David Moore

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CARROLLTON – Here is what you need to know about Martellus Bennett.

He considers himself stronger, smarter and faster than he was six months ago. He's a player on YouTube and Twitter and is in the early stages of writing a Web movie. Oh yeah, one other thing.

He's an addict.

"I think I'm addicted to tattoos," Bennett said. "I have a lot. Actually, I have 264. That's an official count.

"The goal? I'm trying to catch Lil Wayne. I'm not going to go for Mike Tyson."

Now, here is something else you need to know. The Cowboys coaching staff couldn't be more pleased with what they have seen from Bennett. The second-year tight end has played well in practices and minicamp and has shown a sense of purpose that was sometimes missing as a rookie.

It's all part of Bennett's plan. He wants to retain his fun-loving, Marty B. personality yet show he's serious about improving as a football player. He wants to become an integral part of the team's offense, and he has a better understanding of what it takes to get that done.

"That's one of the major things I've worked on this off-season, to show them I can still be the person I am and develop as an athlete," Bennett said. "Be focused on the field, in the weight room, running, wherever it may be. I will joke around in the weight room, but when it's time to work, work.

"Show them I'm mature enough to separate both of them."

Bennett flows freely from one world to the next. He promotes his latest YouTube effort one moment – "Who Wants to Be HoodRich" – then effortlessly shifts to his admiration for Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten.

Bennett prides himself on his growth as a technician and talks about observing Witten to perfect his craft. He admits he didn't ask a lot of questions in meetings last season, but said it was because he was overwhelmed with all he needed to absorb.

His notebook is full from meetings this off-season. Bennett watches extra tape and is not afraid to pipe up in the huddle and ask quarterback Tony Romo what he wants him to do on a specific play.

Spot Witten for a play or two or join him in a two-tight end set. Line up at wide receiver or fullback. It's all part of the package.

"I don't care how I get on the field," said Bennett, who caught 20 passes for 283 yards and four touchdowns last season. "If it's fullback, if I have to snap the ball, I'll do it. Whatever they want me to do.

"Hopefully, [Cleveland's] Shaun Rogers is not rushing me when I snap, because Romo might get sacked."

Romo smiles when asked about Bennett.

"Martellus definitely has a personality," Romo said. "He's a character out there a lot of the time, but he's working hard, and he's definitely improving."

Teammates, coaches and owner Jerry Jones see a more focused Bennett. Witten talks about the sense of urgency shown by the former Texas A&M star. Backup quarterback Jon Kitna, who looks for Bennett the way Romo does Witten, deserves credit for helping to build the young tight end's confidence.

"I think he's going to be a real threat," Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said of Bennett. "We can play a lot of two-tight end offense and have a tight end going down the seam on either side. That should be important for us."

"Who Wants to Be HoodRich" is a game show Bennett and a friend have put together. Answer all five questions and the contestant wins the grand prize:

"A total of 1,500 pennies, which you can use at the Marty B store to get a luncheable or a snack pack or something like that," he explained.

Bennett calls himself, "the best Twitter in the NFL" and has set his sights on NBA star Shaquille O'Neal.

"I'm better than Shaq," Bennett said. "Hopefully, I'm the funniest person to follow.

"If you're not following me, then you don't know where you're going."

The movie he plans to shoot will star nose tackle Jay Ratliff as a serial killer. Defensive ends Jason Hatcher and Stephen Bowen will be part of the cast, and Bennett intends to reach out to Denzel Washington, Will Smith and Jamie Foxx to see if they're interested.

If you haven't guessed by now, Bennett's tongue is planted in his cheek much of the time. Come to think of it, that would make a good tattoo.

"They know that I'm a real jokester and I like to have fun," Bennett said of the Cowboys.

The Cowboys have also learned that Bennett has a serious side.

It's a balance that works for everyone.

Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett ranked in the top four among NFL rookies in two receiving categories last season:

(Minimum 15 catches)