Does TO leaving the Cowboys help or hurt Romo and Witten? (1 Viewer)

[gianmarco]

As it looks now, TO will not be in a Dallas uniform come 2009. How this affects TO remains to be seen mostly due to where he lands. However, does this help or hurt Romo? Does this help or hurt Witten? Does this help or hurt the running game?

Personally, I think Romo will still be an effective fantasy QB, although I don't know if he'll be as consistent. I think Witten is going to suffer the most. He is now going to draw a lot more coverage than he has. At the same time, I think this is going to elevate the Dallas running game.

Thoughts?

 

[Da Guru]

Roy Williams will have a much bigger role. Not too many WRs can switch teams in mid-season and succeed.

Roy has talent and with a training camp under his belt will move into Owens spot. Witten will probably score more TDs and Romo will be fine.

 

[Tecmo]

hurts everyone to lose talent like that

 

[travdogg]

Romo down

Roy Up, though not as much as many seem to think

Witten down

Crayton Up

RBs UP, especially Felix

 

[Mikey16x]

I think Witten stays the same, personally. Before T.O got there he was still top 5 TE.. I don't think it's T.O as much as it is Romo. When Romo became the starting QB Witten was getting a lot more looks in the passing game, Witten is clearly his favorite target and will continue to be. Even without T.O I can still see him hauling in 80 catches for 1000 yards and 8 TD's.

 

[teamroc]

Witten will be fine. Maybe even more TDs.

Roy can do a decent job as a #1. They need a #2. But remember Felix is back, Barber healthy, this is still a very dangerous offense. The Roy trade means they can lose TO and be average at WR.

 

[Banger]

I really don't get the Roy Williams hype. What has he proven since he's been in the league? He's been in the league for 5 years now and he has ONE top 10 finish (10th) and then 29th, 30th, 33rd, 71st.

He came over to Dallas last year and while I realize that it's difficult to acclimate to a system mid year, he did absolutely nothing. 10 games 19 catch's 198 yards - 1 TD. Those are Malcolm Floyd type numbers not a guy who's going to carry the offense going forward. That's a good game by Larry Fitz, B. Marshall, etc.

TO's absense will effect everyone on the offense but it will probably help in the locker room. Romo down, Witten down, Roy up (he has no where to go but up), running game probably unchanged. I don't think their offense will fall apart or that Witten drops from the top 10 but his loss will make it tougher to move the chains, keep drives alive and score 7's as opposed to 3's.

 

[Bankerguy]

Romo down.

Witten- neutral on catches/yards, but increased TD's

Roy-Bump up

RB's- Bump up

 

[Ridgelake]

Romo down.Witten- neutral on catches/yards, but increased TD'sRoy-Bump upRB's- Bump up

Austin - HUGE Bump up (He becomes the starter)Crayton - slight bumpBennett - slight bump

 

[JamesTheScot]

hurts everyone to lose talent like that

I agree with that. At least compared to what they would have been if TO was still around and Romo and Roy had a training camp under their belt together. It's not just TO's catches, it's the respect he still demands form the defense that helps.I think the offense will be alright though. Witten may suffer a regression but is still going to be a valuable fantasy TE. The backs might benefit slightly if the running game steals some additional plays from the passing game, but I don't know that this will happen. Roy's individual numbers are going to get a boost so he's the primary beneficiary.

 

[Mustang Man]

As it looks now, TO will not be in a Dallas uniform come 2009. How this affects TO remains to be seen mostly due to where he lands. However, does this help or hurt Romo? Does this help or hurt Witten? Does this help or hurt the running game?Personally, I think Romo will still be an effective fantasy QB, although I don't know if he'll be as consistent. I think Witten is going to suffer the most. He is now going to draw a lot more coverage than he has. At the same time, I think this is going to elevate the Dallas running game.Thoughts?

