Young TE's Reply To Jason Witten's progress stopper narrative

Future said:

He hasn't played at a high level for a long time. Cowboys fans have misconstrued usage for effectiveness with Witt for years. He doesn't give us anything we didn't have at TE last year and, in the passing game, is probably a downgrade from Jarwin. We don't need another guy to run 6-yard option routes.

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So, you think Witten calls the plays? That would be on Linehan and Garrett, not Witten. Even in his last year he was better than anything we had last year.

This is a different season and team than when Jason last played.
An OL that was banged up and without Smith for a while. A suspended Zeke, and distracted the other games.
Dak, who lost some confidence after getting his butt handed to him by the play of Green, and the stupidity of the coaching staff to not give him any help.
They entire team suffered, including Dez that was not the same either.

These are not excuses but are facts. So with a healthy OL, Dak with his confidence back as he showed the last half of last year. Zeke focused and most importantly NO Linehan. And a better defense. And a better overall WR group to take pressure off the TE's even. We seen how they too improved once Copper got here. And the defenses will have to respect Witten at times, which can open up the pass game even more.

Let's see how Witten does first.

stasheroo said:

That's no accident. His recent comments show that he isn't publicly buying in and saying the right things like everyone else is.

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That, and his three forgettable years on the roster suggest he's not worth mentioning in the article.

BourbonBalz said:

“Progress stopper” is a term butthurt fans use when they don’t like a player or when the player at issue is better than one of their pet players. There’s absolutely no downside to having a hungry HOFer back in the roster. No, he’s not what he was 5 years ago, but assuming he can still play at a high level (I have no doubt), he will do nothing but help the team win and help younger TEs expand their knowledge of the game.

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Exactly. Witten isn't in a position to stop anyone's progress. Those decisions are made by the coaches.

Cowboys need a TE that can play the short middle, have an ability to stretch the field, and be an average blocker. These are things most NFL tight ends can do. Witten can only do one of these things (probably can still do it very well). However, give me a younger TE that can do 2 of the 3 all day every day. That is how you help the goal of winning now.

I like Witten but I think in the end we’ll see very little of him as the year progresses.

Jake said:

That, and his three forgettable years on the roster suggest he's not worth mentioning in the article.

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Or more likely his comments were omitted because they didn’t fit the writer‘s narrative.

Future said:

He hasn't played at a high level for a long time. Cowboys fans have misconstrued usage for effectiveness with Witt for years. He doesn't give us anything we didn't have at TE last year and, in the passing game, is probably a downgrade from Jarwin. We don't need another guy to run 6-yard option routes.

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if that's the case, then let them play it out and see who is better. in essence we have replaced Swaim with Witten....Witten gives more than Swaim...and if he is hell bent on proving he can still play, then let the young ones step up....show they can beat him.....The team showed they are willing to go with the younger guy when Romo was healthy, better and he didn't play...same with Witten. I don't think he will get any preferential treatment.

NumOneQB said:

Cowboys need a TE that can play the short middle, have an ability to stretch the field, and be an average blocker. These are things most NFL tight ends can do. Witten can only do one of these things (probably can still do it very well). However, give me a younger TE that can do 2 of the 3 all day every day. That is how you help the goal of winning now.

I like Witten but I think in the end we’ll see very little of him as the year progresses.

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can Jarwin and Schultz do 2 out of 3? if yes, let them show it. why are we saying, lets hand it to the young ones if they are not capable!!!!

CowboysFaninHouston said:

can Jarwin and Schultz do 2 out of 3? if yes, let them show it. why are we saying, lets hand it to the young ones if they are not capable!!!!

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I’m not saying they can, both certainly showed flashes at year’s end. One thing I do know (well at least I think I do) Witten cannot.

TwoDeep3 said:

Jason Witten return is 'once-in-a-lifetime' chance for young TEs

It's clear Jason Witten didn't return simply to mentor young talent.

