Picksix
A Work in Progress
- Messages
- 5,198
- Reaction score
- 1,081
Now, these come from ProFootballFocus, so take them for what they're worth.
Witten (-) 0.4
Bennett (+) 0.8
Phillips (-) 2.6
Interesting, considering that Bennett is the only one of the three that had a positive grade. And regardless of how you view their grades, they're all being graded on the same criteria. I think PFF puts a lot more focus on run/pass blocking, so that most likely accounts for the grades (because it's not like MB caught the ball better than Witten). But it shows that, even despite the holding penalty, just how effective MB can be as a blocker, and typically grades out the best in that area.
I'm not suggesting he's anywhere near the TE that Witten is, and I'm not saying we shouldn't look to replace him. But for all those who watch the game, and say that he's useless, it suggests there's a lot going on that we don't see. Like I said, this is one grading site. And of course, it would be nice if his pass catching ever caught up to his blocking.
Another thing that is concerning, is that Witten's blocking seems to be diminishing. I've seen a number of other games graded out for him, and I assumed he'd have higher grades than he does, because of the number of passes he catches. But many times, his blocking brings his grade down. To me, that suggests he isn't the blocker he used to be. Not sure if it's injury, or what he's asked to do, but I wonder if he's becoming more of a one-trick pony.
Witten (-) 0.4
Bennett (+) 0.8
Phillips (-) 2.6
Interesting, considering that Bennett is the only one of the three that had a positive grade. And regardless of how you view their grades, they're all being graded on the same criteria. I think PFF puts a lot more focus on run/pass blocking, so that most likely accounts for the grades (because it's not like MB caught the ball better than Witten). But it shows that, even despite the holding penalty, just how effective MB can be as a blocker, and typically grades out the best in that area.
I'm not suggesting he's anywhere near the TE that Witten is, and I'm not saying we shouldn't look to replace him. But for all those who watch the game, and say that he's useless, it suggests there's a lot going on that we don't see. Like I said, this is one grading site. And of course, it would be nice if his pass catching ever caught up to his blocking.
Another thing that is concerning, is that Witten's blocking seems to be diminishing. I've seen a number of other games graded out for him, and I assumed he'd have higher grades than he does, because of the number of passes he catches. But many times, his blocking brings his grade down. To me, that suggests he isn't the blocker he used to be. Not sure if it's injury, or what he's asked to do, but I wonder if he's becoming more of a one-trick pony.
