GREEN BAY A cheesehead teetering atop his head, Martellus Bennett spoke of his desire to assimilate into the Green Bay Packers locker room.

The veteran tight end, now with his fifth NFL team, said he keeps the foam cheddar wedge in his locker just to remind his new teammates that hes part of the culture.

So far, the loquacious Bennett and his effervescent personality have fit in just fine in an environment devoid of larger-than-life characters in recent years.

For nearly 30 minutes after Thursdays first practice of training camp, Bennett held forth with reporters, handing out copies of his comic book (Towelboy), dropping names of his favorite authors (from Dr. Seuss to Eckhart Tolle), explaining his decision to crash in the locker room after he arrived in town at 3 a.m. Wednesday (I couldnt get too comfortable) and discussing everything from CTE to the team book club hes starting (first book: Motivation Manifesto by Brendon Burchard) to his desire to be the black Walt Disney after his football career is over.

In a locker room where most players take cues from coach Mike McCarthys self-described boring by design approach, Bennett is decidedly different. Which, so far, the Packers like.

We all like personality. This is a tough business, McCarthy said. You spend a lot of time (together), so creativity and laughter are definitely good things to have in your culture. Hes a big personality and I think hes fitting in very well with our football team.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is among Bennetts fans, but he cautioned that observers shouldnt assume Bennetts jocularity and creativity mean hes not focused on football.

The thing about Marty that were learning and I think you guys will all learn is, hes always prepared, Rodgers said. Hes ready to go, if hes gone three hours of sleep, up all night drawing pictures, watching Nickelodeon, or if hes gotten seven, eight hours of sleep. Im not worried about Marty or his preparation at all.

For his part, Bennett said it makes no sense that some folks think being fun-loving and focused are mutually exclusive.

Green Bay Packers' Johnathan Calvin rides a bike to NFL football training camp Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Green Bay Packers' Clay Matthews talks to head coach Mike McCarthy during NFL football training camp Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Green Bay Packers' Jordy Nelson walks to the next drill during NFL football training camp Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Green Bay Packers' Max McCaffrey tries catching a pass behind his back during NFL football training camp Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Green Bay Packers' Jordy Nelson catches a pass during NFL football training camp Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers runs a drill during NFL football training camp Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgersfilps a football during NFL football training camp Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers runs a drill during NFL football training camp Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Green Bay Packers players runs a drill during NFL football training camp Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Green Bay Packers' Kevin King runs a drill during NFL football training camp Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Green Bay Packers' Aaron Taylor runs a drill during NFL football training camp Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Green Bay Packers' Clay Matthews stretches during NFL football training camp Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Green Bay Packers' Damarious Randall stretches during NFL football training camp Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Green Bay Packers' Ha Ha Clinton-Dix rides a bike to NFL football training camp Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Green Bay Packers' Davante Adams rides a bike to NFL football training camp Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Green Bay Packers' Kalif Phillips carries a bike after trying to ride it to NFL football training camp Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Green Bay Packers players ride bikes to NFL football training camp Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Green Bay Packers' Mason Crosby rides a bike to NFL football training camp Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Green Bay Packers' Johnathan Calvin rides a bike to NFL football training camp Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Originally posted here:
Packers: Tight end Martellus Bennett holds court in first practice - Beaver Dam Daily Citizen