T.O.'s Targets

by cmr3 on Jan 10, 2009 2:16 PM CST Comment 107 comments

Not that we need another TO posting, but numbers don't lie.

I really do try to look objectively at getting rid of TO. The lightning rod would be gone and we can focus more on those great Wade PC's. I spent some time watching every offensive play over again last week from this season. I really don't think we can comprehend the way that defenses cover him. Most teams, with the exception of SF, kept a safety or LB on his side to play cover 2. This would leave middle routes open. This obviously gives Witten a huge advantage. My purpose is not to downplay Witten. He would be a Pro-Bowler in any offense(omit Det.) The coverage on TO also allows for the checkdowns to the RB's have a chance to be very producitive. Barber had a 70yd rec. TD and a 25yd TD. Barber avg 8 yds a catch. Choice had 50yd and 22yd catches.

I am not saying that none of these would've happened if T.O. was not on the field, but if you want to get rid of this lightning rod then get ready for a pre-TO offense.

He's selfish, arrogant, and can be annoying. That is a lot to swallow, but he is worth it. He makes other players better. Look at the top WR's ranked by targets. He has more TD's than all except Fitz. and C.Johnson. His yards per target is great. I'm not saying he is Jordan, but one stat that always became acceptable when Jordan started winning was points per shot attempt. The 2 might not be very comparable, but the fact is that TO produces at a high level.

Player	Targt	Recpt	Yd	Avg		TD	FL
Marshall, Brandon WR DEN	181	104	1265		12.2	6	3
Johnson, Andre WR HOU	170	115	1575		13.7	8	1
Fitzgerald, Larry WR ARI	165	102	1535		15.0	13	0
White, Roddy WR ATL	164	99	1466		14.8	8	1
Bowe, Dwayne WR KC	157	86	1022		11.9	7	0
Johnson, Calvin WR DET	151	78	1331		17.1	12	2
Welker, Wes WR NE	150	112	1165		10.4	3	1
Wayne, Reggie WR IND	141	86	1274		14.8	7	0
Jennings, Greg WR GB	140	80	1292		16.1	9	0
Owens, Terrell WR DAL	140	69	1052		15.2	10	1
Edwards, Braylon WR CLE	138	55	877		15.9	3	0
Moss, Santana WR WAS	138	79	1044		13.2	6	1
Bryant, Antonio WR TB	137	83	1248		15.0	7	1
Houshmandzadeh, T.J. WR CIN	137	92	904		9.8	4	0

Top TE's

Player	Targt	Recpt	Yd	Avg	TD	FL
Gonzalez, Tony TE KC	155	96	1058	11.0	10	0
Witten, Jason TE DAL	121	81	952	11.8	4	0
Clark, Dallas TE IND	117	84	881	10.5	6	1
Cooley, Chris TE WAS	111	83	849	10.2	1	2
Gates, Antonio TE SD	101	68	791	11.6	8	1

Poll

Do you want to keep T.O.?

Keep him

126 votes

Cut him

47 votes

173 votes | Poll has closed

Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.

3 recs | Comment 107 comments

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Comments

nice posts.....

btw…tragets DOES NOT MEAN CATCHABLE BALLS

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

President - Garrett MUST GO campaign -

by BoyzRback on Jan 10, 2009 2:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

+1

"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."

by aussie_cowboy on Jan 10, 2009 5:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

but in general it all evens out

not all balls are catachable and it could be both the QB or the WR fault. but over all, it evens out, so you could probably use the total targets as an indicator.

by CowboysFanatic on Jan 12, 2009 2:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"

by Wmillion on Jan 12, 2009 2:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That does not tell the whole story

Here is a statement for you: He shouldn’t have been targeted as much as he was.

Why? because he wasn’t getting the separation you would expect him to get. As evidence look at your own numbers. The percentage caught was the second lowest out of all those TE’s and WR’s you listed. The guy is getting old and can’t rely on his athleticism anymore.

This means Romo has been forcing balls to T.O. even when he is not open to keep him happy, probably to our detriment.

I would contend getting rid of T.O. would open up the offense to Romo as he wouldn’t feel pressured to force the ball to Owens and he could focus on getting the ball to the open receiver.

