Martellus Bennett Will Hurt Jason Witten's FF Numbers, IMO (1 Viewer)

[Football Jones]

If what they're saying in Dallas is true, & I believe it is, no way Witten approaches last season's totals. Aint gonna happen. It looks like Dallas' base formation will be the 2-TE set (which I love). Bennett can get 40 catches in that offense without question.

Not saying take 40 catches off of Witten's totals, but there's no doubt this will hurt him. They can't just throw to the TEs. Roy, Miles, Crayton, Felix, & Barber will get theirs. It's really hard for one TE to dominate in a 2-TE set (FF-wise). How much will they be in their base formation? That's the 64,000 dollar question, but I believe that's going to be their most productive formation by a longshot.

 

[evilempire]

I tend to agree with you, and I like Bennett quite a bit this year as a late-round pick for backup TE. I think where he really can do damage is in the red zone. Wouldn't be shocked to see him end up with 5-6 TDs this season. Dallas is going to run the ball A TON, and when they pass the tight ends could be the favorite targets.

 

[Johnny Ice]

I think Witten will still get his, Romo relies on him heavily. Bennett may take away a few TDs in the redzone but you can say he's taking those away from Barber, Jones, or Choice as well.

 

[Aaronl5]

I think Witten's numbers go up a little this year. Bennett should have a nice year 50 plus catches. Of course the cowboys are thin thin thin on the offensive line so any injuries there would hurt these two cause they would have to block more.

 

[footballsavvy]

I see Witten having a huge year not in spite of Bennett, but because of Bennett. You have to account for 80-90 receptions not going to Owens.

If the two TE set is going to be one of their primary sets, it would stand to reason that their new WR1 will not have as many receptions as Owens did strictly based on opportunity. If you also consider that Roy is less talented than Owens, then you have an even better argument that he will not have as many receptions as Owens.

So where will the other receptions go? Bennett, Witten, WR2, Felix, etc. Its tough to take a TE completely out of the game. The emergence of Bennett means that they can go into this two TE set and make it even more difficult to take Witten out of the game.

I think Witten will be their clear cut #1 receiver and I think Bennett will be used to exploit matchups.

I picture this...

Dallas drives down the field and hits Witten several times while he does what he does so well. The next drive they target Witten early again, forcing the defense to cheat his way in order to slow him down. Next play you have a quick look off and Romo hits Bennett on a 45 yd seam up the middle.

I think Bennett will average 2-3 receptions per game (3-5 targets), but his targets will be on big plays (making up for the lost big plays you get from owens). Witten is a red zone magnet. Excelling in the red zone takes a certain amount of football instinct that clearly Witten has. I don't see Bennett taking any more red zone targets from Witten than Owens did.

Of course this is all speculation based on Bennett actually being a better than average player. So far all we have to go on is camp hype and 20 catches last year.

 

[Unlucky]

I see Witten having a huge year not in spite of Bennett, but because of Bennett. You have to account for 80-90 receptions not going to Owens.

This is the key. The WRs are the ones that will suffer, IMO. Lower passing numbers overall because the running game will be so strong. In the passing game, Witten will be #1 and will get his. Bennett competes with the WRs for the rest. I don't think any of the WRs will do much this year.

 

[Bankerguy]

I see Witten having a huge year not in spite of Bennett, but because of Bennett. You have to account for 80-90 receptions not going to Owens.

This is the key. The WRs are the ones that will suffer, IMO. Lower passing numbers overall because the running game will be so strong. In the passing game, Witten will be #1 and will get his. Bennett competes with the WRs for the rest. I don't think any of the WRs will do much this year.

This is bang on. Bennett will be third in receptions for the Cowboys. He hurts Austin/Crayton more then Witten. The only thing I am willing to concede is that he'll be a Redzone target-he might steal 1 or 2 of Witten's TDs. Bennett is a great late round steal.

 

[footballsavvy]

I see Witten having a huge year not in spite of Bennett, but because of Bennett. You have to account for 80-90 receptions not going to Owens.

This is the key. The WRs are the ones that will suffer, IMO. Lower passing numbers overall because the running game will be so strong. In the passing game, Witten will be #1 and will get his. Bennett competes with the WRs for the rest. I don't think any of the WRs will do much this year.

This is bang on. Bennett will be third in receptions for the Cowboys. He hurts Austin/Crayton more then Witten. The only thing I am willing to concede is that he'll be a Redzone target-he might steal 1 or 2 of Witten's TDs. Bennett is a great late round steal.

Sure he will be a red zone target, but so was Owens. Even if he picked up all of Owens' would-be red zone targets, Witten still gets all of his. Either way they will be a force to stop in the red zone. Who you going to key on? Witten, Bennett, Barber? You're going to give up 6 points regardless.I think in 3 WR sets its probably just Witten on the field. In those cases, last year, Owens was primary, Witten second. This year, in 3 WR sets, I think Witten will be primary, so give him a bump up in receptions for those scenarios.