It really depends on what Dallas does after they release TO(if they trade/release). Do they go get a wr in FA to compliment Roy Witten Austin Crayton. I am sure Dallas will run the ball more next year. I doubt Romo will be the gunslinger he has been. I think if Dallas is smart they will realize they are putting way to much on Romo's shoulders. They need to be more balanced team. That offensive line is huge and they need to run the ball to set up the pass not vise versa as they have been the last two years. Romo will get his yards 3600+ 25+td. Witten will still be a top 1-3 te. His targets will be the most of any player on this team much like a Gonzo in his day. I think TO leaving does nothing to Witten's numbers. I realize you might say well TO was the reason he got open. Believe me Dallas still has a lot of talent that Witten will be able to free himself if not teams will get burned elsewhere. So I do believe Romo's numbers take a hit but not Witten. Dallas will run the ball more IMO as they should so put a uptick in Barber and Felix with Choice a very valuable backup if an injury occurs.

 

[BuckeyeArt]

Witten - a few more targets and catches, same yards, and more TD targets. I don't see more coverage except maybe on some of his deeper routes.

Roy - up, but doesn't get all of TO's production, maybe his targets, yards, and catches from 2008 but not the TD's.

Romo - down, probably hurt the most

RB's - maybe more carries as a whole but not necessarily significantly more yards. Without TO, defenses should be able to play the run more. Jones gets the benefit of the added carries but I think Barber is unchanged.

 

[rzrback77]

Romo down.Witten- neutral on catches/yards, but increased TD'sRoy-Bump upRB's- Bump up

 

[LBH]

I think Austin and Roy will see a significant bump in production. I think everybody else will remain close to the same

 

[gonzobill5]

I think Romo's turnover's go way up - he'll learn what it's like to lack a WR that consistently gets separation. He already had 21 turnovers in each of the last two seasons. I think he could continue to put up yards and TDs at a similar rate, but will be a lower end #1 at best. He'll be a guy I'd be afraid to start against really good defenses. With all the other choices at QB I'll let someone else take on that risk.

There still wouldn't be a TE i'd take over Witten, and could see him catching 100 balls. Gates is always hurt and Gonzo can't keep this up forever (or can he?) well, he has a new coach and a new scheme so that's worrisome.

I would have no interest in any of the other Cowboys receivers. Roy Williams is mediocre and will become way overrated by some. Austin is a talented player, but I don't think he's there yet. Crayton had his shot last year and didn't impress me.

I can't see any reason that TO's absence helps the RBs. Sure, the cowboys will probably feature the run game more, but they'll also blow out fewer teams, and I always thought that's where Barber was money. Maybe Felix gets a slight bump - but who knows if he'd be used any differently.

 

[bigmiiiiike]

I really don't get the Roy Williams hype. What has he proven since he's been in the league? He's been in the league for 5 years now and he has ONE top 10 finish (10th) and then 29th, 30th, 33rd, 71st. He came over to Dallas last year and while I realize that it's difficult to acclimate to a system mid year, he did absolutely nothing. 10 games 19 catch's 198 yards - 1 TD. Those are Malcolm Floyd type numbers not a guy who's going to carry the offense going forward. That's a good game by Larry Fitz, B. Marshall, etc.TO's absense will effect everyone on the offense but it will probably help in the locker room. Romo down, Witten down, Roy up (he has no where to go but up), running game probably unchanged. I don't think their offense will fall apart or that Witten drops from the top 10 but his loss will make it tougher to move the chains, keep drives alive and score 7's as opposed to 3's.

I attribute Roy's poor production to injuries and being in Detroit. I don't have any evidence to back this up, but I bet if someone looked at his per game numbers he'd look much better. So, IF he stays healthy, and adding him from DET to DAL, I think if TO leave he'll look more like a top 15 guy than the guy we saw the 2nd half of last season. The talent is there, the supporting cast is there, and the DET factor is gone, all pluses for him.

