As we continue to gradually hand out the non-hardware hardware from the season that was (hey, if there’s a lockout we need to be ready to milk this cow), we make our way to the tight end position.
The finalists for the PFT Heroes award given to top tight end were Marcedes Lewis of the Jaguars, Antonio Gates of the Chargers, Tony Gonzalez of the Falcons, Vernon Davis of the 49ers, Zach Miller of the Raiders, and Jason Witten of the Cowboys.
Nearly 24 percent of the PFT Planet vote went for Witten, and we’ve got no reason to disagree.
Witten, a Pro Bowl starter and the 2010 AP All-Pro, continues to play at an elite level. In eight years, he has played in all but one game. In 2010, he scored a career-high nine touchdowns, with 94 catches and more than 1,000 yards.
His production remained high even though quarterback Tony Romo missed much of the year with a broken collarbone, forcing veteran Jon Kitna into the fray.
So while the Cowboys failed miserably to achieve their expectations, Witten still played in a manner that we’ve all come to expect. Along the way, he’s gradually putting together a resume that could result in a post in Canton, someday.
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He is the number 1 tight end.
Until Vernon Davis starts truly contributing not just on big plays.
PFT Heros: Its been a month to the day of the SB and you got like what 4 awards given out.
Just pacing it incase a lock out, well played PFT.
Where’s Gronkowski from the Pats I’m so sick of the same ole same ole
Witten is one tough S.O.B.. What he has played through, to only miss one game in 8 years, has been amazing, and I do hope to see him in the Hall one day.
What does this have to do with Vick?????
Blantant example of undue Cowgirls man love. The fact Witten has been ranted #1 and Romo is considered a top QB is hilarious to anyone with half a brain. I bet if you ask defensive cordinators who scares them most it is Gates (and Gonzo a few years ago) and then everyone else.
if gates didnt get injured, this wud be his award
Gates is just an overweight receiver, this was for “tight ends”. You know, guys capable of receiving AND blocking! And there is no one in the league that excels at both receiving AND blocking like Witten
I have to agree that this should be Gates award.
Here’s the stats:
Witten played 16 games and caught 94 balls on 127 targets (74%), he had 1002 yards (62.6 per game average), and 9 td’s (.6 per game average)
Where as Gates played in only 10 games (partial in 2-3 of those) and caught 50 balls on 65 targets (76.9 %), he had 782 yards (78.2 per game average), and 10 tds (1 per game average).
Witten is a tough guy and good player but then again so is Gates, he put up these stats while severely injured and did most of these numbers in a half season. Other than the fact that there are more Cowboy fans than Chargers fans, this should have been Gates award, especially when you consider he did his numbers without a number 1 WR to take coverage away.
There is no argument. Jason Witten was one of the most outstanding offensive players in the game this year.
One TE to watch for is Brandon Pettigrew of Detroit. 71 catches in his second season for 722 yards isn’t too shabby. He can block too
but bahamallama, can Gates block as well as Witten ? Being a tight end isn’t just about catching the ball but also helping the offense in run/pass-blocking.
yamchargers says: Mar 6, 2011 1:28 PM
Blantant example of undue Cowgirls man love. The fact Witten has been ranted #1 and Romo is considered a top QB is hilarious to anyone with half a brain. I bet if you ask defensive cordinators who scares them most it is Gates (and Gonzo a few years ago) and then everyone else.
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Anyone with half a brain recognizes that Rivers is at least as good as (and arguably better than) Romo, so your point is invalid. I get that you’re a SD fan and wanted Gates to win, and thats cool. But don’t bash another QB/TE bc you feel your guy got jipped.
Gates is a very good TE, but up until VJ, what other receiving threat did SD have? Witten has always had better than avg WR’s next to him, and he still see’s plenty of balls thrown at him. The reason is simple: numbers don’t lie. Witten is consistent; he always excels, even when blocking. Which is something he has over Gates.
