Jason Witten last remaining WR/TE from 2016 Dak's rookie year

[Yobwocs]

I just realized this - and find this interesting. Dak has gotten a completely different set of targets in just 3 years difference. There are no other WRs or TEs still left on our current roster from the 2016 team.

Another reason for how well Dak has done since entering the league.

 

[mattjames2010]

Well, your boy Dak said he didn't need no stinkin' #1 WR. How long did that last?

 

[InTheZone]

#endcareers#4

 

[Yobwocs]

Well, your boy Dak said he didn't need no stinkin' #1 WR. How long did that last?

I think you're inflating his comments. He was just given a stupid question and answered it the best he could.

I also don't really think it matters what he says. I don't think his mouth is the brightest tool in the shed.

Still, fact is..... Dak is so adaptable and multifacted that he could win with any group of receivers. Give him the Oakland Raiders tomorrow and he'll put up 10 wins.

 

[cern]

I just realized this - and find this interesting. Dak has gotten a completely different set of targets in just 3 years difference. There are no other WRs or TEs still left on our current roster from the 2016 team.

Another reason for how well Dak has done since entering the league.

They were also the last ones with ties to Jerry. Stephen is rewriting the team in his image.

 

[percyhoward]

This puts into perspective the huge hole left by the receiving threats that were lost going into 2018 -- in the area where it matters most. Zeke led the team in RZ targets basically out of desperation.

Red Zone Target Distribution
2018 (games 8-18)
Elliott 23%
tight ends 18%
Cooper 16%
Gallup 16%
Beasley 9%

2016-17
Bryant 29%
Witten 28%
Beasley 14%
Williams 8%
Elliott 5%

 

[Mr_437]

How does the title lead to the content or implication that Dak is doing so well? These weapons Dak have are good...I don't see much drop off.

 

[percyhoward]

These weapons Dak have are good...I don't see much drop off.

Red Zone, 2015-17
Catches / 1st downs / TD
Bryant 22 / 16 / 14
Witten 26 / 19 / 9
Beasley 20 / 18 / 14
Williams 7 / 3 / 3
Butler 3 / 2 / 2
total: 78 / 58 / 42

Elliott 6 / 2 / 1
Gallup 0 / 0 / 0
Swaim-Jarwin-Schultz 0 / 0 / 0
Beasley 20 / 18 /14
Cooper 11 / 7 / 5
total: 37 / 27 / 20

At the top are the five most-targeted players in the red zone from 2015-17, along with their 2015-17 production. Beasley had a much smaller share of the targets (14%) than Bryant (29%) or Witten (28%), but was very efficient in the red zone when he was targeted.

Below that are the five most-targeted players (treating the 3 most-targeted TE as one) in the red zone in 2018 -- again with their 2015-17 production to show the huge hole that would have to be filled. Elliott had only 6 red zone catches going into 2018. Neither Swaim nor Jarwin had a red zone catch, Schultz and Gallup were both rookies. Cooper had just 11 red zone catches and 5 TD in those three seasons in Oakland.

It all added up to less than half the receptions, less than half the first downs, and less than half the touchdowns of the most-targeted red zone players from the previous three seasons. How did they perform in 2018? How much of the hole got filled?

Elliott 11 / 4 / 2
Gallup 4 / 2 / 2
Swaim-Jarwin-Schultz 7 / 4 / 3
Beasley 6 / 2 / 2
Cooper 3 / 2 / 2

Being generous, this team had exactly one established red zone receiving threat heading into 2018 -- Cole Beasley. But without Bryant or Witten to draw the defense's attention, Beasley wasn't open like he was in the previous three seasons. His share of red zone targets went down from 14% to 9%. Extrapolating the 2018 numbers over three seasons for the sake of comparison, Elliott and the three TE all together were the equivalent of a less efficient Witten. Gallup and Cooper combined didn't match what was Dez was able to accomplish (mostly in 2016, and battling injuries much of the time).

Yes, that's a drop off. No wonder the Cowboys went from 5th and 7th in red zone TD% the previous two years to 26th in 2018. Frederick's return should help the running game in close, which in turn will make passing easier, but this team must develop some red zone weapons.

