Jarwin, Pollard, Be ready for primetime

[charron]

Yards per target were generally great. Last 2 seasons for Witten were 6.4. Last half season less than 5. He's done.

It's not just that he doesn't run after the catch, he doesn't get separation to get the catch. If he were just a nobody TE bringing him in as a FA would be fine. But considering Witten as a go to guy hurt us last year. He's just not going to be treated like his play deserves. He's got to go.

We do need another TE. Or two. Or three. Schultz has shown nothing. We should have at least 2 more legitimate TEs going into camp, and cutting Schultz should be seen as an option.

Thats funny you say his seperation sucks as about game 8 he was leading our team in seperation at the time the ball was released. Schultz should go before witten, talk about useless. it's upto the coaches to play whomever is hotter. If Jarwin is catching everything then use him, but don't forget Jarwin was catching about 65% of his passes the 1st quarter to half the year. then the last 6-8 games he came on strong. We need another experienced guy, witten or other to also be in the mix. I say the same at WR, RB, where ever so we can ride the hot hand, guard against injuries.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I’m looking forward to Pollard having a flex role on this team next year.

 

[Hayseed]

Welcome back AH!! Agree wholeheartedly.

Thanks bud! Look at it this way,.... you got rid of one red headed menace and in return gained ME! Helluva deal I might add!

 

[Fletch]

Thanks bud! Look at it this way,.... you got rid of one red headed menace and in return gained ME! Helluva deal I might add!

Yep! I prefer a**holes anyway.

 

[Hayseed]

Yep! I prefer a**holes anyway.

Me too!

 

[AyeAtey]

What happened to Schultz? Seems like he just disappeared into thin air.

Witten took his and Jarwin's snaps. Develop, utilize, and have confidence with these youngsters, they'll do just fine.

 

[jrumann59]

Says our fired staff who showed obvious favoritism letting him come back to his starting position wo competition in the first place. This resulted in the team not even trying to imp the position with a FA TE or draftee. Jarwin may be a Hambrick (who knows) but Witten is closer to Michael Wiley at this point.

Maybe but witten at least is planned for. Jarwin beats coverage because the opposite coaches have no idea who he is.

 

[KingRah]

Mark my words, these 2 cats are going to have their roles expand by a ton next year, by that I mean much more than just Witten retiring. Coach Mac is going to want to stress a defense at every level as much as he can by putting as many explosive athletes all on the field together at the same time. Look for Pollard to be in the backfield WITH Zeke much more than he ever was last season. I would actually also look for him to even steal some of Cobbs snaps out of the slot to both preserve Cobb a little and get a bit more speed on the field.

And Jarwin? I look for him to be "A THING" next year. I really do. Kid has the juice to be a real midrange to down field threat at T.E very similar to what Kelse does in Kansas city. Kids a big target athlete with great size. Predictable is going bye bye. As someone who has been forced to watch tons of Packer games due to where I live I can tell you all this junk about McCarthey being predictable is just that......JUNK! A bunch of bull sheet. Gonna be fun.

if he's putting explosive athletes on the field, why would he play pollard?
I agree Jarwin can have a bigger role. I wonder if this hire means Cobb is getting resigned.

 

[dsturgeon]

I want some TE screens to Jarwin. I want to motion pollard out to WR and throw screens to him, and throw screens to the WR's

 

[gjkoeppen]

Mark my words, these 2 cats are going to have their roles expand by a ton next year, by that I mean much more than just Witten retiring. Coach Mac is going to want to stress a defense at every level as much as he can by putting as many explosive athletes all on the field together at the same time. Look for Pollard to be in the backfield WITH Zeke much more than he ever was last season. I would actually also look for him to even steal some of Cobbs snaps out of the slot to both preserve Cobb a little and get a bit more speed on the field.

And Jarwin? I look for him to be "A THING" next year. I really do. Kid has the juice to be a real midrange to down field threat at T.E very similar to what Kelse does in Kansas city. Kids a big target athlete with great size. Predictable is going bye bye. As someone who has been forced to watch tons of Packer games due to where I live I can tell you all this junk about McCarthey being predictable is just that......JUNK! A bunch of bull sheet. Gonna be fun.

There MAY BE a SLIGHT increase of plays with both Elliott and Pollard in at the same time, but I seriously doubt that it's going to be anywhere close to what you think it's going to be. McCarthy said today the best way to help the passing game is have a strong running game and playing both at the same time isn't going help the running game. I believe the time when we'll see that is on short yardage like 2 yards making the defense not sure if it will be a run or if they have to cover one of the backs out of the backfield. I also think that as great as Witten has been for the Cowboys, McCarthy will talk to him privately and tell him that he doesn't see a place for him anymore and give Witten the chance to then publicly say he decided to retire and move on into being a coach somewhere. I then believe Jarwin will be the starting TE for the Cowboys.
.

 

[cern]

Witten will not be returning. Not by his choice, but his lackluster performance makes him expendable. The future does not rely on 40 year old te's.

