Patriots: Martellus Bennett Battles Back from Injury, Talks Offense

Sep 18, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett (88) makes a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett (88) makes a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett continues to show his toughness and ability to play through injury.

One of the most impressive attributes of Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett this season has been his ability to play through injury.  In a game that saw Rob Gronkowski leave the game and not return, Bennett fought through his own injury to come through for the team.

Bennett didn’t light up the stats sheet, but the way he bounced back following a leg injury suffered in the third quarter of Sunday’s 22-17 victory was just as important to the offense.

"“You can never count me out,” Bennett said via NESN. “That’s just who I am. I’m just a blue-collar individual. I like to work, work hard and do everything I can, and there’s a difference between being hurt and injured. Everyone in the NFL this time of year is hurting. You’ve just got to find a way to fight through it and make plays.”"

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Bennett on the offense

Following the game, the outspoken tight end was asked about the team’s struggles on the first couple of possessions.  The team only managed 10 points during the first half and looked a bit shaky.  Bennett said the team remains both optimistic and confident during those teams when it seems they can get nothing done.

"“That’s the only way to look at it — you just expect to move the ball,” Bennett said. “It’s not like, ‘Oh, let’s hope.’ We don’t hope to move the ball. We expect to move the ball. Hope don’t get you anywhere.”"

Tom Brady and the offense eventually figured it out, especially during the fourth quarter.  Brady completed 10 of 16 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown.  Most importantly, the offense was basically unstoppable when it counted.  Bennett attributes that to the team’s hard work, which is why he says the offense expects to get it done during game.

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"“Because we work (expletive) hard every (expletive) day,” Bennett said in colorful language. “We work hard at this (expletive). Those moments, we work in those moments. They get paid millions of dollars to stop us, but we get paid millions of dollars to make plays, and we’re going to make them.”"

Along with that optimism, health also plays a role in how the offense performs.  During the first half of Sunday’s game, the Patriots had all their playmakers on the field for the first time this season.  Unfortunately that luxury didn’t last very long. 

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Want to keep up to date on Martellus Bennett and the New England Patriots?  Keep it locked here at Chowder and Champions.