PRO: In just four NFL seasons, Cowboys tight end Jason Witten has not only emerged as one of the top players at his position, but is closing in on becoming the most decorative tight end in Cowboys history. With three Pro Bowls under his belt, Witten is already one of the most productive pass-catchers in team history, and has the numbers to prove it. By recording 64 receptions in 2006, Witten became the first Cowboys tight end to record at least 60 catches in three different seasons. He is one of just 10 tight ends in NFL history to record more than 60 catches in three consecutive seasons. In 2006, Witten finished third on the team with 64 catches for 754 yards, although he scored just one touchdown. He finished second in the NFC and sixth in the NFL among tight ends in both catches (64) and receiving yards (754). Witten was named to his third Pro Bowl, as an injury replacement for Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey. Witten is now tied with former Cowboys tight ends Doug Cosbie and Billy Joe DuPree with three Pro Bowl appearances, trailing only Jay Novacek (five appearances) for most in team history. But Witten has already topped Novacek and several other former tight ends in other statistical categories. Witten already has three of the Cowboys' top-five reception seasons by a Cowboys tight end, including his team-record 87 catches in 2004. Witten's 66 catches in 2005 (third) and his 64 grabs in 2006 is tied for fourth with Cosbie (1985). Witten also has three of the five highest receiving yards totals in a single season by a tight end, topped by his 980 yards in 2004. Witten is also fourth and fifth with his 757 yards in 2005, and 754 yards in 2006, respectively. While Witten is busy setting all sorts of tight end records, he actually began his collegiate career at the University of Tennessee as a defensive end, but switched to tight end as a freshman. In three years, Witten quickly became one of the best tight ends in college football, and eventually left school after his junior season. As the Cowboys' third-round pick in 2004 (69th overall), Witten got off to a slow start as a rookie, catching just eight passes in the first eight games. But he turned it on in the second half of the season, catching 28 balls, giving him 35 for 347 yards and one touchdown as a rookie. But his career, and his place as one of the game's best tight ends took off in 2004, when he became Vinny Testaverde's go-to receiver. His 87 catches not only set team records, but ranks tied for 13th in NFL history for most receptions by a tight end in a single season. In fact, Witten's 87 catches is an NFC record, as the six players ahead of him are from AFC teams. Witten's evolution as a clutch receiver can be seen in the fact that 140 of his 252 career receptions have gone for a first down, including 53 on third down to convert first downs. Witten is a big target for Cowboys quarterbacks, but has also turned into a big-play threat down the field, with his rare athleticism for his size. While he has improved his blocking skills at the line of scrimmage, Witten is now considered one of the more complete tight ends in the NFL.

2006: Witten continued his emergence as one of the NFL's elite tight ends, earning his third consecutive Pro Bowl appearance. Witten ranks second, among tight ends, in the NFC with 64 catches for 754 yards. Both totals ranked sixth in the NFL among tight ends. Witten became the first tight end in Cowboys history to record three consecutive seasons of at least 60 receptions or more. It is the seventh time in club history that a Dallas tight end has recorded at least 60 receptions: Jason Witten (2004-06), Jay Novacek (1992 and 1995) and Doug Cosbie (1984-85). Witten is also one of just 10 tight ends in NFL history to record that feat. Witten was an injury replacement to the Pro Bowl, but is now among four Cowboys tight ends with at least three Pro Bowl appearances. Witten joins Billy Joe DuPree and Doug Cosbie with three Pro Bowl selections each, while Jay Novacek leads all former Cowboys tight ends with five appearances. In the season opener against Jacksonville (9/10), Witten caught three passes for 33 yards. He had a third-quarter touchdown catch wiped out because of an offensive pass interference call. Against the Redskins (9/17) the following week, Witten caught four passes for 45 yards, including a 22-yard reception on the nationally-televised Sunday Night Football. Playing in front of several friends and family against the Titans (10/1), Witten returned to his college stomping grounds of Tennessee for the first time in his career. He caught two passes for 19 yards, with both receptions coming on the Cowboys'' first scoring drive of the game. He finished the game as a key blocker for the running game, which picked