The aftermath of T.O.'s leaving Dallas

[JohnnyHopkins]

Because coverage is shifted towards TO , but I wont point out the obvious.

That's because it would be obvious that you don't know what you are talking about.

Witten was 2nd in the NFL in TE receptions in 2004 (87 catches behind Tony G's crazy high 103 receptions). No TO in Dallas that year and Vinny T. at the helm as QB. Witten He was 6th in 2005 with 65 receptions.

Since Owens has been here, Witten was 6th (64 receptions in 2006), 2nd (96 in 2007) and 3rd (81 in 2008)

Out of those five years, he had his best receiving totals and worst receiving totals with TO shifting that coverage.

Here is another thing that should be obvious. Drew Bledsoe was QB for all of2005 and half of 2006, which were Witten's lowest figures. Witten's figures came back up when Tony Romo became the QB. Could be that Witten is Romo's number one target and will continue to be so, but then that would be pointing out the "obvious".

Stop knocking Witten, he is good with or without T.O.

 

[TheDude]

That's because it would be obvious that you don't know what you are talking about.

Witten was 2nd in the NFL in TE receptions in 2004 (87 catches behind Tony G's crazy high 103 receptions). No TO in Dallas that year and Vinny T. at the helm as QB. Witten He was 6th in 2005 with 65 receptions.

Since Owens has been here, Witten was 6th (64 receptions in 2006), 2nd (96 in 2007) and 3rd (81 in 2008)

Out of those five years, he had his best receiving totals and worst receiving totals with TO shifting that coverage.

Here is another thing that should be obvious. Drew Bledsoe was QB for all of2005 and half of 2006, which were Witten's lowest figures. Witten's figures came back up when Tony Romo became the QB. Could be that Witten is Romo's number one target and will continue to be so, but then that would be pointing out the "obvious".

Stop knocking Witten, he is good with or without T.O.

No one should knock Witten for anything. He is a flat out stud.

But Witten is not doubled as often as Owens by any stretch. Losing that Double team will free up a defender to devote more coverage to Witten. If RW11 steps up, other teams may respect him more, but last year they did not.
He played in 15 games and had a little over 430 yds and 2 TDs. Crayton had 550yds and 4 TDs


Witten just doesn't have the speed and teams will gamble with leaving him 1 on 1 as they know they can prbably catch him once he gets the ball. That isn't a knock, just most TE don't have 4.3-4.5 speed

 

[McCordsville Cowboy]

That's because it would be obvious that you don't know what you are talking about.

Witten was 2nd in the NFL in TE receptions in 2004 (87 catches behind Tony G's crazy high 103 receptions). No TO in Dallas that year and Vinny T. at the helm as QB. Witten He was 6th in 2005 with 65 receptions.

Since Owens has been here, Witten was 6th (64 receptions in 2006), 2nd (96 in 2007) and 3rd (81 in 2008)

Out of those five years, he had his best receiving totals and worst receiving totals with TO shifting that coverage.

Here is another thing that should be obvious. Drew Bledsoe was QB for all of2005 and half of 2006, which were Witten's lowest figures. Witten's figures came back up when Tony Romo became the QB. Could be that Witten is Romo's number one target and will continue to be so, but then that would be pointing out the "obvious".

Stop knocking Witten, he is good with or without T.O.

I am not knocking Witten. He is a stud and should be recognized. TO just makes him better. Just TO he makes Romo better ( Whether anyone will swallow their TO 49'er and Egals hate and see the light.)

And ask Dick Lebeua who Romo's #1 target is and I'm sure his Defense will answer that for him.

 

[McCordsville Cowboy]

Just finished polishing my 13s, homey.

Hows them wal-mart spinners treating you?

My Wally specials were a little salty from the recent snows, but I shined dem up with my Windex so my game is on point now playa.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

No one should knock Witten for anything. He is a flat out stud.

But Witten is not doubled as often as Owens by any stretch. Losing that Double team will free up a defender to devote more coverage to Witten. If RW11 steps up, other teams may respect him more, but last year they did not.

