If Witten is really on the verge of retiring

[robjay04]

It may be time for him to play a lesser role on the team going forward.

While Jason Witten is one of my favorite Cowboys of all time, I think his competitive nature can make him a little selfish at times. Witten is long known for his refusal to ever leave the field and I think that has really made it hard for the team to develop players at the TE position.

Jason Witten was admittedly tired at the end of the game, he openly flirted with retirement for the first time that I know of in his career. It is easy to understand why he would be tired...he played more snaps this year than Dak Prescott.

Witten is still an absolute asset in the passing game but he is a liability in blocking. In retrospect, if you want to point out a single play that cost us the game on Sunday, Witten's missed block that resulted in a sack essentially haulted a promising drive would be near the top of the list.

Antonio Gates is still a productive member of the Chargers but even he has take a lesser role and the Chargers are in good shape when he retires. We will have Swaim, Rico and probably another rookie next season to round out our TE position. If Witten is as tired and is as close to retirement as he is implying...it's time for him to cut his snaps to about 30 percent and take an active role in helping us develop more production in that position.

I don't want him off the team but if his blocking skills continue to detioriate and he is on the field for 95 percent of snaps, he isn't helping our team to the best of his abilities.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Everyone is tired at the end of football games.

Having said that I mentioned recently that we need to have a similar transition at the position that the Charges had with Gates and Henry.

As you say Witten is still a great asset in the passing game and he's a willing and sound blocker... But he's losing more physical battles than he used to. Father time is undefeated.

I'm hoping we stole one with Rico. Otherwise we need to continue to look at the position with a critical eye to the future.

 

[robjay04]

Everyone is tired at the end of football games.

Having said that I mentioned recently that we need to have a similar transition at the position that the Charges had with Gates and Henry.

As you say Witten is still a great asset in the passing game and he's a willing and sound blocker... But he's losing more physical battles than he used to. Father time is undefeated.

I'm hoping we stole one with Rico. Otherwise we need to continue to look at the position with a critical eye to the future.

Exactly, a tight end just does not need to be on the field for 95 percent of plays.

And by tired I didn't mean tired from a game. When you are openly flirting with retirement, you are realizing that your body has taken a beating and running and blocking for 95 percent of snaps isn't going to improve that.

 

[Setackin]

I'm not that worried about Witten. Seems like TE is one of those positions that develops fairly quickly.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

Love Witten and what he has done for us. We need to get younger at that position and we can't develop a player. Perhaps being 1 in free agency of we don't draft one. Look at the Cook signing for GB paying off.

We at some point have to look what's best for the team and not because we like a player. Example Romo, he must go in one way or another cause it's what best for the team. The money we can use to bring in some defensive players out ways having him on the team. No player is above the team........maybe Irvin is the only one

 

[big dog cowboy]

Witten is still an absolute asset in the passing game but he is a liability in blocking. I don't want him off the team but if his blocking skills continue to detioriate and he is on the field for 95 percent of snaps, he isn't helping our team to the best of his abilities.

Urban legend.

 

[robjay04]

I'm not that worried about Witten. Seems like TE is one of those positions that develops fairly quickly.

I don't mean so much developing a player (even though I don't necessarily think it's that easy) as I mean Witten giving up some of his snaps to a player with a different skill set.

 

[MarkP88]

Witten is an all time great, but he's a shell of the guy who ran down the field sans helmet in Philly ten years ago. It's a testament to his knowledge, competitiveness and guile that he still manages to get open so often - particularly when he really can only run a limited number of routes. And while he's a willing blocker, I'd rate it as solid at best. I love the guy, but we should be working to upgrade the position with someone who can be more of a vertical threat in the seam. I'm not saying dump him, but to think we are set at TE, to me, would be a big error in judgment.

 

[robjay04]

Urban legend.

Thanks for the input.

Which part exactly?

 

[Bullflop]

I'd be shocked if the FO didn't do everything in its power to convince Witten to return for what would likely be his last year. Rico Gathers will more than likely require another year to be groomed into a suitable replacement for Witten, assuming he's capable of doing so. Of course, that's taking a lot for granted but it's been said by some that he's doing extremely well with his progress up to this point. I'm fairly hopeful that the draft might see a TE being taken to eventually replace Witten as well, although it likely wouldn't be an early pick.

 

[J_Allen]

We're getting Swaim and Hannah back as well as Rico. I think we'll be fine at TE.

 

[robjay04]

I'd be shocked if the FO didn't do everything in its power to convince Witten to return for what would likely be his last year. Rico Gathers will more than likely require another year to be groomed into a suitable replacement for Witten, assuming he's capable of doing so. Of course, that's taking a lot for granted but it's been said by some that he's doing extremely well with his progress up to this point. I'm fairly hopeful that the draft might see a TE being taken to eventually replace Witten as well, although it likely wouldn't be an early pick.

I remember reading last week that we were considering calling Rico up when it became apparent that Collins wouldn't be ready.

I'm certain we will draft a TE, seems we always do.

 

[craig71]

I think Witten needs to realize that in order for his successor to develop he is going to have to assume a lessor role moving forward. Remember Dan Carpenter, he had a bigger role until Witten got his feet under him. I think it is time for Witten to do the same, provided that the front office can provide the youngster to do so.

Craig

 

[superonyx]

I don't feel Witten has a problem with being selfish. I believe the problem is he knows we don't have much behind him and he feels an obligation to his teammates to give them the best chance to win. If he thought we were better off with him taking plays off then I have zero doubt he would happily sub out.

We do need to find the next TE...not because anything is wrong with Witten but he wont want to do this forever. If Romo isn't in Dallas next year it wouldn't surprise me if he loses some of the love after this coming season.

 

[superonyx]

I think Witten needs to realize that in order for his successor to develop he is going to have to assume a lessor role moving forward. Remember Dan Carpenter, he had a bigger role until Witten got his feet under him. I think it is time for Witten to do the same, provided that the front office can provide the youngster to do so.

Craig

Why assume he doesn't realize this?
Its weird how some fans refuse to give anyone the benefit of the doubt. Especially a guy like Witten.
Who is on our roster that Witten should be moving over for?

 

[NeonDeion21]

Rico is now a defensive lineman FWIW.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Why assume he doesn't realize this?
Its weird how some fans refuse to give anyone the benefit of the doubt. Especially a guy like Witten.
Who is on our roster that Witten should be moving over for?

Fair point.

I'm not sure we have his replacement on the roster currently. I do think it's time the team identify that guy now though. The notion of Witten playing another 2-3 years by some fans is ludicrous.

 

[Bullflop]

Rico is now a defensive lineman FWIW.

I doubt that anything has been decided in regards to that consideration being irrevocable, assuming it's actually true.

 

[craig71]

Why assume he doesn't realize this?
Its weird how some fans refuse to give anyone the benefit of the doubt. Especially a guy like Witten.
Who is on our roster that Witten should be moving over for?

Realizing something and accepting it are two different things. I believe Witten knows the end is near but at the same time he believes he still can get the job done. In my opinion, the competitive spirit that has molded him into the man that he is what makes it hard for him to step out of the lead role.

I provided a caveat, did I not say "provided the front office can provide the youngster to do so".


Craig

 

[SDCowboy]

Witten is an all time great TE, but as has been mentioned, it's time to get younger and more athletic as the position. Witten needs to be more of a situational player at this point.