Cutting Owens may not only benefit the team in terms of chemistry, but also in terms of benefiting our offense on the field.

by quincyyyyy on Jan 10, 2009 3:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

the separation thing laughable

I know that is what few of the radio guys will say, but when you watch the game, he does get open. Roy gets open also. The Philly game might be the only exception.
You are also assuming 2 things about romo-
1. He is a top QB that will make great decisions regardless of his WR’s. Romo consistently misses other WR’s, too.
2. He feels pressure to get TO the ball. If so, he needs thicker skin.
3. He is making great throws on all the missed passes, (the targets do include throwaways.)

I don’t want to make this a Romo vs. TO, but it’s inevitable I guess.

Also, all TE’s should have a higher % caught than every WR.

"Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth." -Tyson

by cmr3 on Jan 10, 2009 3:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't just say TE's Owens has among the lowest % caught out of WR's also

that is a direct result of him not getting separation

by quincyyyyy on Jan 10, 2009 3:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No its also a combination of

a qbs accuracy. Not every target is catchable as Boyz said earlier

"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."

by aussie_cowboy on Jan 10, 2009 5:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

yet Witten doesn't seem to be having a tough time catching the ball

Nor does miles austin whenever the ball gets thrown his way

by quincyyyyy on Jan 10, 2009 7:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Why wasn't Romo's passes off target when he was throwing to them?

by quincyyyyy on Jan 10, 2009 7:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

they weren't off target

Witten and Austin weren’t running sloppy routes.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jan 10, 2009 7:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes his throws to TO were off target frequently

"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."

by aussie_cowboy on Jan 10, 2009 7:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

thats because T.O. ran poor routes

its not always on the qb when an incomplete pass occurs

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jan 10, 2009 7:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

There have been so many times this year that I have seen T.O lolly gag on his routes

by quincyyyyy on Jan 10, 2009 7:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well then if TO has no separation

Romo should not be throwing it to him

"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."

by aussie_cowboy on Jan 10, 2009 7:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

theoretically, in a vacuum, yes you are right

but in reality you risk T.O. blowing up and dividing the locker run. Even with T.O. being Romo’s most targetted receiver this year he had a mini-blow up with Jason Witten over Romo supposedly favoring him in the passing game.

by quincyyyyy on Jan 10, 2009 7:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I am talking about in the specific instance in which TO has no separation.

There are many times during games in which he is open, and its then Romo should be throwing hiim the ball.

"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."

by aussie_cowboy on Jan 10, 2009 7:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And yet romo finished the year with a 91 QB rating

At the very least Romo had an above average year throwing the ball. Elite Receivers should be able to put up good stats with that kind of production from your QB. Roy Williams had 1300 receiving yards one year with Jon Kitna throwing him the ball.

I just don’t buy your argument that Romo was the problem with T.O. I would contend that T.O. was the problem with T.O.

by quincyyyyy on Jan 10, 2009 8:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I never said Romo was anything other than a good qb

This was a discussion about Witten and TO. And btw TO;s stats this year were pretty good.

"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."

by aussie_cowboy on Jan 10, 2009 8:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

With all the balls thrown his way he should be putting

up bigger stats. 1050 sounds like a lot, but there was a major outlier in the San Fran game when he had over 200 receiving yards when he was in single coverage for a good portion of the game. So I would really put Owens at 900 yards on the year adjusting for the outlier.

With T.O.’s role in this offense he should be getting around 1250 yards. It is quite apparent he is underperforming, or dare I say regressing. What are the chances he does any better next year when he is 36? It is probably more likely he plays just as poorly next year or even worse.

Now don’t get me wrong. T.O. is still a good starting receiver in this league. I just think he has become more trouble than he is worth. It used to be T.O. was so good that his play overshadowed some of the distractions he caused. That is no longer the case.

And you also have to worry that T.O. is at this point a progress stopper for Austin and Stanback.

by quincyyyyy on Jan 10, 2009 9:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You cant take out TOs best game, how is that objective analysis?

And he is only 200 yards away from your projection of 1250, and he had BJ as his qb for 3 games

"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."

by aussie_cowboy on Jan 10, 2009 9:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's objective analysis because as a number 1 WR

you have to judge him when he is double covered. He wasn’t in that game for whatever reason.

by quincyyyyy on Jan 10, 2009 9:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

So they tried to shut other players down and TO taught them a lesson

Would you ignore the 200 yard game by Andre Johnson?

