Jay Novacek Vs Jason Witten

lqmac1

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I was debating with a couple of my friends who like most can't stand the cowboys. A Witten and Novacek battle convo got brought up and I was asked who I thought was better, My response: As of now you have to say Novacek but as soon as Witten retires his numbers are going to be mind boggling and he hands down will be the best tight end in cowboys history. Then they told me to post it on here to see what the response would be from everyone, so... take a shot at it my friends.
 
Witten even if he retired today. Not close at all. And yes I saw Jay's entire career.
 
Sorry but Jay isn't close.

In fact I'd put DuPree and Cosbie on the same level as Novacek.
 
Gosh, I saw Novaceck make a ton of BIG catches in a of BIG games... including NFC Championships and Superbowls...

Has Witten ever been the Player of the Game in a BIG game for us? Probably... but I have a tough time recalling any of them.

I love Witten, however, I think sometimes people are a little to quick to prop up today's players vs players who played a decade or generations ago.
 
The better player is Witten without a doubt.

If you are talking about who had a more successful career, that is a different argument and a case can easily be made for Novacek as having more success (3 rings, big plays in playoffs, etc.) but as individual players there is no question about it, Witten is the better blocker by far and at least as good a receiver. Witten is also targeted more often than Jay was.
 
I think even Troy Aikman would say Jason Witten. And I call Troy out all the time for being a hater. You just can't argue with what Witten has done in his career.
 
numbers-wise, witten is already way ahead of novacek. way, way ahead.

yes, novacek has super bowl rings. emmitt smith and some great defenses had their role in that... /understatement

so, the correct answer is, witten is the better player, but novacek played on better teams.
 
Cosbie was as good as Witten is. TEs weren't targeted as much then as now. Just not the same weapon. Witten will probably go into the HOF though because he has the numbers. Novachek was a different kind of TE than Witten is or any before him. He was a receiving TE.
 
The thing that Witten amazes me with is his toughness. You know he is gonna be hit catching the ball, hammered even, yet the guy rarely loses the ball. Unbelieveable concentration. Novacek as I recall wasn't as physical. You look at Novacek's stats and his best year was with 705 yds.
 
THUMPER;3411249 said:
The better player is Witten without a doubt.

If you are talking about who had a more successful career, that is a different argument and a case can easily be made for Novacek as having more success (3 rings, big plays in playoffs, etc.) but as individual players there is no question about it, Witten is the better blocker by far and at least as good a receiver. Witten is also targeted more often than Jay was.

You could make the argument that for his career Witten has been the number 1 or 2 option in the passing game.

Jay was at best 3rd behind Irvin and the backs.
 
lqmac1;3411207 said:
I was debating with a couple of my friends who like most can't stand the cowboys. A Witten and Novacek battle convo got brought up and I was asked who I thought was better, My response: As of now you have to say Novacek but as soon as Witten retires his numbers are going to be mind boggling and he hands down will be the best tight end in cowboys history. Then they told me to post it on here to see what the response would be from everyone, so... take a shot at it my friends.

As receiving tight ends, they appear to me to be about even. I have no doubt that Novacek would put up similar numbers to Witten in this offense.

But Witten is a much better blocker, so that gives him the edge.
 
gimmesix;3411268 said:
As receiving tight ends, they appear to me to be about even. I have no doubt that Novacek would put up similar numbers to Witten in this offense.

But Witten is a much better blocker, so that gives him the edge.

Doubt it.

I am not sure if Jay could get off the LOS in todays game, size would be a factor. Jay would have to play WR or H-back in today's game.
 
lqmac1;3411207 said:
I was debating with a couple of my friends who like most can't stand the cowboys. A Witten and Novacek battle convo got brought up and I was asked who I thought was better, My response: As of now you have to say Novacek but as soon as Witten retires his numbers are going to be mind boggling and he hands down will be the best tight end in cowboys history. Then they told me to post it on here to see what the response would be from everyone, so... take a shot at it my friends.

Its Witten, not even close. If Witten retired right now he would get serious consideration for the HOF after 7 years.

Witten is a legend, a all-time great TE.
 
I didn't like saying it the last time this topic was brought up, as Jay was a childhood favorite of mine......but the man couldn't hold Witten's jock. It's not close.
 
blindzebra;3411261 said:
You could make the argument that for his career Witten has been the number 1 or 2 option in the passing game.

Jay was at best 3rd behind Irvin and the backs.

He was/is the #1 or #2 option for a very good reason, he is good enough to EARN that place. With Glenn, T.O., Austin, etc it's not like all our WR were scrubs where Witten was just the best of bad options. As a receiver, Witten is right up there with the best WRs, noy just TEs. Add to this his outstanding blocking and he is the better TE than Novecek.
 
blindzebra;3411210 said:
Sorry but Jay isn't close.

In fact I'd put DuPree and Cosbie on the same level as Novacek.

This is my position as well. Keep in mind how much Witten did with Carter, Testaverde, and Bledsoe before Romo showed.
 
blindzebra;3411210 said:
Sorry but Jay isn't close.

In fact I'd put DuPree and Cosbie on the same level as Novacek.

+1

Billy Joe and Doug Cosbie are two of my fave Cowboy's Tight Ends but I am amazed at how great Witten is.
 
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