Witten comes of age, takes lead role with Cowboys
By Todd Archer | The Dallas Morning News
October 7, 2007
Jason Witten was 20 years old when the Dallas Cowboys drafted him in 2003. He turned 21 two months before training camp and was the youngest player in the NFL his rookie season.
He spent his first two years picking up the NFL life from former teammate and tight end Dan Campbell and listened to what Bill Parcells was saying to him, not necessarily how the coach was saying it.
Now in his fifth season, Witten, 25, voted a captain by his teammates, has developed into one of the 'Boys' leaders.
''He's football all the time, man,'' coach Wade Phillips said. ''You can't talk to him about anything else, which is great on the field.''
Witten has played in the last three Pro Bowls, established a team record for catches in a season by a tight end (87 in 2004) and signed a lucrative long-term contract.
The evolution to leader, either by example or vocally, was a natural one.
''I was with a lot of good players and leaders,'' Witten said. ''Dan was a really good leader in terms of being unselfish and making sure the guys were ready. Darren Woodson was one of the best I've ever seen in the way he approached it week in and week out. I think guys rally behind that. That's what I'm trying to do.''
Within the tight end group, Witten has become the sage to Anthony Fasano, Tony Curtis and Rodney Hannah, who is on the practice squad. Witten teaches them the nuances of the position, much like he learned from Campbell.
''He does a real good job because he's not one of those guys that talks all the time, so when he does, you don't drown him out,'' Fasano said. ''He says the right things at the right time where he feels like people need to listen, and we value his opinion when he does talk.''
On the Saturday night before the season opener against the New York Giants, Phillips turned the meeting over to his captains -- Witten, quarterback Tony Romo, linebacker Bradie James and safety Keith Davis.
With 1-3 Buffalo coming up Monday, Phillips has talked to his team about the potential pratfalls, but he has heard the players, like Witten, mention the same things to the team.
''When things are going good, you just want to remind the guys that we can't get caught up in everything else, that there's still work to do,'' Witten said. ''It's just a quarter of the way through the season.''
Helping Witten's cause is his success on the field. His 20 catches lead the Cowboys, they're the most by an NFC tight end and are tied for third-most in the league. His 304 yards lead NFC tight ends and trail only San Diego's Antonio Gates (376) and Cleveland's Kellen Winslow (367).
Witten is on pace for 80 catches, 1,216 yards and 12 touchdowns. He needs 68 catches to pass Jay Novacek for most catches in franchise history by a tight end and 587 yards to surpass Doug Cosbie for the most receiving yards by a tight end in team history.
October 7, 2007
Jason Witten was 20 years old when the Dallas Cowboys drafted him in 2003. He turned 21 two months before training camp and was the youngest player in the NFL his rookie season.
He spent his first two years picking up the NFL life from former teammate and tight end Dan Campbell and listened to what Bill Parcells was saying to him, not necessarily how the coach was saying it.
Now in his fifth season, Witten, 25, voted a captain by his teammates, has developed into one of the 'Boys' leaders.
''He's football all the time, man,'' coach Wade Phillips said. ''You can't talk to him about anything else, which is great on the field.''
Witten has played in the last three Pro Bowls, established a team record for catches in a season by a tight end (87 in 2004) and signed a lucrative long-term contract.
The evolution to leader, either by example or vocally, was a natural one.
''I was with a lot of good players and leaders,'' Witten said. ''Dan was a really good leader in terms of being unselfish and making sure the guys were ready. Darren Woodson was one of the best I've ever seen in the way he approached it week in and week out. I think guys rally behind that. That's what I'm trying to do.''
Within the tight end group, Witten has become the sage to Anthony Fasano, Tony Curtis and Rodney Hannah, who is on the practice squad. Witten teaches them the nuances of the position, much like he learned from Campbell.
''He does a real good job because he's not one of those guys that talks all the time, so when he does, you don't drown him out,'' Fasano said. ''He says the right things at the right time where he feels like people need to listen, and we value his opinion when he does talk.''
On the Saturday night before the season opener against the New York Giants, Phillips turned the meeting over to his captains -- Witten, quarterback Tony Romo, linebacker Bradie James and safety Keith Davis.
With 1-3 Buffalo coming up Monday, Phillips has talked to his team about the potential pratfalls, but he has heard the players, like Witten, mention the same things to the team.
''When things are going good, you just want to remind the guys that we can't get caught up in everything else, that there's still work to do,'' Witten said. ''It's just a quarter of the way through the season.''
Helping Witten's cause is his success on the field. His 20 catches lead the Cowboys, they're the most by an NFC tight end and are tied for third-most in the league. His 304 yards lead NFC tight ends and trail only San Diego's Antonio Gates (376) and Cleveland's Kellen Winslow (367).
Witten is on pace for 80 catches, 1,216 yards and 12 touchdowns. He needs 68 catches to pass Jay Novacek for most catches in franchise history by a tight end and 587 yards to surpass Doug Cosbie for the most receiving yards by a tight end in team history.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:43 AM
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