"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."

by aussie_cowboy on Jan 10, 2009 9:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I make special note of that because

you expect your number 1 receiver to be double covered and to put up good numbers. T.O. wasn’t treated as a number 1 receiver that game.

by quincyyyyy on Jan 10, 2009 11:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This discussion is pointless

If you cant see that removing games that dont help your argument from consideration is a subjective and poor way of arguing then there is no point continuing

"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."

by aussie_cowboy on Jan 11, 2009 2:01 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Regardless I expect more than a 1000 yards

by quincyyyyy on Jan 11, 2009 9:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well he had more than 1000 yards

"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."

by aussie_cowboy on Jan 11, 2009 4:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

ok let me rephrase

I expect our number 1 WR in the offense that Garrett runs to have more than 1050 yards.

by quincyyyyy on Jan 11, 2009 4:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well he had more than 1050 total yards

"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."

by aussie_cowboy on Jan 11, 2009 4:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

let me rephrase again

more than 1052 receiving yards

by quincyyyyy on Jan 11, 2009 4:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Passes to Witten are ussually shorter and not against a teams #1 CB

So it makes sense they would be caught more often. Thats why most of the TE are better in this stat than most of the WR listed. And Austin cannot be used as an example as he only has 18 CAREER catches. That is too small a sample space to be used as a comparison

"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."

by aussie_cowboy on Jan 10, 2009 7:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Witten has almost 12 ypc

Passes to Witten are ussually shorter

Give me a break.

and not against a teams #1 CB

If opposing D-coordinators don’t gameplan for Jason Witten they should be fired. Believe me defenses don’t exactly let Witten run free, d-coordinators know they need to find ways to shut down our best offensive weapon. Like I said if they don’t their GM’s should fire them.

by quincyyyyy on Jan 10, 2009 7:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Witten averages more than 4 YAC,

so the throws themselves are shorter than 12 yds. Also the passes across the middle are easier and closer than those to the sidelines. So yes “passes to Witten are usually shorter”

"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."

by aussie_cowboy on Jan 10, 2009 7:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Owens also averages more than 4 YAC

Furthermore, for half the year Witten has been playing with a broken rib and a bad ankle. I just don’t buy that garbage.

Moreover, for most of the year Romo was either had the highest QB rating or the second highest, although he did finish the year with a respectable 91 rating. I just have a hard time believing Romo was the reason Owen’s had a dismal 49% catch rate, which is one of the worst in the league. A really crappy QB would have to be throwing you the ball to blame that awful stat on your passer. I just find your argument hard to swallow.

by quincyyyyy on Jan 10, 2009 8:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Romo is definately part of the reason TO had a low catch rate.

TO is also part of the problem. He doesnt have hands like receivers such as Fitzy, but Romo and BJ contributed aswell.

"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."

by aussie_cowboy on Jan 10, 2009 8:14 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

+1

"Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth." -Tyson

by cmr3 on Jan 11, 2009 8:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Romo is not the reason

There are receivers you posted that have worse QB’s throwing them the ball than Romo yet put up 1200+ numbers. Put the blame where it needs to be put, T.O.

by quincyyyyy on Jan 11, 2009 9:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Romo is one of the reasons whether you like it or not

"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."

by aussie_cowboy on Jan 11, 2009 4:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No he is not

You don’t need an elite QB throwing you the ball to post 1200+ yards. That is ridiculous. Romo was at the very least good, not great, this year, and that should be enough.

by quincyyyyy on Jan 11, 2009 4:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Romo was off on some throws

Our o-line’s pass blocking was poor, we have other options on offence so the ball is spread around, we played tough defences. All of these are reasons TO didnt have his best year

"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."

by aussie_cowboy on Jan 11, 2009 4:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

everything you mentioned every other receiver on that list

could say. You guys act like these afflictions just happen to our team.

Romo was off on some throws

Oh my freaking god. Every freaking QB in this league are off on some throws. If T.O. needs Tom freaking Brady to throw him the ball to have a 1200+ yard season then he is not as good as you think he is and is regressing due to old age. We are better off developing our younger receivers like Austin and Stanback.

