So, Charlie Waters was # 29 on the "Cowboys Top 50" list at DC.com.  Very cool, but although I was a fan in those days, I was young, so I never really differentiated between Waters and Cliff Harris.  They were just there, "the safeties", they came as a pair into my consciousness.   Like my two younger children, who were "the twins" for their first 5 or 6 years.

Continue reading this post »

Watching the Cowboys growing up in the 70's, I took their success for granted.  I was a teenager, and it seemed the Boys were destined to be in the playoffs every year.  As I got older, I started to appreciate more that "my" team might not always be a winner (imagine!).  As Roger Staubach's retirement approached, it was a sad time for me, and at that point I realized I'd been watching something special all those years.

During the 90's run, I made sure I soaked it all in, knowing that a run like the 1965-1985 one was not going to repeated, and that I had a small window of enjoyment.  The salary cap, of course, closed that window even sooner.

So, what about now?  The 13-3 season, the emergence of Tony Romo as an entertaining, if not yet great, QB, certainly has been better than those 5-11 years!  But is there anything really special about this team that I'll look back on 15 years from now and go, "Wow, that was great!"   Well, maybe next year Romo will mature and this team will provide some of those memories, beyond just a few spectacular plays.

As my title suggests, there is one player I think fans are not appeciating enough, and that is Jason Witten.  When all is said and done, this is a player that may well be ranked in the top 5 all-time at his position.  It is only because of Tony Gonzales' ability to continue to produce that the media has not quite caught on to how good this TE is.  Of course, his team winning a playoff game (or SB!) wouldn't hurt either.    And while I know knowledgeable fans on sites like this understand that Witten is not good but great, and integral to this offense's success, I'm not sure even they realize just how good a career he's having.

So, here are the stats of the inducted  Hall of Fame TE's (yardage rounded off, and years played possibly not exact-I have a life):

Jackie Smith: 480 rec., 7,900 yards, 40 TD's, 5 Pro Bowls in 15 years

Mike Ditka: 427 rec., 5,800 yds., 43 TD's, 5 PB's in 11 years.

Dave Casper: 378 rec., 5,200 yds., 52 TD's, 5 PB's in 10 years

Ozzie Newsome (Roll Tide!): 662 rec., 8000 yds., 47 TD's, 3 PB's in 12 years

Charlie Sanders: 336 rec., 4,800 yds., 31 TD's, 7 PB's in 19 years

Kellen Winslow (expected more than this): 541 rec., 6,700 yds., 45 TD's, 5 PB's in 8 years.

John Mackey: 331 rec., 5,200 yds., 38 TD's, 5 PB's in 8 years

And, drum roll please, Jason Witten: 429 receptions, 4,900 yards, 25 TD's, and 3 Pro Bowls in just 6 years.

So, while there is no guarentee Witten will enter the Hall, the fact is that (until DWare puts a few more years under his belt) he is the ONE player we are watching now who truly is one of the best ever at his position.  His stats already are approaching those of the Hall players after just 6 seasons.

Some Devil's Advocate criticism--1)Shannon Sharpe and Tony Gonzalez have some monster stats-although if Witten continues to perform for a 10- or 12-years career he could well be in their territory.

2) To actually get in the Hall, he'll face a  problem because Sharpe and Gonzalez would have to basically get in first-and there may be a feeling of burnout on Tight Ends.

3) Todays NFL is more pass-happy and earlier TE's were not thrown to as much.   They were more blockers than receivers.  I get that.  However, I don't think anyone will be challenging Witten's toughness.

But I still am taking time out every game to enjoy as Witten makes crucial, chain-moving, game-sealing catches week after week.  And you should too.

Bonus-I couldn't resist looking up Jay Novacek's stats, and look how he

"Cek's" out compared to the guys in the Hall!  422 receptions, 4,600 yards, 30 TD's, AND 5 Pro Bowls over 11 years.  Wow.

Stephen, you have permission to print this and take to Dad.

What JJ will NOT be asked to do-change his style.  Of course, most GM's are never seen/heard, much less owners, but Jerry will be Jerry.  If the Boys are winning, it's OK.And with a new stadium, he's going to continue to make himself the face of this franchise, so deal with it.

1A)  Fire Wade Phillips now.  With both WP and Garrett next year, he will be a lame-duck coach, and the players will tune him out.  It's not really his fault, but the situation is what it is.  I know, you said he was your guy next year, but like GHWBush and "Read my lips," you spoke too soon.  Just get up there and admit you made a mistake, it's not all Wade's fault, but the situation looks bad for next year.  Save face by mentioning that when you first backed Wade for next year, you had no idea a 44-6 thrashing By a Divsion Foe, no less, was coming.  I think that gives you the right to say things changed.  Pull this band-aid NOW.

1B)  Promote Garrett.  He may or may not be ready, but let's find out.  Trust your instinct, you saw something that made you want this guy in charge.  Why waste next year going 7-9 first?  He may flame out (Which will be his new nickname with his red hair, if he does, "Flameout"), but Gruden, Cowher, and Fisher were nobodies when hired.  New stadium, new coach-let's start now, because this team is not going to work for Wade next year, esp. if he's like Holgrem was this year, his successor sitting right there next to him.   Don't waste 2009 with Phillips in charge.

2)  Make Campo the DC and go back to the 4-3.  We've had 4 drafts since the switch, and still don't have the personnel.  Were you watching the games this weekend?  3-4's require speed and athleticism, and while Ware and a few others bring that, overall no one is confusing our D with theirs, or Philly's.  Pitt, Balt., and Philly all have dominant SAFETIES who  allow the front seven to run wild.  Do we?  Let's not even go there.  And why are we wearing Ratliff down playing nose tackle?  Remember Leon Lett?  I'm having visions....And, Let Ware play run and pass rush at DE, and forget about coverage.

3)  Eat the $10 Mill. and cut TO.  The guys been OK, and many here will defend him based on his Stats, but you know the truth, Jerry.  You know you signed him for one reason and one reason only---to get to, and hopefully win, the Super Bowl.   Did you risk everything and pay him $40 Million to pad his stats for the HoF??   No.  He could have 100 catches, 1300 yards, and 12 TD's, but you don't care , Jerry.  You want something else....

  Now, we had 2 good shots, and blew it.  Was it his fault??  No, there's plenty of blame to go around.  BUT, was he good enough to make up for the others' mistakes, did he get you over the hump?  No.  And now, he's getting older.

  And it may not even be his fault, it may be perception more than reality, but he's a distraction away from football for this team.  Perception is reality, they say.   Your team should have beat both Arizona AND Pitt, and on the road both times, too.  You're not that far away from the SB, Jerry!  And this one guy is not going to make the difference.  Sports is full of teams that lost the big name, but did better despite it.  Other guys step up.  So, do it, now.

Follow these steps and this team might have a chance next year.  Stay on the path you're on now, and we're looking at .500 or worse year, I believe.