up 217 yards against the Titans. Witten had four catches for 51 yards against Philadelphia (10/8) the next week. All four receptions went for first downs and Witten recorded his 200th career reception on the day. He caught three more passes for 17 yards in a home win against Houston (10/15), and added four grabs for 72 yards the next week in a Monday night loss to the Giants (10/23). Witten had a 31-yard reception, while three of his four catches picked up a first down. The Cowboys bounced back with a win the following Sunday night in Carolina (10/29), Tony Romo's first start at quarterback. Witten had a season-high seven catches for 80 yards and what proved to be his only touchdown of the season. He caught three balls for 55 yards resulting in first downs, in the Cowboys 14-play, 71-yard field goal drive to start the fourth quarter, in which the Cowboys scored a club record 25 points in the final quarter. Witten had five more catches for 50 yards in a loss to the Redskins (11/5). Witten's 28-yard catch in the final minute of regulation, put the Cowboys in position for a game-winning field goal that was eventually blocked. Witten tied for the team-lead with five catches for 58 yards the next week in Arizona (11/12). Three of his five catches picked up a first down and he record a reception on three of the Cowboys' scoring drives. Against Indianapolis (11/19), Witten caught three balls for 25 yards as the Cowboys handled the Colts their first loss of the regular season. Witten caught three more passes in each of the next two games, a Thanksgiving Day win over Tampa Bay (11/23) and then a dramatic win over the New York Giants (12/3) at the Meadowlands. Witten caught three balls for 73 yards against the Giants, including a career-long 42-yard grab in the final minute of regulation that set up Martin Gramatica's game-winning field goal. Witten caught four passes for 33 yards in the Cowboys' home loss to New Orleans (12/10), but responded with five grabs for 56 yards the next week in Atlanta (12/16). Four of Witten's five grabs came on Cowboys' touchdown drives, including a 13-yard reception on the final scoring drive to seal the win. Witten tied his single-game best for the year with six receptions for 50 yards against Philadelphia (12/25) on Christmas Day. In a season-finale loss to Detroit (12/31), Witten caught four passes for 62 yards. All four receptions picked up first downs and occurred on touchdown drives. In his second career playoff game, Witten had a team-high 57 receiving yards in Seattle (1/6) on just four three catches. His 32-yard catch on fourth-and-two, set up a touchdown just before halftime. Witten's season ended in the Pro Bowl, where he played most of the second half, alongside offensive teammates Tony Romo, Andre Gurode and Flozell Adams. Witten caught just one pass for no gain.

2005: In being named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl, Witten also became the first tight end in club history to post back-to-back 65-plus catch seasons. He finished third in the NFC (sixth in the NFL) among tight ends in receptions (66), fourth in the NFC (seventh in the NFL) among tight ends in receiving yards (757) and fourth in the NFC (tied for sixth in the NFL) among tight ends with a career-high tying six touchdown grabs. Witten finished second on the team against Washington (9/19) with four catches for 35 yards before leading the team with six catches for 85 yards and a touchdown at San Francisco (9/25). Each of his six catches on the night went for first downs. At Oakland (10/2) he led the team for the second consecutive week with five catches (four for first downs - including three on third down that kept scoring drives alive) for 49 yards. Against Philadelphia (10/9) he tied for the team lead with seven catches for 80 yards then posted five grabs for 56 yards and a touchdown against the N.Y. Giants (10/16). In the game, he hauled in a 26-yard pass in overtime to set Dallas up with a first down en route to the game-winning field goal. At Seattle (10/23) he led the team with 47 yards on two catches. He was second on the team with five catches for a game-high 71 yards, including a season-long 34-yard snag, against Arizona (10/30). Against Denver (11/24) on Thanksgiving Day, Witten tied his single-game career-high with nine catches for 82 yards and a score. He registered his 50th catch of the season - his only of the game for five yards at the N.Y. Giants (12/4). Witten posted a season-high 93 yards and a touchdown on seven catches against Kansas City (12/11). He then led the team with four catches for 41 yards and a score at Washington (12/18). In the season finale against St. Louis (1/1/06), he was second on the team with four catches for 50 yards and a touchdown, his career-high tying sixth of the season.