Steve Smith played 2 less games and had Jake Delhomme throwing him the ball, yet was able to post a 1400 yards. Give me a freaking break with these excuses for T.O.

by quincyyyyy on Jan 11, 2009 4:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Of course it happens to every WR

I was just pointing out that there are more factors than just TO

"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."

by aussie_cowboy on Jan 11, 2009 4:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

yes but T.O. shouldn't need an ideal situation to excel

I think T.O. merely had a good year, not the year Jerry had in mind when he extended. And more likely than not he’ll have a worse year next year at 36 years old.

I’m of the mind we cut him now so we can avoid an atomic blow up, and so we can cultivate our other receivers that we currently have on the team or ones that we may draft.

by quincyyyyy on Jan 11, 2009 4:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with your first paragraph

But this team is built to win now, and if we want to win the SB next year we need TO

"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."

by aussie_cowboy on Jan 11, 2009 4:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

we were 9-7

we had countless injuries including our qb out 3 games.. we were shutdown how many games? 1..2..3…4 games so thats what atleast four games if not 6 games where our O did little to anything

What the French?! Toast!

by thebigham on Jan 11, 2009 5:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

its not just TO please

stop with the if TO leaves are O will be cured

What the French?! Toast!

by thebigham on Jan 11, 2009 5:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Never said that

but he is a declining player that is a progress stopper and a chemistry killer. I think he is more valuable off the team than on. However, that does not solve our other problems, but it is a start.

by quincyyyyy on Jan 11, 2009 5:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Steve Smith is better than Owens

at this point in their respective careers

by DavidH22 on Jan 12, 2009 7:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

ok Steve Smith has who else receiving balls in Carolina ?

no TO
no Crayton
no Bennett
no Roy W
no Austin

ya think Steve Smith got a lions share of all balls thrown his way on intermidiate, crossing routes and gaining yardage after the catch maybe ?…just maybe ?

by CowboysRnumba1 on Jan 12, 2009 10:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And TO's numbvers were good, not great this year..so what's your point ?

directly connected to Romo’s performance and missed games.

by CowboysRnumba1 on Jan 12, 2009 10:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Do you think it's difficult for a TE to beat a LB playing zone defense ?

You must realize that TE’s by location on the field, and their responsibilities to block, and slip off of blocks into open areas of the field are more than likely to be open on virtually all passing plays,right ?, and at the very most they are being shadowed by an LB or SS, not exactly hard positions to get seperation from, right ? And should you really bring Austin into any debate, if your looking hold any weight in a rebuttal ? Seeing that he played in maybe 3 games that I even remember him being a part of, he of all 13 pass receptions this season while going single covered against a reserve nickle defender.

by CowboysRnumba1 on Jan 12, 2009 10:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."

by aussie_cowboy on Jan 12, 2009 11:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, I got your point

"Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth." -Tyson

by cmr3 on Jan 10, 2009 3:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

TO is here to stay so lets stop all this..

Oh and its not his fault the offense was predictable and the O line gave romo no time. Its easy to Double Cover your best WR when he always lines up in the same position. And its also easy to guard the pass because we are always in shotgun and the draw doesnt scare anyone.

What the French?! Toast!

by thebigham on Jan 10, 2009 5:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

+1

"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."

by aussie_cowboy on Jan 10, 2009 5:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Do you think Andre Johnsons, Brandon Marshall's, or Roddy White's situation was any

better than T.O.‘s? Sorry I don’t buy that crap. If you are an elite receiver (especially if you are getting paid like one) You should be able to beat double teams or at least not lolly gag when you are running your routes.

by quincyyyyy on Jan 10, 2009 7:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

so are you complaining about TO's decline in stats?

To all that says TO is on a decline…

1. More guys got the ball this year.. barber had some big rushing games bennett witten
2. Decline in offense
3. Romo was out 3 games
4. Oline gave no time for deep passes
5. Predictable offense, garrett did nothing to change the scheme once teams start to jam TO and put a saftey over the top.

TO still produced, still commanded the double team each and every game.

