FEATURED Twitter: Mike and Witten had a great conversation

[visionary]

I like Witten but his time is over

Sign the best TE available in FA and pair him with Jarwin.

 

[Runwildboys]

The problem is that it can be said all day every day that he'll play a backup roll, which at his age should be the case. That's what was SUPPOSE to happen in 2019. Didn't work out that way. He dominated the snaps. Not sure if that was his insistence, coaches, management, or some combo thereof, but it needs to stop. I don't trust it to stop as long as he's a player for this team, so he has to go..cause he'll go to Jerry and suddenly he's dominating snaps again.

Nope. Sorry...as good as he was and as good of a backup he'd be if he accepted it, he's hampering the progress of the young guys. He needs to go.

I very much doubt that he was getting snaps at his own insistence. Even if he was, I really don't think Mike would allow that to happen. At the very least, I expect a reduced role this season, if he doesn't trade in his helmet for a headset.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

I wonder if he'll take more of a Dan Campbell role? I remember how Parcells had Campbell here who helped Witten become the TE he is now. Maybe he'll be doing that for Jarwin. Which means he'd be playing too. But he'd be eased into a backup role or something that suits both players.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Good Lord. Some of the comments I'm reading about Witten are quite sad, really. I don't understand the hate I'm seeing being directed at one of the best tight ends of all time and one of the toughest we've had. I get wanting to win games and all. But bloody hell! There is no reason to have on Witten. Especially after all he has done for this team. Telling him to go away? Blimey! I sure hope you lot have more respect if we're fortunate enough to have another first ballot HOF player on our team in the future.

 

[nobody]

Good Lord. Some of the comments I'm reading about Witten are quite sad, really. I don't understand the hate I'm seeing being directed at one of the best tight ends of all time and one of the toughest we've had. I get wanting to win games and all. But bloody hell! There is no reason to have on Witten. Especially after all he has done for this team. Telling him to go away? Blimey! I sure hope you lot have more respect if we're fortunate enough to have another first ballot HOF player on our team in the future.

He's a first-ballot HoFer to be sure...but age catches up with us all. Yes, tell him to go away (as a player) or keep him as an actual backup. You have to develop for the future, not save starting spots for guys who used to be great but aren't what they were. Football is about results, not loyalty, or you'd have a 0-16 team of guys in their 40's and 50's cause of what they used to be.

 

[OmerV]

What different situations were Witten and Jarwin used?

Witten was used more as an in line TE/safety valve/move the chains kind of role, and Jarwin was used more in a pseudo WR kind of role. Not every play they were involved in of course, but overall that was the case.

 

[America's Cowboy]

Witten was used more as an in line TE/safety valve/move the chains kind of role, and Jarwin was used more in a pseudo WR kind of role. Not every play they were involved in of course, but overall that was the case.

True but are you saying Jarwin couldn't have done Witten's in line job? I do. Even better in my opinion.

 

[stilltheguru]

He's a first-ballot HoFer to be sure...but age catches up with us all. Yes, tell him to go away (as a player) or keep him as an actual backup. You have to develop for the future, not save starting spots for guys who used to be great but aren't what they were. Football is about results, not loyalty, or you'd have a 0-16 team of guys in their 40's and 50's cause of what they used to be.

The more yall say this doesnt make it true. Maybe yall should check the guys who were first ballot and see if Witten is even close to them. Most recent being Randy Moss. lol
my bad Ed Reed. As if Witten is anywhere near there level.

 

[OmerV]

True but are you saying Jarwin couldn't have done Witten's in line job? I do. Even better in my opinion.

That’s not what I said

 

[America's Cowboy]

That’s not what I said

So what are you saying? Everything Witten did, I feel Jarwin could have done but better. So what is the debate about?

 

[garyv]

I can't read between the lines here.......is he saying he's looking at several options for Witten? Sounds like

This news who cares either retire or assistant TE Coach otherwise its like a fart in the wind. Jason set us back last year. It made our offense less explosive than what it should have been. Sorry just the truth.

 

[OmerV]

So what are you saying? Everything Witten did, I feel Jarwin could have done but better. So what is the debate about?

I think you’ve forgotten the context of the discussion. I said the way you matched up stats is an oversimplification because the players were used differently. You asked how, and I explained. I didn’t comment at all on how Jarwin would fare as an in line TE.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Parcells didn't want veteran hold over from the dynasty teams, maybe McCarthy feels the same way about some older veterans? We'll see I guess.

