TE Bennett Was Dallas' Targeted Youngster

NFL News - October 23rd, 2009 - Written by John

Sometime earlier this week, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones dropped a line out to the media with an uninstigated admission that he was offered a bounty for one of his young stars on offense. Without naming the player, Jones went on to gush that he believed the player had too bright of a future with the club and inevitably said no to the deal.

"We had a significant offer for a key player that we turned down, and turned down in getting in more extended dialogue for," Jones said. "So we did have that kind of activity...but I shouldn't name the player or the team. It was a very firm, significant offer for one of our young players that we had a chance for a lot of consideration if we had wanted to take it, and we didn't."

On Thursday, ESPN's Chris Mortensen spilled the beans. Turns out the offer was a high draft pick from the Cincinnati Bengals. The player in question? Last year's second-round pick Martellus Bennett, a tight end who plays behind Tony Romo's beau Jason Witten. Details of the offer weren't immediately afforded but it is presumed it was either a first or second-round pick in the upcoming draft.

The Cincinnati Bengals have been in dire straits for a tight end this year. Their top two options in the preseason were victims of equally damaging catastrophes. Reggie Kelly tore his Achilles' tendon and Ben Utecht was hospitalized with a serious concussion. Both are presumed to be out for the year.

Bennett has 323 career receiving yards in just over a year, with 13.5 yards per catch. His four touchdowns led all rookie tight ends last year although he has yet to find the end zone in '09.

Although Bennett is the second tight end on the depth chart and Witten doesn't figure to be going anywhere after starting in last year's Pro Bowl, he still sees a lot of time in Dallas' double-tigh end formation and figures to play an integral role in the future. He has been questioned about his performance as recently as two weeks ago, but Jones apparently still sees promise.

"We could have probably made a 'now' impact and just bolstered a position, and significantly, and obviously we would have had a takeaway since it's a young player for the future," Jones said on ESPN.com. "By the same token, and I'm talking about the type of consideration, first- or second-round type consideration, but the bottom line is this: Had I not thought that we needed that player right now as opposed to pushing forward in consideration for picks in the future, then I would have taken the pick option on it rather than the player."

Other players were rumored to be at the center of the deal, like running backs Tashard Choice and Felix Jones, or defensive backs Orlando Scandrick and Michael Jenkins. But none of those players, including Bennett, are older than 25, nor do they have more than two years of experience.

It's not unusual for Jones to stick with the current grid. He has a history of making an investment and riding it out until it becomes a success. He already quieted speculation of a coaching change by saying he would not consider firing head man Wade Phillips at any point during the season.

The Cowboys are currently 3-2 with a big home game against Atlanta looming this week.

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