Can we officially say Jason Witten is no good...

[TellerMorrow34]

Maybe it's just me, I don't know because I am not in the film room, the meetings, or the huddle so I don't know what plays they are calling or how they're designed to actually go, but it just doesn't seem like they even attempt to use Witten in the Redzone.

I don't try and key in on any one player during a game, and unfortunately I don't have the time to go back and watch the games over and over so I can watch just what each player does (Which btw is absolutely awesome that some have that kind of time on their hands and can), so maybe he's kept in blocking more down there? I don't know but it just doesn't seem like they try and feature him in the redzone much.

 

[JBell]

There are several reasons Witten isn't a great weapon in the red zone:

1. When not in the Red Zone, Witten gets open on 7 YD In/Outs because the WRs take the coverage 20+ yards down the field. Obviously this doesn't happen in the red zone since the field is shortened.

2. Witten doesn't excel and leaping for catches in traffic like Tony Gonzales...he is more of a 'square up in space' player meaning he needs to get open, turn and have his feet set. Nor is he good at running fades (and Tony can't throw them well).

3. He isn't a RAC guy who can catch the ball at the 5 yard line and take it the rest of the way.

This.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

The Browns double teamed Witten AND Dez in the Redzone almost every single play. What I want to know is what does Romo have against Miles this season? He either has no faith in him to beating single coverage or he isnt reading defenses the way he should be.

ESPN actually showed a break down of 3 consecutive plays in the red zone as well. All 3 they showed the EXACT same coverage and Romo locked onto Witten once and Dez twice on the 3 plays.

Miles messed up again yesterday on a route that could have been a TD.
Ran right down the sideline beat the defender and never went into third gear to get under the ball. Pass was right there for him if he simply ran under it.

I get the feeling Romo trusts no one but Witten these days.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

jason whitten is a ring of honor, future hall of famer. He is the grit of this team and the modern day Mr Cowboy. He is not padding his stats or dodging contact. He is the best tight end in cowboy history bar none. You people are killing me.

 

[jamesdojr]

Cmon man... read the post... you know that's not what I was trying to say... I know Jason Witten doesnt suck.. especially now thanks to your infinite wisdom.. my point was what is the problem with Witten and TDs. Since you know so much maybe you can explain why our best receiver has one TD. It's a headscratcher for me. It just is... I don't get it. Can't we create a way for him to get the ball in the endzone?

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Andre Johnson is one of the elite receivers in the NFL and yet he isn't used much in the redzone either. Guess that means he sucks?

 

[jamesdojr]

No... I just want to know why our best receiver has 1 TD this year after 10 games... Is it Romo? Is it Garrett? Is it Witten?

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Did you seriously say Witten ws no good? Or is this another tongue in cheek thread?

 

[jamesdojr]

Yeah... Exactly my point. WHen they're in the redzone... the ball stops going his way completely. He's not even looked at in the redzone... And he's the best receiver we have. Speed is not necesary at the 10 yard line. Being crafty and knowing how to get open is...which is Witten's strength...

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Maybe it's just me, I don't know because I am not in the film room, the meetings, or the huddle so I don't know what plays they are calling or how they're designed to actually go, but it just doesn't seem like they even attempt to use Witten in the Redzone.

I don't try and key in on any one player during a game, and unfortunately I don't have the time to go back and watch the games over and over so I can watch just what each player does (Which btw is absolutely awesome that some have that kind of time on their hands and can), so maybe he's kept in blocking more down there? I don't know but it just doesn't seem like they try and feature him in the redzone much.

 

[percyhoward]

The Browns double teamed Witten AND Dez in the Redzone almost every single play. What I want to know is what does Romo have against Miles this season?

Austin has never had more than 4 red zone TD in any season. In fact, he's never finished a season higher than 3rd on the team in red zone TD receptions. Last year, Robinson and Bryant had more. The year before (with Kitna at QB), Witten and Bryant had more. The year before that, Williams and Crayton had more.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

....in the red zone...

His numbers are always so good but he is never a target in the endzone. I didn;t even realiz he has 1 TD all season... and this is Tony's favorite target. Is it Witten? Or Romo? Or the play calling? Is that a reason we don't score as many TD as we should... because our top pass catcher isnt a target?

It seems like he should be our top endzone target. He knows how to get open. He and Tony are on the same page. He can use his big body to shield away defenders. Speed is not the main issue.... it's more about being crafty and getting open which is Witten's strength...

???? I don't get it?

Same reason Bennett was never an option in the red zone.

Same reason we don't use Dez in the red zone.

Etc, etc.. playcalling sucks in that area of the field and we don't use guys to their strengths. Witten is great at doing exactly what you said. Using his body to shield defenders and secure the ball. Plus he has great chemistry with Tony. There's no reason we shouldn't look to him often in the red zone. Same with iso'ing Dez. We simply don't do it because JG is too busy trying to outthink himself. Hell Witten runs one route.. a 5-8 yard out every single game and no one can ever stop him.

 

[gimmesix]

There are several reasons Witten isn't a great weapon in the red zone:

1. When not in the Red Zone, Witten gets open on 7 YD In/Outs because the WRs take the coverage 20+ yards down the field. Obviously this doesn't happen in the red zone since the field is shortened.

2. Witten doesn't excel and leaping for catches in traffic like Tony Gonzales...he is more of a 'square up in space' player meaning he needs to get open, turn and have his feet set. Nor is he good at running fades (and Tony can't throw them well).

3. He isn't a RAC guy who can catch the ball at the 5 yard line and take it the rest of the way.

To add to that: Witten needs space to operate. He's not a fast or quick-twitch guy. He's a guy who's great at setting up defenders in space and working into openings in the defense.

There's just not a lot of room to do that when you get near the end zone. Defenders are closer and can close quicker on Witten in those situations.

He was a third-round pick because of his lack of those kinds of assets, but scouts sure missed on the rest of the package.

Now, if we could sell play-action when we get near the goal line, we could probably get him open for a few TDs. But since we don't use play-action and don't have the running game to sell it, instead we have to rely on Witten to try to find those openings against tighter coverage.

 

[aikemirv]

Yeah... Exactly my point. WHen they're in the redzone... the ball stops going his way completely. He's not even looked at in the redzone... And he's the best receiver we have. Speed is not necesary at the 10 yard line. Being crafty and knowing how to get open is...which is Witten's strength...

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See post 15 - Goshan gave you the answer - you don't need to look any further

 

[juck]

Witten is what he is. Tight Ends have changed now. Hanna should be used more.

 

[Idgit]

Witten is what he is. Tight Ends have changed now. Hanna should be used more.

Lol. I was going to post in this thread that, there was a time in training camp or during the first three weeks of the season where the 'in the red zone' part of the OPs first sentence would have been left off. And how humorous that would look at this point in the season. And here we have posters who actually still think this. I shouldn't be surprised by some of the opinions here, but somehow I still am. I suppose that's a good thing.