Dallas Cowboys: Jason Witten and John Phillips The Best TE Tandem In The NFL?

The Dallas Cowboys have seemed to have remembered they have a Pro-Bowl Tight End on their roster.

In 2010, the TE position for the Dallas Cowboys took a major hit in the preseason at the Hall of Fame game. Tight end John Phillips was lost for the season after suffering a torn ACL on his right knee. Phillips was going to be a big target for the Cowboys. You could tell because they kept going to him in that game.

In steps Jason Witten after the injury to Phillips. Not that he wasn’t the No. 1 TE on the team before, but in the red zone in 2009, Witten was practically invisible. The coaching staff seemed to have forgotten he was a good target for them in the end zone. It was evident for the fact that Witten scored only two TDs in 2009.

This comes from the fact that the offensive play calling was horrible at best in 2009. Even in the red zone, you saw Witten staying in and blocking, more so than out on a route to get the Cowboys in the end zone. You can’t take away threat like that.

The remarks from Wade Phillips are still in the air in Dallas, regarding why Witten was not on a route during the final moments of the Denver Broncos game in Week 4 in 2009.

“The Broncos defense was dictating the way we called offensive plays.”

What did he say? Aren’t you a defensive coordinator? You know better. The Denver Broncos defense was not better than the Cowboys offense as far as talent on the field was concerned.

Makes one wonder: If you are a good offensive team, don’t you dictate the way the defense plays? Of course! Especially in the red zone? 

Witten stayed in and blocked in that game, and Romo tried to force the ball to Sam Hurd two times on the final two plays of the game. They ended up losing that game 17-10.

Why wasn’t Witten in a route in the end zone? With a big target like Witten, they needed to get the ball to him. Not utilizing even the threat of him getting the ball in the red zone was irresponsible. Witten is one heck of a decoy.

In 2010, the Cowboys did discover Witten and made the most of his talent. Witten scored nine TDs with 94 receptions. Only Roddy White and Reggie Wayne caught more. He became a favorite target of Jon Kitna.

Depending on what we see with the CBA this offseason, and depending on if there is a season, Witten will need to be utilized like last season with a mix of John Phillips as well. More targets more options for success.

We will see if Jason Garrett gets it and keeps rolling with the best talent on the field.

With a talent like Witten, and his ability to make average QBs look great, you have to involve him heavily in the offensive plan in 2011.

The Cowboys should have some of the best TEs in the NFL in 2011. 

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