3 Under-Appreciated Problems with Cowboys offense

[T-RO]

Witten hasn't been a good blocker this year.

And he's been guilty of a number of pre-snap penalties. I think he can still be big for us...even at his age...if could he have a little time to get those legs back under him.

 

[T-RO]

It is a touchy subject to be "critical" of Witten on this forum. But I also think it is a touchy subject to look at him "critically" over at Valley Ranch. And that is NOT good

Is he a great guy? Yes! Is he a great player? Yes! Is he bound for the HOF? Yes! But I cannot think of another player in the NFL that has played as many snaps, with the same team, that has had less success when it comes to winning! Does not mean it is Wittens fault that this team does not win. But in the NFL....no one achieves the tenure he has a achieved, with very little in the win loss column to show for it. That is just how it is. At some point...if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. That is just how it is. Especially for a non-QB.

And because of our inability to look at Witten "critically", we have had three 2nd round talents come aboard...and produce next to NOTHING for this team....yet 2 have gone on to be Productive elsewhere. And I have been on record often saying that we let a real "talent" go when we lost/could not coach up Bennett. Bennett is Gronk lite. He was a devastating blocker. He was downright physical and nasty. In fact, our GM is on record stating that if Bennett put on some weight, he could be a Pro Bowl LT. He was a load to bring down. And he was a playmaker. Fasano also had some very good moments in KC. Escobar...he looks like an undrafted rookie at this point, yet we spent a 2nd rounder on him. Keep in mind....up until a few years ago, this team would not even spend a 2nd rounder on OL....and during that same window we drafted TE, after TE, after TE. It is downright embarrassing! For what we got and what we asked of a 2nd TE...we should have been using a 5th round pick. The first time we spent a 2nd rounder on a 2nd TE.....and got nothing out of him...I passed it off as "the draft is not always perfect". But we did it again...and we are doing it again. And at this point...I am convinced the organization is just screwing the minds of the fanbase. I am totally numb to it at this point.

Jason Witten can no longer run through or past a zone....which compresses the middle of the field....where he likes to work. He has little to no YAC...which means he won't catch the ball short of the sticks and find a way to get to the sticks. It is just painful to watch this team become so reliant on a weapon that is NOT explosive. I have often said...does it not dawn on fans/coaching staff....that Witten is the guy the defense "wants" to catch the ball....because he is much easier to corral? Does not diminish who he is and what he provides. He is a guy that can move the chains on 3rd and short and he is effective in the run game. But he is featured in this offense like a "savior" of this offense. Again, let me repeat, for all the posters waiting to run me out of town on a rail...he is a future HOFer. But it is LONG overdue that this team started giving some of his snaps to a more explosive player....because he makes an already slow offense....even more pedestrian. Which makes Dallas far to easy to defend!

I don't agree with everything here--definitely not with the blame for some losing seasons, but I can't deny the mess we've made of drafting tight ends.

Again I think much of Witten's remaining value is in the chemistry he has with Tony. But paired with other quarterbacks he loses some of that.

 

[burmafrd]

the constant drafting of Witten replacements is one of the real black eyes of the Boys drafting for years.

 

[perrykemp]

It is a touchy subject to be "critical" of Witten on this forum. But I also think it is a touchy subject to look at him "critically" over at Valley Ranch. And that is NOT good

Is he a great guy? Yes! Is he a great player? Yes! Is he bound for the HOF? Yes! But I cannot think of another player in the NFL that has played as many snaps, with the same team, that has had less success when it comes to winning! Does not mean it is Wittens fault that this team does not win. But in the NFL....no one achieves the tenure he has a achieved, with very little in the win loss column to show for it. That is just how it is. At some point...if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. That is just how it is. Especially for a non-QB.

And because of our inability to look at Witten "critically", we have had three 2nd round talents come aboard...and produce next to NOTHING for this team....yet 2 have gone on to be Productive elsewhere. And I have been on record often saying that we let a real "talent" go when we lost/could not coach up Bennett. Bennett is Gronk lite. He was a devastating blocker. He was downright physical and nasty. In fact, our GM is on record stating that if Bennett put on some weight, he could be a Pro Bowl LT. He was a load to bring down. And he was a playmaker. Fasano also had some very good moments in KC. Escobar...he looks like an undrafted rookie at this point, yet we spent a 2nd rounder on him. Keep in mind....up until a few years ago, this team would not even spend a 2nd rounder on OL....and during that same window we drafted TE, after TE, after TE. It is downright embarrassing! For what we got and what we asked of a 2nd TE...we should have been using a 5th round pick. The first time we spent a 2nd rounder on a 2nd TE.....and got nothing out of him...I passed it off as "the draft is not always perfect". But we did it again...and we are doing it again. And at this point...I am convinced the organization is just screwing the minds of the fanbase. I am totally numb to it at this point.

Jason Witten can no longer run through or past a zone....which compresses the middle of the field....where he likes to work. He has little to no YAC...which means he won't catch the ball short of the sticks and find a way to get to the sticks. It is just painful to watch this team become so reliant on a weapon that is NOT explosive. I have often said...does it not dawn on fans/coaching staff....that Witten is the guy the defense "wants" to catch the ball....because he is much easier to corral? Does not diminish who he is and what he provides. He is a guy that can move the chains on 3rd and short and he is effective in the run game. But he is featured in this offense like a "savior" of this offense. Again, let me repeat, for all the posters waiting to run me out of town on a rail...he is a future HOFer. But it is LONG overdue that this team started giving some of his snaps to a more explosive player....because he makes an already slow offense....even more pedestrian. Which makes Dallas far to easy to defend!

