a ring more than anything. Would he trust Bennett to help the team get there?

Could be Bennett's a guy who realizes when a team is going nowhere shuts-it down, but will put it on the line if means something. Or it could be that he's just an ahole all the time. Peppers might have an idea.

As far as Guion (and anyone else for that matter), you can be a fun-loving workplace guy but at the same time a total domestic dipwad. Not a big fan of his.

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holmesmd's picture

March 14, 2016 at 02:11 pm

I think Peppers likes him. He's an intense outspoken guy. Eccentric personality. Has had maturity issues and lost control in camp when he attacked Fuller. I think he's matured and understands some of his mistakes. In the Packer culture with the string leaders they have in the locker room, I think he would do very well with GB. Sadly, it doesn't even seem like we talk to any of these guys! Zach Brown would also benefit from playing with a contender and being mentored by JP & CMIII. I guess it's just fantasy land but these 2 players sure make plenty of sense IMO.

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holmesmd's picture

March 14, 2016 at 02:14 pm

Guion smokes pot like 50-60 percent of the rest of the NFL. He's a very good teammate and solid player. I don't condemn people who use marijuana any more than I condemn people who consume alcohol. The Packers like Guion and think he's worth keeping. Pretty glad they did now that Raji is retiring now huh?;) Lol

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Mojo's picture

March 14, 2016 at 05:52 pm

Doc, it isn't just the weed(although he was pulled over for swerving all over the road - but I guess drugged driving isn't a big deal). It was the domestic violence claims described as such from MJS: "Before the drug and gun counts, Guion had been charged in criminal cases three times. This includes a stalking charge and pair of domestic violence incidents that resulted in three counts of battery, including one where Guion was charged with hitting the mother of his child in the jaw."

In the most serious incident, an officer from the Starke Police Department was dispatched to the Pine Forest Apartments on the afternoon of Feb. 16, 2013, in response to a battery call.

Troutman claimed Guion had been calling her throughout the day making verbal threats, and at 4:35 p.m. he showed up outside her apartment complex revving the engine of his car.

Troutman and her boyfriend at the time, Martius Holland, confronted Guion in the parking lot. Guion pushed Troutman to the ground. She got back to her feet, according to the report, and Guion struck her in the jaw.

Guion punched Holland in the back of the head, causing him to fall face first to the ground. Guion, according to the report, then got into his car and drove off.

A resident of the apartment complex who saw the incident told authorities that Guion pushed Troutman and punched Holland, according to the report.

Another incident with Troutman surfaced one year later when Guion was charged with stalking for the transmission of harassing text messages. The messages, reviewed by Starke police, were directed at both Troutman and Holland.

Of the many expletive-laced messages, one ended with Guion saying "and when I'm done with my profession you better be looking."

I expect fan bases to back their guys, but face it you don't know what they're really like. I can just go on what's disclosed. And from what I can tell, Guion is a douche.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

March 14, 2016 at 11:06 pm

Yep. We've had worse...

I'm just sayin'....

Let's go get this guy, TT!

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

March 15, 2016 at 12:16 am

I see no reason to believe that Bennett has matured. Bennett is a talented, reasonably productive TE who has a team-friendly contract, yet is being release or traded. Maybe he has matured, maybe he hasn't. TT will have to judge this issue, but if Chicago releases Bennett, that sounds like one vote for him being very immature still.

If released, GB doesn't inherit that contract, either. We will have to pony up for multiple years, probably with significant guaranteed money. I'd pass unless he will take a contract loaded with in-season and other roster bonuses that aren't guaranteed.

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holmesmd's picture

March 14, 2016 at 02:06 pm

Totally agree! We could sign M Benett & Zach Brown and immediately address 2 significant needs in conjunction with the draft! Come on TT, pull the trigger and do something reasonable with these 2 players. I really think they would help us out a lot. Very frustrating:(

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Point-Packer's picture

March 14, 2016 at 02:17 pm

Not a chance in hell.

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Evan's picture

March 14, 2016 at 02:23 pm

Wait, inside linebacker and tight end are big needs? First I'm hearing of that...