 

[Bankerguy]

I think Romo's turnover's go way up - he'll learn what it's like to lack a WR that consistently gets separation. He already had 21 turnovers in each of the last two seasons. I think he could continue to put up yards and TDs at a similar rate, but will be a lower end #1 at best. He'll be a guy I'd be afraid to start against really good defenses. With all the other choices at QB I'll let someone else take on that risk. There still wouldn't be a TE i'd take over Witten, and could see him catching 100 balls. Gates is always hurt and Gonzo can't keep this up forever (or can he?) well, he has a new coach and a new scheme so that's worrisome. I would have no interest in any of the other Cowboys receivers. Roy Williams is mediocre and will become way overrated by some. Austin is a talented player, but I don't think he's there yet. Crayton had his shot last year and didn't impress me. I can't see any reason that TO's absence helps the RBs. Sure, the cowboys will probably feature the run game more, but they'll also blow out fewer teams, and I always thought that's where Barber was money. Maybe Felix gets a slight bump - but who knows if he'd be used any differently.

I disagree on the turnover front. TO has caused quite a few of Romo's turnovers from sloppy routes or flat stopping on a pattern. Also, I believe that Romo/Garrett does felt some pressure to keep TO engaged by giving him extra targets as opposed to throwing to the open WR.The departure of TO would also likely mean a greater committment to the run game. This again would help reduce Romo int's.Just my $0.02

 

[gianmarco]

It's interesting reading some of these takes. I think the one thing being underestimated is the total impact that losing TO will have on this team. It seems most are predicting very little change if any for most of these skill positions and I think that's going to end being wrong. As much of a distraction TO may have been and as much of a "down" year he may have had, he was still a major offensive force both with and without the ball. Losing a player of his caliber is going to have much bigger effects than I think most are thinking.

I would argue that losing TO is going to affect Dallas more than Arizona losing Boldin.

 

[az_prof]

Romo owners should be selling. It will hurt him alot.

Might help Witten--he'll get more looks.

 

[the branded hand]

Romo down.Witten- neutral on catches/yards, but increased TD'sRoy-Bump upRB's- Bump up

I'll 2nd that...A weakened WR corps usually benefits the TE (if their up to the task... Witten definately is). Romo's numbers will go down, that's for sure... unless Roy steps up with some real shoes on.

 

[Mustang Man]

It's interesting reading some of these takes. I think the one thing being underestimated is the total impact that losing TO will have on this team. It seems most are predicting very little change if any for most of these skill positions and I think that's going to end being wrong. As much of a distraction TO may have been and as much of a "down" year he may have had, he was still a major offensive force both with and without the ball. Losing a player of his caliber is going to have much bigger effects than I think most are thinking. I would argue that losing TO is going to affect Dallas more than Arizona losing Boldin.

The one thing Dallas has the Arizona does not is 3 rb's that can make plays. Dallas's O-Line is also fit for run blocking with the big guys they have up front.That is where Dallas will make up for the loss of TO. Sure they will not score as much cause they will not be winging it 20 yards down the field ever other play. Less turn overs, more TOP and Romo will not have to do everything on his own plus worry about TO not getting enough balls his way. This also helps the defense and sends a message to the roster that even if you are a great player on the field if you cause us problems off it we are not going to put up with it anymore. Not to mention that Pacman was let go and Tank will not be brought back. Things are changing for the better. Do not get me wrong not all things are good with letting TO go. He makes everyone better with the double teams and is a big play maker himself. The positives may out weight his ability. Dallas still has a ton of talent on offense without him. Now lets see if Jerry has the balls to make the move. He HATES TO ADMIT HE IS WRONG!!

 

[Ozymandias]

If Dallas lets T.O. go, why do they have to stand pat on WR's? Boldin, Ocho Cinco and Plax are out there. Not saying they WILL get one of them, but Jerry Jones is willing to spend to get guys that will help his team.

 

[Bankerguy]

If Dallas lets T.O. go, why do they have to stand pat on WR's? Boldin, Ocho Cinco and Plax are out there. Not saying they WILL get one of them, but Jerry Jones is willing to spend to get guys that will help his team.

Simple answer: Cap space. They are trying to get Ware's deal done right now and likely won't have enough to chase another elite FA. They will have some room for middle of the pack depth players or starters at ILB or one of the safety positions.