FOXBORO -- Over the last few months, Martellus Bennett has had a chance to spend a lot of time with Rob Gronkowski. They've worked out together. They've sat in meetings together. They've run routes together. They've celebrated touchdowns in practice together.
In those moments, Bennett has learned something about his new teammate that NFL defenses have known for a long time.
"Gronk is really [expletive] good," he said.
How the Patriots use Bennett and Gronkowski together this season remains to be seen, but coach Bill Belichick explained on Sirius XM NFL Radio this week that the possibilities are boundless. Because both players are adept pass-catchers and run-blockers, they can be on the field at the same time in a variety of situations. And because teams will want to double-team at least one player -- as they have tried to do with Gronkowski over the years -- that could mean favorable matchups for the other.
Even without a single regular-season snap under his belt with Gronkowski, Bennett said their time together been as enjoyable as it has been educational.
"It’s been a pleasure playing with him," Bennett said. "I think we’ve been raising each other’s game. He does some things very well and I do some things different. The thing is, we’re built alike, but we’re two totally different players. The way we run routes, the way we go about our business is totally different. It’s been very fun playing with him because he’s very passionate. He brings it every day in meetings and on the field. It’s just been a joy to play with him because he’s one of those guys that makes you up your game, and I try to do the same for him, but I think we’ve just been feeding off each other a lot.
"He’s been in this offense for a long time so I ask him a lot of questions and he helps me out a lot. There are so many different plays I’m like, ‘Hey Rob, we’ve got this on this play?’ and he’s like ‘Yeah, that’s what we got.’ I always double check with him."
New England Patriots
For Bennett, having that sounding board, as well as tight ends coach Brian Daboll, has helped to ease his transition to New England. The Patriots offense is the third new system he's had to absorb in the last four years. There are moments where he could use a hand, like on Wednesday when he was re-aligned by quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo before a snap near the goal line, but he understands that's part of the process.
"It’s just learning and trying to get on the same page, being able to do it fast so I’m not thinking out there," Bennett said. "I’m still thinking a little bit, but the more repetition I get, the easier it will be. It’s muscle memory and everything, so it’s still a process, I’m still learning."
Even though Bennett is still in the early phases of grasping the offense, with Gronkowski he's solidly atop the Patriots depth chart at the position and will help lead the way for a group that Belichick says is maybe the best he's had since he began his tenure as head coach in 2000.
"It’s been probably as good of a tight end situation, overall from top to bottom, as we’ve ever had here," Belichick said. "The guys are all competitive. They can all do enough things to be competitive."
Sliding in behind Bennett and Gronkowski are undrafted rookies Steven Scheu and Bryce Williams, second-year player AJ Derby, newly-acquired free agent signee Bear Pascoe and offseason pickup Clay Harbor, who is on the physically unable to perform list and has not practiced in camp. The group also includes fullback James Develin, who meets with the tight ends on a daily basis.
Bennett said he appreciated Belichick's commentary, but he understands the group has plenty of work to do before it can live up to that lofty assessment.
"It makes me feel good. He’s a hell of a coach and he’s been around for a really, really long time. I think we’re doing well but there’s so much growth for us to do," Bennett said. "We’re not anywhere near where we want to be, and I think that’s the most exciting thing about what we’re doing right now. Once we get to where we want to go and continue to progress, I think it could be very dangerous."