Escobar will never replace Witten

[theebs]

Escobar had shoulder surgery and probably affected his measurables.

He is 6"6 255 he will be over 260 in No time.

Toughness? He played last year with a broken left hand......check his numbers playing with a broken left hand.

Plenty tough and big. Only going to get bigger and better.

 

[BAT]

I would have preferred Travis Kelce, but there is a reason why Escobar was considered a top 3 TE in this draft. The kid is not an athletic freak but he is a decent inline blocker and hands of glue. He will really go up and snatch the ball, especially in the red zone.

 

[theebs]

Kelce had a bunch of character issues also.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Jason Witten was a complete package coming out of Tennesee. Consider what a superior draft selection he was from the Parcells era.

1. Witten was bigger. Witten is 6'6" himself. Escobar is no taller than Jason. But Witten packs about 15 more pounds of bulk. Escobar is 254.

Escobar is taller, Witten is 6'5 6/12 and Escobar is 6'5 7/12, but Witten was 10 pounds heavier at his combine.

2. Witten was faster. Witten could really motor when he first entered the league. Consider how impressive his 4.65 40 time was--Jason was carrying a big load. Escobar was one of the slower Tight Ends at the combine, running a pedestrian 4.84 (11th out of 15 in this year's class).

really aren't talking about a huge difference considering he ran a 4.78 at his proday. bout a tenth of a second.

3. Witten was stronger. Jason pumped out 25 bench press reps. Escobar? He refused to lift.

....shoulder injury....

4. College receiving production was a push. Remember Witten was drafted after his junior year. But in that junior year he had 39 receptions for 493 yards 6 TDs. Escobar had nearly identical numbers...as a senior.

not really

over 3 seasons, witten totaled 68 catches, 797 yards and 7 TDs. gavin totaled 122 catches, 1646 yards and 17 TDs over three seasons.

5. Escobar was drafted in the 2nd round...higher than most pundits expected. Witten was a fabulous value pick in the third round.

and this would factor into the debate how? Tony Romo (undrafted) was clearly a better value than Peyton Manning (1rst overall pick), but he's not a better player

6. Toughness? Who can compare to Witten?

honestly, what do you know about Gavin? Witten's not the toughest person to walk the earth, so for all you know, he could be.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

I'll be the first to admit, I didn't like the pick and still would've preffered a different direction, but if he can suprise us with his blocking ability, I can get behind the pick.

 

[JBell]

I really hope Escobar turns out to be Sean Lee part II.

And by that I mean that he outplays his youtube highlights. I just don't see a dynamic playmaker at TE. He looks like a reliable pass catcher, but too slow to be a threat after the catch.

 

[Keystone_Heavy]

I'll be the first to admit, I didn't like the pick and still would've preffered a different direction, but if he can suprise us with his blocking ability, I can get behind the pick.

I wasn't (and am not) too thrilled with the pick. I just didn't like the idea of taking a TE there, plus I don't like what I hear about his skill set. But in regard to this thread "he will never be as good as Witten" is no reason to bash a guy.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I wasn't (and am not) too thrilled with the pick. I just didn't like the idea of taking a TE there, plus I don't like what I hear about his skill set. But in regard to this thread "he will never be as good as Witten" is no reason to bash a guy.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/...l&player=44183


SUMMARY - Gavin Escobar comes into the NFL at a perfect time for his set of skills. Teams are using the hybrid tight end to stretch the field with their length, long arms and ability to wall off defenders because of the size of their bodies.
Escobar brings all of these skills to the NFL table and more as he has great hands and catches everything that is thrown at him. He consistently catches the ball away from his body, making it more difficult for defenses to cover him. He shows explosion in and out of his breaks, and he eats up cushion quickly when lined up from the slot. Linebackers can't stay with him because of his movement ability, and cornerbacks can't stay with him because of his size. His ability to run after the catch is truly underrated because he can move laterally and avoid the tackler, and then run into open space. He consistently can locate the ball, make an adjustment with his body and make the catch. This might be Escobar's best trait, and his biggest asset going forward. He makes tough catches look easy and will make a quarterback more accurate with his huge catching radius. He has incredible hands, and makes contested catches all over the field. Escobar is going to present significant challenges to NFL defenses because of his ability to play jump ball in the red zone and down the seam. If he can improve in the blocking area, he will be the complete package and a rock star in the NFL. He warrants consideration in the middle of Round 1, and should be in consideration to be the first tight end off the board in April.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

I wasn't (and am not) too thrilled with the pick. I just didn't like the idea of taking a TE there, plus I don't like what I hear about his skill set. But in regard to this thread "he will never be as good as Witten" is no reason to bash a guy.

lol at your sig and your location :laugh2:

 

[RastaRocket]

We are going to run TWO TIGHT END sets. So no, he will not "replace" Witten, he will just play on the other side.

 

[T-RO]

You are going to be surprised when you watch him play, he may time slow but does not play to that 40 time. He is going to be extremely good, not sure he has to replace Witten does he? His hands might be the best on the team at this point. Hey if Hanna makes the leap in his Sophmore season they will be a handful to cover. Wish I felt as happy about the Oline talent upgrade.

