Player Spotlight: Jason Witten (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

2007 Player Spotlight Series

Over the course of the offseason, we will be evaluating a multitude of players at every fantasy position. One such way we go about that is through the Player Spotlight series. Think of the Spotlights as a permanent record on some of the more intriguing players for the upcoming season. Each Spotlight will be featured in an article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Jason Witten, TE, Dallas Cowboys

Player Page Link: Ben Watson Player Page

Each article will include:

Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member
Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads
FBG Projections
Consensus Member ProjectionsThe Rules

In order for this thread to provide sustainable value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

Focus commentary on the player in question, and your expectations for said player
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, you MUST provide projections for the playerProjections should include (at a minimum):

For QBs: Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Yards, Rush TDs
For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs
For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDsBest of Luck and ENJOY!

 

[Ministry of Pain]

70/700/5

 

[nygiants56]

Jason Garrett is likely to use the old Norv Turner style offense that Dallas used to run back in the early 1990's.

I think he was kept in to block more last season,and that hurt his #'s in the redzone ( only 1 td all year). Parcells wanted to run two-TE sets in '06 to give him a better running game, and that was somethingthing that hindered Witten's production, he simply spent too much time blocking.

this season, they'll probably use him as a pass catching TE more , giving him an uptick in stats..

80/880/8

 

[zamboni]

I'm wondering how much Anthony Fasano will be used. Granted, it was Parcells that drafted him, and he has a ways to go before he's in Witten's league, but something to watch in terms of whether he cuts into Witten's production (if at all).

 

[msommer]

I'll be conservative and put his production between 2005 and 2006 levels - so 65/755/4.

Extrapolating his catches and yardage with Romo only last year gets to 70/824/2 so there is upside provided his new coach wants to use it.

 

[shadyridr]

I was down on Witten last year and Im still down on him this year. I just think theres too many guys to go around before Witten gets any TDs. He should get a decent amount of catches but between goalline stud Barber, the phenomenal red zone threat in Owens, and perhaps a few bootleg TDs run in by Romo I dont see Witten getting many TDs.

65 rec, 700 yds, 3 tds

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

So far in his career, he either catches 1 TD (last year) or he catches 6 Td's. I thought I saw some chemistry being formed last year between Romo and Witten.

70 receptions , 750 yards and 6 Td's

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

I thought I saw some chemistry being formed last year between Romo and Witten.

Me too. Bledsoe seemed to forget Witten was an eligible receiver. If you look at the before and after splits and project them for an entire season, Witten with Romo under center almost projects out to 1k yards!edit to add: Ive got Witten with 646 yards in 10.5 games with Romo.

 

[Barry Jive and The Uptown Five]

I'll be conservative and put his production between 2005 and 2006 levels - so 65/755/4.

Extrapolating his catches and yardage with Romo only last year gets to 70/824/2 so there is upside provided his new coach wants to use it.

Key point in Witten's last 2 years. Drew Bledsoe killed his value. Concrete shoes and a tenedency to hold the ball to long mandated TEs blocking in passpro.

 

[kensat30]

Witten came alive when he didn't have to stay in to block for Drew Statue. Romo locked onto the guy at times. I think the biggest drawback here will be his number of TDs, what with TO (will lead the NFL in TDs in 2007), and Barber III.

75/900/4

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Changes in Cowtown cause to many issues.

45rc 450yds 4td

Witten does keep a nice ceiling. Just that there will be several zero point days.

 

[Ridgelake]

Based on the news out of mini-camp, Witten has been extremely impressive.

Another interesting tidbit is that it appears Dallas' 2007 offense will keep the same running game used last year (running game coordinator Tony Sporano has been retained from Parcells' staff), but Garrett will install the Norv Turner/Ernie Zampese passing offense that Aikman ran so well. This is the same offense that San Diego runs, as well as San Francisco.

In this offense, the TE is a definite weapon. The Chargers' Gates has been the #1 rated TE for several years. In the 90's, Jay Novacek was a major threat with Aikman at the helm, setting then Cowboy records for TE receptions.

To project Witten's catches, historical production probably gives the best indicator of future performance. Something like 70 catches seems about right.

Yards probably about 800. It would not surprise to see his YPC go up this year, however. The Turner/Zampese passing offense tends to stretch the field. Witten has plenty of speed to hit the seam.

TD catches are very hard to predict for Witten. They have so many threats and TD makers that its hard to see Witten getting bunches. Historically, Witten has drawn all kinds of defensive presence in the red zone. Defenses do key on him there. I doubt that will change much next year. So give him maybe 5 TDs.

70/800/5

 

[zamboni]

running game coordinator Tony Sporano has been retained from Parcells' staff

After seeing him whack Christopher the other night, they wouldn't dare fire him.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

70 receptions, 794 yards, 4 TDs

 

[tex]

68 catches, 794 yards, 5 TD's

 

[rzrback77]

I think that Romo enabled the Boys to make the best use of Witten. He is a very athletic TE who is an excellent receiver. I see them utilizing this connection more in 07. I think that all of Witten's stats will go up, even the TDs that most of this board has being shared between Barber and Owens. I think that Barber's TDs will drop and the overall Cowboy TD total will rise providing Witten ample oppotunity to get his.

He had his best season in 04 with Testaverde, when he had 87 catches for 980 yds and 6 TDs to finish 3rd among TEs. The last two years with Bledsoe, he dropped to 66 and 64 receptions and ranked 6th and then 12th.

Jason Witten 115 targets 80 receptions 920 yds (11.5 ypc) 5 TDs

 

[Big_O]

I think a lot of teams are going to focus on stoping the running game and TO, at least until Romo establishes himself as a true threat. This should open Witten up a bit more, especially in the red zone.

67rec / 850yds / 6td's