Is Jason Witten in decline?

[percyhoward]

Classic overreaction thread.

 

[Dallas]

... omg I'm crying.

That was some funny....for sure.


I love that show.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

Trade him now, that washed up bum!!!








sorry.

LOL at your sig.

 

[Switz]

Is Jason Witten in decline?

anyone who starts a thread with this title should be ban

 

[masomenos]

I just wish he could play like that Whitten guy.

 

[RS12]

The numbers certainly suggest it's possible Witten is in decline. As mentioned, he entered the league at an abnormally young age, so even though he is just 27, he has played as many snaps as a guy who is pushing 30. He isn't getting free down the middle of the field like he used to. While never a great guy after the catch, he has no ability in that department whatsoever now.

He is not getting open in the middle of the field as much because our WRs other than Miles who is now getting double coverage, do not stretch the field very well. More coverage in a compressed area. Also he is having to block more at the line of scrimmage.

 

[Dallas]

He is not getting open in the middle of the field as much because our WRs other than Miles who is now getting double coverage, do not stretch the field very well. More coverage in a compressed area. Also he is having to block more at the line of scrimmage.

Now if they will only read this post, this thread just might die like it should.


Here's to hoping.

 

[BlueStar II]

No, I think DC's are taking him out of the game.

:starspin I think this is closer to it than anything else.

 

[guag]

http://i18.***BLOCKED***/albums/b133/BrAinPaiNt/1zggab9.gif

Post of the day.

 

[Hostile]

I'd post this in a new thread, but it has a positive lean and that isn't allowed during up in arms after a loss over reaction days.

Jason Witten now has 478 Receptions.

All Time Cowboys Receptions

1. Michael Irvin...750
2. Drew Pearson...489
3. Emmitt Smith...486
4. Jason Witten...478


All Time TE Receptions

1. Tony Gonzalez...960
2. Shannon Sharpe 815
3. Ozzie Newsome 662
4. Kellen Winslow 541
5. Frank Wycheck 505
6. Ben Coates 499
7. Steve Jordan 498
8. Jackie Smith 480
9. Jason Witten...478

 

[Rampage]

either he's playing hurt or he's getting even slower at 27

 

[guag]

wow... so Witten should be #2 all-time behind Irvin for Cowboys receptions by the end of the year. <333

 

[FLcowboy]

No, I think DC's are taking him out of the game.

I think Adams and Free took him out of the game.

 

[RainMan]

For the record, this is one reason why I've wagged my finger at the "Bennett should have been traded!!!" talk. Now, I don't think Witten is winding down; but you never know what can happen between now and the time Bennett's contract is up.

Anyway, to stay on topic, I think it's more a case of what the Cowboys are asking him to do and how he's being used without T.O. here. His role this season seems to be more as a safety valve underneath as opposed to a big-play threat down the field. I don't know that he has struck me as any slower than years past; it's just that when catching that underneath stuff it highliths how non-agile he is. He might be a HOF tight end, but no one has ever kidded themselves into thinking he became that because of his freakish athleticism.

 

[Hostile]

http://i356.***BLOCKED***/albums/oo4/DallasEast1701/family-guy-021207-18.gif

One of the greatest .gif files ever.

 

[thechosen1n2]

He is not getting open in the middle of the field as much because our WRs other than Miles who is now getting double coverage, do not stretch the field very well. More coverage in a compressed area. Also he is having to block more at the line of scrimmage.

This is the best answer.

There is no number 1 drawing double teams. It was impossible to double 81 and shut down witten in the middle of the field.

 

[rangers71]

Threads like this are why I here coming here after a loss.

 

[CowboyMike]

I'm putting a disclaimer on this post first: Witten is by far my favorite player in the NFL. I was claiming he was the best tight end in the NFL three or four years ago when many here would take Gates over him. That being said...

I don't think we're using him to exploit the intermediate to deep middle of the field like we used to. We saw one play when Witten came out and Romo almost hit MartyB deep for a TD. That's a play Witten was money on over the last two years, but we haven't been trying to hit him there. He's mostly been used for quick outs and hitches around the first down marker, or a check down for potential YAC. Unfortunately, Witten seems to gain about twenty pounds whenever he has the ball in his hands, unless he gets his helmet ripped off.

It looks a little like Witten is either slowed by a leg injury that hasn't been reported or he's a little heavier this year. That's just my two cents.

And finally, we're keeping him in to block more. I don't like that. But that's probably a contributor.

So, no, I don't think Witten is in decline. He's going to go on to have a Hall of Fame career, but I think those three factors I've listed above have contributed to his lower than average yards per catch this year.

Oh, and the one touchdown he has is not unusual. He has never really racked up TDs.

 

[jobberone]

The safeties are cheating on doubling Witten plus he's getting attn from good cover CBs and not just safeties and LBs in single coverage. Plus he's blocking more esp in the redzone.

If we'd run the ball more down at the goal line then he'd be able to go out for a pass at times.

It's playcalling, more blocking and more coverage. Teams aren't doubling Austin and certainly not Williams every play so Witten gets the attn.

 

[Hostile]

Threads like this are why I here coming here after a loss.

Hate?

Me too, but I have a job to do.