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Jason Witten may very well be a first ballot Hall of Famer by the time his career wraps up. He is the consummate professional and team player in addition to being one of the most prolific tight ends in NFL history.
And yet, Jason Garrett has probably limited this offense by featuring Witten as much as he has over the last two years. It’s understandable to feature a guy who is so reliable, has moved the chains for your club for a decade and is always where you need him to be.
But throwing to Witten as often as Dallas does causes several problems for its offense:
Dunbar caught six passes last year, Hanna caught eight, Harris caught 17, Beasley caught 15, Murray caught 35.
Witten caught 110, yet he only scored three touchdowns all year.
Witten is incredibly valuable, but this offense has got to spread the ball around more. If Romo can’t help but lock on to Witten when he’s in a route, then keep him back to block more often.
Send Hanna, who is much, much faster and much likelier to take one all the way, down the field. Once Hanna gets loose down the seam a couple of times, word will be out. Opponents will have to account for him more. This will open up things for other receivers.
Teams no longer have to respect Witten's ability to break away like they used to.
And, of course, there is Dez Bryant. Bryant was in the process of proving himself to be a reliable target last year, so I have no issue with his 92 receptions. In 2013, he should catch over 100. Calvin Johnson caught 122 balls in 2012.
But forcing it to Bryant, even with his amazing ability, isn’t always the answer either. Johnson set records last year, but Detroit only won four games. Spreading the ball around, especially when you are so loaded with capable receivers, makes much more sense.
Tight Ends for the Red Zone
I’m a huge fan of two- and three-TE formations in the red zone. They can absolutely short-circuit a goal-line defense, forcing it to chose between giving up a rushing touchdown or giving up an easy pitch-and-catch to a tight end that has rolled off a block on a play-action pass.
Bryant must be accounted for as well.
To argue against this strategy is essentially like arguing against the New England Patriots' scoring production last year. It’s a pretty stupid argument to try to make, so Dallas should be commended for accumulating pass-catching tight ends and committing to this red-zone attack.
At the same time, however, the Cowboys must be smart about what they are doing between the 20-yard lines. An over-reliance on Witten limits this offense’s quick-strike capability and discourages other potential playmakers.
The 2013 offense must feature more touches for Murray, Harris, Hanna and Dunbar. If Joseph Randle proves he belongs on the field, then factor him in as well.
Limiting Witten’s touches could actually improve his scoring. Driving down the field and hitting a variety of targets not named Witten could open up things for him once the team reaches the red zone.
More than anything, though, Dallas needs to use its tight ends to run-block effectively so it can rush for touchdowns. Dallas ran for a paltry eight TDs last year. Even the lowly Lions ran for 17. The Patriots ran for 25, which led the league.
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And yet, Jason Garrett has probably limited this offense by featuring Witten as much as he has over the last two years. It’s understandable to feature a guy who is so reliable, has moved the chains for your club for a decade and is always where you need him to be.
But throwing to Witten as often as Dallas does causes several problems for its offense:
- Witten no longer has great yards-after-catch numbers.
- Witten catching it means Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, Dwayne Harris and DeMarco Murray aren’t catching it. Every one of them is much more dangerous in space.
- Witten in a route means Dallas' best blocking tight end isn’t blocking.
- Witten catching so many balls is a progress-stopper for developing tight ends and receivers. Specifically, Harris, James Hanna, Cole Beasley and now Terrance Williams.
- Witten being targeted so often means that running backs catch far fewer balls. Therefore, Murray, who holds the yards-from-scrimmage record for the University of Oklahoma, is underutilized in the passing game and Lance Dunbar, who also looks very dangerous in space, is barely considered.
Dunbar caught six passes last year, Hanna caught eight, Harris caught 17, Beasley caught 15, Murray caught 35.
Witten caught 110, yet he only scored three touchdowns all year.
Witten is incredibly valuable, but this offense has got to spread the ball around more. If Romo can’t help but lock on to Witten when he’s in a route, then keep him back to block more often.
Send Hanna, who is much, much faster and much likelier to take one all the way, down the field. Once Hanna gets loose down the seam a couple of times, word will be out. Opponents will have to account for him more. This will open up things for other receivers.
Teams no longer have to respect Witten's ability to break away like they used to.
And, of course, there is Dez Bryant. Bryant was in the process of proving himself to be a reliable target last year, so I have no issue with his 92 receptions. In 2013, he should catch over 100. Calvin Johnson caught 122 balls in 2012.
But forcing it to Bryant, even with his amazing ability, isn’t always the answer either. Johnson set records last year, but Detroit only won four games. Spreading the ball around, especially when you are so loaded with capable receivers, makes much more sense.
Tight Ends for the Red Zone
I’m a huge fan of two- and three-TE formations in the red zone. They can absolutely short-circuit a goal-line defense, forcing it to chose between giving up a rushing touchdown or giving up an easy pitch-and-catch to a tight end that has rolled off a block on a play-action pass.
Bryant must be accounted for as well.
To argue against this strategy is essentially like arguing against the New England Patriots' scoring production last year. It’s a pretty stupid argument to try to make, so Dallas should be commended for accumulating pass-catching tight ends and committing to this red-zone attack.
At the same time, however, the Cowboys must be smart about what they are doing between the 20-yard lines. An over-reliance on Witten limits this offense’s quick-strike capability and discourages other potential playmakers.
The 2013 offense must feature more touches for Murray, Harris, Hanna and Dunbar. If Joseph Randle proves he belongs on the field, then factor him in as well.
Limiting Witten’s touches could actually improve his scoring. Driving down the field and hitting a variety of targets not named Witten could open up things for him once the team reaches the red zone.
More than anything, though, Dallas needs to use its tight ends to run-block effectively so it can rush for touchdowns. Dallas ran for a paltry eight TDs last year. Even the lowly Lions ran for 17. The Patriots ran for 25, which led the league.
Read more Dallas Cowboys news on BleacherReport.com
Continue reading...