RENTON, Wash. -- In what can only be described as a stunning development, Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett said something nice about a quarterback on Monday.

Bennett was finishing his college career at Texas A&M when Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill was a freshman there. And Bennett has fond memories of the player he'll be looking to sack in Week 1.

"Tannehill was the best athlete at our school," Bennett said. "Better than Von [Miller]. Better than me. My brother would argue that, but Tannehill was one of the best athletes I've even seen. He ran a 4.4. He could do every type of dunk. He was just cool. He was just a smooth, cool guy.

"I've always liked Tannehill. I like him. He went to the same school as me. I'm not going to like him on Sunday. That's a whole different story. I like him as a guy. He was always a good guy to me."

Bennett missed three days of practice last week to get treatment on his toe. It's an issue he said he's been working through for eight years or so.

Last year, Bennett dealt with the same injury and had a Pro Bowl season, totaling 10 sacks and 19 tackles for loss.

Since joining the Seahawks in 2013, he's never missed a game. And Bennett said he knows how to manage the pain.

"At this point in my career, I think injuries are just a part of the game," he said. "I think there are players that can play through injuries. There's some who can't. I think I've proven I can play through whatever pain I have. That's what I've continuously done. You'll never tell the difference. I'll always play as hard as I can, and that's all that matters."

Bennett will start at defensive end against the Dolphins and slide inside in nickel situations.

He'll look to hit Tannehill as often as possible, but unlike most weeks, maybe Bennett will help the quarterback up on Sunday.