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

[Roadtrip635]

I think guys like Fasano/Phillips/Hanna were drafted to be capable back-ups, provide run support and catch the occasional pass. At times they flashed some ability and maybe even warranted to be incorporated into the passing game a bit more, but they were never there to challenge Witten or be a larger part of the passing game. I think Bennett and Escobar were viewed differently. Again, I don't believe they were drafted to challenge or replace Witten, but to be used in conjunction with him. Both have the talent and ability to impact the passing game and the team had visions of running more 2TE sets. We never really saw that materialize. Is that on JG for not being able to design and utilize effective sets? Is it on the players for not being able to pick up and execute the plays? It may be partially on Romo. His comfort level with Witten is well known and simply didn't feel confident using the 2nd TE. How many times when we were in 2TE sets did Romo audible out and change the protection to keep the 2nd TE to block or blitz pickup? Personally, I think most of the issue is about play design and utilizing those weapons especially with those high round draft picks. BPA doesn't matter if you don't know how to use those players.

 

[Hardline]

Witten has not made Escobar flame out one bit. When Escobar's time comes,he will shine.

 

[KJJ]

Witten has not made Escobar flame out one bit. When Escobar's time comes,he will shine.

Hopefully when he shines it's with the Cowboys.

 

[xwalker]

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?".

No. MartyB couldn't remember where to line up in games and dropped a lot of passes. I was at training camp and he received plenty of practice snaps.

Escobar loses snaps to Hanna.

I do think the overall team and Witten himself would benefit from playing less than 100% of the offensive snaps in all games, but I also think some RBs besides Murray should get a few carries.

 

[CF74]

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.

Well he did play for Miami for a while when they were really bad but I get your point. He would have better numbers if he had played somewhere else longer. I'm still mad at him for dropping that TD pass in 2007 with us...

 

[big dog cowboy]

Bennett was a knucklehead. Fasano had minimal talent. Neither was a threat to Witten.

 

[theogt]

I think Fasano and Bennett are the reasons for Fasano and Bennett flaming out.

 

[bodi]

and why would I CARE

I thought an he thought he was the greatest thing since sliced bread

maybe we can bring him back as O line man or D line

did you see that gut on him

 

[KJJ]

I think Fasano and Bennett are the reasons for Fasano and Bennett flaming out.

That's true for Bennett not Fasano.

 

[theogt]

That's true for Bennett not Fasano.

I guess it's hard to flame out when you never really do anything to begin with. Bennett at least had some hype to him coming out of college with his athleticism.

 

[joseephuss]

I remember people saying Fasano was NFL ready coming out of college. I thought he struggled as a blocker during his time in Dallas, which was supposed to be a strength.

 

[KJJ]

I guess it's hard to flame out when you never really do anything to begin with. Bennett at least had some hype to him coming out of college with his athleticism.

His athleticism and basketball background had Jerry dreaming of another Antonio Gates.

 

[Hardline]

Bennett and Fasano have been good enough to collect NFL paychecks . Thats about it.

 

[TheCount]

No. MartyB couldn't remember where to line up in games and dropped a lot of passes. I was at training camp and he received plenty of practice snaps.

Escobar loses snaps to Hanna.

I do think the overall team and Witten himself would benefit from playing less than 100% of the offensive snaps in all games, but I also think some RBs besides Murray should get a few carries.

That might all be true, but it doesn't mean Witten is helping any of these guys out either.

 

[CashMan]

That might all be true, but it doesn't mean Witten is helping any of these guys out either.

Homerisim, you are not going to win, in this thread, no matter how much something, might make sense.

 

[wilatino_98]

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.

Fasano in not a good te but yet hes still in the nfl?

 

[TheCount]

Homerisim, you are not going to win, in this thread, no matter how much something, might make sense.

I'm not really trying to convince anyone of anything, just thought it'd be an interesting discussion. It's not a side of Witten you hear a lot about and I hadn't really thought twice about it till they were taking about it on The Break.

And the way they were talking about it, it was like everyone knew it was obvious. It'd be like if the Cowboys drafted Williams and Dez gave him the cold shoulder and told him to figure things out on his own. Meanwhile, the whole time coaches are screaming at Williams, "Be like Dez! Be like Dez!"

 

[xwalker]

That might all be true, but it doesn't mean Witten is helping any of these guys out either.

I've heard Escobar talk about Witten helping him. I never heard that from MartyB.

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

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.

Thank you. That seems to have been forgotten by all the recent lamenters and hand wringers.

 

[CoCo]

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.

Speaking of outstanding catches, remember the time he cost us a TD in that 2007 playoff loss to the Giants when Romo put the ball right on the money and it clanked off Fasano's facemask.