FTF: Chris Carter reacts to Jason Witten returning to the Dallas Cowboys

[OmerV]

This is why Jerry, the good hearted father figure is a terrible GM. We all love Jason Witten. But if you’re going to build a championship roster your GM has to be a cold blooded laser focused football man who says no to the sentimental feel good story of a guy who cannot be a better player than he was two years ago. That’s just the cold truth. Jerry apparently puts “feeling good” first.

Why are some giving no credence to the idea that the team won’t ask him to be the player he used to be, and that Witten will be a role player? Obviously we can’t be certain that’s how it will play out, but all reports indicate that’s the plan. Why the rush to treat that as a lie?

 

[Stash]

Whether he is correct depends on if he is right about the Cowboys targeting Witten 90 times over the season. If that’s true the Cowboys will take a step back at TE. But if, as is being reported, Witten only plays about 25 snaps a game, then Witten will not be the primary TE, and Carter will be wrong. Witten should not be the starter getting 90 targets, but as the #2 guy in a support role he would likely be an asset.

Then you're vastly overpaying for "25 snaps a game".

They gave the facts here, whether we fans like those facts or not. He was mediocre to poor as a pass catcher, and 28th among starting TE's in run blocking.

Not dynamic in the passing game, not productive in the running game.

And now two years older.

 

[Stash]

Why are some giving no credence to the idea that the team won’t ask him to be the player he used to be, and that Witten will be a role player? Obviously we can’t be certain that’s how it will play out, but all reports indicate that’s the plan. Why the rush to treat that as a lie?

Why pay $3.5 million for a marginalized "role player"?

If that's the case, Carter's "charity case" description is only more accurate.

 

[OmerV]

Why would you use a part time roster spot for a 37 year old guy with zero upside? Seems like a waste. There are some really good young TEs in the FA market with upside that could have been had for the price we are paying Witten. If Witt is not going to be a “go to” guy, why the signing? To me...just my opinion...this is poor front office management.

There are 53 roster spots - do you really think all 53 are truly considered guys with the potential to be “go to guys” or notable players? The benefit for the team could easily be viewed as having a back up/role player who, while certainly past his prime as a starter, can still be effective as a role player/#2 TE, and who the young TEs on the roster can learn a lot from.

 

[Bobhaze]

Why are some giving no credence to the idea that the team won’t ask him to be the player he used to be, and that Witten will be a role player? Obviously we can’t be certain that’s how it will play out, but all reports indicate that’s the plan. Why the rush to treat that as a lie?

I’m not rushing to call anything a lie. It’s just my opinion that this signing is not a good thing for this team. It’s just an opinion. I just don’t see where adding a guy who hasn’t been what he once was for 2-3 years is good move. I could certainly be wrong. I love JW. Which is why I wished he had stayed retired.

 

[OmerV]

Then you're vastly overpaying for "25 snaps a game".

They gave the facts here, whether we fans like those facts or not. He was mediocre to poor as a pass catcher, and 28th among starting TE's in run blocking.

Not dynamic in the passing game, not productive in the running game.

And now two years older.

Probably are overpaying, but it’s only a one year commitment, and not so much it puts a bind on the salary cap this year, so what’s the harm if Jerry wants to pay him?

 

[Bobhaze]

Probably are overpaying, but it’s only a one year commitment, and not so much it puts a bind on the salary cap this year, so what’s the harm if Jerry wants to pay him?

IMO, the “harm” is this typifies the kind of move our sentimental GM makes historically. And one of many reasons why this team is in the midst of their longest championship drought in its long storied history. It’s typical Jerry and that’s not been good for over two decades.

 

[Hennessy_King]

There are 53 roster spots - do you really think all 53 are truly considered guys with the potential to be “go to guys” or notable players? The benefit for the team could easily be viewed as having a back up/role player who, while certainly past his prime as a starter, can still be effective as a role player/#2 TE, and who the young TEs on the roster can learn a lot from.

We've been down this road before. Witten does not mentor. He does his own thing and the guys have to "watch" him. He's been this way forever, hence the TE's that leave never have huge praise for witten. This whole thing is a joke and is definitely a negative.

 

[OmerV]

I’m not rushing to call anything a lie. It’s just my opinion that this signing is not a good thing for this team. It’s just an opinion. I just don’t see where adding a guy who hasn’t been what he once was for 2-3 years is good move. I could certainly be wrong. I love JW. Which is why I wished he had stayed retired.

But, again, they if they aren’t using him in the capacity he once was, then why does he have to be the player he once was? Teams keep aging players all the time that are past their prime and just change their role.

