Patriots claim Martellus Bennett

[nothumb]

Here's what I don't get - if the dispute basically boils down to, Marty doesn't want to put off surgery on a team going nowhere this year (a totally reasonable position, imo), what do the Packers gain by forcing him to play? They have him on a three year deal, why wouldn't they want him to get healthy so he can come back and help Rodgers in 2018? Is it a precedent issue - can't have the perception of guys mailing it in even when the season is going badly? Is it the team MD trying to cover his own ass (which Marty seems to imply)?

I basically assume that any guy who is 10 years into an NFL career has nagging injuries all over the place and that, frequently, the decision between "gut it out" and "surgery" has everything to do with his individual tolerance, his leverage with the team and the degree of financial security he's already achieved.

My old man got notice that he was being laid off in 90 days from a huge company that he worked at for 30 years in good standing. He was maybe a year out from retirement. He had put off two knee replacements and a back procedure for years, figuring he'd do it after he retired. A week after they gave him notice, he was on short term disability doing the knee replacement. Stopped his layoff clock. Came back for a couple months, did the other one. Back on disability. Fuck 'em. You don't owe your employer shit that isn't in the contract, and never forget it, because they damn sure won't hesitate to cut you loose if it suits them.

 

[Blue Monkey]

Well Marty B said he was going to retire so I’m guessing that went into the Packers decision to cut him loose. It didn’t seem like Marty had plans for 2018 so why should the packers plan for that?

 

[Willie Clay's Big Play]

Lots of undertow on this one. Marty has always understood that it's a job and he needs to take care of himself. Not sure the Packers knew how opinionated he was coming in. Right or wrong, he calls it like it he sees it and I think that's great.

 

[Bernie Carbohydrate]

Here's what I don't get - if the dispute basically boils down to, Marty doesn't want to put off surgery on a team going nowhere this year (a totally reasonable position, imo), what do the Packers gain by forcing him to play? They have him on a three year deal, why wouldn't they want him to get healthy so he can come back and help Rodgers in 2018? Is it a precedent issue - can't have the perception of guys mailing it in even when the season is going badly? Is it the team MD trying to cover his own ass (which Marty seems to imply)?

If the Packers are looking to 2018, they should semi-tank like Indy did in 2011 when Manning got injured. With Rogers gone, Bennett should be encouraged to have shut it down, they go, say, 5-11 and load up in the draft. Next year you get back Rogers, a healthy Bennett, some useful rookies (or vets you got by trading some of your picks).

But that's a bad message to send to the fans who purchased tickets this year, and few coaches want to preside over a lost season.

Is Mike McCarthy ON THE HOT SEAT? Seems unlikely, but if there are rumblings maybe McCarthy doesn't want veterans shutting it down. After watching Brett Hundley overthrow, underthrow, and fail to throw at all, how many other Packers are now thinking its a good time to get that nagging injury looked at?

 

[MuppetAsteriskTalk]

Well Marty B said he was going to retire so I’m guessing that went into the Packers decision to cut him loose. It didn’t seem like Marty had plans for 2018 so why should the packers plan for that?

That's fine, except the manner in which they cut him loose seems a little sleazy.

 

[Ed Hillel]

That's fine, except the manner in which they cut him loose seems a little sleazy.

From their perspective, though, Marty was upset they wouldn’t let him get surgery and miss the season and then the next thing they see he’s practicing for the Patriots. They have every right to be pissed.

 

[mulluysavage]

I think MB is being sincere, It's a lot of money to walk away from, now or at season's end. Maybe the Pats like MB enough to give him a roster spot for the year hoping they could get him healthy for next, and practicing now is just to see what he can do in his current condition. And MB likes the Pats enough to try out the same. Still, wouldn't be surprised if he was cut soon, or retired at year end anyway.

 

[Koufax]

From their perspective, though, Marty was upset they wouldn’t let him get surgery and miss the season and then the next thing they see he’s practicing for the Patriots. They have every right to be pissed.

But the sequence was, first the Packers cut him and announced that the reason was that he failed to disclose an injury; then the Pats picked him up. When they accused him of being dishonest, the Pats were not in the picture. So yes, it seems to have been sleazy.

