Done with the old, with the new: Jason Witten and the two Blakes

The Dallas Cowboys have undergone many changes throughout the offseason. So many changes that we have to go back and take a look at what those changes were and what the Cowboys are doing to adapt to them. This series “Out with the Old, In with the New” will go through the players lost during the offseason and the players that the Cowboys brought in to make up for those losses.

We will also be looking at the changes of coach, mainly the head coach and defensive coordinator, and how they are different in the way they coach their players. Finally, end the series with an overall comparison of offensive and defensive patterns, and how they are different.

So let’s kick off the series with one of the biggest lost names in Cowboys history, Jason Witten.

The Old Man – Jason Witten

Considered by many to be the best tight end ever for the Dallas Cowboys, Witten’s tenacity, leadership and ability to make the big play are three things he will always remember. Not to mention the records he currently holds – most career receptions (1,215), most career yards (12,939), and most single game receptions (18). Witten has proven to be a valuable part of the offense no matter the ploy or quarterback throwing the ball at him.

Even though he seemed to run in the sand at times, Witten always showed a knack for being open against defenders. His preferred route, the Option Y route, was a medium depth route that gave him the flexibility to choose whether to drill inside or outside depending on how the fender is lined up and the man covering his cheek. This road became his bread and butter for 15 seasons in the NFL.

For all the good things Witten did for the Cowboys, he also hurt them when it came to the tight young ends the Cowboys would bring in for him to become a mentor. Instead, Witten’s competitiveness would push him to make sure these young players didn’t take away his time on the pitch. It also helps when you’re close enough to the head coach, but now that Jason Garrett is gone, Witten has had to find another team thanks to the hiring of new head coach Mike McCarthy who loves athletic tighter ends. Father Time had robbed Witten of most of his athleticism.

All good things come to an end and that moment has come this offseason for Witten and the Cowboys. Especially after the emergence of tight end Blake Jarwin the past two seasons.

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New – Blake Jarwin and Blake bell

Jason Witten’s departure now opens the door for Jarwin to play the role he seems naturally ready for, the tight side more athletic and playful that the Cowboys have been trying to find since the writing of Martellus Bennett in 2008. Ability to Jarwin in beating defenders with his speed is an improvement over the methodical approach Witten had to deceive defenders.

His athleticism also gives the Cowboys more options when making games for Jarwin, allowing him to move around and get better matches. Last season Jarwin showed he was ready to take over, and we know that when the youngster is able to get the job done, the veteran is on the chopping block. The Cowboys have also seen him giving him a new contract this offseason and letting Witten walk in free agency.

But that wasn’t the only thing the Cowboys did to make up for Witten’s departure in free agency, they also signed tight ex-Chiefs group Blake Bell. While Bell isn’t known for his receiving prowess, he’s known for his blocking abilities. During his time with the Chiefs, Bell was primarily used as the tight tackle against Travis Kelce who was the receiving threat.

When Witten left, the Cowboys also lost their best blocking tight end and a productive receiving threat at the same time, but the Cowboys already had a player waiting backstage to take the reins from the receiving front. They also brought another good blocking tight end to make sure they cover all of their bases.

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The Cowboys did a good job trying to improve on the tight final position. They are hopeful that both Blakes continue to get high production from the tight final position.