We depart from the glamour of quarterbacks and receivers and move to the two “dirty work” positions for ball-carriers.
KEY PLAYERS
Jason Witten — His reputation as the game’s best tight end seems to gain more mainstream acceptance every year. He had a thousand-yard season and scored more touchdowns alone than all of the running backs combined. He seemed to step up his game after Romo’s injury and became Kitna’s favorite target. He’s the best offensive player on the team and it will be interesting to see how his peers rank him in the Top 100 list.
Martellus Bennett — While never having the big play that you’d hope for from a guy with such unique athleticism, Bennett provided sure hands and superior blocking as the second tight end. His worst moment of the year came recently when he made an ill-advised remark that suggested he preferred Kitna over Romo. His personality rubs many fans the wrong way and I’ve seen some call for his release, but John Phillips is coming back from a severe injury and there’s nothing worthwhile behind him. This is the year of Bennett’s contract.
John Phillips — After putting together a brilliant 2010 training camp and early preseason, Phillips was lost to an ACL injury. Assuming he comes back healthy and returns to form, he could end up being the only bright spot to come out of a seemingly horrid 2009 draft class. Phillips has displayed a total package of receiving and blocking ability and will certainly be a Garrett favorite with his pedigree and attitude. The way Garrett uses tight ends should allow him to see plenty of playing time.
Chris Gronkowski — Before Week 7, Alex Barron had a firm grip on the “Knucklehead Award” for 2010 with his boneheaded plays from the Week 1 loss to Washington. But when Gronkowski misread his block and allowed Michael Boley to end Tony Romo’s season, he probably took the title. I still thought he had a good chance to return despite that blunder, but the drafting of Shaun Chapas is a bad sign for Gronk’s job security. He does have the versatility to play tight end as well, so there’s still a chance he could find a role.
DRAFT CLASS IMPACT
That Dallas used a draft pick, even in the seventh round, to secure Chapas says something about what they think of the kid. His power is a question mark but that can be improved by the training staff. Chapas seems to bring a lot as a smart player and leader, as well as having some receiving ability. Keep in mind, however, that this is basically the same scouting report Gronkowski had coming out of college. Chapas should make the team, but he and Gronk will be competing.
FREE AGENCY POTENTIAL
If not for their drafting Chapas, I might have speculated that the Cowboys would add a veteran fullback. They certainly don’t need a tight end, barring camp bodies, so there should be no activity here.
2011 OUTLOOK
Even if Phillips can’t bounce back from his injury, the combination of Witten and Bennett rivals the rest of the league for talent. The winner of a Gronkowski-Chapas camp battle should be a solid fullback and will hopefully increase the number of key blocks that lead to those long runs for Felix Jones.
While some teams still have more defined and seperate roles for their fullbacks and tight ends, the Cowboys have almost fused the two. Jason Witten lined up in the backfield more than ever last season and John Phillips was doing a fait bit of it in 2009. But adding Chapas could bring back a more traditional fullback use. Having Witten and Bennett free to run more routes can only be a good thing.
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