 

[Ed Hillel]

But the sequence was, first the Packers cut him and announced that the reason was that he failed to disclose an injury; then the Pats picked him up. When they accused him of being dishonest, the Pats were not in the picture. So yes, it seems to have been sleazy.

Befofe he was cut, Bennett told the Packers he wanted to have surgery and miss the rest of the season.

Bennett wrote that the team examined his shoulder when he signed and cleared it and that things got worse as the season went along. He said he circled his shoulder “pretty much” every week when given a body evaluation sheet by the team and that the pain got worse when he stopped taking anti-inflammatories during the bye in Week Eight. Upon returning to the team, he asked for an evaluation “and that’s when we found out it was really f–ed up.”

“Dr. McKenzie didn’t make [me] feel safe and was pushing to play which I thought was weird,” Bennett wrote. “Not that he was trying to get me to play thru it but the way he was saying things. I didn’t trust him. So I got three other opinions from doctors who all said I need to get it fixed. So I decided to do that. And they decided to waive me with some bulls–t excuse.”

Now he’s out and practicing with the Patriots. That seems sleezy on his part, not Green Bay’s. Hey, glad to have him and hope he contributes, but this doesn’t really add up if he plays for the Pats.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/11/10/martellus-bennett-i-wanted-shoulder-surgery-packers-wanted-me-to-keep-playing/

 

[edmunddantes]

Say Marty plays the year out for the packers hurt with Brett Hundley throwing him the ball, his numbers suffer, he gets surgery after season, Packers end up picking up what turns out to be world class TE in draft, they cut Marty during training camp, and nobody picks up Marty?

Is that sleazy? No that's the packers looking out for what's best for them.


So why is it sleazy for Marty to say he can't play through this level of pain for a going nowhere team, but let me get surgery, I'll come back ready to play next year, Packers react by cutting him, and he lands on a team that has something worth playing through the pain for?

 

[joe dokes]

Given the (permissible) heartlessness that accompanies NFL contracts and personnel decisions, I have no problem whatsoever with any player manipulating the system to his advantage in those rare times that he can. Not by faking an injury, or "playing his way out of town" type things, but if a guy has a legitimate choice between playing hurt and getting surgery now, basing the decision solely on personal interests is fine with me. My favorite part of Bennett is that his pre-Patriot bad reputation was likely based on his alleged non conformity (in reality, an articulateness and intellectual curiosity that makes many owners nervous) which NFL insiders leak to sycophant reporters. Those same reporters then act shocked when a non-conformist can succeed in Belichick World, as they are too simplistic to understand that as long as the guy practices, plays hard, and performs, little else matters (as with gronk)..
(I've said more than once that i think Bennet's done, but I'm happy to be wrong.)

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

I think the question here is what obligation does a player have to play hurt? If the answer is that a guy who takes a very large signing bonus should give every effort unless and until doctors say he's risking more severe injury, this is not a great look for Marty. Taking their money and then effectively saying I won't play hurt for you but I will play hurt for Tom Brady is kind of lame, if that's what happened. I know the NFL is ruthless with players but that is why they get signing bonuses and guaranteed money, and Marty did get a nice chunk.

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

Bennett had also said that he intends to retire after this season. Not wanting to play out the string in pain for a team going no where seems like a reasonable decision. Playing through pain for another half a season with as good a chance at a ring as anyone else is also a reasonable decision.
Not sure what’s complicated or strange about any of this.

 

[snowmanny]

It seems sleazy on Bennett's part, but the Packers cutting him because he supposedly didn't disclose an injury seems fishy too. Throw him on IR like every other team does with an injured player. I honestly think Bennett, the Packers, and the Patriots all got the outcome they desired.

 

[TheoShmeo]

So is your view on concussions "meh", too, since no one is forcing them to play? Sometimes it's best to take the choice out of the hands of someone with a overactive competitive drive. I just don't see how any of the upside in this transaction would be on Bennett's side.