2004: Witten put together the greatest receiving season by a tight end in club history and earned his first Pro Bowl appearance along the way - the first tight end to represent Dallas in the game since Novacek went to Hawaii in 1995. He led the club and tied for seventh in the NFC, 11th in the NFL, in receptions with 87- tops in the NFC and second in the NFL among tight ends. With his team-high 87 receptions, Witten joined Cosbie as the only tight ends in club history to lead the team in receptions in a season. He finished one yard behind Keyshawn Johnson for the club lead in receiving yards with 980, ranking him 12th in the NFC, 27th in the NFL tops in the NFC, second in the NFL among tight ends. With one more receiving yard, Witten would have been the first tight end in club history to lead the team in yardage in a season. In the home opener against Cleveland (9/19), he had a short-lived career-high 82 receiving yards on six catches, a harbinger of things to come. He reached the end zone for the first time in 2004 with a 10-yard grab in the 21-18 win at Washington (9/27) and then led the team with five receptions for 35 yards against the N.Y. Giants (10/10). Witten's season took off at Green Bay (10/24) when he led the team with eight catches for 112 yards and a touchdown. It was the first 100-yard receiving day by a Dallas tight end since Novacek had 104 yards against Green Bay in the playoffs on Jan. 8, 1995. Among his eight catches was a 42-yard touchdown catch, a career-best and the longest by a Dallas tight end since Cosbie's 61-yard scoring catch at the N.Y. Giants on Oct. 30, 1983. Against Detroit (10/31), Witten one-upped that performance with a career-high nine catches, good for 84 yards and a touchdown. It was the best reception total by a Dallas tight end since Novacek posted 11 against Green Bay on Jan. 8, 1995. Witten had a season-high 16.2 yard-per-catch average at Cincinnati (11/7) by leading the team with six receptions for 97 yards, including catches of 18, 25 and 33 yards. His hot streak continued against Philadelphia (11/17) when he set single-game career marks for receiving yards (133) and touchdowns (two) while tying his career-high with nine receptions. It was the first multiple-touchdown game by a Dallas tight end since Jackie Harris had two against San Francisco on Sept. 24, 2000. The 133 receiving yards were the second most ever by a Dallas tight end, behind Cosbie's club-record 159 yards at Detroit on Sept. 15, 1985. Six of his nine catches went for a first down, including grabs of 22, 29 (TD), 24 (TD) and 25 yards. On Thanksgiving Day against Chicago (11/25), he was limited to one catch for 17 yards, but he was a big part of the blocking for a running game that helped Jones rush for 150 yards the first 100-yard rushing performance of the season by a Dallas back. At Seattle (12/6) he was second on the team with five catches for 61 yards, but his biggest play of the night in the Cowboys come-from-behind win came in the fourth quarter when he recovered an on-side kick to give Dallas the ball at the Cowboys 43-yard line, setting up the game-winning touchdown drive. He led the team with four receptions for 59 yards against New Orleans (12/12). His first catch of the day at Philadelphia (12/19) moved him past Cosbie's club-record for single-season receiving yardage by a tight end (793 yards), and his second catch moved him ahead of Novacek's club-record for receptions in a season by a tight end (68 receptions). He finished the game with a team-high six receptions for 66 yards. In the season-finale at the N.Y. Giants (1/2/05), Witten led the team with eight catches for 77 yards and a touchdown. He also hauled in a toss from Vinny Testaverde for a two-point conversion to put Dallas up 24-21 with 1:49 remaining. He had three catches for 40 yards on the final touchdown drive. He also had two catches to convert third downs on the third quarter drive that ended with his touchdown catch.

2003: Witten emerged as an outstanding all-around tight end in his first season in the pro ranks, tying for 18th in the NFL among tight ends with 35 receptions. Among his rookie peers, Witten tied for fourth in the NFL among all rookies with 35 receptions and was tops among rookie tight ends. Of his 35 catches, 18 went for a first down, including nine that converted third downs. Witten earned his first NFL start in his NFL debut when the Cowboys opened the season against Atlanta (9/7) with two tight ends. He went on to record his first catch with a 13-yard grab for a first down in the fourth quarter. He caught two passes for 25 yards in the overtime win at the N.Y. Giants (9/15), and then his blocking was a key part of a Dallas ground game that rushed for 202 yards on 41 carries (4.9 avg.) at the N.Y. Jets (9/28). Against Arizona (10/5), Witten recorded a team-high tying four receptions for 41 yards before suffering a fractured jaw in the fourth quarter. The injury forced him to have three plates inserted into the area during surgery on Oct. 6. He was inactive with the jaw fracture against Philadelphia (10/12), but returned to action at Detroit (10/19). Witten had three receptions for 24 yards, including two catches on third down to convert first downs, against Buffalo (11/9). In the Cowboys 24-20 win over eventual NFC Champion Carolina (11/23), Witten tied for the team lead with six receptions for 49 yards. He also had a critical 13-yard grab on third-and-eight with 1:47 remaining in the game to seal the win. On Thanksgiving Day against Miami (11/27), Witten recorded season-highs with eight receptions for 58 yards. It was the best reception total by a Dallas tight end since Eric Bjornson caught eight passes at San Francisco on Nov. 10, 1996. It also tied for the second-most receptions in a game by a Dallas receiver in 2003. He did not record a catch at Washington (12/14), but helped provide some of the blocking that sprang Troy Hambrick for 189 rushing yards, the third best rushing day in club history. His one catch against the N.Y. Giants (12/21) was a season-long 36-yard scoring grab that gave Dallas a 10-3 lead on the way to a 19-3 playoff clinching win. It was his first career touchdown catch and the longest scoring catch by a Dallas tight end since Cosbie had a 61-yard scoring grab at the N.Y. Giants on Oct. 30, 1983. In the season finale at New Orleans (12/28), he was second on team with five catches for 45 yards. He also added his first career special teams tackle in the game. Making his postseason debut at Carolina (1/3/04) in the wild card playoff game, Witten tied for second on the team with four receptions for 30 yards.

