NFL.COM Blog: Witten: Cowboys focused on winning this year

[WoodysGirl]

Posted: News | Steve Wyche | Tags: Dallas Cowboys, Jason Witten, Jerry Jones

Cowboys Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten said that nearly all of the team’s players took part in the Cowboys’ voluntary offseason workouts, which started Monday. Most players are still upset over last season’s failure to make the playoffs.

Witten did not discuss the team’s decision to release wide receiver Terrell Owens, but he did say players need to avoid falling into a negative mind-set when adversity of any kind surfaces.

“All of us got a reality check and that was not making the playoffs,” Witten said. “Right now, there are a lot of people working out, which is good, and guys are optimistic. The thing is, we have to stay optimistic.”

Witten said the lack of change on the roster might be a sign that team owner Jerry Jones feels confident with the talent on the team. But that confidence and that talent were in place last season too and it didn’t translate into enough wins.

“It shows that [Jones] believes in our team, but guys need to be motivated to make the playoffs,” Witten said. “They should be. We have to be better as a group. Right now, with the attendance we have [at voluntary workouts], it shows that guys are focused. Now we have to do the right things all offseason and keep that focus and get back to the playoffs.”

– Steve Wyche

 

[NextGenBoys]

Which is why I will not get on the doom and gloom bandwagon. Although it appears to be lightening up as of late.

We'll be fine this upcoming season. Last year's embarrassment will make any athlete want to show their best.

 

[dcfanatic]

Which is why I will not get on the doom and gloom bandwagon. Although it appears to be lightening up as of late.

We'll be fine this upcoming season. Last year's embarrassment will make any athlete want to show their best.

I must admit I am not nearly as doom and gloomed as I was back in February.

I like Wittens approach of not talking about T.O. because if he says no from the very get go the questioning should go away soon enough.

 

[Woods]

Witten said the lack of change on the roster might be a sign that team owner Jerry Jones feels confident with the talent on the team. But that confidence and that talent were in place last season too and it didn’t translate into enough wins.


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Witten is correct that there isn't a lot of change on the roster with most of the starters, but I'd guess that about 25-30% of the overall roster will be turned by the time the new season starts.

The only starters who have been replaced (so far) include R Williams, Z Thomas, Canty, and TO (that's 18% out of 22 starters on offense and defense).

 

[Achozen]

Woods,

What's it like being a Cowboys fan from overseas? Do you watch the games live?

 

[zeromaster]

Every year it's pretty much the same story. You'd think by now they'd have enough motivation to play well the entire season. What else is it going to take?

 

[the kid 05]

Makes you wonder what they were focused on last season?

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Sounds like the standard company line you can expect from most people. I mean, come on, aren't you supposed to be focused on winning when you're working out and stuff every year? If you weren't focused on that last year then you've got problems and they far outweigh who is here who isn't here and who deserves the most blame.

Either way I'm going to be excited, as I always am, cause that's just how I am.

 

[Woods]

Woods,

What's it like being a Cowboys fan from overseas? Do you watch the games live?

Actually, I was raised in the States and moved here with my job. (I was working in NY.) I thought I'd only stay in London for a couple of years, but it's now ended up being about 12 years! Time flies.

Actually, I get about 3 games on Sundays, including quite a few Cowboys games. And I also get Monday Night Football. And the Thanksgiving Day games.

So I basically get most of the games, which is great.

In fact, believe it or not, they even showed the 1st round of the Draft last year!

The main negative is the time difference. I end up staying up until 3-4 a.m. on some Sundays, esp for Cowboys games, and I go into work dead tired.

 

[wileedog]

Sounds like the standard company line you can expect from most people. I mean, come on, aren't you supposed to be focused on winning when you're working out and stuff every year? If you weren't focused on that last year then you've got problems and they far outweigh who is here who isn't here and who deserves the most blame.

Either way I'm going to be excited, as I always am, cause that's just how I am.

Yeah, but I think that line that CL quoted in the other thread rings a little more true than the standard cliches. TO issues aside, I really do think this team walked into camp last year thinking the Giant playoff loss was a fluke (hey the "better team lost", coach said so) and that this year would be 13-3 again and a waltz through the playoffs. It wasn't just Tank Johnson talking up what a great team everyone thought they were last August.

Couple of injuries and some bad losses later and no one knew what to do. And then they pulled the habitual collapse down the stretch with all of the accompanying finger-pointing.

I'll be surprised if you hear one player brag about this team's talent in camp. Well other than Crayton.