 

[Bobhaze]

But, again, they if they aren’t using him in the capacity he once was, then why does he have to be the player he once was? Teams keep aging players all the time that are past their prime and just change their role.

Not teams winning championships.

 

[Hennessy_King]

But, again, they if they aren’t using him in the capacity he once was, then why does he have to be the player he once was? Teams keep aging players all the time that are past their prime and just change their role.

No they get released. There are only 53 spots on a roster we have 2 overpaid guys that should be cut right now. We could use that same money to add a quality starter on the d line and a starting caliber safety. Not a backup lb that is always injured and a te getting 25 snaps a game who's best years are way behind him.

 

[Stash]

Probably are overpaying, but it’s only a one year commitment, and not so much it puts a bind on the salary cap this year, so what’s the harm if Jerry wants to pay him?

Because it all counts!

Frankly, I'm sick of these "charity cases" where everyone looks the other way because they're "good guys".

This team would have over $20 million of extra cap space if they'd stop paying for "right kinda guys". And guys who don't actually help them to win games on Sundays.

It's a business, not a country club.

 

[OmerV]

We've been down this road before. Witten does not mentor. He does his own thing and the guys have to "watch" him. He's been this way forever, hence the TE's that leave never have huge praise for witten. This whole thing is a joke and is definitely a negative.

He says he understands things are different now and that and he does not want to be a progress stopper for the young TEs, so I don’t think it’s a leap to think his relationship with other TEs on the team will also be different.

 

[Stash]

But, again, they if they aren’t using him in the capacity he once was, then why does he have to be the player he once was? Teams keep aging players all the time that are past their prime and just change their role.

Did you listen to the segment?

Go back and listen to where Carter refers to how Bliecheck does it. People want to talk about "what the Patriots do"? And why they keep winning year after year after year? It's because of what Carter said, they think with their heads and not with their hearts.

 

[Stash]

He says he understands things are different now and that and he does not want to be a progress stopper for the young TEs, so I don’t think it’s a leap to think his relationship with other TEs on the team will also be different.

And people say things all the time that don't happen. How many years has Garrett given great speeches that end in disappointing results?

 

[Hennessy_King]

He says he understands things are different now and that and he does not want to be a progress stopper for the young TEs, so I don’t think it’s a leap to think his relationship with other TEs on the team will also be different.

If you think a guy can wake up and one morning be a different person you are delusional. That is the person he is and has been that way for 15 years.

 

[OmerV]

Because it all counts!

Frankly, I'm sick of these "charity cases" where everyone looks the other way because they're "good guys".

This team would have over $20 million of extra cap space if they'd stop paying for "right kinda guys". And guys who don't actually help them to win games on Sundays.

It's a business, not a country club.

It counts how? Jerry will have a few less dollars in his pocket? If there are no current or ongoing implications, that’s all it amounts to.

I understand not being sure about the signing, but I don’t at all see that it’s impossible that Witten could be a strong #2/role playing TE. Not being HOF level Jason Witten doesn’t mean he can’t play a solid role, just as not being HOF level Antonio Gates hasn’t meant he can’t play a solid role.

 

[OmerV]

If you think a guy can wake up and one morning be a different person you are delusional. That is the person he is and has been that way for 15 years.

And people say things all the time that don't happen. How many years has Garrett given great speeches that end in disappointing results?

“One morning”? He’s been out of the game a year.

2-3 years ago was he seriously considering retiring? A year ago would he have said he was willing to limit his play to 25 snaps a game? Peoples perspectives can and do change over time and with a change in circumstances.

 

[Stash]

It counts how? Jerry will have a few less dollars in his pocket? If there are no current or ongoing implications, that’s all it amounts to.

Two words. Salary cap.

I understand not being sure about the signing, but I don’t at all see that it’s impossible that Witten could be a strong #2/role playing TE. Not being HOF level Jason Witten doesn’t mean he can’t play a solid role, just as not being HOF level Antonio Gates hasn’t meant he can’t play a solid role.

I don't see that it's impossible that he doesn't even make the team by the time the season rolls around.

And again, $3.5 million is excessive for a "role player", but this team has a terrible habit of overpaying them because they're "good guys".

It's a poor practice that needs to stop.

 

[boysfanperiod]

I'm still kind of mad that Witt retired in the first place but I'm happy he's back. I think having him last year was needed but I still like Jarwin a lot. I'm glad Jason will be relegated to 25 snaps a game which is probably the whole game if the offense cannot figure out how to stop doing 3 and outs. lol

Side note: Does anyone else think that this is a vouch for our new OC and QB coach?