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ray nichkee's picture

March 14, 2016 at 03:40 pm

Me too, i thought we were set at both.

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Bearmeat's picture

March 14, 2016 at 02:44 pm

While I'm frustrated about ILB beyond belief, the article is right when it says that Rookie ILBs play well routinely. Unfortunately, Bennett is the last great hope for improving the TE position before the 2016 season. Rookie TEs have never been impact players and they aren't going to start now.

GET. IT. DONE. TT.

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Evan's picture

March 14, 2016 at 02:59 pm

"Rookie TEs have never been impact players and they aren't going to start now."

I guess it depends on you define "impact" but that's not really true.

I posted the stats a couple weeks back of about a dozen of the top tight ends from the past 6-8 years, comparing rookie year to 2nd year to 3rd year, if someone wants to go digging.

The gist was while most didn't realize their full potential until year 2 or 3 (true of 99% of NFL players), many put up what I would call "impactful" numbers in year 1.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

March 14, 2016 at 04:32 pm

"Impactful plays"

That's been the problem in GB at the TE position. I believe we don't NEED a playmaker at TE, but we can't even seem to find one that's serviceable (consistently). Maybe if Rodgers' role is shortened he could become a consistent/serviceable TE (like an Owen Daniels or Heath Miller). Get a TRUE TE1 in there and let's see how things go. Similar to the Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson thing. Cobb can't be "great" without Nelson.

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lou's picture

March 15, 2016 at 01:04 pm

Agreed, we don't need an impact TE immediately, what we need is someone who is an obvious "threat down the seam" on passing downs to dictate the defensive coverage, I guarantee you no team is pre planning to cover Richard Rodgers on 3rd downs. If Daniel's or someone similar came on at minimum like Jones did last year and in a limited role provided that "threat" it would make Aaron Rodgers and the WR's jobs a lot easier. Daniel's now has a ring, has been to the Pro Bowl a couple times, and still gets open, lets not let him out of town a second time (I believe he wasn't completely healthy the last time they looked at him two years ago).

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cuervo's picture

March 14, 2016 at 03:00 pm

Last I heard Bennett is still a Bear...they haven't released him and are trying to trade him. There is no way they will trade him to a division rival. IF the Bears release him, THEN this article would be valid. Until that happens, you may as well be smoking dope with Letroy.

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holmesmd's picture

March 14, 2016 at 04:13 pm

I'm not so sure about your premise. If the Bears got a 3rd or 4th round pick next year, I'm fairly certain Fox and the Bears would be fine with it. Keep in mind that Fox is rebuilding and Benett doesn't want to play there. Draft picks are very valuable to an organization like that and with the plethora of compensatory picks that TT is hoarding, they could easily spare one. As the rest of you guys, I'm assuming all of this as I don't work for the Packers. Still, this makes a tremendous amount of sense. It reminds me of when Wolf got Keith Jackson. That worked out pretty darn well and this signing would as well.i think we can all agree that Hunter Henry will not be taken by the Packers at #27? So unless we get this done, it's unlikely that the TE position will be significantly upgraded for the 2016 season. It defies logic as to why anyone in the Packers organization would be complacent about this. I guess time will tell?:/

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4thand1's picture

March 14, 2016 at 03:04 pm

Bennett makes to much sense to ignore. You know he would love to stick it to the bears. The Packers would be back to one of the best receiving corps in the NFL, if not the best.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

March 14, 2016 at 03:56 pm

Stick it to the Bears
Better QB
Better Franchise
Better fans
Better Offense
Better Coaches
Better chance to win
Better Field

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Tundraboy's picture

March 14, 2016 at 05:43 pm

Please send to TT asap. I mean really we need to sign this guy. Worth a risk and allows us to use draft for other things. We can draft a TE next year.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

March 14, 2016 at 06:11 pm

Lol, if we had easy access to TT he'd hate us all.

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Tundraboy's picture

March 14, 2016 at 06:49 pm

Yes. Maybe we need to find out where he lives!!