 

[mattjames2010]

I think you're inflating his comments. He was just given a stupid question and answered it the best he could.

I also don't really think it matters what he says. I don't think his mouth is the brightest tool in the shed.

Still, fact is..... Dak is so adaptable and multifacted that he could win with any group of receivers. Give him the Oakland Raiders tomorrow and he'll put up 10 wins.

There are multiple ways to go about answering the question, he stated he didn't need a #1, and he was wrong. You're just talking nonsense.

 

[Yobwocs]

There are multiple ways to go about answering the question, he stated he didn't need a #1, and he was wrong. You're just talking nonsense.

You said it yourself. There are multiple ways to interpret his answer. Don't be a baby mattjames2010 , getting caught up with his comments which makes no difference one way or the other at the end of the day.

 

[Mr_437]

Red Zone, 2015-17
Catches / 1st downs / TD
Bryant 22 / 16 / 14
Witten 26 / 19 / 9
Beasley 20 / 18 / 14
Williams 7 / 3 / 3
Butler 3 / 2 / 2
total: 78 / 58 / 42

Elliott 6 / 2 / 1
Gallup 0 / 0 / 0
Swaim-Jarwin-Schultz 0 / 0 / 0
Beasley 20 / 18 /14
Cooper 11 / 7 / 5
total: 37 / 27 / 20

At the top are the five most-targeted players in the red zone from 2015-17, along with their 2015-17 production. Beasley had a much smaller share of the targets (14%) than Bryant (29%) or Witten (28%), but was very efficient in the red zone when he was targeted.

Below that are the five most-targeted players (treating the 3 most-targeted TE as one) in the red zone in 2018 -- again with their 2015-17 production to show the huge hole that would have to be filled. Elliott had only 6 red zone catches going into 2018. Neither Swaim nor Jarwin had a red zone catch, Schultz and Gallup were both rookies. Cooper had just 11 red zone catches and 5 TD in those three seasons in Oakland.

It all added up to less than half the receptions, less than half the first downs, and less than half the touchdowns of the most-targeted red zone players from the previous three seasons. How did they perform in 2018? How much of the hole got filled?

Elliott 11 / 4 / 2
Gallup 4 / 2 / 2
Swaim-Jarwin-Schultz 7 / 4 / 3
Beasley 6 / 2 / 2
Cooper 3 / 2 / 2

Being generous, this team had exactly one established red zone receiving threat heading into 2018 -- Cole Beasley. But without Bryant or Witten to draw the defense's attention, Beasley wasn't open like he was in the previous three seasons. His share of red zone targets went down from 14% to 9%. Extrapolating the 2018 numbers over three seasons for the sake of comparison, Elliott and the three TE all together were the equivalent of a less efficient Witten. Gallup and Cooper combined didn't match what was Dez was able to accomplish (mostly in 2016, and battling injuries much of the time).

Yes, that's a drop off. No wonder the Cowboys went from 5th and 7th in red zone TD% the previous two years to 26th in 2018. Frederick's return should help the running game in close, which in turn will make passing easier, but this team must develop some red zone weapons.

Pardon me, I wasn't focused on the redzone, but I felt that was a coaching issue...when you a Zeke in the backfield, you give him the ball.

The weapons Dak has and had at the end of last season we're adequate. Jarwin n Shultz were fine, Coop was better than Dez, Gallup is no worse than TWill...however this group younger and haven't had the time to develop like the other group, so comparing in favor of 2016 is skewed.

 

[mattjames2010]

You said it yourself. There are multiple ways to interpret his answer. Don't be a baby mattjames2010 , getting caught up with his comments which makes no difference one way or the other at the end of the day.

Maybe you want to read what I just said again. I said there were multiple ways he could have answered the question - not how we could have "interpreted" what he said.

And it 100% makes a difference, Dak didn't adjust to a new receiving group after losing both Dez and Witten - he was actually quite awful. It wasn't until he got Cooper that he played at a somewhat respectable level - but even then, it was inconsistent (got shut out against the Colts. Doh!)

