Is Witten the reason Fasano, Bennett and (Maybe) Escobar flamed out?

[TheCount]

First things first, this isn't a "Hate on Witten" thread, I just found the topic interesting.

Earlier this week, on The Break, they were talking a bit about Bennett and that led to an interesting anecdote about how when Bennett was on the team, Witten had made sure that he got his touches - even at Bennett's expense. They mentioned how Witten (at least at the time) was very much thinking about getting into the HOF someday, so he cared about his numbers.

Anyway, it was an interesting comment because I'd never really thought of Witten as a a numbers guy but it's always been clear to me that you can't be as good as Witten is; as good as Dez is; as good as Romo is - without caring about your numbers.

All this is to say; it reminded me of how Witten pretty much gave Bennett the cold shoulder the entire time he was here. Witten was still as productive as ever, and eventually that led to Bennett being "The blocking TE".

I'm just thinking of all the TE's that have been through here, and I don't remember a single story about how Witten was mentoring any of these guys or taking them under his wing. He's got no interest in training his replacement, which makes a lot of sense - he doesn't want to be expendable or replaceable. He's not the only one, it's well known Peyton hates letting his backups take snaps in practice or in the games.

So, could it be possible that Witten is part of what's kept this whole 2-TE thing from taking off? We all know how respected he is. It's possible he's never the guy in the film room/huddle saying, "Look, Fasano/Bennett/Escobar is wide open on this play, why not go there?".

 

[joseephuss]

Fasano still isn't a very good tight end. The story isn't over for Escobar. Dallas got good use out of Bennett. I never understood why some people expected Bennett to get 60 receptions a season as the second tight end in Dallas.

 

[Eddie]

I wouldn't mentor my replacement either.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Does it matter? None od them could carry Witten's jock.

 

[Idgit]

I guess anything is possible. I was never a fan of Bennett's at all, but they were talking about him in the game last week and said that he came out three separate times during the game last week to talk to his old teammates. Once was before the game, once was after, and that he specifically sought out Witten to give him a hug and a handshake before the game during the setup to the national anthem of all times. I kind of thought there wasn't good blood between the Cowboys and Bennett (mostly because of his brother's public comments about the organization), but it seems like maybe that's not so much the case. And he and Wit seem to be on ok terms personally.

The rub on Fasano was that he was a little bit dim. Bennett was a little bit weird. I don't think I've ever heard a player other than TO--who was insane--say anything bad about Jason Witten after leaving the organization, though.

 

[Idgit]

Does it matter? None od them could carry Witten's jock.

Well, I guess that's a good point, too.

 

[itsaboat]

The post should be asking why do we continue to waste 2nd round picks on TE's when Witten is still here

 

[Dave_in-NC]

I guess anything is possible. I was never a fan of Bennett's at all, but they were talking about him in the game last week and said that he came out three separate times during the game last week to talk to his old teammates. Once was before the game, once was after, and that he specifically sought out Witten to give him a hug and a handshake before the game during the setup to the national anthem of all times. I kind of thought there wasn't good blood between the Cowboys and Bennett (mostly because of his brother's public comments about the organization), but it seems like maybe that's not so much the case. And he and Wit seem to be on ok terms personally.

The rub on Fasano was that he was a little bit dim. Bennett was a little bit weird. I don't think I've ever heard a player other than TO--who was insane--say anything bad about Jason Witten after leaving the organization, though.

That's cool to hear. I would guess and it is a guess, that Marty B was just a little to immature for Witten to even try and deal with when he was here.
Witten is all business. I can't see him putting up with a youngsters crap.

 

[Idgit]

That's cool to hear. I would guess and it is a guess, that Marty B was just a little to immature for Witten to even try and deal with when he was here.
Witten is all business. I can't see him putting up with a youngsters crap.

Yeah, good point. Wit probably didn't know what to do with a rapping Cowboy from the planet Jupiter. About as different a couple of personalities as you could find in any position group over the last however many years.

 

[Nexx]

Can you name the backups to Tony Gonzalez and Antonio gates?

 

[CF74]

They all have the talent to be good, it's about reps. Having said that it was always a wasted pick when you have a HOF'er starting. That's the real issue, we have holes in a lot of positions we could have used those 2nd rounders on.

 

[pancakeman]

Didn't Bennett have a fair number of dropped passes at key moments? He may have gotten more opportunities on teams without a Jason Witten, but I don't know that he shone all that much when he did get opportunities in Dallas.

 

[joseephuss]

They all have the talent to be good, it's about reps. Having said that it was always a wasted pick when you have a HOF'er starting. That's the real issue, we have holes in a lot of positions we could have used those 2nd rounders on.

Fasano doesn't have the talent to be good. He has gotten the reps at other stops and has not produced what other quality starting tight ends have.

 

[CF74]

Fasano doesn't have the talent to be good. He has gotten the reps at other stops and has not produced what other quality starting tight ends have.

Don't confuse good with awesome or head of the class.

 

[joseephuss]

Don't confuse good with awesome or head of the class.

I haven't. He isn't good. Producing 251 career receptions over an almost 9 year career isn't good in today's era. Martellus has more than that in 3 fewer seasons. Scott Chandler has produced more receptions than Fasano.

 

[TheCount]

Does it matter? None od them could carry Witten's jock.

Not the point.

The post should be asking why do we continue to waste 2nd round picks on TE's when Witten is still here

Pretty sure that question has already been asked a million times.

Fasano still isn't a very good tight end. The story isn't over for Escobar. Dallas got good use out of Bennett. I never understood why some people expected Bennett to get 60 receptions a season as the second tight end in Dallas.

I didn't expect much from the 2nd TE's simply because Witten is very very good and there aren't enough balls to go around. To involve a 2nd TE, they can't be the 4th or 5th read on every play.

My stance has always been; Don't spend the pick if you aren't going to utilize the talent. I've got nothing against the TE's we drafted as players, I have a beef with the fact that we kept spending those high picks and they just weren't getting the reps.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Not the point.



Pretty sure that question has already been asked a million times.



I didn't expect much from the 2nd TE's simply because Witten is very very good and there aren't enough balls to go around. To involve a 2nd TE, they can't be the 4th or 5th read on every play.

My stance has always been; Don't spend the pick if you aren't going to utilize the talent. I've got nothing against the TE's we drafted as players, I have a beef with the fact that we kept spending those high picks and they just weren't getting the reps.

Jerry Jones.

 

[casmith07]

Fasano was trash.

Bennett was and still is a clown.

Escobar is still learning.

 

[KJJ]

Fasano was drafted to block for Bledsoe but became expendable when Romo took over. Marty B was drafted to play along side Witten to add a new dimension to the offense and it didn't work out. Escobar was drafted to play the slot but the emergence of Beasley has thrown a wrench in those plans.

 

[KJJ]

Fasano was trash.

Bennett was and still is a clown.

Escobar is still learning.

Fasano was actually a pretty good player. He made an outstanding 3rd down catch vs the 9-0 Colts back in 06 to extend a drive late in that game that helped lead the Cowboys to a victory. He was never given much of an opportunity as a receiver because he was drafted to block.