Fred Mitchell at the Chicago Tribune got this interesting quote from wide receiver Earl Bennett after Sunday’s game:
“I try to be the quarterback’s friend and he just kept throwing me the ball. I just want to make plays. The coaches kept calling great plays and I was in position to make them, whether it’s me, Devin (Hester) or Johnny (Knox).”
I don’t think that Bennett means that he’s trying to be quarterback Jay Cutler’s friend (though he undoubtedly is). I think what he means is that he’s always trying to get into Cutler’s head to be where he’s expected to be and to make the plays he’s expected to make.
Bennett doesn’t drop balls and because of his size, he’s tough to bring down. He is especially reliable in a group of receivers that has turned out to be generally reliable this year. He makes it easy for Cutler to look for him when he needs a play.
Anyone can drink a beer with Cutler. But when it comes to the field of play, this is what Cutler calls a friend.