I would take Witten back as a backup TE and short yardage specialist, but has to be made clear what his role is.

Witten has never been on a Dynasty team.

 

[America's Cowboy]

I think you’ve forgotten the context of the discussion. I said the way you matched up stats is an oversimplification because the players were used differently. You asked how, and I explained. I didn’t comment at all on how Jarwin would fare as an in line TE.

No, I didn't forget. The topic of this thread is why Witten started over Jarwin, and should he be brought back? The hindsight answer, after comparing season stats, is that it's clear Jarwin should have started over Witten. So, unless Witten is willing to accept a backup role, no, he should not be brought back. Everything you said Witten did during this season, Jarwin could have done very likely much better.

 

[OmerV]

No, I didn't forget. The topic of this thread is why Witten started over Jarwin, and should he be brought back? The hindsight answer, after comparing season stats, is that it's clear Jarwin should have started over Witten. So, unless Witten is willing to accept a backup role, no, he should not be brought back. Everything you said Witten did during this season, Jarwin could have done very likely much better.

Now you are talking about the broader topic when I commented on a specific point about comparing stats of players that are used differently. And along with that point, I agreed with you that Jarwin is better able to make the big yardage plays. I don’t disagree Wiittens role should be less if he comes back. I’ve said that myself

 

[cern]

Good Lord. Some of the comments I'm reading about Witten are quite sad, really. I don't understand the hate I'm seeing being directed at one of the best tight ends of all time and one of the toughest we've had. I get wanting to win games and all. But bloody hell! There is no reason to have on Witten. Especially after all he has done for this team. Telling him to go away? Blimey! I sure hope you lot have more respect if we're fortunate enough to have another first ballot HOF player on our team in the future.

Time keeps moving forward , chu. He's been little more than a progress stopper rhe last few years. I love my labs even when they're too old to hunt anymore. But I know when it's time for them to stay on the porch.

 

[Kingofholland]

Witten has never been on a Dynasty team.

Did I say that in my post?

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Witten is still the best inline blocking TE on the team. It's not really close either. If you are a running team, which is what we should have been last year, then he is the clear choice as starter. I think fans need to actually look at things from the perspective of what McCarthy does. Look at how he runs his offense. If he goes with a two TE Offense, then Witten is clearly the best suited for the Blocking, short yardage role. He was still 8th among all TEs in receptions and he had no Off Season. He will only get better with regards to consistency with a full offseason and training camp. Also, he only made 4.2 mil last year, I believe. That's pretty decent production out of that salary slot. Do any of you think you are going to find a TE who can give you that kind of production for that kind of Money in FA? I mean, it's possible but who would it be?

And while many may be thinking about the Draft, how many Rookie TEs come in and know how to both Block and run routes in the NFL? How many come in and just flat get first down for you?

This is what you gotta think about because I'm here to tell you, the Cowboys don't have all the cap space in the world to just go out and sign every big name FA. At some point, you gotta look at it holistically and make decision based on the big picture.

I don't know what will happen. Will Witten decide to retire again or will he decide to move on or will he be kept in Dallas?

But I do think it's wise to remember that McCarthy, while in GB, has not always gone for big reception numbers from the TE position.

2006 Bubba Franks - 26 receptions
2007 Donald Lee - 48 receptions
2008 Donald Lee - 39 receptions
2009 Jermichael Finley - 55 receptions
2009 Donald Lee - 37 receptions
2010 Jermichael Finley - 21 receptions
2011 Jermichael Finley - 55 receptions
2012 Jermichael Finley - 61 receptions
2013 Andrew Quarles - 32 receptions
2014 Andrew Quarles - 29 receptions
2015 Richard Rodgers - 59 receptions
2016 Jared Cook - 51 receptions
2016 Richard Rodgers - 47 receptions
2017 Martellus Bennett - 27receptions
2017 Lance Kendricks - 18 receptions

Now that's 12 seasons as HC of the Packers and at no time in the history of his tenure has he had a single TE who produced more receptions then did Witten last year.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Did I say that in my post?

Really?

Here is what you posted.

Parcells didn't want veteran hold over from the dynasty teams, maybe McCarthy feels the same way about some older veterans? We'll see I guess.

I would take Witten back as a backup TE and short yardage specialist, but has to be made clear what his role is.

You tell me. Is that what you posted?

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Time keeps moving forward , chu. He's been little more than a progress stopper rhe last few years. I love my labs even when they're too old to hunt anymore. But I know when it's time for them to stay on the porch.

True