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Jason Witten: Dez Bryant was not complaining about getting the ball

October 30, 2013 By 1 Comment

Dez Bryant Jason GarrettDez Bryant‘s emotional sideline outbursts during the Dallas Cowboys’ loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday have been a hot topic of conversation this week. Analysts ripped him for acting like a child, but NFL Films audio showed Bryant saying some positive things during what were perceived as temper tantrums. Bryant also insisted he was just being passionate and that there was nothing negative about it.

Jason Witten, one of the people that appeared to get into it with Bryant on the sideline during the fourth quarter, defended Dez on Tuesday. According to the veteran tight end, Bryant was not complaining about getting the ball.

“There’s nobody I love playing with more on Sundays than Dez,” Witten told KTCK-AM 1310 and KTCK-FM 96.7 The Ticket, via The Dallas Morning News. “I was just reminding him there at the end there was still hope, still a chance and that he kind of just needed to let it go and let’s get focused back on these final few seconds.

“Wasn’t about getting [Bryant] the ball…that’s not what kind of guy he is…that’s why we love him.”

Witten and Bryant appeared more animated with each other than Bryant and Romo were. Witten’s explanation makes sense, as the Cowboys still had time for one final Hail Mary after the Lions’ go-ahead touchdown and would have needed Bryant’s size and hands on that play.

From everything we have gathered, it sounds like Bryant’s outbursts were a combination of positive and negative emotion. We’d still like to hear the full audio. The video replays clearly don’t show enough.

H/T Pro Football Talk

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Dez Bryant and Jason Witten fight on sidelines (GIF)

October 27, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Dez Bryant’s unstable emotions were on full display Sunday during the Dallas Cowboys’ 31-30 loss to the Detroit Lions.

Bryant caught just one pass in the first half of the game — a one-handed touchdown grab to make it 10-7 Dallas before halftime. He may have been upset about how little action he was seeing, because he had a meltdown on the sidelines late in the third quarter. He yelled at Tony Romo and some of his coaches. But after the Cowboys a 60-yard touchdown to go up 20-10, he seemed to be doing much better and even gave Romo a pat on the butt. Then he seemed thrilled after scoring a 50-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to make it 27-17. But all those positive emotions quickly disappeared after the Cowboys blew the lead.

Dez Bryant Jason GarrettDespite being up 30-24 with 1:02 left, the Cowboys lost the game after allowing the Lions to go down the field and score the winning touchdown. As the game was slipping away from Dallas, Dez had another meltdown on the sidelines and was confronted by tight end Jason Witten, who tried putting him in check.

It was such a childish display by Dez. Is he the only player on the Cowboys? Is he the only guy who was furious that they blew the game? He sure acted like that was the case. And he also acted like the game was already over even though Witten was reminding him they still had time left.

Here was his meltdown on the sidelines earlier in the game:

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Jason Witten got caught eating hot dog Bill Parcells, thought he would be cut

July 18, 2013 By 1 Comment

Bill-Parcells-Saints-interimBill Parcells was known for being one of the toughest coaches to play for during his tenure in the NFL, but Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten recently shared a story about Parcells showing him mercy. Simply put, there was once a time where Witten thought eating a hot dog might get him cut.

On Wednesday, Witten told reporters at an Independence Bowl event that Parcells caught him eating a hot dog during halftime of a preseason game several years ago.

“It was raining, and I had played most of the first half, catching a touchdown pass, and we were beating the Saints pretty good,” Witten said, according to The Shreveport Times. “I figured I was finished at halftime, because starters usually didn’t play that much in preseason games. I walked under the stadium and saw the most beautiful hotdog you’ve ever seen. I dressed it all up with mustard, and ketchup and relish — then I was in mid-bite when coach (Bill) Parcells walked in.

“I felt about this big (motions with fingers). I didn’t figure I’d play another game as a Cowboy.”

[Related: Bill Parcells motivated DeMarcus Ware by ragging on him]

I’m always skeptical of people who put ketchup on their hot dog, but that’s beside the point. Apparently Parcells appreciates the power of a craving, because Witten is still with Dallas and has been one of the most productive tight ends in football throughout his career. Either that, or Witten just got lucky and caught the Big Tuna on a good day.

H/T Pro Football Talk

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Jason Witten reportedly willing to sign medical waiver to play against Giants

September 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Jason Witten has not yet fully recovered from the lacerated spleen he suffered during a preseason game on Aug. 13, but he desperately wants to play in the Cowboys season opener against the Giants Wednesday night. Witten is listed as doubtful for the game, but he made the trip to New York with the team. He reportedly wants to play so badly that he’s willing to put his signature on it.