Having climbed down out of the ESPN broadcast booth only one season after retiring from the Dallas Cowboys, the perennial pro bowl tight end is entering his 15th season in the NFL and has arguably never looked hungrier as he gets back to the business of playing football. He's made it clear that despite the team's initial plan to reduce his snap count for 2019, he's hellbent on "making it tough" on head coach Jason Garrett and newly-promoted offensive coordinator Kellen Moore when it comes to manifesting that thought — not conceding a thing to those who are instantly pushed down the depth chart with him back in the mix.

read more:

https://247sports.com/nfl/dallas-co...ce-for-Blake-Jarwin-Dalton-Schultz-133365849/

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Obviously Witten is not going to "back off" in practice or concede anything.

The issue will be how hard he pushes back if they limit his snaps in real games.

The problem with Witten is actually with our coaches. They don't have the sack to sit him down when it's warranted. If he doesn't want to come off the field, he doesn't have to.

TwoDeep3 said:

Just a thought here. There was an opinion of a few that Witten was too self centered and would not mentor the younger guys.

I have to wonder if this puts that notion to rest. Vegas won't take odds on either way. They apparently know this board.

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Positive comments by young TEs don't really tell us anything. If the media asks they're going to get this type of response unless they ask Legend in His Own Mind Rico.

Witten definitely wasn't the Sean Lee type mentor to young players in the past.

My gut feel is that when they signed him to return, the team SJ/JJ told Witten they want him to be a mentor to the young players.

Stephen Jones said Witten contacted them asking to return.

The team is doing Witten a favor more than the other way around, IMO.

Witten "retired" right after Stephen Jones had been on the radio explaining that they needed to give the offensive coordinator "full" control of the offense and that it had been a mistake in the past to not structure it that way. SJ even gave the example that they should have done it when Bill Callahan called plays (this is just my opinion, but I think he referenced Callahan because Jerry is a known big fan of Callahan as a coach).

My point on the SJ interview and Witten retirement is that Linehan wanted to reduce Witten's snaps from 100% but Garrett had refused in the past. Witten has made it abundantly clear that he is NOT a fan of Linehan. Witten repeated that sentiment when he covered the Cowboys game as a broadcaster.

It seems obvious that Witten never really wanted to retire. Something happened that caused him to accept the broadcasting job offer.

I think we all know that without intervention from the Jones boys, that Garrett would play Witten on 100% of the snaps for as many years as Witten wants to stay around.

Garrett asked Witten to delay the retirement announcement which he did for about a week. It appears that Garrett was trying to resolve whatever issue was causing Witten to retire.

It comes back to my opinion that I've stated before that the Red Headed Step Child is losing to the Biological Son (i.e. Garrett asked Jerry to give Witten some type of guarantee and Jerry deferred to SJones).

Chocolate Lab said:

The problem with Witten is actually with our coaches. They don't have the sack to sit him down when it's warranted. If he doesn't want to come off the field, he doesn't have to.

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It's going to be up to the Jones boys to limit Witten's snaps.

• Garrett would never do it without being forced by the bosses.

OC Empowerment by Jones Boys

• I'm not all that concerned about Witten's snaps per se; however...
• The concept is important with regards to the Offensive Coordinator.
• It's up to the Jones boys to empower Kellen Moore.
• Stephen Jones said in the Spring of 2018 that they would give the OC "full" control.
• SJ said that it had been a mistake not to do it in the past.

OC Kellen Moore TE Requirements

• I'm convinced that they allowed Kellen Moore to call the plays in the "meaningless" game 16 last season.
• From studying that game and from studying Boise St. game footage with Kellen Moore, having a TE with some range is an important issue for Moore.
• Witten can probably still get open at 8 yards on the Y-Option but he didn't have any range in 2017. It's hard to imagine that improved with age.

Witten in 2017

• Witten also has some issues blocking in 2017.
• The plays where they have the TE pull across the backfield to block the backside DE was a problem for Witten.
• Witten just couldn't get off the snap and across the backfield quick enough to make that block work.
• They eventually quit having him attempt it and they used another TE when they ran those plays.

NumOneQB said:

I’m not saying they can, both certainly showed flashes at year’s end. One thing I do know (well at least I think I do) Witten cannot.

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then let them iron it out in camp. IMO, witten can do the intermediate and is a decent blocker. Jarwin couldn't block. route running needs work. he showed up in Giants game...meaningless game, but at least he showed up. Schultz is a work in progress and IMO has the highest upside to be a complete TE.

but let them show it in camp. that's where you separate yourself.