Good grief. He had a lot of stad-padding dump-off passes thrown his way. Does slipping out into the flat and hauling in short passes really make this guy the best TE in the game? While he certainly is a better blocker than someone like Gates, the guy can hardly be counted on like an extra tackle the same as some TEs.
It seems like barely anyone has the capacity to judge TEs beyond which one has the best numbers. Maybe we should start judging OL by most fumble recoveries.
Not a Cowboy fan, but definitely props to Wit. He was the only star amongst a lackluster team. Agree with baha though Gates is a beast when healthy. Both are solid picks for any FF team.
yamchargers says: Mar 6, 2011 1:28 PM
Blantant example of undue Cowgirls man love. The fact Witten has been ranted #1 and Romo is considered a top QB is hilarious to anyone with half a brain. I bet if you ask defensive cordinators who scares them most it is Gates (and Gonzo a few years ago) and then everyone else.
For all you Cowboy haters, I get it…….but come on. Witten is a class act. AND AGREED – Gates is a better overall RECEIVER, but not a better overall tight end. Witten is a much better blocker and overall the best tight end in the business.
Didn’t Witten score like 4 TD’s in teh last 2 or 3 years, before this most recent outing?
Not saying he didn’t deserve it or that he’s not tough, but this will be by far his best season statistically.
Too bad Whitten plays for the underachieving cow babies.
I’m not baggin Witten, I’ve been a fan of him before he become the big star he is, but Gates was crazy this year, if he didnt get hurt his stats would have been astounding!
The chargers were the number one offense in the league and rushed for more yards than the cowboys with arguably less talent at the RB position than the Cowboys. Gates did it all with the defenses keying in on him, even after he tore the ligaments in his foot, he still would get a TD a game. Gates was a difference maker on his team, Witten while extremely talented was second fiddle to Austin on his own team.
Brady might not be the undisputed unanimous MVP without Ron Gronkowski’s 10 clutch TDs and 42 receptions.
The TE By Committee Tandem of Gronkowski and Hernandez counts for 16 TDs and nearly 90 catches. Not bad for two rookies who put winning ahead of stats.
Not a Pats fan, but Rob Gronkowski was very impressive…42 grabs for 546 yards might seem decent to most, but 10 TDs more than makes up for that. And as a rookie in an offensive system where TE’s are valued more for blocking than receiving, I thought he deserved a mention.
“Brady might not be the undisputed unanimous MVP without Ron Gronkowski’s 10 clutch TDs and 42 receptions.
The TE By Committee Tandem of Gronkowski and Hernandez counts for 16 TDs and nearly 90 catches. Not bad for two rookies who put winning ahead of stats.”
42 receptions vs. 91
Did Grulks just say that Rivers is “as good” or “Arguably better” than Romo?
Jesus, theres no argument, Rivers is light years better than Romo. Better leader, better passer, better everything except running around with the ball.
go away troll
Who would scare teams more…
Witten with solid Receivers around him and even Romo throwing bricks at him
or
Vernon Davis with no QB or Receiver support? If and when Witten ever ties or breaks single season TD record that will be the day I pick him over Gates or Vernon Davis.
Hope there is a huge stampede through their parking lot and knocks that monstrosity of a Texas Jumbotron off its support cables. xD
Lmao don’t you just love frauds and their silly little
lies??? I sure do, any ways lets get a few things str8
regarding this topic
first off it’s clear that if Jason were on another team
and not a Cowboy, the frauds would be praising him
up and down/left and right, since he is a Cowboy he
will never get the accolades from the galactic ally
dumb
second Witten has never had to be a one man show
in Dallas…he is unselfish and does not look to be the
center point of the how the entire offense is run
last his incredible hands and ability to catch
whatever is thrown his way, makes him the
most dangerous tight end in all of football
Not to mention that Witten is both a class act
both on and off the field, neither Davis nor
Gates can say that