Running the Numbers: Examining Jason Witten's 2012 Season

[InmanRoshi]

Originally Posted by joseephuss

I think the O-line also factors into this as well. If you don't have time to get the ball down field, then you have to run shorter routes or utilize the tight end a bit more. That is going to bring down the yards per route of everyone.

I tacked this on to another comment while you were probably writing your response out....

PFF measures the time in the pocket for each pass attempt and Romo was pretty much dead center in the road among NFL QBs as far as average time given in the pocket (16th in the NFL, 2.77 seconds per throw).

I don't see a lot of evidence that our yards per attempt were driven down because Romo had to dump it off an inordinate amount. However, I see a lot of evidence that points toward the fact that the yards per attempt went down because Romo was throwing an inordinate amount of targets to a guy who runs a 4.8 (and has very little run after the catch ability) because he was his most dependable target. We need to start acquiring/developing some guys who run 4.4-4.5 who are dependable targets. Thank God the 4 year Kevin Ogletree experiment is seemingly at an end (and I wouldn't be surprised if that's one of the factors as to why John Garrett was shown the door).

[joseephuss]

Middle the road isn't great. Plus Romo is good at buying more time to throw. That also isn't optimum because he is then throwing under pressure on the run. That needs to be improved, but everyone knows the line needs to improve.

I agree the Cowboys need better from the #3 spot. Not necessarily more total numbers, but better efficiency. Miles also needs to remain healthy. I think he is dependable when healthy.

[InmanRoshi]

Middle of the road isn't great but it's also not horrible ... which is what our #3 WR production was given the amount of opportunities.

I know no one makes axioms or cliches about how you win championships with secondary receivers, so we're not going to get fifteen bajillion threads about them like we are with other units this offseason, but when your QB is throwing for 648 pass attempts in a season they're kinda important.

[burmafrd]

Originally Posted by InmanRoshi

Middle of the road isn't great but it's also not horrible ... which is what our #3 WR production was given the amount of opportunities.

I know no one makes axioms or cliches about how you win championships with secondary receivers, so we're not going to get fifteen bajillion threads about them like we are with other units this offseason, but when your QB is throwing for 648 pass attempts in a season they're kinda important.

the best thing would be not having your QB throw 40 times a game

[Vintage]

Last year, Romo had a great year.

Robinson leaves and he "struggles."

Romo had two receiving options last year that he trusted when he needed to make a play. Its why Robinson had the stats he did. Romo knew where he would be , particularly even a play broke down.

The problem is we acquired WRs with immense physical talent, some of which lack the mental talent.

Get a veteran WR who understands how to run routes and make correct reads, and I bet Romo has another year like 2011.