Chicago Bears

Martellus Bennett bashes other tight ends for lack of blocking

Published Nov. 5, 2015 9:30 p.m. ET

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If brothers Michael and Martellus Bennett have something they want to say, rest assured neither will hold it in. Martellus compared Jay Cutler to Jesus last month. So far this season, Michael has given us the reason why he doesn’t like turkey and hilariously called out Paul Allen after Monday Night Football.

On Thursday, Martellus sounded off on a few of his fellow tight ends from around the NFL and their style of play.

The tight end position has morphed over the years. They used to be essentially an extra offensive lineman, who would occasionally venture downfield to catch passes. Now, tight ends are involved in the passing game like never before, with some having very little interest in staying in to block. That has caught the attention of Bennett.

“You see Jimmy Graham. Jimmy can’t block worth s—,” Bennett told ESPN. “They get a lot of credit and a lot of love. But Julius Thomas doesn’t block anybody. Antonio Gates doesn’t really block anybody. But they do a great job in the passing game. It all depends on the system that they’re in.”

“I have to kick ass at the line of scrimmage and kick ass down the field,” Bennett said. “Those guys are pass-catching tight ends, and they get that freedom to run down the field. Nobody is asking them to pass protect or be one-on-one with the No. 1 pass-rusher.”

While Bennett may have to pull double duty a bit more frequently than the other guys he listed, he certainly hauls in his share of passes as well. Last season, Bennett had 90 receptions, which was good for 11th in the NFL and most among tight ends.

Bennett’s ability to block as well as catch makes him a throwback tight end of sorts, in the mold of former Bears tight end Mike Ditka. His effectiveness at both also likely means no one will call him out for being one dimensional.

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