Ian Allan

Scouting Jason Witten, one thing I don’t like is the way he gets used around the goal line.

Or, more accurate, doesn’t get used.

Normally, tight ends can be counted on to catch a healthy share of play-action flips around the end zone. They tend to catch even more passes than wide receivers in that part of the field.

Garbage touchdowns, a guy in our league calls them. Bubba Franks used to make a living down in that area.

But the Cowboys haven’t really used Witten in that role – they haven’t even tried.

They attempted 37 passes inside the 10 last year, but only 3 of those balls went Witten’s way, resulting in 2 catches and only 1 TD.

The previous year, the team attempted 38 passes in that part of the field. Only 4 attempts were intended for Witten, resulting in only 1 catch (which went for a touchdown).

And he’s been even worse as the team has gotten even closer to the goal line – 35 attempts over the last two years, with only 2 of those balls going to Witten.

If they don’t reconfigure their offense and start using Witten more around the goal line (he has the talent to play just fine down there), I fear he’ll finish the 2008 season with about 3-4 TDs.

—Ian Allan

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