Has anyone seen Gil Brandt lists this offseason?

[BourbonBalz]

Emmitt still doesn't get the respect he deserves. The talk about his offensive line is stale. When he was breaking state records in Pensacola I guess his oline deserved the credit there also.

It's funny that Emmitt is the only player I've ever heard of that gets his accomplishments downplayed because he had good players around him. I've never heard a single person downplay Jerry Rice's accomplishments because he had two HOF QBs throwing to him or because he spent most of his career on great teams. When Jim Brown was playing, Cleveland had a very good team. Montana is considered by many to be the greatest QB ever, but he played on great teams with great wide receivers, etc. It seems that Emmitt is the only player held to such a higher standard for some reason.

In addition, while Emmitt did have a very good line, it's not like they were first round picks. Most were either late round draft picks or UDFA's. Larry Allen, who was a second round draft pick, was the highest drafted OL that Emmitt ever played behind. Yes, Allen turned out to be great, but he wasn't a first round pick.

 

[Fletch]

Side note: Malcom Butler was on his list of greatest corners ever. Just sayin.

Ok. All credibility has been flushed down the toilet.

 

[TheFinisher]

Name me a player better ALL AROUND at his position over the last decade. Who has played in as many games and been as consistent as he's been.

Being the most well rounded TE may not equal being the best. Some people will point to how dangerous they are as downfield threats, run after catch ability, red zone threats etc

I agree with you that Witten's durability, toughness and consistency are as good as it gets, he's one of my all time favorite Cowboys. But I'm not gonna argue with someone who may value a TE who is a better playmaker over him. These things are all subjective.

 

[InDakWeTrust]

On the NFL show, he definitely shows his knowledge on the history of the game, but Alex, his co host is also his handler too it seems. If he gets stuck on a name or school Alex brings him back. I like hearing his stories on football of yesteryear, but his more recent knowledge of players doesn't fall into the "godfather" slot, that's where I like Alex too.

He's a good listen but I change it if Gil is way off in his lists of current players..

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

It's funny that Emmitt is the only player I've ever heard of that gets his accomplishments downplayed because he had good players around him. I've never heard a single person downplay Jerry Rice's accomplishments because he had two HOF QBs throwing to him or because he spent most of his career on great teams. When Jim Brown was playing, Cleveland had a very good team. Montana is considered by many to be the greatest QB ever, but he played on great teams with great wide receivers, etc. It seems that Emmitt is the only player held to such a higher standard for some reason.

In addition, while Emmitt did have a very good line, it's not like they were first round picks. Most were either late round draft picks or UDFA's. Larry Allen, who was a second round draft pick, was the highest drafted OL that Emmitt ever played behind. Yes, Allen turned out to be great, but he wasn't a first round pick.

And that great offensive line didn't seem to be all that great when Emmitt wasn't back there. 0-2 that year he held out. IMO I wouldn't trade Emmitt for anybody Including Barry Sanders

 

[diefree666]

Remember that Gill has seen virtually all the great TE's play. From Matte and Ditka on up. Dave Casper. Etc. So frankly he ha a frame of reference no one in this forum does. You can squawk about it but his cred overwhelms all the internet experts spouting off in this thread.

 

[Bullflop]

Gil Brandt is an old timer who is steeped in the past. He's entitled to his opinion, just as we are as well.

I'm willing to cut him some slack. He's paid his dues in terms of helping the C'boys. I'm ok with that.

 

[JohnsKey19]

Is anyone else worried he may be going senile? Have you seen some of his lists this offseason? Its actually starting to scare me. Man had Witten not in the top 10 of TE's of all time....He may be losing it.

Hmmmm that's probably where most older guys like Brandt would list Witten. Somewhere just outside the top 10.

I was actually surprised that he didn't list Darren Woodson AT ALL among his top 30 safeties. Darnn shame Woody's prime years of his career were wasted playing with arguably some of the worst CBs and Ss in the league at the time(late 90s-2000s)

 

[Pants]

Witt is gonna continue to drop once the likes of sure-HOF's Swaim and ESPECIALLY Mr Gathers gets on the scene

 

[JohnsKey19]

Witten is the greatest all around TE of all time.



Side note: Malcom Butler was on his list of greatest corners ever. Just sayin.

Seems like Brandt wanted to add someone current and picked the first guy that came to mind. Butler is a good player but to include him on a short all-time list is ridculous.

 

[Bullflop]

Witt is gonna continue to drop once the likes of sure-HOF's Swaim and ESPECIALLY Mr Gathers gets on the scene

I somewhat of a fan of hyperbole, so I get what you're doing here.

I'm desperately hoping they're worthy just to carry his jock soon.
I'm pretty sure you are too! In fact, I'm even praying for it.

