News: Darren Woodson: Jason Witten greatest tight end ever

[NoLuv4Jerry]

Ditka


As it relates to being called the best TE of all time, the '2 x First-team All-Pro' is actually a big minus.

First team All-Pros are considered one of major factors for HOF voting. I am not suggesting Witten isn't HOF worthy because he absolutely is, however, Witten being 1st team All-Pro only twice in a 12 year career indicates he has rarely been considered the best TE in the league in the vast majority of the years he has played.

If a player is to be considered the best player every at your position, I'd suggest that a player like that would typically be a near unanimous choice as <the> best player at his position on a consistent year to year basis. Think Jerry Rice at WR, Deion Sanders at CB, etc etc.

If I had to compare Witten to another HOFer it would be someone like Art Monk who ended up as the time leader in receptions and yards for a WR, however, was 1st team All-Pro just 1 time. He ended up as the all time leader in receptions and yards and in the HOF because he was consistently good and it, in many ways, was an award for longevity as much as anything else.

As much I much Witten, I wonder if he falls more into the Art Monk category of greatness as opposed to the 'greatest TE in the history of the NFL' category.

This is EXACTLY the comparison I would use. A steady, productive professional. Shows up every week. Consistent. ZERO trouble off the field. Respected by his peers. The reason Art Monk took so long to get in the HOF....is because opposing coaches said they did not fear him. They feared Gary Clark. They would much rather Art catch the ball than Gary. And we have heard the same thing about Wittten. Teams would give the short intermediate stuff up all day...and keep the explosive playmakers in check. Does that mean Witten is not a great player? No! It just mean in my opinion, that he is not the greatest TE of all time.

 

[jobberone]

JW was selected some of those years to SN etc, was behind many opinion's the greatest TE ever Tony G, and lost out to Gronk and Jimmy Graham etc.

JW is definitely not the most talented TE to play the game even over time. The best ever was John Mackey followed by Kellen Winslow. Here are the HOF TEs:

Dave Casper 1974-1984
Mike Ditka 1961-1972
John Mackey 1963-1972
Ozzie Newsome 1978-1990
Charlie Sanders 1968-1977
Shannon Sharpe 1990-2003
Jackie Smith 1963-1978
Kellen Winslow 1979-1987
- See more at: http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/positions.aspx#sthash.u3uoKUkq.dpuf

Next up for the HOF is Gonzales then JW. Tony is probably #3. I really don't know where Witten lies but name the TEs who have done it so well for some long and that list is short. And he's clutch. Look at his YPC BTW. Not bad for this era. Then look at Mackey while you're looking esp the YPC. Better yet go back and look at Witten, too.

Witten is a first ballot HOF TE and that is a another short list.

 

[perrykemp]

JW was selected some of those years to SN etc, was behind many opinion's the greatest TE ever Tony G, and lost out to Gronk and Jimmy Graham etc.

JW is definitely not the most talented TE to play the game even over time. The best ever was John Mackey followed by Kellen Winslow. Here are the HOF TEs:

Dave Casper 1974-1984
Mike Ditka 1961-1972
John Mackey 1963-1972
Ozzie Newsome 1978-1990
Charlie Sanders 1968-1977
Shannon Sharpe 1990-2003
Jackie Smith 1963-1978
Kellen Winslow 1979-1987
- See more at: http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/positions.aspx#sthash.u3uoKUkq.dpuf

Next up for the HOF is Gonzales then JW. Tony is probably #3. I really don't know where Witten lies but name the TEs who have done it so well for some long and that list is short. And he's clutch. Look at his YPC BTW. Not bad for this era. Then look at Mackey while you're looking esp the YPC. Better yet go back and look at Witten, too.

Witten is a first ballot HOF TE and that is a another short list.

Was looking through the stats of some of those other TEs and noticed that Ditka went over 1000 yards and 12 TDs for 19.2 yards (wow) per reception in 1961. That's 54 years ago.

Even more crazy is that he did in back when they had a 14 game season.

Those was an absolute mind boggling statistical season for a TE playing in the early 60's.

 

[joseephuss]

This is EXACTLY the comparison I would use. A steady, productive professional. Shows up every week. Consistent. ZERO trouble off the field. Respected by his peers. The reason Art Monk took so long to get in the HOF....is because opposing coaches said they did not fear him. They feared Gary Clark. They would much rather Art catch the ball than Gary. And we have heard the same thing about Wittten. Teams would give the short intermediate stuff up all day...and keep the explosive playmakers in check. Does that mean Witten is not a great player? No! It just mean in my opinion, that he is not the greatest TE of all time.

