News: ESPN: Jason Witten not worried about his numbers

[NewsBot]

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IRVING, Texas -- Jason Witten received a game ball for Sunday’s win over the Tennessee Titans, along with the rest of the offensive line that paved the way for the Dallas Cowboys to pound away for 220 rushing yards. Witten has only six catches for 46 yards in two games, but the franchise’s all-time leading receiver isn’t sweating his individual statistics. “Our focus is trying to create that identity of a running football team,” Witten said.

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[Proximo]

I have no doubt that the only numbers Witten's concerned with are the ones in the win/loss column. Dude's a team player, a true professional, and a class act.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

I have no doubt that the only numbers Witten's concerned with are the ones in the win/loss column. Dude's a team player, a true professional, and a class act.

yup...he doesnt wanna be tony gonzalez...he wants rings!

 

[jubal]

A RKG personified. What every coach wishes for on his team.

 

[cowboys1981]

Love Witten!! I can't wait to see him hold that Lombardi Trophy!!

 

[Hoofbite]

yup...he doesnt wanna be tony gonzalez...he wants rings!

Did Tony not want rings?

 

[Bullflop]

It's no secret that Witten is a team player, so it shouldn't be too surprising that he's perfectly content to let the OL get its share of the glory for the sake of winning. Yet another something to consider is that he's gotten pretty beat up throughout the years getting pounded hard and often after the catch, so it may be a relief to escape that extent of punishment for a change. After all is said and done, he's hardly in dire need of logging more action to ensure his HOF enshrinement. At this stage of his career, perhaps the wins matter even more than the glory.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

Did Tony not want rings?

did he sign with the 49ers, seahawks, broncos or patriots?

then im going to say no. You dont play almost your whole career with the chiefs expecting a ring. Same is probably going to end up true of witten though

 

[Bleu Star]

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IRVING, Texas -- Jason Witten received a game ball for Sunday’s win over the Tennessee Titans, along with the rest of the offensive line that paved the way for the Dallas Cowboys to pound away for 220 rushing yards. Witten has only six catches for 46 yards in two games, but the franchise’s all-time leading receiver isn’t sweating his individual statistics. “Our focus is trying to create that identity of a running football team,” Witten said.

Continue reading...

Key word "identity". Something this team has desperately lacked for the past several years. Just the intimation that they are attempting to find one makes me all giddy inside. It speaks to maturity in the coaching ranks and I give the majority of that credit to Scott Linehan.

 

[DallasEast]

did he sign with the 49ers, seahawks, broncos or patriots?

then im going to say no. You dont play almost your whole career with the chiefs expecting a ring. Same is probably going to end up true of witten though

Tony Gonzalez did not sign with another team after leaving the Chiefs. Kansas City traded him to Atlanta.

It was 2009.

Mike Singletary had not yet gotten San Francisco over the hump. Singletary did not even complete the 2010 season before being fired. Jim Harbaugh took over the following year.

Mike Holmgren stepped down after going 4-12 in 2008. Seattle hired and fired Jim Mora before signing Pete Carroll in 2010.

Mike Shanahan (dang... that's a lot of Mikes...) was fired at the end of 2008.

I am not certain Gonzalez would have considered the 49ers, Seahawks, or Broncos as desired destinations even if he had been an unrestricted free agent at the time. The Patriots is always a prime attraction for players leaving for green pastures but I think Gonzalez's loved Kansas City very much. He probably considered New England many times during his career as a Chief but he was devoted to his original team. That speaks somewhat to his character as well.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

Tony Gonzalez did not sign with another team after leaving the Chiefs. Kansas City traded him to Atlanta.

It was 2009.

Mike Singletary had not yet gotten San Francisco over the hump. Singletary did not even complete the 2010 season before being fired. Jim Harbaugh took over the following year.

Mike Holmgren stepped down after going 4-12 in 2008. Seattle hired and fired Jim Mora before signing Pete Carroll in 2010.

Mike Shanahan (dang... that's a lot of Mikes...) was fired at the end of 2008.

I am not certain Gonzalez would have considered the 49ers, Seahawks, or Broncos as desired destinations even if he had been an unrestricted free agent at the time. The Patriots is always a prime attraction for players leaving for green pastures but I think Gonzalez's loved Kansas City very much. He probably considered New England many times during his career as a Chief but he was devoted to his original team. That speaks somewhat to his character as well.

i was referring to the fact he can still play...and he is sitting out vs. trying to get on one of the aforementioned teams that would welcome his services. i think to me that tends to say that he doesnt really desire a ring. he just wanted to play and be the best he could but that a ring would have merely been icing.