What the French?! Toast!

by thebigham on Jan 10, 2009 8:56 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

No I'm saying your are pretending all these other receivers were in perfect situations

when they were probably is just as bad or worse situations that Owens was in.

by quincyyyyy on Jan 10, 2009 9:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

what does it matter what the other wr have done?

plus they have more catches more yards BUT less TDs…. id rather have the TDs with avg yards then a ton of yards and less TDs. Also do those guys have anyone else on their team… no they are the only playmaker hence more yardage

What the French?! Toast!

by thebigham on Jan 10, 2009 9:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And hence they tend to be the focal point of any defensive gameplan

whereas we have multiple receiving threats in the passing game besides T.O.

The point I was making is don’t act like Owens’ situation is unique.

by quincyyyyy on Jan 10, 2009 9:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

im not

you act like those other WRs had much better stats then TO and they didnt. So dont act like they overcame anything TO couldnt

What the French?! Toast!

by thebigham on Jan 10, 2009 9:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

They did have better stats

by quincyyyyy on Jan 10, 2009 11:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

They have less TDs

"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."

by aussie_cowboy on Jan 11, 2009 2:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

again

do you value yards over points?

What the French?! Toast!

by thebigham on Jan 11, 2009 8:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No

Calvin Johnson has more points, Greg Jennings has one less TD and more than 200 more yards, Roddy White has 2 less tds and nearly 400 more yards, Fitzgerald has nearly 500 more yards and 3 more TD’s, and Andre Johnson 2 less td’s and nearly 500 more yards. I’d rather T.O. to put up those numbers than what he did and so would a majority of people.

by quincyyyyy on Jan 11, 2009 9:57 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

you would rather

TO put up more yards then have more TDs i dont follow your logic. \

And of those guy you mention only fitz has another WR to throw. The rest of the guys are their TEAM. They are the only playmaker and target

What the French?! Toast!

by thebigham on Jan 11, 2009 10:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well let me explain the logic for you of why those receivers made the pro-bowl and T.O. didn't

TO put up more yards then have more TDs i dont follow your logic

Would rather you have a WR that puts up 1500 yards and 0 TD or a WR that has 15 TD’s and 50 yards. I think most people would prefer the former. Reason being is that if you have a WR that puts up 1500 yards that would loosely indicate the receiver’s plays likely led the team on 15+ scoring drives. So regardless whether the receiver was the one that ultimately scored, the team as a whole scored as a result of the receivers contributions earlier in the drive.

Furthermore, It is very likely that most of those 15 TD’s would have been scored by the team anyhow (either by another receiver or running the ball) if he wasn’t on the field.

In the case of the Cowboys this is especially true. T.O. is an end zone threat since he is a big guy. He is also the first read on most passing plays, so it is little surprise he would score all those points. However, the Cowboys have other big receivers that are end zone threats other than T.O., and we have a big end zone threat at the runningback position (MB3). So I don’t think him scoring those TD’s is anything special.

Now, I’m not saying big guys who are endzone threats are not valuable to the team. I’m just saying a Wes Welker is more valuable to the team than say a Tony Curtis of a season ago. This is why pro-bowl voter tend to put more weight on receiving yards, and rightfully so.

by quincyyyyy on Jan 11, 2009 10:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

that is to the extreme

i was talking like 1500yds and 6tds vs someone with 750 and 15 tds…. means they make the most of every catch when they can… id take TDs over yards anyday. And TO has one of the best yds per catch anyway so i dont buy the argument that “voters” look at yards more. Just like in 06 when TO didnt get to the probowl. Probowl voting is a joke.

What the French?! Toast!

by thebigham on Jan 11, 2009 10:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No you weren't

you were saying that T.O. had better stats because he had two or 3 more TD’s and 200 or 300 less yards. Most people would disagree with you.

And I was using a hyperbole to prove a point, which is yards is more valuable to the overall success of a team than a TD, because once you get in the red zone you have other big receivers on your team who can jump over 5’10 cornerbacks.

by quincyyyyy on Jan 11, 2009 11:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

whos to say those yards got you anywhere near the redzone?

you are assuming which just negates your whole arguement.