Chocolate Lab said:

The problem with Witten is actually with our coaches. They don't have the sack to sit him down when it's warranted. If he doesn't want to come off the field, he doesn't have to.

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why do you think they won't? when they did that with Romo and went with Dak?

xwalker said:

Positive comments by young TEs don't really tell us anything. If the media asks they're going to get this type of response unless they ask Legend in His Own Mind Rico.

Witten definitely wasn't the Sean Lee type mentor to young players in the past.

My gut feel is that when they signed him to return, the team SJ/JJ told Witten they want him to be a mentor to the young players.

Stephen Jones said Witten contacted them asking to return.

The team is doing Witten a favor more than the other way around, IMO.

Witten "retired" right after Stephen Jones had been on the radio explaining that they needed to give the offensive coordinator "full" control of the offense and that it had been a mistake in the past to not structure it that way. SJ even gave the example that they should have done it when Bill Callahan called plays (this is just my opinion, but I think he referenced Callahan because Jerry is a known big fan of Callahan as a coach).

My point on the SJ interview and Witten retirement is that Linehan wanted to reduce Witten's snaps from 100% but Garrett had refused in the past. Witten has made it abundantly clear that he is NOT a fan of Linehan. Witten repeated that sentiment when he covered the Cowboys game as a broadcaster.

It seems obvious that Witten never really wanted to retire. Something happened that caused him to accept the broadcasting job offer.

I think we all know that without intervention from the Jones boys, that Garrett would play Witten on 100% of the snaps for as many years as Witten wants to stay around.

Garrett asked Witten to delay the retirement announcement which he did for about a week. It appears that Garrett was trying to resolve whatever issue was causing Witten to retire.

It comes back to my opinion that I've stated before that the Red Headed Step Child is losing to the Biological Son (i.e. Garrett asked Jerry to give Witten some type of guarantee and Jerry deferred to SJones).

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I think there is a lot of assumption in your post, a lot of it with your negative view of Garrett...I don't disagree that a coach should have control of his area of responsibility, but the head coach should have the ability to choose his coaches. but when Callahan was shoved onto Garrett, then Garrett responded with being part of the process. Jones may have/or still like Callahan, but Callahan as done nothing since to garner accolades or that garrett being part of the process was wrong. the offense struggled mightily with Callahan when he had full control and then garrett inserted himself in the process. Callahan is a good OL coach...he failed as a head coach and later as OC...in Washington, he has never been offered the OC position and is an OL coach only.

in regards to Witten, perhaps he got tired of Linehan. Linehan was forced onto garrett since there were several reports that Garrett wanted to move on from Linehan in 2018, but Jones wanted to keep him (perhaps for the sake of continuity, as Jones manages as if he is playing fantasy football as opposed to real football). So perhaps, Witten seeing all that decided, this ain't getting any better, its still a circus and I am done and retired...as you said, witten often criticized the play calling during broad casts...

I don't buy the notion that Garrett wants to play Witten 100%....we don't know if the team wants to play Witten a 100%, since we have already seen the team do the opposite of what most are saying with Romo and Dak…..and even then it was rumored the coaches wanted to stay with the hot hand in Dak and Jones was advocating for Romo and his experience.

with that said, if Witten beats out the youngsters in the camp, then that's a testament to how bad the youngsters are that a 35 year old TE is beating them....there is training camp and pre-season to prove you are worthy...the youngsters haven't proven squat last year and shown too much for us to think they are the next great TE...yes yes yes everyone will point to the Giants game performance...….in a meaningless game, for both teams, in the last game of the season.

I in fact like the approach Witten has taken. I am not conceding anything. I am going to bust my arse. work hard and gain a starting position. the youngsters, not just the TEs should take notice and learn....its work hard, practice hard, do the extras that's going to make you better and good....not just your physical ability.....(Rico should take notice)…….this is perfect

CowboysFaninHouston said:

if that's the case, then let them play it out and see who is better. in essence we have replaced Swaim with Witten....Witten gives more than Swaim...and if he is hell bent on proving he can still play, then let the young ones step up....show they can beat him.....The team showed they are willing to go with the younger guy when Romo was healthy, better and he didn't play...same with Witten. I don't think he will get any preferential treatment.