Witten just doesn't have the speed and teams will gamble with leaving him 1 on 1 as they know they can prbably catch him once he gets the ball. That isn't a knock, just most TE don't have 4.3-4.5 speed

Teams gamble that way quite often with Witten and they did that before T.O. got here. That's nothing new. Things are easier on Witten with TO on the field. I would never argue that. BUT, for someone to insinuate that Witten is an All-Pro because of TO shows a big lack of attention to the game.

Witten was at that level before Owens got here. His receiving numbers declined in 05 and 06 because he had to stay in to block more for Drew Bledsoe (who could not avoid a blitz to save his life). The numbers did not go back up because of Owens coming here, they went back up because once Romo became the starter, he could avoid the blitz and Witten could therefore go out in routes more often.

 

[Bleu Star]

My Wally specials were a little salty from the recent snows, but I shined dem up with my Windex so my game is on point now playa.

13" spinner hubcaps make me laugh.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

The OP had a really funny set of stories there but not a one of them has even 1% a chance of happening, even if we do cut Owens.

Also i don't believe this team will just fall apart and be totally unable to move the ball without Owens.

 

[BehindEnemyLinez]

13" spinner hubcaps make me laugh.

They make my cry b/c it's sad that people actually purchase and sport them!!

 

[BehindEnemyLinez]

The OP had a really funny set of stories there but not a one of them has even 1% a chance of happening, even if we do cut Owens.

Also i don't believe this team will just fall apart and be totally unable to move the ball without Owens.

That all depends on the development of Austin, Stanback, AND Garrett!!!

 

[Bleu Star]

They make my cry b/c it's sad that people actually purchase and sport them!!

 

[McCordsville Cowboy]

Did you hack Vintage's 'My Pictures' folder?

 

[Verdict]

1. I guarantee you nobody will sign Owens upon his release.

I don't think you can "guarantee" that. Owens will draw "some interest from other teams. It will be interesting to see how many teams are interested in him, and how many teams Owens is willing to play for.

2. The Cowboys won't let Austin go.

I think your thought process on this is sound, especially if the decision is made to let T.O. walk. However, Austin is not a "statistically proven" receiver. If we tender Austin at the second round tender, I would think that the Cowboys braintrust would seriously have to consider letting him go if someone tried to sign him away from us.

3. The Cowboys will acquire another receiver through the draft or FA.

That is possible. The WR position really seems to be a crap shoot in hitting on it. I'm not sure that I would rest my hopes on getting just a guy and hope it pans out. That was why we paid Owens in the first place, when everyone already knew the baggage that he carries with him when he came here.
The whole premise and of this post is absurd--as are the arguments.

Give Tony ONE receiver who actually runs his routes and doesn't undermine the QB and production would go way up.

If you are talking about adding a receiver in addition to who we have currently you might be right, but not even Steve Smith alone would make Romo's stats jump.

The bolded portion are my comments.

 

[Verdict]

The only way this offense thrives next season is if Redball learns how to diversify his "playstation-style" playbook! If Owens is released, there's no way we stay a top-10 offense with him calling the o like he did last season. We need to use the maulers on the o-line to open running lanes and punch teams in the mouth about 30x a game to relieve some pressure off Romo. A WR corps of 11,84,& 19 won't scare too many defenses so being able to not only run, but run against 8-man fronts will be a premium. For those who think releasing 81 won't effect the offense...you are sadly mistaken, IMO. Like him or not, it won't be easy to replace 1000yds, 10 rec TDs & the attention of at least two defenders every time he's on the field...

If we release Owens, it might be easier to draft another "mauling RB" to add to the fleet to use in the running game.

 

[Vintage]

Did you hack Vintage's 'My Pictures' folder?

Nah, I sent him that.

He wanted to see what your ride looked like. I hooked him up.

 

[TheDude]

Teams gamble that way quite often with Witten and they did that before T.O. got here. That's nothing new. Things are easier on Witten with TO on the field. I would never argue that. BUT, for someone to insinuate that Witten is an All-Pro because of TO shows a big lack of attention to the game.

