Bledsoe, Parcells want Witten more involved
San Antonio Express-News
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten has spent much of his time in the first five games blocking, but that could change Monday against the New York Giants, quarterback Drew Bledsoe said.
"We've asked Jason to block a lot on blitz pickup, but we need to get him more involved in the passing game," Bledsoe said. "We have great weapons outside, and we are running the ball well, but as we go forward, I think it's going to be important to get Jason involved."
Witten has 16 catches for 165 yards, but he hasn't scored a touchdown yet.
"I'm hoping Jason can pick it up a little bit," Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said. "I thought he did a little bit the other night against Houston (three catches for 17 yards). He's blocking better, but I'd like to get him more involved in the passing game."
Witten usually plays well against the Giants. In six career games, he has 22 receptions for 234 yards and three TDs.
Teacher's pets: Undrafted rookie receivers Miles Austin and Brackenridge graduate Sam Hurd have combined for seven special-teams tackles, a number that has moved them up on Parcells' list of favorites.
"I like both of these young receivers a lot," Parcells said last week. "I think any coach would like either one of them. Now, they exasperate you. Like Sam goes out there (last week against Houston) and gets two (facemask) penalties. But it's not that he's not trying to do something."
Parcells described Austin, of Garfield, N.J., as fast, big, tough and eager.
"He's a green kid, but you can't not like coaching him," he said.
Terrific Tony: Parcells said he was pleased with second-year tight end Tony Curtis' performance against Houston last week. The former practice squad member appeared in only 16 plays in his regular-season debut, but he made a key block that allowed Julius Jones to spring 33 yards in the third quarter.
"I was generally happy with what I saw from him," Parcells said of Curtis, who was moved up to the 53-man roster after the Cowboys placed tight end Ryan Hannam on the injured list.
The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Curtis, from Portland State, spent last season on the practice squad.
Moving the chains: The Cowboys have converted an NFC-best 42.7 percent of their third downs. That ranks behind only Indianapolis (58.5) and San Diego (47.9).
Defensively, the Cowboys are allowing opponents to convert third downs at a rate of 28.1 percent. In the NFC, only Chicago (23.2), Carolina (26.3) and Tampa Bay (27.7) are better. In the league rankings, the Cowboys are fifth.
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten has spent much of his time in the first five games blocking, but that could change Monday against the New York Giants, quarterback Drew Bledsoe said.
"We've asked Jason to block a lot on blitz pickup, but we need to get him more involved in the passing game," Bledsoe said. "We have great weapons outside, and we are running the ball well, but as we go forward, I think it's going to be important to get Jason involved."
Witten has 16 catches for 165 yards, but he hasn't scored a touchdown yet.
"I'm hoping Jason can pick it up a little bit," Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said. "I thought he did a little bit the other night against Houston (three catches for 17 yards). He's blocking better, but I'd like to get him more involved in the passing game."
Witten usually plays well against the Giants. In six career games, he has 22 receptions for 234 yards and three TDs.
Teacher's pets: Undrafted rookie receivers Miles Austin and Brackenridge graduate Sam Hurd have combined for seven special-teams tackles, a number that has moved them up on Parcells' list of favorites.
"I like both of these young receivers a lot," Parcells said last week. "I think any coach would like either one of them. Now, they exasperate you. Like Sam goes out there (last week against Houston) and gets two (facemask) penalties. But it's not that he's not trying to do something."
Parcells described Austin, of Garfield, N.J., as fast, big, tough and eager.
"He's a green kid, but you can't not like coaching him," he said.
Terrific Tony: Parcells said he was pleased with second-year tight end Tony Curtis' performance against Houston last week. The former practice squad member appeared in only 16 plays in his regular-season debut, but he made a key block that allowed Julius Jones to spring 33 yards in the third quarter.
"I was generally happy with what I saw from him," Parcells said of Curtis, who was moved up to the 53-man roster after the Cowboys placed tight end Ryan Hannam on the injured list.
The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Curtis, from Portland State, spent last season on the practice squad.
Moving the chains: The Cowboys have converted an NFC-best 42.7 percent of their third downs. That ranks behind only Indianapolis (58.5) and San Diego (47.9).
Defensively, the Cowboys are allowing opponents to convert third downs at a rate of 28.1 percent. In the NFC, only Chicago (23.2), Carolina (26.3) and Tampa Bay (27.7) are better. In the league rankings, the Cowboys are fifth.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:26 AM
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