COLLEGE: Witten left Tennessee after his junior season, but still managed to finish his career third among tight ends on the school's career reception list with 68 and fourth on the receiving yards list with 797. He closed out his collegiate career by establishing school records for receptions (39) and receiving yards (493) in a season by a tight end while adding five touchdowns in 2002. He was a consensus All-Southeastern Conference pick as well as an Academic All-SEC honoree as he led the conference's tight ends in receptions and receiving yards. Witten played in every game as a sophomore, starting three, and finished third on the team with 28 receptions for 293 yards (10.5 avg.) and a pair of touchdowns. Because of a personnel shortage, Witten was moved from defensive end and given a crash course at tight end as a freshman and installed in the lineup behind John Finlayson. He went on to see action in 11 games, starting twice.

PERSONAL: Christopher Jason Witten attended Elizabethton, Tenn., High School and was a consensus All-America selection at linebacker (Prep Star, Parade, Gridiron Greats, USA Today, Blue Chip Illustrated, Street & Smith) and the USA Today Player of the Year for Tennessee as a senior. The East Tennessee Player of the Year, Region Defensive Player of the Year and runner-up for the Mr. Football award, Witten racked up 163 tackles, nine sacks, two interceptions, two blocked kicks, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He also played tight end, catching 26 passes for 345 yards and 14 touchdowns. A four-year starter at linebacker and tight end, Witten led his team to the state semi-finals three times and earned all-state honors his junior and senior years. He holds the school record for career tackles with 450. During the winter, he averaged 15 points and 12 rebounds-per-game for the basketball team. As a member of the Cowboys 2003 Rookie Club - a program designed to introduce rookie team members to community service in the Dallas area - Witten participated in charity visits to various non-profit organizations serving children and adults. Visits included work with the ChildCareGroup, The Salvation Army, Children's Medical Center Dallas and Kid's Cafe at The Voice of Hope Ministries. During the 2004 and 2005 seasons, Witten served as the Cowboys JC Penney Take a Player to School representative visiting the elementary school of the local winner. He and his wife also participated in an informal Q&A with the participants of the 2004 Cowboys Football 101 Workshop at Texas Stadium. The Witten's, annually participate in the team's support of The Salvation Army Angel Tree program providing gifts to underprivileged children for Christmas. During the 2004 and 2005 off-seasons, Witten suited up to serve as a celebrity escort in the Children's Cancer Fund Fashion Show and Luncheon, a fundraiser co-chaired by former Cowboys quarterbacks Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach that raises over $500,000 annually. He also strutted the "catwalk" in Dallas' annual St. Valentine's Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Style Show in the 2005 off-season. Witten was an Arts and Sciences major at Tennessee. His wife, Michelle, is an emergency room nurse at Parkland Hospital in Dallas. SEASON HIGH: 6 receptions @ Carolina (10/29) and vs. Philadelphia (12/25) 80 receiving yards @ Carolina (10/29) * Named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl (injury replacement for Jeremy Shockey) after the season, joining Jay Novacek (5 times), Doug Cosbie (3 times) and Billy Joe DuPree (3 times) as the only tight ends in club history to make multiple appearances in the Pro Bowl. * Second in the NFC, sixth in the NFL, among tight ends with 64 receptions. * Second in the NFC, sixth in the NFL, among tight ends with 754 receiving yards. * Recorded 64 receptions for 754 yards. The 64 catches tied the fourth best total in club history by a tight end. The 754 receiving yards was the fifth best total in club history by a tight end. Now owns three of the top five single-season marks for receptions and receiving yards by a tight end in club history. TOP SINGLE-SEASON RECEIVING RECORDS BY A DALLAS COWBOYS TIGHT END Receptions Receiving Yards 1. Jason Witten, 2004 87 1. Jason Witten, 2004 980 2. Jay