Witten was at that level before Owens got here. His receiving numbers declined in 05 and 06 because he had to stay in to block more for Drew Bledsoe (who could not avoid a blitz to save his life). The numbers did not go back up because of Owens coming here, they went back up because once Romo became the starter, he could avoid the blitz and Witten could therefore go out in routes more often.

I don't think there is a huge amount of symbiosis with TO/Witten, but Romo has never thrown to Witten w/o TO, So it is possible it will be factor

 

[BehindEnemyLinez]

If we release Owens, it might be easier to draft another "mauling RB" to add to the fleet to use in the running game.

We're good @ RB...our trio should be able to handle the load. My concern is without Owens and with Garrett not reinventing himself, Romo will get killed and the offense would sputter without a legit threat to give complementary WRs like Crayton and Austin 1-on-1 coverage against nickel & dime CBs. Maybe Roy will step up next season w/ a full offseason in Big D, but if he does nothing to command attention from opposing d-coords then Witten and the running game will also suffer.

 

[khiladi]

Witten was at that level before Owens got here. His receiving numbers declined in 05 and 06 because he had to stay in to block more for Drew Bledsoe (who could not avoid a blitz to save his life). The numbers did not go back up because of Owens coming here, they went back up because once Romo became the starter, he could avoid the blitz and Witten could therefore go out in routes more often.

As a side note, 2006, it was clear that Parcells kept Witten in to block, primarily because they thought the offensive line was suffering and they needed to give Bledsoe time back in the pocket. I believe Witten even mentioned this as the reason for his drop in numbers. It is also the reason Witten became the best alla-round tight end, because he actually became a great blocker.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Also i don't believe this team will just fall apart and be totally unable to move the ball without Owens.

No, the team will not fall apart without T.O.
It just won't be as offensively proficient.
But, again, a reminder that without Owens we'll likely be:

1. Looking at the draft in the FA to REPLACE him
2. Seeing no double-coverages and that's no good for our running game
3. We'll have R.W. and Crayton (oooooh, opponents are shaking in their boots; Miami will grab Miles Austin when we turn our attention to rewarding Ware)
4. T.O. will return to haunt us -- I just hope he stays out of the NFL east.
5. Witten might be the one attracting double coverage instead of T.O. and Romo's BFF will regret it.

Your right, the team won't fall apart. But the minuses of dumping T.O. far outweigh the pluses, because last I checked we still have the perpetually disgruntled Ellis/Crayton and possibly Roy "Bigfoot" Williams to speak up and out.

But don't take my word for it, just wait and see what happens when we dump T.O. By that time it will be time to rebuild again and i just don't see Jerra up to the task the way he was four years ago.

 

[5Stars]

...and we just received one of the contributors to that 0-16 season. All I am saying is, before we start slashing 1000 yrd receiving pass catchers, we need to make sure we KNOW what we have. Roy is NO number 1 receiver!

I also think that the trainers should start measuring all the feet size of the recievers! Maybe T.O.'s feet are to big too, because his routes suck most of the time.

I wonder how big Austin's feet are? Anyone know? Witten must have small feet...

 

[sonnyboy]

No, the team will not fall apart without T.O.
It just won't be a offensively proficient.
But, again, a reminder that without Owens we'll likely be:

1. Looking at the draft in the FA to REPLACE him
2. Seeing no double-coverages and that's no good for our running game
3. We'll have R.W. and Crayton (oooooh, opponents are shaking in their boots; Miami will grab Miles Austin when we turn our attention to rewarding Ware)
4. T.O. will return to haunt us -- I just hope he stays out of the NFL east.
5. Witten might be the one attracting double coverage instead of T.O. and Romo's BFF will regret it.

Your right, the team won't fall apart. But the minues of dumping T.o. far outweigh the pluses, because last I checked we still have the perpetually disgruntled Ellis/Crayton and possibly Roy "Bigfoot" Williams.

But don't take my word for it, just wait and see what happens when we dump T.O. By that time it will be time to rebuild again and i just don't see Jerra up to the task the way he was four years ago.

Great Post.

What I can't understand is how some people whom I know, know football and I know want this team to win as badly as I do, think removing TO is the smart play.