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I agree. I think Jason is ready to battle for the TE job. Here is guy who missed 1 game in his playing career before his short retirement and a guy who would attend and did attend once again the OTA. Witten works hard and anyone expecting to take the job better be willing to work as hard as he does. Frankly I think the year off will benefit him in terms of coming in fresh and his own desire to show the critics he still has game left in his play

CowboysFaninHouston said:

I think there is a lot of assumption in your post, a lot of it with your negative view of Garrett...I don't disagree that a coach should have control of his area of responsibility, but the head coach should have the ability to choose his coaches. but when Callahan was shoved onto Garrett, then Garrett responded with being part of the process. Jones may have/or still like Callahan, but Callahan as done nothing since to garner accolades or that garrett being part of the process was wrong. the offense struggled mightily with Callahan when he had full control and then garrett inserted himself in the process. Callahan is a good OL coach...he failed as a head coach and later as OC...in Washington, he has never been offered the OC position and is an OL coach only.

in regards to Witten, perhaps he got tired of Linehan. Linehan was forced onto garrett since there were several reports that Garrett wanted to move on from Linehan in 2018, but Jones wanted to keep him (perhaps for the sake of continuity, as Jones manages as if he is playing fantasy football as opposed to real football). So perhaps, Witten seeing all that decided, this ain't getting any better, its still a circus and I am done and retired...as you said, witten often criticized the play calling during broad casts...

I don't buy the notion that Garrett wants to play Witten 100%....we don't know if the team wants to play Witten a 100%, since we have already seen the team do the opposite of what most are saying with Romo and Dak…..and even then it was rumored the coaches wanted to stay with the hot hand in Dak and Jones was advocating for Romo and his experience.

with that said, if Witten beats out the youngsters in the camp, then that's a testament to how bad the youngsters are that a 35 year old TE is beating them....there is training camp and pre-season to prove you are worthy...the youngsters haven't proven squat last year and shown too much for us to think they are the next great TE...yes yes yes everyone will point to the Giants game performance...….in a meaningless game, for both teams, in the last game of the season.

I in fact like the approach Witten has taken. I am not conceding anything. I am going to bust my arse. work hard and gain a starting position. the youngsters, not just the TEs should take notice and learn....its work hard, practice hard, do the extras that's going to make you better and good....not just your physical ability.....(Rico should take notice)…….this is perfect

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I don't really disagree with most of what you are saying this this post. You might have misunderstood my point on a couple of things.

I've never been a "Garrett Hater". I've defended him often, even in a post yesterday where I said beware it could get worse if they hire the wrong HC to replace him.

I do think at this point Garrett's had his opportunity and that there are better options; although that list is very limited.


I think there is a lot of assumption in your post, a lot of it with your negative view of Garrett...I don't disagree that a coach should have control of his area of responsibility, but the head coach should have the ability to choose his coaches. but when Callahan was shoved onto Garrett, then Garrett responded with being part of the process. Jones may have/or still like Callahan, but Callahan as done nothing since to garner accolades or that garrett being part of the process was wrong. the offense struggled mightily with Callahan when he had full control and then garrett inserted himself in the process. Callahan is a good OL coach...he failed as a head coach and later as OC...in Washington, he has never been offered the OC position and is an OL coach only.

The Callahan reference was not to say that Callahan was or would have been a great OC.

The point was that Stephen Jones used that as an example of something they should have handled differently in the past.

in regards to Witten, perhaps he got tired of Linehan. Linehan was forced onto garrett since there were several reports that Garrett wanted to move on from Linehan in 2018, but Jones wanted to keep him (perhaps for the sake of continuity, as Jones manages as if he is playing fantasy football as opposed to real football). So perhaps, Witten seeing all that decided, this ain't getting any better, its still a circus and I am done and retired...as you said, witten often criticized the play calling during broad casts...

The general consensus by the Dallas sports media including the dc.com crew was that Garrett was forced to have an OC that was not Garrett.
Garrett and Callahan had great conflict with each other. It was well known that Callahan has a somewhat abrasive type personality.
After the Callahan calling plays year, Garrett was allowed to hire an OC (other than himself) which turned out to be Linehan.

