Tuesday, June 16, 2009

MySa Blog: Bennett shines at minicamp

By Tom Orsborn on Jun 16, 09 12:59 PM

CARROLLTON - Second-year tight end Martellus Bennett was in the spotlight this morning at the Cowboys minicamp, catching three touchdown passes after a slow start.

Bennett began the workout with a blown route and a dropped pass. But he more than made up for those mistakes with a pair of 5-yard TD receptions in the red zone - one from Jon Kitna and one from Tony Romo - and a 60-yard run after a short catch of a Romo pass for another score.

On the 60-yard score, Bennett and Jason Witten were lined up on the same side of the field, something the Cowboys are expected to do often this season.

Bennett has a chance to be the most improved player this season as the Cowboys experiment with him in a number of roles: split wide, fullback and H-back.

"He's definitely improving," Romo said of the Texas A&M alumnus. "He's running good routes. He's doing good things in that area. I think he can still continue to grow in the understanding of the offense and the understanding of the defense. I think that's like a lot of young guys. It takes time.

"And at the tight end position, you've got to handle a lot. On offense, it's either him or the center that has to know - just behind the quarterback - the most about the offense. It's important.''

Seventh-round Manuel Johnson of Oklahoma also had a strong day, catching three passes from Jon Kitna against second-year CB Mike Jenkins on the final drive of the workout. With undrafted rookie Kevin Ogletree sidelined with a knee injury, Johnson got plenty of opportunities to show what he could do. Johnson had been running behind Ogletree, a former Virginia standout, on the depth chart.

The Cowboys are off this afternoon. They resume two-a-days tomorrow before getting a vacation until training camp.