In the 2 TE sets, Who do you think will be the primary receiver? My guess is still Witten, with Bennett being the second when matchups dictate the potential for a big play. So Witten goes from 2nd to 1st in three WR sets and remains 1st in two TE sets.

Its too early to tell since so much is changing with that offense, but the speculation is still fun.

 

[LBH]

If what they're saying in Dallas is true, & I believe it is, no way Witten approaches last season's totals. Aint gonna happen. It looks like Dallas' base formation will be the 2-TE set (which I love). Bennett can get 40 catches in that offense without question.Not saying take 40 catches off of Witten's totals, but there's no doubt this will hurt him. They can't just throw to the TEs. Roy, Miles, Crayton, Felix, & Barber will get theirs. It's really hard for one TE to dominate in a 2-TE set (FF-wise). How much will they be in their base formation? That's the 64,000 dollar question, but I believe that's going to be their most productive formation by a longshot.

I agree with you!

 

[fatness]

You have to account for 80-90 receptions not going to Owens.

I'm not sure I agree with this. It's assuming they'll have the same number of passing completions as last year, and that's not a safe assumption. More drives could stall, they could run the ball more, they could be involved in more tight low-scoring games, other things will effect their number of attempts and completions.

 

[Andy Herron]

I see Witten having a huge year not in spite of Bennett, but because of Bennett. You have to account for 80-90 receptions not going to Owens.

This is the key. The WRs are the ones that will suffer, IMO. Lower passing numbers overall because the running game will be so strong. In the passing game, Witten will be #1 and will get his. Bennett competes with the WRs for the rest.

This is bang on. He hurts Austin/Crayton more than Witten.

I'm right in line with all of this as well. Bennett is a key reason why Dallas has no interest in Matt Jones.

 

[Bankerguy]

I see Witten having a huge year not in spite of Bennett, but because of Bennett. You have to account for 80-90 receptions not going to Owens.

This is the key. The WRs are the ones that will suffer, IMO. Lower passing numbers overall because the running game will be so strong. In the passing game, Witten will be #1 and will get his. Bennett competes with the WRs for the rest.

This is bang on. He hurts Austin/Crayton more than Witten.

I'm right in line with all of this as well. Bennett is a key reason why Dallas has no interest in Matt Jones.

Sure, and the coke and the fact Matt Jones sucks.

 

[Burning Sensation]

I cant see how Bennett would hurt Wittens numbers at all. No way Bennett replaces Witten on the field. Bennett will only play in two tight end sets. No way Bennett gets more targets than Owens did last year, so Witten should still get his targets from last year, plus a few of Owens, including redzone targets.

 

[Andy Herron]

I cant see how Bennett would hurt Wittens numbers at all. No way Bennett replaces Witten on the field. Bennett will only play in two tight end sets. No way Bennett gets more targets than Owens did last year, so Witten should still get his targets from last year, plus a few of Owens, including redzone targets.

That's pretty solid as well.

 

[Manster]

I see Witten having a huge year not in spite of Bennett, but because of Bennett. You have to account for 80-90 receptions not going to Owens.

This is the key. The WRs are the ones that will suffer, IMO. Lower passing numbers overall because the running game will be so strong. In the passing game, Witten will be #1 and will get his. Bennett competes with the WRs for the rest.

This is bang on. He hurts Austin/Crayton more than Witten.

I'm right in line with all of this as well. Bennett is a key reason why Dallas has no interest in Matt Jones.

Sure, and the coke and the fact Matt Jones sucks.

this made me laugh!lots of good opinions here. i'll give my $.02

We all know the chemistry between Witten and Romo. While Bennett is a better overall athlete than Witten, you cant overstate how much confidence Romo has in Witten. Witten moves the chains. He finds the seam and uses his body to shield defenders, and catches the ball even when he covered.

i could see Wittens receptions going down slightly due to more running, and Bennett taking a handful. BUT, i could also see Wittens redzone targets going up. i think he has more than 4 TDs this year. Witten will be a top 3 TE this season.

 

[Andy Herron]

lots of good opinions here. i'll give my $.02We all know the chemistry between Witten and Romo. While Bennett is a better overall athlete than Witten, you cant overstate how much confidence Romo has in Witten. Witten moves the chains. He finds the seam and uses his body to shield defenders, and catches the ball even when he covered. i could see Wittens receptions going down slightly due to more running, and Bennett taking a handful. BUT, i could also see Wittens redzone targets going up. i think he has more than 4 TDs this year. Witten will be a top 3 TE this season.

And keep in mind that Bennett hauled in 4 TDs last year as a rookie in "limited" action.

 

[Manster]

lots of good opinions here. i'll give my $.02We all know the chemistry between Witten and Romo. While Bennett is a better overall athlete than Witten, you cant overstate how much confidence Romo has in Witten. Witten moves the chains. He finds the seam and uses his body to shield defenders, and catches the ball even when he covered. i could see Wittens receptions going down slightly due to more running, and Bennett taking a handful. BUT, i could also see Wittens redzone targets going up. i think he has more than 4 TDs this year. Witten will be a top 3 TE this season.