I just find that to be on the paternalistic side. Marty is a grown man, has other adults in his life like his agent and family members, and doesn't need others to take the decision out of his hands. The points about the difference between this injury and concussions have been made by others and the need there for protocols to prevent quick, hyper competitive decisions in the concussion context is something I agree with, notwithstanding my view that, in general, players should be able to decide as they please.

Oh, and I would love to see Bennett out there tonight if he's able to go. Particularly with Hogan out, the Pats could sure use him.

 

[DaveRoberts'Shoes]

Just published a new blog entry on Bennett and his shoulder

http://chrisgearyortho.com/2017/11/12/patriots-update-11-12-17-can-a-black-unicorn-play-in-the-nfl-with-a-torn-rotator-cuff-no-really-thats-an-actual-question/

 

[Harry Hooper]

The mere fact that he is a carbon-based life form with opposable thumbs makes him a better bet than Dwayne Allen to contribute in the passing game for the Patriots

Oh, that stings.

 

[DaveRoberts'Shoes]

Oh, that stings.

Yeah between that line and the link to the bacon quote I liked this one

 

[jmm57]

Marty expected to be active tonight. Can't imagine that sits well with GB.

 

[RedOctober3829]

This is great. Bennett is going in with the mindset to stick it to GB. Good for us.

 

[Reverend]

I couldn’t believe this shit was legal when LGBT pulled it. And I thought for sure they would change the rules somehow.

The idea of this potentially happening a second time has me positively giddy.

 

[Ralphwiggum]

Per Jeff Howe on Twitter Bennett is expected to play tonight.

 

[Super Nomario]

Yeah between that line and the link to the bacon quote I liked this one

From the article, it sounds like there's a pretty big range of what's potentially going on, but I'm curious as to whether Bennett's likely reduced workload in NE might make him more effective. He played at least 75% of snaps in all seven games he played for the Packers; I imagine his workload for the Pats will be more in the 40-50% range. Does that help any with the pain management, or is it not really going to make any difference?

 

[DaveRoberts'Shoes]

From the article, it sounds like there's a pretty big range of what's potentially going on, but I'm curious as to whether Bennett's likely reduced workload in NE might make him more effective. He played at least 75% of snaps in all seven games he played for the Packers; I imagine his workload for the Pats will be more in the 40-50% range. Does that help any with the pain management, or is it not really going to make any difference?

That would definitely help - the less he stresses it the less it should hurt, no doubt

 

[RedOctober3829]

Bennett told his agent to tell teams not to claim him because he was going to get surgery. “When Bill called, I was like no fucking way.”


Martellus Bennett on the shoulder: “It’s not about, ‘Could you play,’ but ‘Should you play?’ Right now, I’m like, fuck it.”

 

[Ed Hillel]

What does that mean?

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

Presumably that being back in NE was worth the pain of his injury?

 

[RedOctober3829]

What does that mean?

Sounds like he was ready to pack it in but when he got released and Pats wanting him helped his decision to stay on the field.

 

[Harry Hooper]

Bennett told his agent to tell teams not to claim him because he was going to get surgery. “When Bill called, I was like no fucking way.”


Martellus Bennett on the shoulder: “It’s not about, ‘Could you play,’ but ‘Should you play?’ Right now, I’m like, fuck it.”

It's a great cover story if he's fibbing. Might even be true.

 

[soxhop411]

“@MarkDanielsPJ: Bennett said after getting waived he got vengeance in his heart that made him want to play”


“@MarkDanielsPJ: When asked about making the Packers angry, Bennett said something like “I’m rubber your glue whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you””
“@MarkDanielsPJ: Bennett told his agent to tell teams not to claim him because he was going to get surgery. “When Bill called, I was like no fucking way.””