I've never heard opposing coaches say anything like that about Witten.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

I've never heard opposing coaches say anything like that about Witten.

Ok....that means you have not read what I have read. Not only have coaches said it....players on the opposing team have said it. Does NOT mean Witten is not a great player....just means teams pick their poison...and at times the poison they picked was Witten.

 

[MrPeanutbutter]

These discussions are so unnecessary. He's a fantastic player but you can't compare him to other generations. All that matters is he help the Cowboys win.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Then how do you explain his big year with Testaverde as the QB?

Testaverde was a pro; a ready-to-play veteran who heaved the ball to a close-by TE. Beside, I don't esplain my beliefs, I just state them. And neither do I venerate Witten to the extend a lot of people here do.
I hope i half not ruffled feathers.

 

[joseephuss]

Ok....that means you have not read what I have read. Not only have coaches said it....players on the opposing team have said it. Does NOT mean Witten is not a great player....just means teams pick their poison...and at times the poison they picked was Witten.

So no links. I've read quite a bit and have never seen an opposing coach or player state that as their strategy.

 

[joseephuss]

Testaverde was a pro; a ready-to-play veteran who heaved the ball to a close-by TE. Beside, I don't esplain my beliefs, I just state them. And neither do I venerate Witten to the extend a lot of people here do.
I hope i half not ruffled feathers.

Testaverde was a turd of a QB. Witten is good no matter the QB. That is obvious. So when someone makes a dumb statement about Witten is just lucky he is best friends with Romo it will ruffle feathers.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Testaverde was a turd of a QB. Witten is good no matter the QB. That is obvious. So when someone makes a dumb statement about Witten is just lucky he is best friends with Romo it will ruffle feathers.

Witten and Romo are best friends. Romo like to thow to Witten. that is no secret. Thus the extra padding to Witten (and Romo's) stats.
And, Mr. High and Mighty, it must be so fine to just sit on yo thrown and insult your forum mens as making dumb statements. Half some decorum and civility, please.

 

[joseephuss]

Witten and Romo are best friends. Romo like to thow to Witten. that is no secret. Thus the extra padding to Witten (and Romo's) stats.
And, Mr. High and Mighty, it must be so fine to just sit on yo thrown and insult your forum mens as making dumb statements. Half some decorum and civility, please.

Get over yourself.

 

[DallasEast]

Get over yourself.

 

[DallasEast]

Once upon a time, a respected ex-Dallas Cowboy praised a current Dallas Cowboy. Unbeknownst to him, his remark sparked much debate throughout the internet and...

Wait. This is happening for real?

 

[5Stars]

The most praise worthy thing that I hear about Witten from many around the league is that he is one of those fall back old time players. He plays football the way it needs to be played...not cute or finesse, but tough grind it out kick *** football.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Witten and Romo are best friends. Romo like to thow to Witten. that is no secret. Thus the extra padding to Witten (and Romo's) stats.
And, Mr. High and Mighty, it must be so fine to just sit on yo thrown and insult your forum mens as making dumb statements. Half some decorum and civility, please.

 

[5Stars]

lmao

(stupid cowboy mods)

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Ditka


As it relates to being called the best TE of all time, the '2 x First-team All-Pro' is actually a big minus.

First team All-Pros are considered one of major factors for HOF voting. I am not suggesting Witten isn't HOF worthy because he absolutely is, however, Witten being 1st team All-Pro only twice in a 12 year career indicates he has rarely been considered the best TE in the league in the vast majority of the years he has played.

If a player is to be considered the best player every at your position, I'd suggest that a player like that would typically be a near unanimous choice as <the> best player at his position on a consistent year to year basis. Think Jerry Rice at WR, Deion Sanders at CB, etc etc.

If I had to compare Witten to another HOFer it would be someone like Art Monk who ended up as the time leader in receptions and yards for a WR, however, was 1st team All-Pro just 1 time. He ended up as the all time leader in receptions and yards and in the HOF because he was consistently good and it, in many ways, was an award for longevity as much as anything else.

As much I much Witten, I wonder if he falls more into the Art Monk category of greatness as opposed to the 'greatest TE in the history of the NFL' category.

The problem with this thinking is that first team all pros for offensive players relies on their counting stats. These are voters who aren't watching a ton of film and bigging up Witten for his blocking.

Woodson's very premise is that Witten is underrated because being an all around TE is in and of itself underrated.

For instance....if you asked the average fan he'd unequivocally tell you that Jimmy Graham is a better TE than Witten today. And has been for some years. Of course we know that's a joke.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Get over yourself.

NO YOU!

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

You are a non sequitur, yes?