And keep in mind that Bennett hauled in 4 TDs last year as a rookie in "limited" action.

i get shivers when i think of our redzone offense. 2 TE's that can kill you. MBIII will run you over. Felix will leave you graspin air!

 

[Burning Sensation]

lots of good opinions here. i'll give my $.02We all know the chemistry between Witten and Romo. While Bennett is a better overall athlete than Witten, you cant overstate how much confidence Romo has in Witten. Witten moves the chains. He finds the seam and uses his body to shield defenders, and catches the ball even when he covered. i could see Wittens receptions going down slightly due to more running, and Bennett taking a handful. BUT, i could also see Wittens redzone targets going up. i think he has more than 4 TDs this year. Witten will be a top 3 TE this season.

And keep in mind that Bennett hauled in 4 TDs last year as a rookie in "limited" action.

i get shivers when i think of our redzone offense. 2 TE's that can kill you. MBIII will run you over. Felix will leave you graspin air!

Dont get too excited, the Cowboys offense is going to suffer as a whole with the loss of TO. Not only will the threat of Owens in the Redzone be gone, giving everyone else more space, but not having him will lessen the amount of redzone appearences the Cowboys have.

 

[Manster]

lots of good opinions here. i'll give my $.02We all know the chemistry between Witten and Romo. While Bennett is a better overall athlete than Witten, you cant overstate how much confidence Romo has in Witten. Witten moves the chains. He finds the seam and uses his body to shield defenders, and catches the ball even when he covered. i could see Wittens receptions going down slightly due to more running, and Bennett taking a handful. BUT, i could also see Wittens redzone targets going up. i think he has more than 4 TDs this year. Witten will be a top 3 TE this season.

And keep in mind that Bennett hauled in 4 TDs last year as a rookie in "limited" action.

i get shivers when i think of our redzone offense. 2 TE's that can kill you. MBIII will run you over. Felix will leave you graspin air!

Dont get too excited, the Cowboys offense is going to suffer as a whole with the loss of TO. Not only will the threat of Owens in the Redzone be gone, giving everyone else more space, but not having him will lessen the amount of redzone appearences the Cowboys have.

you might be right.but without TO other guys will get more looks. Remember, TO was force fed the ball at times, hurting the offense, imo. i'm not gonna argue that TO's not a beast, but this team has the players to overcome not having him anymore. the big questions are; Garrett's playcalling, and the O-lines ability to run block, imo. if this team can successfully run the ball, they'll be a handful. i know lotta if's. i'm a homer, gotta be optimistic.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Witten will catch 90-100 balls again this year (he was on that pace when healthy last year). 100+ is not out of the question. We all know, when the bullets are flying, two minute drives, key third downs and 4th quarter situations, Romo will look to Witten. No TE will be more of a focal point of the passing offense than Witten. All of the analysis that has Bennett taking up some of TOs slack and contending with the WR2 and WR3 for a higher spot in the pecking order is correct, imo.

 

[coachjim]

If what they're saying in Dallas is true, & I believe it is, no way Witten approaches last season's totals. Aint gonna happen. It looks like Dallas' base formation will be the 2-TE set (which I love). Bennett can get 40 catches in that offense without question.Not saying take 40 catches off of Witten's totals, but there's no doubt this will hurt him. They can't just throw to the TEs. Roy, Miles, Crayton, Felix, & Barber will get theirs. It's really hard for one TE to dominate in a 2-TE set (FF-wise). How much will they be in their base formation? That's the 64,000 dollar question, but I believe that's going to be their most productive formation by a longshot.

You know I am not convinced that the Boys will run a two TE base offense. That means they have two of the three RB's ( MBIII, Felix or Choice) on the side lines with no lead blocking. No way I would rather have a second TE in the line-up than Felix either in the backfield or in the slot. I say this is a dallas smoke screen.

 

[Heep]

The 2 TE set will hurt their #2 and #3 WR, not Witten imo.

 

[gonzobill5]

It's pretty rare for a team to have two TE's go over 50.

According to the dominator, the 2005 Titans threw to the TE 210 times for 148 catches, though they had 3 guys split that overall workload. Kinney and Troupe each had over 50 catches. For SD, Holohan and Winslow had over 50 catches in 1984. Also Dave Casper and Ray Chester for the Raiders in 79. That's all I found.

In 1988, the eagles had Keith Jackson (81 catches) and Keith Byars (72 catches), but I'm not sure if I'd classify Byars as a TE.

I think the overall opinion of this thread is right on. As much as I'm down on Roy Williams, I'm just as high on the potential of Bennett and Felix Jones to carry the Cowboys passing game (along with Witten). In particular, I don't think they'll have trouble replacing his effectiveness in the red zone.

I've seen Romo dropping in a few mocks that I've done as people reach for Ryan, Cutler and Schaub. If he hits the sixth round that's some pretty good value there.