Jason Witten speaks on post-football plans, Rico Gathers as heir

[Hardline]

http://dal.247sports.com/Bolt/Jason...-football-plans-Rico-Gathers-as-heir-52909673

 

[Trouty]

My two favorite quotes:

On his plans for after his playing career:

"I haven't really put a lot of thought into it. I think I just know what kind of investment I have to my teammates. And I think I would be shortchanging them if I started to pursue that. Look, I said it all along, I'm all in. Part of that is why I'm so critical of myself in the way I play and approach it. And with that, we all have roles on our football team. So, I haven't put a lot of thought into it. I know I want to be around the game. I'll just have to figure it out when I'm done and get my family and see on what level and time that I'm wanting to commit to it. I certainly see myself staying involved."

On how much Rico Gathers has improved in one year:

"Rico has made some unbelievable strides. Think about the challenge of coming in last year and not playing football since eighth grade. Physically, he's got all the traits. He's big. He's strong. He's athletic. He's rangy. He can catch. He's really improved with the concepts of our offense and what the responsibilities are. So, I told him and will continue to tell him to dive into that process. The process is talked about a lot over there. But I think for all of us, especially young players, just dive into that. And the results will come that you want. But you just have to stay after it, and especially at tight end because there's a lot of demands on that position in this offense. And, so, I think he's getting more comfortable with that and I hope he continues to have a good offseason."

Love that we still have Witt on the team, and damn does he sound motivated to be a part of this squad.

Thanks, Hardline.

 

[FaSho]

My two favorite quotes:

On his plans for after his playing career:

"I haven't really put a lot of thought into it. I think I just know what kind of investment I have to my teammates. And I think I would be shortchanging them if I started to pursue that. Look, I said it all along, I'm all in. Part of that is why I'm so critical of myself in the way I play and approach it. And with that, we all have roles on our football team. So, I haven't put a lot of thought into it. I know I want to be around the game. I'll just have to figure it out when I'm done and get my family and see on what level and time that I'm wanting to commit to it. I certainly see myself staying involved."

On how much Rico Gathers has improved in one year:

"Rico has made some unbelievable strides. Think about the challenge of coming in last year and not playing football since eighth grade. Physically, he's got all the traits. He's big. He's strong. He's athletic. He's rangy. He can catch. He's really improved with the concepts of our offense and what the responsibilities are. So, I told him and will continue to tell him to dive into that process. The process is talked about a lot over there. But I think for all of us, especially young players, just dive into that. And the results will come that you want. But you just have to stay after it, and especially at tight end because there's a lot of demands on that position in this offense. And, so, I think he's getting more comfortable with that and I hope he continues to have a good offseason."

Love that we still have Witt on the team, and damn does he sound motivated to be a part of this squad.

Thanks, Hardline.

I hope, when he retires, he stays as a coach!

 

[big dog cowboy]

Cowboys GOAT TE.

 

[Redball Express]

My two favorite quotes:

On his plans for after his playing career:

"I haven't really put a lot of thought into it. I think I just know what kind of investment I have to my teammates. And I think I would be shortchanging them if I started to pursue that. Look, I said it all along, I'm all in. Part of that is why I'm so critical of myself in the way I play and approach it. And with that, we all have roles on our football team. So, I haven't put a lot of thought into it. I know I want to be around the game. I'll just have to figure it out when I'm done and get my family and see on what level and time that I'm wanting to commit to it. I certainly see myself staying involved."

On how much Rico Gathers has improved in one year:

"Rico has made some unbelievable strides. Think about the challenge of coming in last year and not playing football since eighth grade. Physically, he's got all the traits. He's big. He's strong. He's athletic. He's rangy. He can catch. He's really improved with the concepts of our offense and what the responsibilities are. So, I told him and will continue to tell him to dive into that process. The process is talked about a lot over there. But I think for all of us, especially young players, just dive into that. And the results will come that you want. But you just have to stay after it, and especially at tight end because there's a lot of demands on that position in this offense. And, so, I think he's getting more comfortable with that and I hope he continues to have a good offseason."

Love that we still have Witt on the team, and damn does he sound motivated to be a part of this squad.

Thanks, Hardline.

Witten wants a ring.

He stays for now.

What I would like to see is throw to Witten 5 yds down field and then lateral to somebody with speed.

Do that a few times and watch the defense having to cover him.

Right now..with his reduced speed over time..

the other team just single covets him and gives him 5 yes or whatever..

then he is tackled.

Heck..

Zeke gets that on a run.

Get Gaithers in there if he do better.

 

[TheSkaven]

Witten wants a ring.

He stays for now.

