As the NFL Network continues to run down the Top 100 Players in the NFL as voted on by their peers, there were two Cowboys players left that had to be on the list. One of them was revealed yesterday, and that was tight end Jason Witten. He checks in as the #36 ranked player, and the second best tight end, with Antonio Gates yet to be ranked.
This time, the players got it right by ranking Witten the second best tight end in the league. We all know about his superior play in his time with Dallas. He's one of the best pass-catching tight ends around, with an uncanny knack for finding the openings in defenses and he rarely drops passes. And who can forget his helmetless jaunt through the Eagles defense. But he's also a major force in the Cowboys run-blocking scheme, something many pass-catching tight ends can't do. You don't have to take Witten out of the game on any down, he can do it all.
More on Witten's comments about his ranking below...
Witten called into the show to discuss his ranking and noted that he was "flattered" and that where you earn your respect in the league is from the guys you play against each week. When it was mentioned that Tony Romo was somewhat of a controversial choice earlier in the rankings, Witten backed up his buddy by claiming he was an elite QB, but also noted that the team needs to win big and prove it to everybody, that the team needed to get over the hump and he hopes they will this year. He's excited about the new coaching staff and what Jason Garrett brings to the team.
You can check out the video of Witten talking to the NFLN here.
So far they've had Jay Ratliff, Tony Romo, Miles Austin and Andre Gurode in the rankings. Witten now joins them to make five Cowboys on the list. The hosts let Witten, and us, know that there's one more Cowboy yet to be ranked. They asked who he thought that was and where they would be ranked. No surprise, Witten said DeMarcus Ware and that he should definitely be ranked in the Top 10, maybe even the Top 5. Based on his body work and not just last season, Witten noted that Ware is just a dominant player and a good guy to have on your team.
Since we're talking about Witten, I came across an article about Luke Stocker, a tight end for the Bucs. How does that relate to Witten? Well, Stocker was also a Tennessee player and has formed a relationship with Witten. Here's a piece of what he had to say about that.
"He’s the type of guy that has the kind of game I’m working towards," Stocker said of Witten. "I do have a good relationship with him. He came in this past summer and we got to hang out and work out a couple of days. He has a youth football camp in his hometown and I went up there and volunteered for that. He [planned to come to Tennessee in the offseason] and work out a few days and just hang out and talk. He’s going to help me through this process and give me a little head's up about what’s to come. He’s one of the best out there at the position I’m trying to be great at, so it’s great."
Hats off to Jason Witten, one of the best tight ends to ever play the game.