 

[DallasEast]

i was referring to the fact he can still play...and he is sitting out vs. trying to get on one of the aforementioned teams that would welcome his services. i think to me that tends to say that he doesnt really desire a ring. he just wanted to play and be the best he could but that a ring would have merely been icing.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...t-end-patriots-no-chance-retirement/14740433/

There is probably no chance (of a comeback).

I don't even want to play anymore to tell you the truth. I've had my fill. But I've been contacted by some teams — I'm not going to name those teams — but there have been some teams that have called me a couple of times.

It would be a good opportunity to go get a ring (talking about the recent inquiries for his services).

But my thinking is, if it didn't happen from the beginning and hasn't happened up to this point, it's not gonna happen now. I'm not gonna keep chasing a ring. My body feels good. I'm gonna like being nice and cozy in a studio.

Trust me.

 

[BigStar]

i was referring to the fact he can still play...and he is sitting out vs. trying to get on one of the aforementioned teams that would welcome his services. i think to me that tends to say that he doesnt really desire a ring. he just wanted to play and be the best he could but that a ring would have merely been icing.

That seems a bit unfair, I mean Witten hasn't left Dallas to go to NE either...

 

[65fastback2plus2]

That seems a bit unfair, I mean Witten hasn't left Dallas to go to NE either...

thats why i said earlier "same is probably going to end up true of witten though"

 

[BigStar]

thats why i said earlier "same is probably going to end up true of witten though"

So, why is TG a non-winner compared to Witt?

 

[65fastback2plus2]

So, why is TG a non-winner compared to Witt?

probably my team bias showing through a lil

 

[Hoofbite]

i was referring to the fact he can still play...and he is sitting out vs. trying to get on one of the aforementioned teams that would welcome his services. i think to me that tends to say that he doesnt really desire a ring. he just wanted to play and be the best he could but that a ring would have merely been icing.

The guy played for like 16 years. Not wanting to play at the age of 38 doesn't mean he wasn't playing for a ring during his career.

 

[BigStar]

probably my team bias showing through a lil

What are you talking about, Mo and Carter are pro bowlers I believe!

Hear you though in supporting Witten; deserves a ring.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

The guy played for like 16 years. Not wanting to play at the age of 38 doesn't mean he wasn't playing for a ring during his career.

i think there are those that chase rings...and those that chase money/are ok with money.

brett favre for example...ring chaser.
peyton manning...ring chaser.

 

[DallasEast]

i think there are those that chase rings...and those that chase money/are ok with money.

brett favre for example...ring chaser.
peyton manning...ring chaser.

Favre was a ring chaser and got a ring early in his career with the Packers, who traded for him and were later held hostage by him.

Manning was a ring chaser and took a bit longer in getting his with the Colts, who eventually let him go instead of allowing an uncertain return from injury dictate their decision about keeping him.

In my opinion, Tony Gonzalez was as equal a ring chaser as Favre and Manning. However, Kansas City did not devote as many resources into his team as Green Bay and Indianapolis did for them. Gonzalez was less fortunate getting a ring in the prime of his career as those two did. At the end of his career, I would question whether Favre wanted another ring as much as he wanted to continue playing the game he loved so much. Currently, I would theorize Manning wants to prove his legacy as the best quarterback of all-time. It is just a consequence that doing so means winning more Super Bowls. I would also suggest that brotherly competition further drives Peyton. It must be very difficult for him knowing his skill set exceeds Eli's, but he trails his brother in Super Bowl victories.

I guess what I'm saying is Gonzalez's desire does not take a backseat to any other player. Circumstances beyond his control kept him ringless but he's intelligent enough to not allow his football dreams to sacrifice his post-football reality more than necessary. Gonzalez, more than anyone except Peyton, probably felt more sad for Peyton coming up short against the Seahawks last February. That second ring was so close but light years away from grabbing. Such overwhelming disappointment would be devastating for even the most driven individual. Sometimes enough is simply just that. The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the best type of consolation prize legendary players like Gonzalez can receive outside of getting a ring.