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

[TheCount]

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

Bennett has said he learned things from Witten, as well. Again, I'm not saying Witten is sabotaging anyone.

 

[TheCount]

bennet was very immature when he was here. in case you forgot, he went to the TE needy giants and flamed out. plus personalities matter on a team. Bennett may fit with the loonies up in Chicago, but wasn't the RKG to stay in dallas. plus Witten outside of this year has been one of the best TEs in the NFL and a HOF candidate. so how do you want to spread the ball around? do you want to take one of the best NFL TEs out to allow Bennett to learn?

plus, take a look at Chicago. they got a bunch of former cowboys on their team and they have steadily declined. coincidence? probably not. so I venture to say good riddance to Bennett, Rat and the rest of the yahoos in Chicago.

fasano was average. is average and there is probably 20+ TEs that are better than him. and fasano is on his third (or fourth?) team as well.

I have hopes for escobar. he does make plays. I am very impressed with his athlecism for TE his size. he moves pretty well. he needs to get a little stronger and I think we are going to see more and more of him in the future, perhaps for him to be the feature TRE next year (if Jerry is willing to deal with the fact that one of his favorite guys needs to come off the bench).

I also think this year with the running game being more of the feature, the TE is less emphasized. Witten only has 46 catches which is way below his average. but we also see a lot of double TE formations in the running game.

That's fine, but the discussing I meant to have isn't about rehashing (for the millionth time) whether any of these guys are good or not and I'm not saying anything bad about Escobar.

 

[superjoe]

Careful what you want as opposed to what you have the grass isn't always greener.

Fasano doesn't have the backbone of Witten, he is always hurt, he doesn't put in the work to stay on the field and will never be more than he is now, a platoon TE.

Bennet is not the leader Witten is he cares only for his own accolade and he still runs the wrong play on occasion. He depends on his athletic ability once the rigors of the game slow him he will be a side show, we have better chemistry since he was let go.

Escober is intriguing, he seems to be getting it but is no where near the blocker Witten is. He does have time to get better but if he doesn't, he will stay the number two TE. Runs pretty routes and is an exelent catcher. I hope he gets some size and learns to get his butt down and play with leverage in the trenches.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Of course Witten is the reason those people didn't do more here. They couldn't beat him out for the #1 TE spot and they weren't going to produce like him from a #2 TE spot.

So, yeah, they should be more productive on teams where they're the #1 TE and getting starting snaps.

 

[MissouriCowboy]

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

Kc still looking for a tight end.

 

[Doomsday101]

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 doubt Witten play has caused others not to get the same playing time and the fact that Romo safety blanket has been Witten, the guy knows how to get open and just clicks with Romo. Having said that I think Dallas trying to get quality TE is not a bad thing as Witten is not getting any younger. I think Escobar has a future with the Cowboys

 

[CoCo]

Don't remember that the one that Romo put right on the money that clanked off Crayton's hands is the one I remember.

Then of course to complete the trifecta Crayton quit on the otherwise TD throw. But Romo gets the reputation...

 

[KJJ]

Then of course to complete the trifecta Crayton quit on the otherwise TD throw. But Romo gets the reputation...

Regardless of Crayton's drop and hesitated route Romo wasn't sharp that day only completing 50% of his passer and his passer rating was 64.7. It takes more than one playoff/elimination game to earn a reputation.

 

[Wolfpack]

It is certainly reasable to question the motives of drafting three 2nd round TE's that would all play behind a HOF TE. Even in a much used TE set (which was never the case) the players would always be a luxury pick with a premium draft pick. It is a VERY odd pattern. Imagine drafting three 2nd round QBs to play behind Romo. Or three 2nd Round OLBers to play behind Ware.

Its been one of the oddest things that the front office has done across several coaches, although Red has been here for 2 of them now. I know I'd rather have had some defensive talent or something other that these luxury picks.

 

[TheCount]

No doubt Witten play has caused others not to get the same playing time and the fact that Romo safety blanket has been Witten, the guy knows how to get open and just clicks with Romo. Having said that I think Dallas trying to get quality TE is not a bad thing as Witten is not getting any younger. I think Escobar has a future with the Cowboys

I agree about Escobar. Maybe the plan is to give him fewer opportunities so we can reup that contract on the cheap.

 

[TheCount]

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

Not talking about anyone threatening Witten, this isn't about a guy taking Witten's job. He's a HOF TE, he was never going to be 2nd fiddle.

However, If you asked me to name the Top 5 guys on the team you think care the most about their numbers - Witten would never enter my mind.

 

[JD_KaPow]

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

Ladarius Green is the guy expected to take over from Gates...but Gates isn't done yet.

Kc still looking for a tight end.

What's wrong with Travis Kelce?

 

[hornitosmonster]

We are comparing a HOF tight end with non HOF tight ends. Witten could tell them and coach them up but it doesn't mean it will translate to the field.

 

[hornitosmonster]

Ladarius Green is the guy expected to take over from Gates...but Gates isn't done yet.

What's wrong with Travis Kelce?

Ladarius Green was a disappointment this year (Like Escobar, but at least Escobar has 4 TD's this year). Travis Kelce is the real deal.

Part of the issues is that Cowboys fans have been spoiled with Witten, not many tight ends end up having a career like his. The fan expectations are too high for any tight end in Dallas because of Witten.

 

[big dog cowboy]

However, If you asked me to name the Top 5 guys on the team you think care the most about their numbers - Witten would never enter my mind.

 

[Redball Express]

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?".

Duh..

Witten has been Romo's BFF since 2006.

I mean there has been a string of TE and wideouts who has never been comfn groortable with the number of targets Witten gets.

TO hated it..

Crayton groused,

Robinson commented on it..

Austin was jealous..

whatever.

Witten is one of the greatest of all Cowboys.

Novachek was an All Timer, too.

 

[CoCo]

Regardless of Crayton's drop and hesitated route Romo wasn't sharp that day only completing 50% of his passer and his passer rating was 64.7. It takes more than one playoff/elimination game to earn a reputation.

Not going to be sucked into that. Have at it...

 

[KJJ]

Not going to be sucked into that. Have at it...

I'm just giving you the facts.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Fasano is average at best and just should not have been a second round pick. Maybe late 3rd or 4th, but based on what he has done, it wasn't a good pick. Bennett clearly has out produced his draft selection (like 59th, right? maybe 60th), he just didn't here. The problem is, Bennett wasn't mature enough to consistently put in the work needed (especially in the film room) when he knew he would be primarily used as a blocker and get limited targets. I think he easily would've been just as good here as he's been in Chicago, if Witten had a career ending injury, or something, but him being a second TE with no real chance to become the starter here was not something that motivated him to achieve. Escobar will be fine imo, as long as he continues to improve as a blocker, if he does that, I can easily see him be the long term option at TE here.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

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.

.....No team drafts a TE in the second round whom they only intend to block. I agree that it was never anyone's intention for him to overtake Witten, considering he was 23-24 at the time, but that certainly wasn't Parcels plan.