It matters because what you're talking is BS.

 

[Rockport]

Maybe you want to read what I just said again. I said there were multiple ways he could have answered the question - not how we could have "interpreted" what he said.

And it 100% makes a difference, Dak didn't adjust to a new receiving group after losing both Dez and Witten - he was actually quite awful. It wasn't until he got Cooper that he played at a somewhat respectable level - but even then, it was inconsistent (got shut out against the Colts. Doh!)

It matters because what you're talking is BS.

You must be miserable to be around being so negative all the time.

 

[Yobwocs]

And it 100% makes a difference, Dak didn't adjust to a new receiving group after losing both Dez and Witten - he was actually quite awful. It wasn't until he got Cooper that he played at a somewhat respectable level - but even then, it was inconsistent (got shut out against the Colts. Doh!)

It matters because what you're talking is BS.

LOL. He went 8-2 to end the year with an entirely different receiving unit than the previous year. Cole Beasley the only major remaining member of the previous year's receivers. I'd say you prove your self-absorbed theories false by bringing it up in the first place.

Who's talking BS again? You're focusing on his first 8 games, when last I checked a season is 16 games - which he went 10-6 overall

 

[percyhoward]

Pardon me, I wasn't focused on the redzone, but I felt that was a coaching issue...when you a Zeke in the backfield, you give him the ball.

Zeke got the ball, he just didn't get the running room that he'd enjoyed the previous two seasons.

Elliott's Success Rate Inside 10-yd line
2018 33% (7 of 21)
2017 65% (13 of 20)
2016 67% (16 of 24)

Same HC and OC all three years, when the team ranked 5th, 7th, then 26th in RZ TD%. I wouldn't blame coaching for the 26th any more than I'd credit coaching for the 5th and 7th.

 

[Melonfeud]

I just realized this - and find this interesting. Dak has gotten a completely different set of targets in just 3 years difference. There are no other WRs or TEs still left on our current roster from the 2016 team.

Another reason for how well Dak has done since entering the league.

Wasn't #89 Jarwin on the practice squad then?
*or did he follow in the "17" draft?

 

[Yobwocs]

Wasn't #89 Jarwin on the practice squad then?
*or did he follow in the "17" draft?

His name was not on the 2016 roster. Still at Oklahoma State in 2016.

 

[Section446]

He'll go through 100 WR's and it still won't work with him. He's not that good.

 

[mattjames2010]

LOL. He went 8-2 to end the year with an entirely different receiving unit than the previous year. Cole Beasley the only major remaining member of the previous year's receivers. I'd say you prove your self-absorbed theories false by bringing it up in the first place.

Who's talking BS again? You're focusing on his first 8 games, when last I checked a season is 16 games - which he went 10-6 overall

First off, team record =/= individual performance

Secondly, your entire point, I am guessing, is that Dak has played well despite the players around him. I am telling you, when he lost the talent around him, he played like utter crap. The final year Witten and Dez were here, both on their last leg (Witten still is), Dak...again, played like freakin' crap.

It seems you're losing the plot here, chief. Did we not need to bring in a #1 for Dak so he would improve his play, yes or no? It's funny to me how you brought up the "8-2", but refused to give the reason why our season turned around.

 

[Yobwocs]

I am telling you, when he lost the talent around him, he played like utter crap. The final year Witten and Dez were here, both on their last leg (Witten still is), Dak...again, played like freakin' crap.

It seems you're losing the plot here, chief. Did we not need to bring in a #1 for Dak so he would improve his play, yes or no? It's funny to me how you brought up the "8-2", but refused to give the reason why our season turned around.

Nope. He still had some great games, though the stretch of Atlanta-San Diego-Philadelphia was pretty bad. But they came consecutively and he has yet to be that bad since, which leads me to believe those 3 games were a fluke and we're way past that now.

Well, your point was that Dak couldn't adapt to a changing rotation of receivers. That's obviously false since.... the receivers he had in 2017 were mostly completely different than what he had in 2018.

And yes, I agree we needed to bring in Cooper to give Dak's game a boost. So what's your point? Give me an example of a QB who played like a champ without great talent.