Which of the current Dallas Cowboys will be remembered most fondly by history?

[joseephuss]

The era gets taken into account, and although Witten is apart of this revitalized TE era, he's still at best the 4th TE from it. That's an uphill battle in itself, and averaging 4Tds a season for his career doesn't help his case.
.

Who are the 3 tight ends from Witten's era that are better than him?

Tony Gonzales started playing in 1997. That is 6 years before Witten joined the league. Is he considered part of Witten's generation?

Jeremy Shockey(2002), Dallas Clark(2003, Antonio Gates(2003), Kellen Winslow II(2004), Daniel Graham(2002), Ben Watson(2004), Chris Cooley(2004) and Heath Miller(2005) would probably all be better considered as being from the same era as Witten. Gates is the only one who can be considered to be better, but Witten already has more receptions and yards than him. Gates is two years older and has struggled recently with injuries. Witten will probably end up playing more seasons than Gates and really will amass far more catches and yards when it is said and done.

Vernon Davis(2006) may fall into the group of Witten's contemporaries. Witten averages around 30 more receptions and 270 more yards per season than Davis. Davis has been to one pro-bowl. Witten has gone to 8 pro-bowls and been All-pro twice. Can't see Davis being considered better?

Gronkowski is way too young to be considered as part of Witten's era. Talented guy who produces, but he is just getting started. If he isn't done in by injuries he will still be playing by the time Witten is eligible for the HoF.

Witten will be in the HoF and he won't have to wait that long to get in once he retires.

 

[joseephuss]

Ware. Witten simply hasn't gotten in the endzone enough.

Ware also has the benefit of the fact that sacks stand alone as a significant "All Time" list by football fans and the media and he's already in the Top 20.

To get Witten in one of those "Top 20" lists, you need qualifiers. His name will come up when discussing TE's not not when you're going over broader "All Time" lists like yardage, TD's, etc.

They're both going to the HOF though.

Not many tight ends ranking highly on all time yardage lists. Really only Gonzales who has 6 years on Witten. Witten ranks 26th in receptions and is still going strong. Not hard to imagine he will finish in the top 20 all time by the time his career ends, maybe even in the top 10. With a strong season this year(75 receptions) Witten could be ranked around 15th or 16th all time for receptions.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Depends on what happens by the end of Romo and Bryants careers. If Romo leads Dallas to a Superbowl victory then there is a good chance he'll go down very favorably.

Bryant if he continues to get better and better as he has will have a great chance to go down in history for the Dallas Cowboys and a Superbowl win, or two, certainly would help cement him very favorably.

Pretty much the exact same thing for Ware.

I'd agree with Witten because he's been so good, for so long, no matter how bad the team that I believe people will love him and remember him as great regardless of what else happens with the team during his time in the league.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Who are the 3 tight ends from Witten's era that are better than him?

Tony Gonzales started playing in 1997. That is 6 years before Witten joined the league. Is he considered part of Witten's generation?

Jeremy Shockey(2002), Dallas Clark(2003, Antonio Gates(2003), Kellen Winslow II(2004), Daniel Graham(2002), Ben Watson(2004), Chris Cooley(2004) and Heath Miller(2005) would probably all be better considered as being from the same era as Witten. Gates is the only one who can be considered to be better, but Witten already has more receptions and yards than him. Gates is two years older and has struggled recently with injuries. Witten will probably end up playing more seasons than Gates and really will amass far more catches and yards when it is said and done.

Vernon Davis(2006) may fall into the group of Witten's contemporaries. Witten averages around 30 more receptions and 270 more yards per season than Davis. Davis has been to one pro-bowl. Witten has gone to 8 pro-bowls and been All-pro twice. Can't see Davis being considered better?

Gronkowski is way too young to be considered as part of Witten's era. Talented guy who produces, but he is just getting started. If he isn't done in by injuries he will still be playing by the time Witten is eligible for the HoF.

Witten will be in the HoF and he won't have to wait that long to get in once he retires.

Agreed. About the only person on that list that I'd consider in the conversation for better than Witten is Tony. I have no problem saying Witten is second best to him if it came down to it but I'll admit that there isn't a TE in the league today, or in the last few years, that I'd take over Witten.

 

[Dodger]

I think it's Witten. When you look at projections for the stats he could end up with at the end of his career, yes, his TDs aren't all that impressive, but they're not terrible either, and much of that, I think, is due to the Cowboys ongoing problems in the redzone. But we're talking about a guy who will probably rank somewhere around 3rd all time in receptions, maybe 2nd, and that's including WRs, and he'll probably rank in the top 10 in receiving yards. That, AND Witten isn't just a receiving TE. He can do anything you'd ask any TE to do, specifically block. He's not a one trick pony like so many of the new breed of TEs that are coming out. Not only will he be in the RoH, he will be a HoFer as well.

 

[DFWJC]

Tough call.
Ware 1A
Witten 1B

The position that Ware plays could be the tie-breaker (though I don't quite see it as a tie).
Pass rushing 4-3 DE or 3-4 OLB is an ultra premium position.
Both are great guys and have represented the franchise very well in all areas.

 

[tantrix1969]

Witten & Ware

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

If Witten doesn't get into the Hall of Fame within a short time of being eligible, they need to close the place down.

While there are other TE's that have been ranked higher during a given year, there are none with the consistency and longevity of Witten. Every year he is in the top 2-3 for catches and yards. Yes, he hasn't been an end zone weapon like some others, but the alternative is those guys haven't been the chain mover Witten has been.

Barry Sanders shouldn't be in the Hall of Fame either....yes, he had a lot of yards, but his TD numbers were lacking.

 

[Tabascocat]

Witten without a doubt IMO. He will be remembered as a tough S.O.B. who gave it his all. There will be some naysayers out there who will say Ware was too soft or disappeared during crucial times, etc. I don't think anyone can make that claim towards Jason, so he gets the edge in that regard.