PRO: Martellus Bennett proved to be the perfect compliment to Jason Witten in 2008 that arguably places the duo amongst the top tight end tandems in the NFL entering the 2009 season. His production during his rookie season gave glimpses of the talent the Cowboys invested in the former second round draft pick, particularly in his ability to find the end zone as Bennett tied for second on the team in 2008 with four touchdown receptions, including a streak of three consecutive games with a scoring grab.
TRANSACTION SUMMARY:
4/26/08: Drafted in the second round (61st overall) by Dallas.
2008:
In his rookie season, tied for second on the team in touchdown receptions (four), third in receiving average (14.2), fifth in receiving yards (283) and sixth in receptions (20).
Played in 16 games with seven starts.
At Cleveland (9/7) made his NFL debut and saw action at tight end but did not record any statistics.
Made his first NFL start against Philadelphia (9/15) as the team opened the game with three tight ends and recorded his first career NFL catch on a 20-yard reception from Tony Romo.
At Green Bay (9/21) had a career-long reception of 37 yards while also adding his first career tackle on special teams.
Started the next two games against Washington (9/28) and Cincinnati (10/5) as the team opened the game with two and three tight end formations, respectively, recording only one reception for no gain against the Redskins.
Recorded his first career touchdown reception at St. Louis (10/19) on a 34-yard scoring grab in the fourth quarter.
Saw extended action against Tampa Bay (10/26) as Witten (ribs) was injured early in the first half and to post three catches for 21 yards.
At the N.Y. Giants (11/2) recorded three catches for 36 yards with two gaining first downs.
At Washington (11/16) had one catch - a 25-yard game-winning touchdown.
Picked up his third touchdown of the season with a one-yard grab against San Francisco (11/23).
Against Seattle (11/27), caught a touchdown in his third consecutive game to become just the third rookie in team history to accomplish that feat - Bob Hayes (11/7/65-11/21/65 and 12/5/65-12/19/65) and Antonio Bryant (10/6/02-10/20/02). The last NFL rookie to do it was Dwayne Bowe with Kansas City (9/16/07-9/30/07).
At Pittsburgh (12/7) finished the game with two catches for 19 yards.
Had one catch for eight yards on a tight end screen against the N.Y. Giants (12/14) while also adding one stop on special teams.
At Philadelphia (12/28) had two receptions for 14 yards with a long reception of eight yards.
COLLEGE:
Finished his career with 105 receptions, 1,246 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.
His 105 receptions tied the school career record for tight ends, matching a figure first set by Rod Bernstine (1983-86), and his 1,246 yards receiving yards ranked 15th overall.
His receiving yardage total set an Aggie tight end career-record, surpassing the old mark of 1,181 yards by Richard Osborne (1972-75).
His 10 touchdown catches tied Terrence Murphy (2001-04) and Jamaar Taylor (2001-03) for eighth on the Aggies career-record chart and are the most ever by an A&M tight end.
Holds the Texas A&M school record with at least one reception in 29 consecutive games, topping the previous mark of 26 straight games by Terrence Murphy (2001-04).
In 12 games of action with six starts as a junior, led the team with a career-high 49 receptions - good for second behind Bernstine (65 in 1986) on the school season tight end record list and tied with Barney Harris (1968) for ninth overall - for 587 yards (12.0 avg.) and four touchdowns.
Earned second-team All-Big 12 Conference choice by the San Antonio Express-News and Fort Worth Star-Telegram and honorable mention from the league's coaches and Associated Press.
Started all 13 games as a sophomore, ranking second on the team with 38 receptions for 497 yards (13.1 avg.) and three touchdowns.
Was a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award, given to the nation's top tight end and earned first-team All-Big 12 Conference honors from the Dallas Morning News, adding second-team accolades from the Houston Chronicle, Associated Press, San Antonio Express-News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Austin American-Statesman
Played in 11 games as a true freshman, starting in five contests, and had 18 catches for 162 yards (9.0 avg.) and three touchdowns to earn freshman All-American honors from The Sporting News and All-Big 12 Conference honorable mention by the league's coaches.
PERSONAL:
Martellus Demond Bennett attended Alief, Texas, Taylor High School where he was a three-year starter at tight end.
Consensus prep All-America selection, a two-time all-district and All-Greater Houston choice at tight end, a member of Dave Campbell's Texas Football Super Team and a finalist for the Houston Touchdown Club Offensive Player of the Year.
Earned first-team Class 5A all-state honors from the Texas Sports Writers Association after hauling in a team-high 42 catches for 487 yards and six touchdowns as a senior in 2004.
Also played basketball, picking up All-Greater Houston accolades in 2004-05 and averaged 23 points and 8.2 rebounds-per-game as a senior.
Lettered twice for the Texas A&M basketball team, appearing in 26 games as a reserve forward during the 2005-06 season, averaging 1.9 points, shooting 12-of-46 from the field and 25-of-41 from the free throw line. Dished out 12 assists and had 40 rebounds.
Played in four games during the 2006-07 season before leaving the team in January.
Was a communications major at Texas A&M.
Older brother, Michael Jr., was his teammate and played along the defensive line at Taylor High School and Texas A&M (2005-07).
COMMUNITY:
Annual team holiday hospital visits.
2008 Dallas Cowboys Rookie Club.
Annual Dallas Cowboys Kickoff Luncheon and Cowboys Family Cookbook benefiting Happy Hill Farm.