Novacek, 1992 68 2. Doug Cosbie, 1985 793 3. Jason Witten, 2005 66 3. Doug Cosbie, 1984 789 4. Doug Cosbie, 1985 64 4. Jason Witten, 2005 757 Jason Witten, 2006 64 5. Jason Witten, 2006 754 * Had 64 receptions for the year, his third consecutive 60-catch season. He is the first tight end in club history to record 60-or-more receptions in a season three times. It is the seventh time in club history that a Dallas tight end has recorded at least 60 receptions: Jason Witten (2004-06), Jay Novacek (1992 and 1995) and Doug Cosbie (1984-85). * With 64 catches in 2006 became the first tight end in club history with three consecutive 60-plus catch seasons. He is one of just 10 tight ends in NFL history to record more than 60 catches in three consecutive seasons. @ Jacksonville (9/10) recorded three receptions for 33 yards, including two that picked up a first down. vs. Washington (9/17) hauled in four passes for 45 yards, including a 22-yarder. @ Tennessee (10/1) recorded two catches for 19 yards on the Cowboys first scoring drive of the game. That was the end of his day as a receiver, but his blocking helped the ground game pick up 217 yards on the afternoon. @ Philadelphia (10/8) recorded his 200th career reception among his four catches for 51 yards. All four of his catches picked up first downs. vs. Houston (10/15) logged three catches for 17 yards and also as a blocker helped the ground game rush for 170 yards on 37 carries (4.6 avg.), with Julius Jones topping the 100-yard mark for the third consecutive game with 106 yards. vs. N.Y. Giants (10/23) recorded four catches for 72 yards, including a 31-yard grab. Three of his four catches picked up a first down, including two on third downs. @ Carolina (10/29) had a season best six receptions for a season-high 80 yards and his first touchdown of the season. Five of his six catches picked up first downs, including two on third downs. Had three catches for 55 yards (all for first downs) on the Cowboys 14-play, 71-yard field goal drive to start the fourth quarter. That drive pulled Dallas to within one point of Carolina at 14-13. @ Washington (11/5) added five catches for 50 yards, including a 28-yard catch that put Dallas in position for the game-winning field goal that was eventually blocked. @ Arizona (11/12) tied for the team lead with five receptions for 58 yards. Three of his catches picked up a first down and he had a reception on three of Dallas's scoring drives. vs. Indianapolis (11/19) hauled in three passes for 25 yards. Two of his catches picked up a first down. vs. Tampa Bay (11/23) had three receptions for 30 yards. @ N.Y. Giants (12/3) recorded three receptions for 73 yards, including a career-long tying 42-yard catch to get Dallas into range for Martin Gramatica's game-winning field goal in the game's final minute. vs. New Orleans (12/10) caught four passes - second on the team - for 33 yards. @ Atlanta (12/16) recorded five catches for 56 yards including 13-yard pass on the Cowboys final touchdown drive to seal the win. On the night, four of his five catches came on Dallas touchdown drives. vs. Philadelphia (12/25) led the team and tied his single-game best for the year with six receptions for 50 yards. vs. Detroit (12/31) had four receptions for 62 yards. All four catches picked up first downs and they all came on Dallas touchdown drives. @ Seattle (1/6) recorded three receptions for a team-high 57 yards (19.0 avg.), including a game-long 32-yard catch and run on fourth-and-two to set Dallas up at the Seattle three-yard line. Two plays later Dallas scored a touchdown to take a 10-6 lead into the half. * 39 of his 64 catches this season have gone for a first down, including 15 on third downs to convert a first down. * Has a reception in 50 consecutive regular season games, and 59-of-63 career regular-season games. * Currently 12th in franchise history for career receptions with 252, fourth among Dallas tight ends. * For his career 140 of his 252 career receptions have resulted in a first down, including 53 that converted a third down. * His 87 receptions in 2004 were the 11th best single-season total by a tight end in NFL history. Only five tight ends (Ozzie Newsome, Kellen Winslow, Tony Gonzalez, Todd Christensen and Ben Coates) had recorded more receptions in a season.