Id like to take a poll would you rather have middle of the pack yards with upper echleon of TDs or vice versa

What the French?! Toast!

by thebigham on Jan 11, 2009 1:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well anyhow Owens production this year is

an indication that his play is starting to regress, because he was more productive the past two years. That is what also worries me. He may do even worse next year.

by quincyyyyy on Jan 11, 2009 2:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

it wasnt just him

would you be worried about witten regressing too?
everyone regressed this year. Romo was out 3games plays into TO avg numbers.. not to mention the offense just wasnt clicking

What the French?! Toast!

by thebigham on Jan 11, 2009 2:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Witten got 952 yards

for any TE that is a great year. I have no clue what you are talking about.

by quincyyyyy on Jan 11, 2009 3:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

but he had more last year

so if you dont have as many yards as last year you must be regressing right

What the French?! Toast!

by thebigham on Jan 11, 2009 5:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

How old is Witten and how old is T.O.

your argument is absurd but I will humor you. Witten’s slightly worse year isn’t indicative of a declining player as he is 26 and is in his prime. However, T.O. has been cheating the football gods for the past 5 or so years, and at 35 it appears his age is catching up with him. Different situations. (not to mention one is playing on an elite level and the other isn’t)

by quincyyyyy on Jan 11, 2009 5:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

so it only works one way

ok ok i get it

What the French?! Toast!

by thebigham on Jan 11, 2009 5:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No your logic is just retarded

950 yards is still elite for a TE. 1050 yards is not an elite for a WR. Furthermore Witten was playing injured for most of the year. T.O. w asn’t. So the slight drop off in production can be directly attributed to that for Witten. T.O. has no such excuse.

Both were playing at an elite level in ’07, one was in ’08. One is 26 years old, and one is 35 years old. Either you are trying to piss me off or you are blind to the fact that T.O. is declining.

by quincyyyyy on Jan 11, 2009 6:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

or you are blind that the whole offense declined in 08

so why should we get rid of our number 1 WR

TO is not an avg player he has super healing power it seems like. He can easily be an exception to play at a high level til he retires

What the French?! Toast!

by thebigham on Jan 11, 2009 6:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Stop putting words in my mouth

I know the offense declined in ’08. But the other players have a chance of getting better. It is unlikely that Owens will get any better.

by quincyyyyy on Jan 11, 2009 6:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Owens has had one bad (by his standards) season

If his stats go down next year aswell I might agree with you, but for now I still think hes our best WR who gives us the best chance to win right now

"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."

by aussie_cowboy on Jan 11, 2009 6:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Witten slipped a bit

Even before the injuries got bad, he dropped several wide-open balls and made at least a handful of critical penalties. If you want to be technical, he helped lose the Steelers game. I agree that the whole offense was off in 2008, for a number of reasons. Everything that could have went wrong, did.

by DavidH22 on Jan 12, 2009 8:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Go look at the stats above

The rest of the guys are their TEAM. They are the only playmaker and target

They weren’t targeted nearly that much more than T.O. as you are making it sound. In fact Greg Jennings and Reggie Wayne were targeted just about as much and they did better, and in the case of Antonio Bryant he was targeted 3 less passes and did better than T.O.

by quincyyyyy on Jan 11, 2009 10:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Obsess much?

I’ll believe he’s regressing when he’s run out of town by the next big name receiver they way T.O. ran out Jerry Rice. It will happen but not anytime soon, at least not until Jerry signs him away from the Cardinals.

by Doomsday on Jan 14, 2009 12:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

maybe they actually had more catchable balls thrown their way ?

Peyton 67%
Garcia 65%

Romo 61%

by CowboysRnumba1 on Jan 16, 2009 4:09 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

anything over 60% is good.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jan 16, 2009 7:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

maybe because T.O. is dropping balls

by quincyyyyy on Jan 18, 2009 10:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

double coverage

"Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth." -Tyson

by cmr3 on Jan 11, 2009 8:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks, cmr3

Great write-up and perspective, IMO.

Although there are certainly fans who feel this way, it seems to me that the people most eager to drive T.O. out of Dallas are media types and confirmed Cowboys haters like Cris Carter, Mike Wilbon and ESPN. Guess what? They hate the Cowboys. That is, they’re not trying to help us succeed. So if they want T.O. gone, then I definitely want to keep him around. It’s a no-brainer, and with Felix Jones, an integrated Choice and Wiliams, etc, next year, I think T.O. could have a huge season.

KEEP T.O., FIRE THE MEDIA

by PaulFVillarreal on Jan 12, 2009 1:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs