If Witten is really on the verge of retiring

[robjay04]

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.

I think the new players energized Witten, I'm sure he will miss Romo but he likes the new feel of this team.

As far as him not being selfish...maybe selfish wasn't the best word but it's a well known fact among team outsiders that Witten doesn't like to come off the field. When you are the age of Witten and your body is showing signs of years of football...it wouldn't be a bad idea to come off the field every now and then especially on running plays. It's hard to know what you have in other players if they don't get the reps.

I hate bringing his name up because he is a head case but Martellus Bennett has turned into a successful player in this league. He has let it be known that he is not a huge fan of Witten because Witten didn't ever want to give up any of his opportunities. I think Bennett or even Escobar could've been utilized better with this team but it's hard to do with a guy like Witten.

95 percent of snaps is just too much for a player that you can easily sub out now and then. I was shocked when I looked it up and saw that he had more snaps than Dak this season.

 

[robjay04]

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

Rico is now a defensive lineman FWIW.

I remember hearing whispers in training camp but I didn't think it materialized and the last I heard is that he is one of Romo's favorite targets in practice.

I would probably be a little worried about his development if he is a DL and didn't get called up this season.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

There is no way Witten walks away from "this"!



"this" = Dak and Zeke and Dez

 

[Risen Star]

It's good to see this Witten hate. You guys are making progress.

I'll have you insulting his family before the preseason.

 

[Plankton]

Witten is still ol' reliable in the passing game. He is great at finding seams, and presenting a good target to his quarterback.

In the running game/pass blocking though, he has slipped significantly. He missed three blocks off the top of my head on Sunday, one which caused a sack, one which changed a potential long run by Elliott to a seven yard gain, and another where Elliott needed to spin away to prevent from being decapitated. Witten really needs to transition away from being the inline TE and more of a receiver.

 

[davey999]

I would bring in Julius Thomas on a cheap 1 year deal if you can.

 

[Ranching]

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

I forgot about Swaim, he was really starting to come along when he got hurt. Let's hope he can come back and continue his growth.

 

[CrownCowboy]

I agree we need to start thinking about the future at the position. With that being said, I still think Witten has a lot left in the tank. He's never been a yac guy. He still is a great route runner, he gets open and I think he is still a good blocker.

Sure he's not as agile as he used to be but the man is still productive. He tore it up in training camp this year and backed it up with a good year.

However you can do it, get a young guy in here that he can help teach and perhaps cut his play count down, but he's not done at all.

 

[Virginia-Dave]

Martellus Bennett is a free agent

 

[superonyx]

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

So are you saying he should accept that he cant get the job done any longer?
You do realize he is actually getting the job done still?
Take a look at the top tight ends in the league this season and then compare Wittens stats and then come back and say he isn't getting it done.
Now also take into account that he isn't an oversized WR like Jimmy Graham who is a liability in the blocking game. Witten is a well rounded TE who can block and catch and his production is still in the top of the league....while doing so on a run first team.

This is weird

 

[robjay04]

So are you saying he should accept that he cant get the job done any longer?
You do realize he is actually getting the job done still?
Take a look at the top tight ends in the league this season and then compare Wittens stats and then come back and say he isn't getting it done.
Now also take into account that he isn't an oversized WR like Jimmy Graham who is a liability in the blocking game. Witten is a well rounded TE who can block and catch and his production is still in the top of the league....while doing so on a run first team.

This is weird

Nobody is saying Witten isn't a good player. He is absolutely a pivotal asset in our passing game and his reliability and savyness has helped develop Dak Prescott.

He is losing more and more of what little quickness he had every year and this is hurting his blocking ability. As I stated in the original post, if you want to pull one play from Sunday's game and blame the loss on it...his whiff on a block that led to a sack and the end of a promising drive early in the game would be near the top of the list.

The point is, the team could help him in that regard and he could help himself by not take 95 percent of the snaps for a season. I would rather have Witten decide to stick around and be a part of this team getting 60 percent of the snaps for 3 seasons than 95 percent for one more.