I look forward to what he can do with Romo throwing him the ball. The highlight reel I watched featured an Aztec quarterback who seemed to lob softballs. Romo won't do that. I'm curious to see how tall Escobar will play. His vertical (32") is merely so-so.

 

[T-RO]

Nobody is asking him to be the next Jason Witten. Nobody is even speculating that he will ever be nearly as good as Witten. I don't know what the point of this thread is.

If you draft a tight end in the second round you better be getting a very good tight end. That's the point! (one of them anyway)

 

[T-RO]

Hopefully, it won't have all the offsides penalties that Witten gets too.

Fair point. Witten has an incurable habit in that regard.

 

[SuspectCorner]

All the young TEs who will never be Jason Witten should just up and quit... and please take all the CBs who will never be Dieon Sanders with you. :

Tempus omnia vincit - hence, the NFL draft.

 

[T-RO]

I really hope Escobar turns out to be Sean Lee part II.

And by that I mean that he outplays his youtube highlights. I just don't see a dynamic playmaker at TE. He looks like a reliable pass catcher, but too slow to be a threat after the catch.

From the highlight reel (which can be misleading) I also did not see an explosive player. But I didn't see a lot...and it was shot from field level, so I won't put much stock in it.

I sure didn't see a guy who is going to be breaking any tackles.

 

[nalam]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Merlin
Hopefully, it won't have all the offsides penalties that Witten gets too.

Fair point. Witten has an incurable habit in that regard.

You guys mean the false starts .... I guess.

Also Witten's toughness can't be questioned but he has lost speed, YAC sucks to be fair , hopefully Escobar can get some yards after the catch and have some wiggle.

 

[Wood]

Jason Witten was a complete package coming out of Tennesee. Consider what a superior draft selection he was from the Parcells era.

1. Witten was bigger. Witten is 6'6" himself. Escobar is no taller than Jason. But Witten packs about 15 more pounds of bulk. Escobar is 254.

2. Witten was faster. Witten could really motor when he first entered the league. Consider how impressive his 4.65 40 time was--Jason was carrying a big load. Escobar was one of the slower Tight Ends at the combine, running a pedestrian 4.84 (11th out of 15 in this year's class).

3. Witten was stronger. Jason pumped out 25 bench press reps. Escobar? He refused to lift.

4. College receiving production was a push. Remember Witten was drafted after his junior year. But in that junior year he had 39 receptions for 493 yards 6 TDs. Escobar had nearly identical numbers...as a senior.

5. Escobar was drafted in the 2nd round...higher than most pundits expected. Witten was a fabulous value pick in the third round.

6. Toughness? Who can compare to Witten?

I hope we can diversify our offense and I trust Escobar's good hands and good 20-yard shuffle (reflecting quickness coming out of his cuts) will give us another viable weapon.

But I just don't see the kid as a true "replacement" for Witten any more than I expect Randle will be the next Emmitt Smith.

they look like totally different TE so I am not sure why they would be compared. Escobar is more athletic catching the ball and I think he can be better receiver. Jason is more of complete package and will go down as Dallas best TE. Why is this an issue?

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Jason Witten was a complete package coming out of Tennesee. Consider what a superior draft selection he was from the Parcells era.

1. Witten was bigger. Witten is 6'6" himself. Escobar is no taller than Jason. But Witten packs about 15 more pounds of bulk. Escobar is 254.

2. Witten was faster. Witten could really motor when he first entered the league. Consider how impressive his 4.65 40 time was--Jason was carrying a big load. Escobar was one of the slower Tight Ends at the combine, running a pedestrian 4.84 (11th out of 15 in this year's class).

3. Witten was stronger. Jason pumped out 25 bench press reps. Escobar? He refused to lift.

4. College receiving production was a push. Remember Witten was drafted after his junior year. But in that junior year he had 39 receptions for 493 yards 6 TDs. Escobar had nearly identical numbers...as a senior.

5. Escobar was drafted in the 2nd round...higher than most pundits expected. Witten was a fabulous value pick in the third round.

6. Toughness? Who can compare to Witten?

I hope we can diversify our offense and I trust Escobar's good hands and good 20-yard shuffle (reflecting quickness coming out of his cuts) will give us another viable weapon.

But I just don't see the kid as a true "replacement" for Witten any more than I expect Randle will be the next Emmitt Smith.

I shouldn't even ask, but what in the blue hell is the point of all this?

Did someone say we're cutting Jason Witten now that we got Escobar?

 

[T-RO]

Quote:
...hopefully Escobar can get some yards after the catch and have some wiggle.

I have little hope of him having much "wiggle."

 

[jobberone]

If you draft a tight end in the second round you better be getting a very good tight end. That's the point! (one of them anyway)

He's going to play a hybrid TE/WR not a traditional TE role although I suspect at times he will. They'll have to line him up tight some just to make the D guess some. He's not going to be asked to block inline much but he'll have to play the H back which requires blocking, leading and chipping. He'll spread wide more than Witten as that's going to be his thing.