The Garrett wanted to fire Linehan reports came the same year as the Linehan wanted more control reports and the Stephen Jones quotes about more control for the OC.
The Stephen Jones interviews made it obvious that Linehan had talked directly to the Jones boys much like Callahan had in the past.

Even without Linehan, many questioned if the Cowboys would keep Witten in 2018 after he looked very sluggish in 2017.
Jerry has great respect for Witten as a Cowboys legend type player.
If the Jones boys had any inclination that Witten's role would change in 2018, they highly likely would have told him in the Spring out of respect.

It's just my opinion but it seems that Witten would have stayed for 2018 if he was guaranteed his same role and if Garrett replaced Linehan as OC.

I don't buy the notion that Garrett wants to play Witten 100%....we don't know if the team wants to play Witten a 100%, since we have already seen the team do the opposite of what most are saying with Romo and Dak…..and even then it was rumored the coaches wanted to stay with the hot hand in Dak and Jones was advocating for Romo and his experience.

We'll have to just disagree on Garrett not wanting to play Witten at near-100% of the snaps.

Witten even played 17% of Special Teams snaps in 2017 (see bottom of post for more stats).

I've never heard Jerry say he wanted Romo to be the starter when he returned.

His tone in these quotes from an NFL.com article does not paint that picture (11/15/2016):
NFL.com: Jones, who has said repeatedly that Prescott will keep the job until he doesn't, isn't worried about the rookie peering over his shoulder.

Jerry:
"The other day, Tony was taking some snaps from under the center and Tony was bragging on Dak. He said, boy, he doesn't miss a trick. He looks at everything and just soaks it up," Jones said on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas Tuesday. "...The key thing is the benefit that Dak will get from watching Tony as Tony takes snaps in a practice, as it should be. The big thing is how much Tony is into helping Dak prepare."

Jerry on Romo as a Coach
"Make no mistake, he's really wonderful about this. Tony is gonna have serious options," Jones said. "And of course he is young relatively speaking. Tony has the ability to be a great -- I'm not talking about a good one -- a great offensive coordinator. He has an eye and has an understanding about offensive football that's exceptional. He could be as a matter of fact two years ago, I sat down with him and said I really want you in the process as we really get into picking a quarterback for the future because I don't want you to leave your career without having the benefit of you helping us get this quarterback and getting him ready to go and of course his eyes just lit up and he said I'm your man."

with that said, if Witten beats out the youngsters in the camp, then that's a testament to how bad the youngsters are that a 35 year old TE is beating them....there is training camp and pre-season to prove you are worthy...the youngsters haven't proven squat last year and shown too much for us to think they are the next great TE...yes yes yes everyone will point to the Giants game performance...….in a meaningless game, for both teams, in the last game of the season.

If Witten is on the roster, it's highly likely he is the starter; however, that does not necessarily mean he'll get the most snaps.

I in fact like the approach Witten has taken. I am not conceding anything. I am going to bust my arse. work hard and gain a starting position. the youngsters, not just the TEs should take notice and learn....its work hard, practice hard, do the extras that's going to make you better and good....not just your physical ability.....(Rico should take notice)…….this is perfect

I wouldn't expect anything else from Witten. His work ethic is un-questioned. His approach that players have to earn it is also well known.

Witten Snap Counts (I don't have data before 2012):
2012 98.1%
2013 98.7%
2014 99.0%
2015 99.1%
2016 96.0%
2017 98.4%

Witten Special Teams Snap Count Average (2012-2017):
16.78%

Personally I'm not into snap counts. If Witten is getting the job done they keep him in the games. When the regular season starts it becomes all about winning, nothing else matters but winning. I think Jarwin is capable of pushing for playing time and the way you push for that time is by making the plays when your number is called. I think that applies to all players.

BourbonBalz said:

All the younger TEs have to do outplay him. It’s really that simple.

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That's not true, Wit is the default starter until he takes himself out of the game. Rico already told on social media how this is working out. Our TEs had a decent second half of the season last year and they would have been much better this season but now the progress stopper is back for one season, taking away snaps from players that could be here for another decade.