Witten credits Parcells, but expects more now
By CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Cowboys tight end Jason Witten has caught more than 60 passes in each of the past three seasons, but caught only one touchdown pass last year.
IRVING -- Don't count tight end Jason Witten among the Cowboys players who blame former coach Bill Parcells for their shortcomings last season.
Witten is a Bill Parcells guy first and foremost.
He credits Parcells' unique motivating tactics for his development into a three-time Pro Bowl performer.
Witten has three of the top five receiving seasons by a tight end in club history, including 64 catches last season, giving him three consecutive 60-plus seasons. He is the only tight end in Cowboys history to accomplish that feat and just one of 10 in NFL history to do so.
But while Witten is fast-tracking his way to becoming the best tight end in Cowboys history, he understands he is not yet a finished product.
Certainly not when it comes to touchdown receptions.
Witten had only one touchdown reception last season.
"That has to be the biggest emphasis for me... the red zone," Witten said. "When you look at the great tight ends in the league, the red zone is where they stand out. If there is one area I can get better at, that's where it is."
San Diego's Antonio Gates led all tight ends with nine touchdown receptions last season, followed by Atlanta's Alge Crumpler (8), Jeremy Shockey of the New York Giants (7), Washington's Chris Cooley, Chicago's Desmond Clark and Baltimore's Todd Heap (6), and Kansas City's Tony Gonzalez (5).
Considering that Witten registered six touchdowns in 2004 and 2005, last season's total can be considered an aberration.
Still, he acknowledges he can do more. And, ironically, he believes Parcells' departure might help him get there.
"Bill made a big emphasis early in my career on the running game and pass protection," Witten said. "There is no doubt I think I am there. But I can do more in the red zone. With the new offense, there is going to be more of an emphasis for that. Bill liked to run in the red area because it's fewer chances to turn the ball over. We will be in more of an attack mode."
Witten understands things are different with the Cowboys because of the presence of receiver Terrell Owens, who led the league with 13 touchdown receptions last season. But Witten said it's also a matter of philosophy. Owens will still be a big target in the red zone. But some teams make a point to get the ball to the tight end down close.
And it's not lost on Witten that new head coach and former Chargers defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, who watched Gates catch 32 touchdown passes the past three seasons, believes in that philosophy, as does new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.
The Cowboys are expected to be more aggressive in the passing game under Garrett. And with the weapons the Cowboys have, including receivers Terry Glenn and Patrick Crayton to go along with Witten and Owens, Witten said they have the potential to be very explosive.
Add in the trust he has with quarterback and longtime friend Tony Romo, and Witten can't contain his excitement for the upcoming season.
But it all starts with him. He's working hard to be a bigger threat, especially in the red zone.
"You have to attack down there when you are a tight end," Witten said. "When you look at good tight ends, everybody in the stadium knows where it's going, and you just can't stop it. That's what good tight ends do."
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Cowboys tight end Jason Witten has caught more than 60 passes in each of the past three seasons, but caught only one touchdown pass last year.
IRVING -- Don't count tight end Jason Witten among the Cowboys players who blame former coach Bill Parcells for their shortcomings last season.
Witten is a Bill Parcells guy first and foremost.
He credits Parcells' unique motivating tactics for his development into a three-time Pro Bowl performer.
Witten has three of the top five receiving seasons by a tight end in club history, including 64 catches last season, giving him three consecutive 60-plus seasons. He is the only tight end in Cowboys history to accomplish that feat and just one of 10 in NFL history to do so.
But while Witten is fast-tracking his way to becoming the best tight end in Cowboys history, he understands he is not yet a finished product.
Certainly not when it comes to touchdown receptions.
Witten had only one touchdown reception last season.
"That has to be the biggest emphasis for me... the red zone," Witten said. "When you look at the great tight ends in the league, the red zone is where they stand out. If there is one area I can get better at, that's where it is."
San Diego's Antonio Gates led all tight ends with nine touchdown receptions last season, followed by Atlanta's Alge Crumpler (8), Jeremy Shockey of the New York Giants (7), Washington's Chris Cooley, Chicago's Desmond Clark and Baltimore's Todd Heap (6), and Kansas City's Tony Gonzalez (5).
Considering that Witten registered six touchdowns in 2004 and 2005, last season's total can be considered an aberration.
Still, he acknowledges he can do more. And, ironically, he believes Parcells' departure might help him get there.
"Bill made a big emphasis early in my career on the running game and pass protection," Witten said. "There is no doubt I think I am there. But I can do more in the red zone. With the new offense, there is going to be more of an emphasis for that. Bill liked to run in the red area because it's fewer chances to turn the ball over. We will be in more of an attack mode."
Witten understands things are different with the Cowboys because of the presence of receiver Terrell Owens, who led the league with 13 touchdown receptions last season. But Witten said it's also a matter of philosophy. Owens will still be a big target in the red zone. But some teams make a point to get the ball to the tight end down close.
And it's not lost on Witten that new head coach and former Chargers defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, who watched Gates catch 32 touchdown passes the past three seasons, believes in that philosophy, as does new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.
The Cowboys are expected to be more aggressive in the passing game under Garrett. And with the weapons the Cowboys have, including receivers Terry Glenn and Patrick Crayton to go along with Witten and Owens, Witten said they have the potential to be very explosive.
Add in the trust he has with quarterback and longtime friend Tony Romo, and Witten can't contain his excitement for the upcoming season.
But it all starts with him. He's working hard to be a bigger threat, especially in the red zone.
"You have to attack down there when you are a tight end," Witten said. "When you look at good tight ends, everybody in the stadium knows where it's going, and you just can't stop it. That's what good tight ends do."
posted by The Gryphon at 9:52 AM
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