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Evan's picture

March 14, 2016 at 06:52 pm

Probably better luck getting him here:

Ted Thompson
College Scouting Department
1265 Lombardi Ave
Green Bay, WI
90210

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Point-Packer's picture

March 14, 2016 at 08:34 pm

No chance this will happen. Remember when Ted Thompson was our GM? Keep dreaming you hosers.

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EdsLaces's picture

March 14, 2016 at 04:08 pm

Bennet yes Z Brown ...no thanks. He's average. If we got Martellus we could make our way easily through this draft !!!

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EddieLee's picture

March 14, 2016 at 04:36 pm

Despite good production and obvious talent Dallas, NYG, and Chicago all have wanted to part ways with the guy. Seems like a strange dude to me. Weird YouTube videos and rap songs. Weird and eccentric are ok but there may be some more troubling behavior causing teams to say 'no thanks'. Seriously, look at the Bear's roster at TE. They have nothing and yet are willing to trade or release Bennett.

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Handsback's picture

March 14, 2016 at 05:58 pm

What happened to the TE from the Rams?

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ShawnO's picture

March 14, 2016 at 07:13 pm

Let' pretend for a sec we don't need a TE...Martellus, A: Is not young, 29. B: has character and off the field issues. and C: not going to come cheep, other teams are also waiting for his release. This is the exact opposite of what TT looks for in a FA. Chance we sign Martellus....0%.

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Evan's picture

March 14, 2016 at 07:18 pm

What other teams?

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ShawnO's picture

March 14, 2016 at 07:32 pm

I've seen rumors of trades with teams like the Giants. If they are willing to trade for him they would be willing to sign him as a free agent. http://showtimesports.sportsblog.com/posts/14082675/nfl-rumors--martellu...

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Evan's picture

March 14, 2016 at 07:38 pm

The Giants?? I think he already wore out his welcome there.

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ShawnO's picture

March 14, 2016 at 07:47 pm

GMs aren't stupid they are not going to trade much of anything for this guy since they all know he will likely get released. Everyone is just sitting back and waiting.

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AgrippaLII's picture

March 14, 2016 at 07:33 pm

Exactly...no one has been rumored to be interested in Bennett even "if" he is released by the Bears. That speaks volumes to me. No one wants him.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

March 14, 2016 at 11:09 pm

Or teams don't want to show their hand(s)? Oh...

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ShawnO's picture

March 16, 2016 at 09:00 pm

No one is interested....HA just traded to the Patriots
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000645101/article/martellus-bennett...

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Littlejim51's picture

March 15, 2016 at 06:04 am

Vic mentioned Jared cook TE released by the Rams and formerly with Fischers Titans. Big dude.

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4thand1's picture

March 14, 2016 at 08:27 pm

Maybe he should talk to Brandon Marshal, he got his act together after being labeled a nut job. Maybe MB has the same problem that needs to be addressed.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

March 14, 2016 at 09:57 pm

¨His skill-set perfectly coincides with what Richard Rodgers brings to the table, and the two could be used together.¨

I have no idea what the author means. Bennett and RR do not seem the least bit complementary to me.

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Littlejim51's picture

March 14, 2016 at 10:26 pm

Can anybody tell me how many years in a row has TT done this: last year we needed a ILB with cover speed and we lost two CB, so we end up drafting CB which worked out but shortened GB ability to draft in a high round an ILB and did not pickup anyone in free agency. This year we have a need again for an ILB and now a DT(which there are plenty in the draft)and TE(still) , a RB and a veteran reserve OL. Right now it looks like deja vue all over again. We are going to end up with Barrington and Ryan 2 run stuffing ILB but AJ Hawk like coverage in passing lane. Frustrated with this scenario and I am a TT Fan
How long TT?

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EddieLee's picture

March 15, 2016 at 04:43 pm

I think TT and Capers are more content with Barrington/Ryan inside along with Peppers/Perry/Matthews outside then fans. I know this is not a shared opinion by many here but I don't think ILB is a huge need for a Capers defense and they can more then get by with Barrington/Ryan and occasionally Matthews at ILB. They'd much rather spend resources (draft picks and $) at NT or OLB then ILB.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

March 16, 2016 at 07:46 pm

**fights the air**

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