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Today, we have a matchup across eras between two men with identical Career AVs: fourth-seed Jason Witten, "The Senator," and everybody's model Cowboy, versus twelfth-seeded Tom Rafferty, the pivotman for potent Roger Staubach and Danny White-led offenses in the late 70s and early 80s. Who will prevail? Read the bios and cast yer ballots, folks!
Player: Jason Witten
Position: tight end
Seed: 4
Essentials:
| Name | Years | Career AV | Pro Bowls | All-Pro | RoH | HoF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christopher Jason Witten |
2003-present |
97 |
10 |
2 |
no |
no |
Bio: The Cowboys selected Jason Witten in the third round of the 2003 draft. He played sparingly in his rookie season (notably missing only one game after breaking his jaw, which he had to have wired shut), but exploded the following season, when he caught 87 passes and received the first of his ten Pro Bowl nods. Along the way, he became only the third tight end in NFL history with 10,000 career receiving yards; Witten currently stands thirteenth in career receptions, with 943 (nine more will push him past Andre Reed into twelfth place).
For his career, Witten has set Cowboys records for most career receptions, with 943, and most receptions in a single game, with eighteen (against the Giants in 2012). In addition, he holds NFL records for most receptions in a single season by a tight end (110 in 2012); most receptions in a single game by a tight end (the 18 noted above); most consecutive starts by a tight end (131 and counting); and is second to Tony Gonzalez in receptions and receiving yards by a tight end.
Plus, he suffered a lacerated spleen and didn't miss a game. And had the greatest helmetless run ever, and on Monday Night Football against the Eagles no less. To top it off, he is a model citizen and teammate and was the the 2012 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award winner.
Player: Tom Rafferty
Position: offensive guard, center
Seed: 13
Essentials:
| Name | Years | Career AV | Pro Bowls | All-Pro | RoH | HoF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Michael Rafferty |
1976-89 |
97 |
0 |
0 |
no |
no |
Bio: Rafferty was selected in the 4th round of the 1976 Draft and, after a year of seasoning, assuming the starting left guard spot, during a season in which he helped pave the way for rookie running back Tony Dorsett en route to a Super Bowl win. He quickly established himself as one of the better linemen in Cowboys history, with his trademarks being admirable durability and versatility. In 1981, he was moved to center, becoming the anchor of an offensive line that led the Cowboys to two NFC Championship Games.
In total, Rafferty played in 221 total games for the Cowboys, including 167 consecutive games, which at the time was more than any other Cowboy in history. In that time, he appeared in 18 post-season games and two Super Bowls. "Raff" was named to the Cowboys All-Time Team in 2003. And a closing factoid: he is the only Cowboys offensive lineman to block for both Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman.
Alright, BTBers, which man advances to the next round?