 

[soxhop411]

“@jeffphowe: Bennett got 2 hrs of sleep Thurs: “Bill was like, ‘Can you practice?’ I was like, ‘Bill, I just want to go to sleep right now.’ (BB said), ‘Oh, it’s a Friday. Just go out and get some snaps.’ I think he knows how to talk to me, too, so I’m like, ‘All right, I’ll go out there.’“”


Here is the video
https://www.bostonsportsjournal.com/2017/11/13/video-martellus-bennett-return-patriots-thoughts-sundays-win/

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

I expect Marty won't be active this week, then Hollister will go to the practice squad if possible to make room on the active roster

Nevermind

 

[Al Zarilla]

“@jeffphowe: Bennett got 2 hrs of sleep Thurs: “Bill was like, ‘Can you practice?’ I was like, ‘Bill, I just want to go to sleep right now.’ (BB said), ‘Oh, it’s a Friday. Just go out and get some snaps.’ I think he knows how to talk to me, too, so I’m like, ‘All right, I’ll go out there.’“”


Here is the video
https://www.bostonsportsjournal.com/2017/11/13/video-martellus-bennett-return-patriots-thoughts-sundays-win/

"Last time I got traded I went to Disneyland. I said why am I at Disneyland now? This time I'm sittin' in a beanbag feelin' sorry for myself, trying to figure out what I'm gonna do. I mean it's a nice beanbag, but..."

The man is downright hilarious.

 

[InstaFace]

He really is the David Ortiz of the NFL, personality-wise. Looks at life the right way, makes everyone around him happier. One of the few whose EQ matches their (football) IQ.

 

[Reverend]

He really is the David Ortiz of the NFL, personality-wise. Looks at life the right way, makes everyone around him happier. One of the few whose EQ matches their (football) IQ.

And then there’s the matter of previous teams not understanding what they have, yes?

Boston sports have been a treat, haven’t they?

 

[pappymojo]

Tom Crabtree:
If you ever thought a team/front office/coach gave a shit about a player's character, see the Patriots letting the fraud suit up and play tonight. Quit and lied in Green Bay days ago, now signed and playing in New England.

 

[loshjott]

There aren't enough LOLs and Boo Hoos on the Internet to respond to that one.

 

[Reverend]

Tom Crabtree:
If you ever thought a team/front office/coach gave a shit about a player's character, see the Patriots letting the fraud suit up and play tonight. Quit and lied in Green Bay days ago, now signed and playing in New England.

There aren't enough LOLs and Boo Hoos on the Internet to respond to that one.

When LGBT came back, I recall some Pittsburgh fans saying we shouldn’t be excited because he was clearly a bad character guy for quitting on his team.

It was tremendous.

 

[CantKeepmedown]

Tom Crabtree:
If you ever thought a team/front office/coach gave a shit about a player's character, see the Patriots letting the fraud suit up and play tonight. Quit and lied in Green Bay days ago, now signed and playing in New England.

Kyle Van Noy's response


I don't know you and you don't know me, but don't be comin for my guy if you don't know him or the story. I'll pray for you tho (with the pray emoji)

It's safe to say the guys are bonding at the start of this 10 day business trip.

 

[dhappy42]

I can’t find the story online, but recently read about an NFL player in who’d played through injuries for years being tricked out of a year’s salary by a team that cut him. The gist of it was that his on-field performance (understandably) declined but instead of benching the guy and paying his salary, management told the team’s trainer to recommend surgery. When the player grudgingly agreed to have the surgery, he was met at the trainer’s room door by someone in management and released. (If someone has the link, please post it.)

Anyway, after reading that, I’m taking the player’s side in these matters every time. Screw the owners. It’s Bennett’s body, his livelihood and his career. If he wants to play hurt for the Patriots but not the Packers, for whatever reason, more power to him.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Van Noy Just Became a True Patriot.

 

[Marciano490]

This is the NFL equivalent of telling one group of friends you don't feel like meeting up Friday night to go to the local bar because you're sick and beyond exhausted and then ending up out later when you get a call from a different group that has a table at 1Oak or whatever and the first group of friends getting pissed.

 

[Hendu for Kutch]

This is the NFL equivalent of telling one group of friends you don't feel like meeting up Friday night to go to the local bar because you're sick and beyond exhausted and then ending up out later when you get a call from a different group that has a table at 1Oak or whatever and the first group of friends getting pissed.

I think there's a piece missing there. After you said you didn't want to go out, that first group of friends told you to go die in a fire and that they never want to see you again. THEN they're pissed you went out with someone else.