 

[BigStar]

Maybe but witten at least is planned for. Jarwin beats coverage because the opposite coaches have no idea who he is.

I'm not huge on Jarwin but like that he has some speed. Love Witten in his prime but felt the team stalled on improving the position bc of his return; Jarwin or FA/draft pick.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

if he's putting explosive athletes on the field, why would he play pollard?
I agree Jarwin can have a bigger role. I wonder if this hire means Cobb is getting resigned.

Are you saying Pollard isn’t explosive?

 

[SoupcanSam]

Mark my words, these 2 cats are going to have their roles expand by a ton next year, by that I mean much more than just Witten retiring. Coach Mac is going to want to stress a defense at every level as much as he can by putting as many explosive athletes all on the field together at the same time. Look for Pollard to be in the backfield WITH Zeke much more than he ever was last season. I would actually also look for him to even steal some of Cobbs snaps out of the slot to both preserve Cobb a little and get a bit more speed on the field.

And Jarwin? I look for him to be "A THING" next year. I really do. Kid has the juice to be a real midrange to down field threat at T.E very similar to what Kelse does in Kansas city. Kids a big target athlete with great size. Predictable is going bye bye. As someone who has been forced to watch tons of Packer games due to where I live I can tell you all this junk about McCarthey being predictable is just that......JUNK! A bunch of bull sheet. Gonna be fun.

I need to see it to believe it with MM.

He had Jones and Williams down in GB and packer fans cried all the time how he ignored them. Arron Jones did not take off until mike left.

 

[McKDaddy]

He is terrible run and is practically unplayable on run downs.

I don't get this narrative. The kid has shown himself to be a downfield playmaker. If you line him up or motion him out, it forces a defender to go with him. ie, the TE has accounted for a defender. why try to make him a blocker if you can scheme the defender out of the play?

It's why teams started going wide sets with receivers when they intended to run. Just getting the defenders out of the area you intend to attack is better than blocking them.

Side note - Connor Williams should be used as a blocking TE in a lot of packages. He is very good on the move. Let Looney or McGovern man the G position, slide Connor out & less or no need to spend resources looking for a blocking TE. If Connor has any hands at all, a smart coach would actually let him run routes & throw it to him. Production & it camouflages so defenses can't key on him.

 

[jrumann59]

I don't get this narrative. The kid has shown himself to be a downfield playmaker. If you line him up or motion him out, it forces a defender to go with him. ie, the TE has accounted for a defender. why try to make him a blocker if you can scheme the defender out of the play?

It's why teams started going wide sets with receivers when they intended to run. Just getting the defenders out of the area you intend to attack is better than blocking them.

Side note - Connor Williams should be used as a blocking TE in a lot of packages. He is very good on the move. Let Looney or McGovern man the G position, slide Connor out & less or no need to spend resources looking for a blocking TE. If Connor has any hands at all, a smart coach would actually let him run routes & throw it to him. Production & it camouflages so defenses can't key on him.

Lo on et is back up. His time starting down the stretch while not horrible was not good. It will be interesting to see what McGovern can do.

 

[McKDaddy]

Lo on et is back up. His time starting down the stretch while not horrible was not good. It will be interesting to see what McGovern can do.

What I saw of Looney was very solid. Maybe I missed something but not only this year I have always thought Joe has done a nice job when filling in as guard. I know there was a video of Zeke talking about how Joe crushed a guy or two on one of his TD runs.

 

[OmerV]

Yep. He is a RESTRICTED free agent not unrestricted. Plus Witten retired. And, ...we put a ton of time into bringing him along. Lastly.....he's hard to miss. Anyone who has watched him the last couple years knows that this kid is ready to break out bigtime! All he needs is more snaps. No way this guy will be allowed to even sniff having the opportunity to leave Dallas.

Did Witten retire? Last I knew he hadn't decided. Of course, if Witten is considering coming back he would probably want to have a conversation with McCarthy to see if that option would be open to him.

Frankly, I'm okay if he comes back for another year as long as his role is reduced even more than it was this past season. I would think he should get no more than 50% of the TE targets, and probably not that much. Maybe more like 1/3 of the targets - more of a specialist in 2 TE sets.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Obviously Jarwin's role will expand if Witten is gone. I doubt Pollard's role changes much...only so many snaps and touches to go around.

Pollards role needs to change. Better speed, burst, vision, and moves in the open field than Zeke.
Pollard should get most of the 3rd down role, the 2 minutes roll, and certainly get involved in the passing game more. 60/40 split would be what I do unless we are killing teams and then I run Zeke more.

 

[jrumann59]

What I saw of Looney was very solid. Maybe I missed something but not only this year I have always thought Joe has done a nice job when filling in as guard. I know there was a video of Zeke talking about how Joe crushed a guy or two on one of his TD runs.

He crushed a guy on pull down field. His pass protection he can get blown up and out quicked at time. He is back up, great if you need him for a game or two but if a OG goes down for the year he is not a long term starter.