 

[CATCH17]

We could use another TE.

Nothing against Witten either but a young TE that can set the edge and do something vertically down the field would make everyone on our offense better.

Heck, Witten could play another 3 or 4 years if he would just let someone else cut into his snaps.

 

[craig71]

So are you saying he should accept that he cant get the job done any longer?
You do realize he is actually getting the job done still?
Take a look at the top tight ends in the league this season and then compare Wittens stats and then come back and say he isn't getting it done.
Now also take into account that he isn't an oversized WR like Jimmy Graham who is a liability in the blocking game. Witten is a well rounded TE who can block and catch and his production is still in the top of the league....while doing so on a run first team.

This is weird

I think Witten is a shell of his former self. Does it mean that he is washed up? Nope. Does it mean that his role with this team needs to change? I believe so for the betterment of the team. Now if you truly believe that Witten is one the top tight ends in the league at this stage of his career more power to you. Ask yourself this, can Witten threaten opposing defenses down the seam as in years past? Is Witten a mismatch for another teams linebacker in coverage? I think the answer to both questions is no. Does it mean that Witten cannot get open? Nope, but he is limited in what he can do at this stage of his career. Point being, Witten has an uncanny knack for finding soft spots in zone coverage underneath. He does do well on an option route by being able to sell off misdirection. He can do those types of things, but he doesn't threaten defenses anywhere else. Wouldn't be nice to have the ability to get more production out of the position? I believe so. As far as his blocking is concerned, I will say the effort is there but my eyes tell me that he is fading there as well. Once again, just because he isn't a dynamic blocker at this stage does not mean that he is done. It does however mean that how he is used needs to change this upcoming season in my estimation.


Craig

 

[TheHerd]

I love Witten, but watching what other TEs are doing all around the league makes it clear he's not on the same level in terms of making impactful plays.

 

[guag]

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.

Hold that thought.

 

[KJJ]

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.

Witten was deflated after the loss and players say all kinds of things in the heat of the moment but he sees the potential this team has going forward with Dak and isn't about to jump ship now. He still wants a ring and to secure his spot in the HOF so he'll be back. There's no one behind him to lessen his role with, Escobar isn't the answer. Witten is still one of the best chain movers on the team along with Beasley. He's Mr reliable and never misses games. He's helped the Cowboys tremendously making critical catches on 3rd down.

When you need to move the chains on 3rd down there's not many receivers in the league more dependable to get open and move the sticks in those situations like Witten. Until someone comes along that's equal or better than him, there's no reason to lessen his role. He's still a terrific player and it's puzzling why so many on this board are looking to lessen his role or move on from him. Everyone needs to stop looking at his age and lack of speed and look at how often he gets open and moves the chains.

 

[RS12]

OJ Howard is too big for DBs and too fast for LBs. The mismatch they have been looking for. He can block too.

 

[Bullflop]

I remember hearing whispers in training camp but I didn't think it materialized and the last I heard is that he is one of Romo's favorite targets in practice.

I would probably be worried about his development if he is a DL and didn't get called up this season.

I'd be worried too . . . it'd mean his bid to be a TE probably wasn't all it could be. Thankfully, he's still in the mix at TE if we're correct.

 

[Bullflop]

Hold that thought.

LOL -- guess I had you worried 'til you got to that last part about it not being an early pick. I'd be kinda ticked if it was, to be honest. I kinda think Witten will be back next year for one more go-around, though.

 

[Doomsay]

Witten is still ol' reliable in the passing game. He is great at finding seams, and presenting a good target to his quarterback.

In the running game/pass blocking though, he has slipped significantly. He missed three blocks off the top of my head on Sunday, one which caused a sack, one which changed a potential long run by Elliott to a seven yard gain, and another where Elliott needed to spin away to prevent from being decapitated. Witten really needs to transition away from being the inline TE and more of a receiver.

That spin move was amazing though!