 

[Marciano490]

I think there's a piece missing there. After you said you didn't want to go out, that first group of friends told you to go die in a fire and that they never want to see you again. THEN they're pissed you went out with someone else.

Plus, the one guy in the first group that you even liked hanging out with got arrested for selling really dope weed or something, so he wasn't even going to be there, and the guy they brought in to replace him is weird and aloof.

 

[Hendu for Kutch]

Plus, the one guy in the first group that you even liked hanging out with got arrested for selling really dope weed or something, so he wasn't even going to be there, and the guy they brought in to replace him is weird and aloof.

And the first group's restaurant is in rural Wisconsin.

 

[dcdrew10]

I can’t find the story online, but recently read about an NFL player in who’d played through injuries for years being tricked out of a year’s salary by a team that cut him. The gist of it was that his on-field performance (understandably) declined but instead of benching the guy and paying his salary, management told the team’s trainer to recommend surgery. When the player grudgingly agreed to have the surgery, he was met at the trainer’s room door by someone in management and released. (If someone has the link, please post it.)

Anyway, after reading that, I’m taking the player’s side in these matters every time. Screw the owners. It’s Bennett’s body, his livelihood and his career. If he wants to play hurt for the Patriots but not the Packers, for whatever reason, more power to him.

That'd be Mike Golic. He was trying to participate in mini camp after having knee surgery in the off season and knew he wasn't 100%, but he wanted to test the knee. The trainer told him to sign a waiver saying his knee was fine. Golic turned around to leave the room and there was a front office lackey waiting and the said the GM wanted to see him. The GM then cut Golic and the waiver allowed them to cut him without paying his salary. Golic never played in the NFL again.

The moral of the story is every player should look out for themselves when it comes to injury and dealing with the front office, because the front office won't look out for them.

 

[pappymojo]

Two weeks ago, a group of semi-friends that hangs out with this one guy you work with invited you to go to some lame karaoke bar on Friday night. You half-heartedly agreed to go because you thought this girl you liked from their group would be there with them. Really though, you weren't excited to be going and you were seriously debating blowing it off and staying home to binge-watch the latest show on netflix by yourself with killer weed and a large pizza. Then you found out the girl you liked was not even going with them.

So you make excuses and pass on going out.

Those semi-friends then post something about you on your instaface - some lame excuse that makes it seem like it was their choice for you not coming with them.

You then get a call from a newly single, super hot friend that you always respected and had a huge crush on and kind of had a thing with one weekend up in Vermont but you were both a lot younger then and it never really became a thing. Anyways, then she moved to California so you had moved on.

But, holy shit, she recently took a job in town and now she wants to grab drinks.

 

[Stitch01]

I can understand Packers players are frustrated about Bennett's comments towards Dr. McKenzie given he seems to be well thought of among Packer players and I can get how Packer players perceive Bennett as bailing on the guys in the locker room. I expect the general view on Bennett in NFL circles is going to be that he's an asshole.

That said, playing through a torn rotator cuff to catch bounce passes from Brett Hundley on a 6 win team in a league that treats the players like chattel fucccccck thaaaaat. Packers could have just IR'd him and chose to go after his signing bonus instead.

 

[InstaFace]

Tom Crabtree:
If you ever thought a team/front office/coach gave a shit about a player's character, see the Patriots letting the fraud suit up and play tonight. Quit and lied in Green Bay days ago, now signed and playing in New England.

"Who is Tom Crabtree?"

 

[dhappy42]

That'd be Mike Golic. He was trying to participate in mini camp after having knee surgery in the off season and knew he wasn't 100%, but he wanted to test the knee. The trainer told him to sign a waiver saying his knee was fine. Golic turned around to leave the room and there was a front office lackey waiting and the said the GM wanted to see him. The GM then cut Golic and the waiver allowed them to cut him without paying his salary. Golic never played in the NFL again.

The moral of the story is every player should look out for themselves when it comes to injury and dealing with the front office, because the front office won't look out for them.

Thanks for the link. Apologies if I misremembered Golic’s story. Same overall point, though. I’m 100% fine with players acting in what they perceive as their own self interest vis-a-vis owners.