According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, Witten has told the Cowboys multiple times that he is willing to sign a medical waiver absolving the team’s doctors and medical staff of any liability if he re-injured his spleen on Wednesday night. A CT can has reportedly showed that the spleen has healed, but doctors have urged the team to take caution. The Cowboys are not willing to make a decision on Witten’s status based on a waiver.

Prior to this summer, Witten had not missed an offseason practice in his entire career. In fact, a rare predicament almost caused him to miss his first back in June but he arrived to camp just in time. Witten takes conditioning very seriously and has missed only one game during his entire nine-year career — during his rookie season.

The Cowboys Pro Bowl tight end has been a model of durability throughout his career, but the team has to be smart. There is still a long season ahead of Dallas and Witten will be more important to the team down the line than he is in Week 1.

Photo credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

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Jason Witten: Tony Romo is elite, but will be criticized until he wins a Super Bowl

June 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Jason Witten made some bold comments recently that many considered to be offensive.

The Cowboys tight end has a partnership with a workout facility in Abilene, Texas, and spoke to Joey D. Richards of the Abilene Reporter-News while in town for a special workout on Monday. He spoke confidently about his team and its chances this season.

“We got a lot better through free agency, got a lot better in the draft,” Witten said. “Obviously, I think Tony Romo is an elite quarterback who gives you a chance to compete for a championship.”

Witten believes the criticism Romo faces is unfair.

“There’s high expectations for Cowboys,” he said. “There’s been some great quarterbacks who have come through that organization. You look at Roger Staubach and Troy (Aikman), and the expectations are Super Bowls. He’s a phenomenal, cool quarterback. He’s an elite quarterback. But until we win the big game, the criticism is going to come. We understand that, and we have high expectations. Tony is a phenomenal player and a phenomenal player for our football team.”

Witten cited Romo’s stats — 31 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions last year — as proof that Romo is elite. He is right in one sense.

I think Tony Romo is an elite playmaker. He can do things few other quarterbacks in the league can. He makes things happen, and throws for the kinds of yards and touchdowns only the top quarterbacks in the league can. But Romo also makes some of the biggest mental mistakes in the league, and that is what keeps him from being elite overall.

If he can improve on the mental side and eliminate the dumb mistakes, then he will truly be an elite quarterback. The problem is most people will refuse to recognize that unless the ‘Boys win a Super Bowl, just like Witten says. At least Romo believes he’ll get there. I’m not as confident.

Helmet knock to Pro Football Talk

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Jason Witten almost misses first offseason practice of his career with jury duty

June 12, 2012 By 1 Comment

Jason Witten is one of the hardest-working players in the NFL. We know that because he has never missed an offseason practice in his entire 10-year career. Remaining healthy requires a combination of conditioning and luck, but very few players have never sat on the sidelines with bumps and bruises or taken a personal day. On Tuesday, Witten’s amazing run nearly came to an end as he was off fulfilling his civic duties.

According to ESPNDallas.com, Witten was not present for the start of the Cowboys’ mandatory minicamp on Tuesday because he was selected for jury duty. Had the case dragged on, the Pro Bowl tight end would have missed his first ever offseason workout. However, the defendant pleaded guilty and Witten finally arrived at the practice facility at around noon. The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted a picture of him jogging onto the field to join his teammates.

Believe it or not, professional athletes are real people too. We aren’t the only ones who have to sit in a courthouse and read crappy three-year-old magazines for four hours while lawyers and judges deliberate in the other room. Sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you end up with O.J. Simpson’s future in your hands. Fortunately for Witten, the case was settled and his streak remains intact.

Photo credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

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Jason Witten: Tony Romo Appreciated Dirk’s Tweet

October 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Jason Witten and Tony Romo are pretty tight, so we’ve heard. The two may have to welcome a third man into their circle after receiving unsolicited support earlier in the week.

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki tweeted some words of encouragement for Romo on Monday after the Cowboys quarterback blew a 24-point lead against the Lions. Romo hasn’t responded to it, but tight end Jason Witten spoke for him.

“What [Dirk] really said at the bottom of that tweet is what it’s all about,” Witten told reporters. “Keep your mind focused and keep working hard. I think that’s kind of the mindset, on the outside, looks like how he went about his game.

“I think Tony’s done the same thing and we’re trying to do the same thing. We got a long way to go until we’re playing in those types of (championship) games (like Nowitzki did). It’s good to think about it. It’s good to prepare in those situations and hope that you put yourself in position. But it was a class act for him to do that. I know Tony appreciated it.”

It was a nice gesture of Dirk to support Romo, but their situations are much different. Dirk’s teams didn’t perform well in the playoffs until last season (and arguably 2006). Individually, Dirk never was the reason the Mavs lost. On the other hand, Romo has had some pretty epic choke jobs, including the season-opener to the Jets, and last weekend against Detroit. The encouragement is extremely thoughtful, but the situations are much different. I can’t wait to hear what Drew Pearson will say in response.

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