 

[Hoofbite]

Makes you wonder what they were focused on last season?

Getting headlines. Screw winning when you are the talk of the town.

 

[NextGenBoys]

I must admit I am not nearly as doom and gloomed as I was back in February.

I like Wittens approach of not talking about T.O. because if he says no from the very get go the questioning should go away soon enough.

In your defense it was hard not to be doom and gloom after this colossal disappointment of a season.

I try to stay middle ground though. No doom and gloom, no homer.

 

[cowboyjoe]

“It shows that [Jones] believes in our team, but guys need to be motivated to make the playoffs,” Witten said. “They should be. We have to be better as a group. Right now, with the attendance we have [at voluntary workouts], it shows that guys are focused. Now we have to do the right things all offseason and keep that focus and get back to the playoffs.”

I think this is the biggest issue with this team when witten said, guys need to be motivated to make the playoffs. Right there, shows to me alittle there was some wrong attitude on this team. Guys shouldnt have to be motivated to make the playoffs.

First, you have to earn the right to make the playoffs, then when you get there you dont settle for anything less but the whole thing. But first, you have to earn the right to make the playoffs.

Thats what this team needs to do to me, earn that right. Its like Jason Witten also said, dont talk playoffs, first you work, come together as a team and take one game at a time.

 

[cowboyjoe]

I am hopeful hearing that guys are upset, the players upset about not being in the playoffs last year, maybe they are hungry now then they were last year.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

NFL.COM Blog: Witten: Cowboys focused on winning this year

What was it last year and year before and year before that?

Yay! Yay! Rah! Rah!

Just do it.

I like Wittens approach of not talking about T.O. because if he says no from the very get go the questioning should go away soon enough.

No you dont.

 

[cowboyjoe]

ok my question is this on this quote from Witten;


Cowboys Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten said that nearly all of the team’s players took part in the Cowboys’ voluntary offseason workouts, which started Monday. Most players are still upset over last season’s failure to make the playoffs.

ok, it says that nearly all of the teams players took part in the cowboys voluntary offseason workouts, so does that mean, someone didnt take part in workouts or didnt show up? And this question is for the football experts, like Hostile, DC, JerryAdvocate, etc. should we as fans need to know who if someone didnt take part in the workouts, or is that something that should stay in the locker room?

im asking for opinons on this topic;

 

[Rampage]

ok my question is this on this quote from Witten;


Cowboys Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten said that nearly all of the team’s players took part in the Cowboys’ voluntary offseason workouts, which started Monday. Most players are still upset over last season’s failure to make the playoffs.

ok, it says that nearly all of the teams players took part in the cowboys voluntary offseason workouts, so does that mean, someone didnt take part in workouts or didnt show up? And this question is for the football experts, like Hostile, DC, JerryAdvocate, etc. should we as fans need to know who if someone didnt take part in the workouts, or is that something that should stay in the locker room?

im asking for opinons on this topic;

holy moly! Hostile,DC, and Bob are football experts now?

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Most players are still upset over last season’s failure to make the playoffs.

I am not buying NOTHING they are saying. Show me then I will buy.

Loss to Seattle - Oh man, the next season they are a team on a mission
Result - loss at home as #1 seed to Giants. Oh man, that left a bitter taste in their mouth
Result - dont even make playoffs. Crash and burn even earlier than usual.

SO NOW.... they are upset.... well excuse me if I dont buy it.

Show me Missouri

 

[cowboyjoe]

I am not buying NOTHING they are saying. Show me then I will buy.

Loss to Seattle - Oh man, the next season they are a team on a mission
Result - loss at home as #1 seed to Giants. Oh man, that left a bitter taste in their mouth
Result - dont even make playoffs. Crash and burn even earlier than usual.

SO NOW.... they are upset.... well excuse me if I dont buy it.

Show me Missouri

i agree thats one of my statements too, show me, put up or shut up is another one

understand what your saying, all im saying is that im getting alittle hope, but im not going to be a sucker like last year and believe in all the hype etc, show me, prove to me that you want to be a champion

 

[Rampage]

I am not buying NOTHING they are saying. Show me then I will buy.

Loss to Seattle - Oh man, the next season they are a team on a mission
Result - loss at home as #1 seed to Giants. Oh man, that left a bitter taste in their mouth
Result - dont even make playoffs. Crash and burn even earlier than usual.

SO NOW.... they are upset.... well excuse me if I dont buy it.

Show me Missouri

your best post since you fell in love with cancer