SACRILEGE!

PRACTITIONER OF WITTEN DENIAL!

BRASPHEMY

 

[SHAMSzy]

Media calls Witten Romo's "security blanket" ..

Truth is Tony has been the Cowboy's security blanket and whipping boy all at the same time.

I can't recall a player who has had more of an impact on their team winning or losing in any sport recently besides LeBron James. Patriots won games without Brady, Packers won games without Rodgers.

This team is incompetent without Romo, from top to bottom.

But I still hold hope they will win every week.. smh

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

I don't agree with everything here--definitely not with the blame for some losing seasons, but I can't deny the mess we've made of drafting tight ends.

Again I think much of Witten's remaining value is in the chemistry he has with Tony. But paired with other quarterbacks he loses some of that.

I did not blame Witten for the losing seasons. I am just saying...he is a "made man" in Dallas. And that diminishes our ability to look at him critically. We have not developed any other TE since he has been here. And those TEs have proven to be highly productive other places...so that proves it is not the player. And I have said that there are times Witten should come off the field...to give some fresher more explosive players a chance from time to time. Heck I said that about Ware....and now that he is in Denver....he is rotating as a way to keep him fresh and effective THROUGHT the season.

 

[T-RO]

I did not blame Witten for the losing seasons. I am just saying...he is a "made man" in Dallas. And that diminishes our ability to look at him critically. We have not developed any other TE since he has been here. And those TEs have proven to be highly productive other places...so that proves it is not the player. And I have said that there are times Witten should come off the field...to give some fresher more explosive players a chance from time to time. Heck I said that about Ware....and now that he is in Denver....he is rotating as a way to keep him fresh and effective THROUGHT the season.

Oh, I definitely think you make some valid points. Coaches need to do some fresh reappraisal about what Jason can and can't do at this point in his career.

 

[RS12]

And because of our inability to look at Witten "critically", we have had three 2nd round talents come aboard...and produce next to NOTHING for this team....yet 2 have gone on to be Productive elsewhere. And I have been on record often saying that we let a real "talent" go when we lost/could not coach up Bennett. Bennett is Gronk lite. He was a devastating blocker. He was downright physical and nasty. In fact, our GM is on record stating that if Bennett put on some weight, he could be a Pro Bowl LT. He was a load to bring down. And he was a playmaker. Fasano also had some very good moments in KC. Escobar...he looks like an undrafted rookie at this point, yet we spent a 2nd rounder on him. Keep in mind....up until a few years ago, this team would not even spend a 2nd rounder on OL....and during that same window we drafted TE, after TE, after TE. It is downright embarrassing! For what we got and what we asked of a 2nd TE...we should have been using a 5th round pick. The first time we spent a 2nd rounder on a 2nd TE.....and got nothing out of him...I passed it off as "the draft is not always perfect". But we did it again...and we are doing it again. And at this point...I am convinced the organization is just screwing the minds of the fanbase. I am totally numb to it at this point.

You have fond memories of Marty B. I remember a butter fingered pass catcher who seemed more interested in you tube than winning.

 

[mattjames2010]

I know people will hate hearing this: If Hunter Henry is there in the second, I'd draft him.

 

[RS12]

I know people will hate hearing this: If Hunter Henry is there in the second, I'd draft him.

Not as outlandish as it sounds.

 

[Awakened]

How the heck did this become a trash-Jason-Witten thread???

 

[Doc50]

How the heck did this become a trash-Jason-Witten thread???

Witten's a warrior, but if we're looking at aspects of offensive production that haven't been addressed, then he cannot avoid some scrutiny

One way to get him some transition time is to run him deep, sit him for a breather, then throw to his his replacement. We've been too predictable, and have not used all of our weapons appropriately. Offensive football is not just lining up and running over people; it's about keeping the D off balance, being unpredictable.

As many on this forum have said, the O doesn't have to be complex to be successful -- it simply has to go counter to expectations.
Tony was the one to manage that, and it's clear now how much of that variation came from him, and how unimaginative our current coaches are.

 

[dogunwo]

Sooner or later Witten does have to start take some reps on the bench. There is no arguing that. The only question is: is it time yet? If I were coaching I'd try to start easing into the transition soon.

I disagree with this because Witten still draws double coverage.

 

[Macnalty]

I know people will hate hearing this: If Hunter Henry is there in the second, I'd draft him.

He is a talent and the only one in the TE category this year, it sucks for total talent. I would think we could find a better need as LB and Dl look filled with good prospects.

 

[conner01]

I just think there are people just grabbing at anything to rationalize their disbelief that this offense has fallen apart. Even to the point of blaming a player that is one of our first and frankly only threat in some games and making him out to be a liability.

If they wanted to move on from Witten next year, fine. But I fail to understand that even if we could magically conjure up the greatest TE RAC machine ever that it would matter with the state of the offense right now.

Go guys like Beasley and Witten to be effective
You have to have a QB throw it to them
I remember a few years ago people wanting to replace Witten because he didn't get yards after the catch and all he did that season was set the all time record for catches at TE
Get a QB and all the recievers will be fine

 

[Bcrav4]

I agree with all 3 items from the OP.

As for Witten, he at least needs to be off the field on third and long, because he never gets the first down. He looks super slow off the line on a lot of plays and it seems the WRs are 10 yards down the field before he makes his second step.