 

[phildadon86]

Being the most well rounded TE may not equal being the best. Some people will point to how dangerous they are as downfield threats, run after catch ability, red zone threats etc

I agree with you that Witten's durability, toughness and consistency are as good as it gets, he's one of my all time favorite Cowboys. But I'm not gonna argue with someone who may value a TE who is a better playmaker over him. These things are all subjective.

Being second in receptions means nothing then? That's pretty productive to me

 

[Pants]

I somewhat of a fan of hyperbole, so I get what you're doing here.

I'm desperately hoping they're worthy just to carry his jock soon.
I'm pretty sure you are too! In fact, I'm even praying for it.

I love witten, despite his lack of speed he is ALWAYS open...and, I am very intrigued by both Gathers and Swaim...I just don't see them getting any legit time playing time in the passing game as long as Witt is stringing them up...but many in the zone already have them as all-pros even though they were not highly drafted (or at all) and 31 other teams also passed on them....jury hasn't even been formed on them IMO, let alone it being "out"

 

[Bullflop]

I love witten, despite his lack of speed he is ALWAYS open...and, I am very intrigued by both Gathers and Swaim...I just don't see them getting any legit time playing time in the passing game as long as Witt is stringing them up...but many in the zone already have them as all-pros even though they were not highly drafted (or at all) and 31 other teams also passed on them....jury hasn't even been formed on them IMO, let alone it being "out"

Swaim had a good start before the injury bug bit him last season. I have hopes that he'll continue to develop. Of course, how much he does so will be in question for a while yet. His upside is obvious, though. It's been said that Gathers is developing admirably, although his blocking and route running are a work in progress. I can't wait to see what he's capable of in training camp.

Keep your fingers crossed for Rico to make us all proud. I expect that it might take him at least several games into the season and possibly even consideraly more to get significant playing time. Perhaps patience should be the byword where he's concerned. He's very much like an embryo awaiting his birth right now.

 

[TheFinisher]

Being second in receptions means nothing then? That's pretty productive to me

Did you not read what I said?

Yes, he's caught a lot of passes and deserves props for that, it's a testament to his consistency and durability.

There have been other Tight Ends who were better scoring threats, deep threats, and run after catch threats.

For example, Rob Gronkowski is a more dangerous weapon than Jason Witten. This is quite obvious. His TD Reception rate more than Triples Jason Witten's.

This is not unique to Gronkowski either, although he is the most extreme example. Every Tight End Gil lists in his top 10 has a higher TD reception rate than Jason Witten. Gonzalez, Gates, Mackey, Winslow, Casper, Ditka, Newsome, etc.

If you want to say Jason Witten is the best underneath safety net Tight End of all time, that argument would hold up very well. As I've stated before, there are many factors that might determine who's "better" in the eyes of different observers.

 

[haleyrules]

I somewhat of a fan of hyperbole, so I get what you're doing here.

I'm desperately hoping they're worthy just to carry his jock soon.
I'm pretty sure you are too! In fact, I'm even praying for it.

Yep. The club needs some fresh blood at TE. Sorry to say.

 

[haleyrules]

And that great offensive line didn't seem to be all that great when Emmitt wasn't back there. 0-2 that year he held out. IMO I wouldn't trade Emmitt for anybody Including Barry Sanders

Amen. Smith was incredible and durable. Hope Elliott can last as long as Smith.

 

[diefree666]

Did you not read what I said?

Yes, he's caught a lot of passes and deserves props for that, it's a testament to his consistency and durability.

There have been other Tight Ends who were better scoring threats, deep threats, and run after catch threats.

For example, Rob Gronkowski is a more dangerous weapon than Jason Witten. This is quite obvious. His TD Reception rate more than Triples Jason Witten's.

This is not unique to Gronkowski either, although he is the most extreme example. Every Tight End Gil lists in his top 10 has a higher TD reception rate than Jason Witten. Gonzalez, Gates, Mackey, Winslow, Casper, Ditka, Newsome, etc.

If you want to say Jason Witten is the best underneath safety net Tight End of all time, that argument would hold up very well. As I've stated before, there are many factors that might determine who's "better" in the eyes of different observers.

That is the point; Witten is great and a HOF but there have been a lot of GREAT TE's over the last 50+ years that Gil Brandt has been watching play. I have been lucky enough to see those like Dave Casper play in their primes. To be blunt if I was forced to choose there are a number of TE's that I would pick before Witten.

 

[Plankton]

Is anyone else worried he may be going senile? Have you seen some of his lists this offseason? Its actually starting to scare me. Man had Witten not in the top 10 of TE's of all time....He may be losing it.

I had concerns about him losing his fastball observing his drafts from 1978 onward in Dallas.

 

[SportsGuru80]

It's all subjective... Witten has been a helluva player for many years. Longevity and sustainability definitely goes into the equation when you're talking about the formula for greatness.