Jason Witten, Typical Cowboy
By Dan Zinski
Jason Witten clearly never read “How to Make Friends and Influence People.” If the tight end wrote a book himself, it would probably be called “How to Intimidate Rookies and Destroy Their Confidence.” “Chapter 1: How I verbally bitch-slapped second round draft pick Martellus Bennett even though he never did anything to me.” Witten’s book would likely not include Mr. Bennett’s version of events, as recounted by Tim MacMahon of the Dallas Morning News:
"Rookie TE Martellus Bennett recalls a rather harsh response after asking Jason Witten for help early in training camp: “I’m not going to be [beep] doing this all the [beep] time. You’ve got to know what the [beep] to do.”"
Mentoring skills. Witten has defended himself against allegations that he’s a giant ass by pretending it’s all part of some larger strategy:
"[Bennett] says it all the time: “Jason doesn’t like me.” It’s not that I don’t like him. It’s just that I’m letting him figure it out. He’s got to figure it out first, and once he does, obviously that’s where I come along.He’s got a good position coach that pushes him, obviously. When he’s ready for it, I’ll definitely be able to talk to him and push his buttons. But you’ve got to figure it out first, and he’s well on his way to doing that."
Sounds like you’re already pushing his buttons Jason. Hard. And angrily. This wouldn’t have anything to do with Bennett being a talented young player who’s out for your job would it? You’d think a guy with your credentials would be a little more secure in himself. I doubt Jay Novacek, who believed in himself in a way you obviously don’t, ever went that hard on a rookie. Then again, it’s possible you’re just a genius of motivation, and that Bennett will grow into a Pro-Bowl tight end under your harsh tutelage. Either that or you will so destroy his fragile little rookie ego that he winds up slinking away to a life of mopping floors at ShopKo. Jerk-ass.
To read more on Dallas Cowboys jerkiness, hit up my old post, The 10 Greatest A-Holes in Cowboys History.