I love Witten, he's one of my favorite players. It's also clear that he wasn't the same player last season that he was five years ago. That's no revelation. Still, a declining Witten is still a top 10 TE, and his experience is priceless. I love that Rico is coming up behind him.

Unlike others on this board, I actually do have high expectations for Rico Gathers. The party line is "we'll be happy if he makes the team and is active 3 games this season". Nope. The expectation should instead be that he is the second TE and scores 5 red zone touchdowns this season.

 

[Hardline]

When you need 10 yards he will get you 11.
He moves the chains. He doesn't need to be fast or get yards after the catch which he can still occasionally do.

 

[dogunwo]

My fear with Gathers is that he will have a fumbling problem. With not having played since 8th grade, it may not be instinctual to protect the football after the catch when getting tackled.

 

[The Quest for Six]

Jason Witten, a class act on and off the field.....too bad this team didn't have more professional students of the game like Jason Witten....

 

[MileyDancer]

When you need 10 yards he will get you 11.
He moves the chains. He doesn't need to be fast or get yards after the catch which he can still occasionally do.

If you throw to him 11 yards out. All those times Garrett dialed up a pass to Witten 3 yards short of 1st down made me want to kick a puppy.

 

[Hailmary]

My fear with Gathers is that he will have a fumbling problem. With not having played since 8th grade, it may not be instinctual to protect the football after the catch when getting tackled.

This is something I've been thinking about and maybe not having played football since junior high won't be as a big detriment as we all think it might be. I think we tend to overestimate the coaching these kids get in the collegiate level and a lot of these kids get by on pure talent and athleticism. Because of this, they can pick up bad habits. Gathers has the talent and athleticism, and although the instincts may not be there yet, we should also assume he doesn't have any bad habits either. The coaching staff had/has an opportunity to work with a blank canvas and Rico's been receiving proper coaching/and technique from day one.

 

[dogunwo]

This is something I've been thinking about and maybe not having played football since junior high won't be as a big detriment as we all think it might be. I think we tend to overestimate the coaching these kids get in the collegiate level and a lot of these kids get by on pure talent and athleticism. Because of this, they can pick up bad habits. Gathers has the talent and athleticism, and although the instincts may not be there yet, we should also assume he doesn't have any bad habits either. The coaching staff had/has an opportunity to work with a blank canvas and Rico's been receiving proper coaching/and technique from day one.

I also forgot that he trained pretty heavily during the draft process actually for about a year before he decided he was going to play football. Undoubtedly if he had a decent trainer or football coach he would have had some ball carrying drills as well.

 

[xwalker]

My fear with Gathers is that he will have a fumbling problem. With not having played since 8th grade, it may not be instinctual to protect the football after the catch when getting tackled.

Good theory other than the fact he has the biggest hands of anyone that will be catching balls in the NFL.

 

[brymatt94]

Cowboys GOAT TE.

NFL GOAT TE.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I love Witten, he's one of my favorite players. It's also clear that he wasn't the same player last season that he was five years ago. That's no revelation. Still, a declining Witten is still a top 10 TE, and his experience is priceless. I love that Rico is coming up behind him.

Unlike others on this board, I actually do have high expectations for Rico Gathers. The party line is "we'll be happy if he makes the team and is active 3 games this season". Nope. The expectation should instead be that he is the second TE and scores 5 red zone touchdowns this season.

While I don't I agree that's Witten isn't the same guy he was 5 years ago I do think he was better last year than he was in previous years.

 

[lukin2006]

It will be a sad day when Witten retires. A guy that size should not be open that often, but he seems to always get open.

 

[aria]

Witten is my favorite Cowboy of all time, I wish they were all like him on and off the field. I know it's coming but it will be a sad, sad day when he retires. I can't put into words how much I believe he has been the perfect NFL player since day 1. 110% each and every play, humble, competitive, classy, selfless, leader...it goes on and on.

 

[Redball Express]

If you throw to him 11 yards out. All those times Garrett dialed up a pass to Witten 3 yards short of 1st down made me want to kick a puppy.

One thing for sure..

no more complaints about Witten being Romo's pet.

Now lets see who becomes DAKs pet.

Beezer for sure and maybe Switzer.

 

[erod]

One thing for sure..

no more complaints about Witten being Romo's pet.

Now lets see who becomes DAKs pet.

Beezer for sure and maybe Switzer.

Dak threw it a ton to Beasley and Witten last year. He likes throwing what's right in front of his vision. Doesn't like the out routes or slants as much.

 

[Redball Express]

Dak threw it a ton to Beasley and Witten last year. He likes throwing what's right in front of his vision. Doesn't like the out routes or slants as much.

Which makes me wonder about Jones' statement about getting Zeke more involved in the passing attack.

More being DAK friendly?