Jason Witten Official Website

LANDOVER, Md. – Time to put a half-baked popular sentiment to rest.

 

Cowboys tight end Jason Witten does not need to be a wingman to wide receiver

Terrell Owens to be an effective receiver.

 

In Sunday night's win against Washington, Witten showed again he is a lead receiver all on his own, not a complementary player in the Cowboys' offense. The Cowboys will head into the playoffs with Witten as the constant in their passing game.

Witten acknowledged an effective wide receiver helps him as much as anyone. This season, it is

Miles Austin.

 

When the sputtering offense needed a lift, Witten provided it by proving he is quicker than Washington's LaRon Landry.

 

On first down from the Cowboys' 28, Witten evaded Landry with a nifty move off the line. Romo got the ball to him, and Witten outran Landry and dashed downfield. Helped by a block from Roy Williams, Witten made it to the Redskins' 3. Marion Barber scored on the next play for a 14-0 lead.

 

Before this, Witten's longest career gain was 53 yards. His rare flash of speed was a subject of locker-room ribbing.

 

"I didn't know you had that kind of speed," a jubilant owner-general manager Jerry Jones shouted at Witten. "That was after-burner stuff."

 

The big play, at least big by tight-end standards, has gradually returned to Witten's game.

In the first 10 games of the season, Witten had 18 catches of 10-plus yards and three receptions of 20-plus yards. His average per reception was in single digits, not the sign of an elite tight end.

 

In the last five games, Witten has 13 catches of 10-plus yards. That includes six receptions of 20-plus yards. He is back up to more than 10 yards per catch for the season, about one yard below his career level, but a significant improvement from early in the season.

 

This is where Austin helps Witten. Early in the season, opponents used double-coverage on Witten. As Austin grew into a front-line receiver, opponents had to play man coverage more often against Witten.

 

The Redskins were in a man on his big play and suffered for it. Few defenses can handle Witten in a straight one-on-one matchup.

 

"We feel that's a matchup we can attack," Witten said. "You have to be consistent and be the same player. Things are opening up."

 

With Terrell Owens nowhere in sight.