Martellus Bennett: 'I Haven't Had This Much Fun In A Long Time'
BOSTON (CBS) -- With Rob Gronkowski still out with a hamstring injury, the Patriots are relying heavily on Martellus Bennett to carry the load at the tight end position, whether it's catching passes or blocking up front. Bennett did it all in Sunday's 31-24 win over the Miami Dolphins - and he's loving it as much as anyone.
"Man, I'm just here to play football and have fun. I'm just having a lot of fun right now with these guys," Bennett said after the game when asked about his first-quarter touchdown catch. "I love my teammates. I love the coaches. I love this environment and these fans and, for me that's all it's really about, just going out there and doing the things I love to do, and have fun doing it.
"I haven't had this much fun in a long time in the NFL and I think it's making a big difference for me. Because when it's fun, it's much easier to go out there and play."
Bennett finished with five catches for 114 yards and a touchdown, hauling in a Jimmy Garoppolo pass on the Patriots' second possession of the game.
Bennett also made a difference in the trenches, making good blocks on key passing plays and in the run game for LeGarrette Blount in the second half. Bennett played all 80 offensive snaps in the game, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss.
The tight end continued to have fun after the game on his Instagram account, which apparently isn't restricted by the Patriots' typically tight-lipped nature.
It's clear that a winning environment is helping Bill Belichick and the Patriots get the best out of Bennett so far, both on and off the field.
