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John Garrett on Jason Witten and Martellus Bennett: 'They are interchangeable'
10:58 PM CDT on Thursday, August 26, 2010
SportsDayDFW.com
Dallas Cowboys tight end coach John Garrett was interviewed on KESN-FM on Wednesday to discuss the growth of Martellus Bennett , the loss of John Phillips and the younger players vying for a spot. Here are some highlights:
Is Martellus Bennett a good enough blocker at the point of attack that the Cowboys can be as effective with a two tight end set as when they still had John Phillips?
Oh yes, no doubt about it. Again, they play different roles. Martellus Bennett is typically with his hands down on the line of scrimmage as the ‘Y’ and John Phillips was more as the ‘F’ tight end in motion, performing his blocking responsibilities on the move, in motion and from the backfield. So, they play different roles and Martellus Bennett can be a very effective blocker and he has proven to be one at the point of attack because he’s shown the ability to move people off the line of scrimmage, even the big defensive lineman. So we’re pleased with his role and his performance as a run blocker.
So are Martellus Bennett and Jason Witten more similar than they are different?
Well, again, they are interchangeable. There are times when we play Witten at ‘Y’ and there are times when we play him at ‘F’. And that is based upon what we are trying to do, whether it’s a run or a pass. We try not to let the defense just key in on what plays we run when this guy plays a certain position and this guy plays a certain position. So you need that versatility to keep the defense off guard and they play both positions. It could change: one play, Martellus is the ‘Y’, next play he’s the ‘F’. So we really try to keep the defense off balance with how we call the personnel.
With the dress rehearsal game against Houston coming, who is the Cowboys’ third tight end behind Witten and Bennett?
Well, we’re not sure right now. I mean, that job is still open and we are anxiously awaiting to see who is really going to step up and make plays and take that role. Another kid that’s done well for us is Jason Pociask. He’s come in and picked up the offense well along with Martin Rucker and DajLeon Farr. One of those guys is going to emerge and they’re all going to play and we’re all going to see how they react and play in the game.
Will the Cowboys utilize Jason Witten more often in the end zone this season with tight end play action after not doing so much last year?
I would check your records because Jason Witten did catch a touchdown on that very play this year against the Giants and John Phillips caught one against the Eagles. So we do use the tight end down there. We, obviously, are not showing our full arsenal in the preseason of how we’re going to use anyone: receivers, tight ends, backs in the end zone because these are our preseason games. So, we know the effectiveness of our players and how we’re going to use them down there and feel very confident that we’ll be able to spread the ball around down there so defenses can’t key on one or two guys.
The offense has been really plain in the preseason so far. Is that because the Cowboys just want to see what their young players can do on just skill alone?
Well, basically, yes. Preseason games are used primarily to evaluate talent and to set your roster. Also, you don’t want to show too much, particularly in a game like the one upcoming against Houston because we play them in the regular season. So you certainly hold things back. Things that you want to do…you’re almost chomping at the bit to say, “Hey, this play would really work.” But we can’t use it because we play them during the season, so you become very vanilla, very basic. You’re still sound, there are still good plays but they’re base plays, they’re common plays that almost everybody has but you’re still using them to evaluate talent.
To listen to the interview, click here.
• • •
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10:58 PM CDT on Thursday, August 26, 2010
SportsDayDFW.com
Dallas Cowboys tight end coach John Garrett was interviewed on KESN-FM on Wednesday to discuss the growth of Martellus Bennett , the loss of John Phillips and the younger players vying for a spot. Here are some highlights:
Is Martellus Bennett a good enough blocker at the point of attack that the Cowboys can be as effective with a two tight end set as when they still had John Phillips?
Oh yes, no doubt about it. Again, they play different roles. Martellus Bennett is typically with his hands down on the line of scrimmage as the ‘Y’ and John Phillips was more as the ‘F’ tight end in motion, performing his blocking responsibilities on the move, in motion and from the backfield. So, they play different roles and Martellus Bennett can be a very effective blocker and he has proven to be one at the point of attack because he’s shown the ability to move people off the line of scrimmage, even the big defensive lineman. So we’re pleased with his role and his performance as a run blocker.
So are Martellus Bennett and Jason Witten more similar than they are different?
Well, again, they are interchangeable. There are times when we play Witten at ‘Y’ and there are times when we play him at ‘F’. And that is based upon what we are trying to do, whether it’s a run or a pass. We try not to let the defense just key in on what plays we run when this guy plays a certain position and this guy plays a certain position. So you need that versatility to keep the defense off guard and they play both positions. It could change: one play, Martellus is the ‘Y’, next play he’s the ‘F’. So we really try to keep the defense off balance with how we call the personnel.
With the dress rehearsal game against Houston coming, who is the Cowboys’ third tight end behind Witten and Bennett?
Well, we’re not sure right now. I mean, that job is still open and we are anxiously awaiting to see who is really going to step up and make plays and take that role. Another kid that’s done well for us is Jason Pociask. He’s come in and picked up the offense well along with Martin Rucker and DajLeon Farr. One of those guys is going to emerge and they’re all going to play and we’re all going to see how they react and play in the game.
Will the Cowboys utilize Jason Witten more often in the end zone this season with tight end play action after not doing so much last year?
I would check your records because Jason Witten did catch a touchdown on that very play this year against the Giants and John Phillips caught one against the Eagles. So we do use the tight end down there. We, obviously, are not showing our full arsenal in the preseason of how we’re going to use anyone: receivers, tight ends, backs in the end zone because these are our preseason games. So, we know the effectiveness of our players and how we’re going to use them down there and feel very confident that we’ll be able to spread the ball around down there so defenses can’t key on one or two guys.
The offense has been really plain in the preseason so far. Is that because the Cowboys just want to see what their young players can do on just skill alone?
Well, basically, yes. Preseason games are used primarily to evaluate talent and to set your roster. Also, you don’t want to show too much, particularly in a game like the one upcoming against Houston because we play them in the regular season. So you certainly hold things back. Things that you want to do…you’re almost chomping at the bit to say, “Hey, this play would really work.” But we can’t use it because we play them during the season, so you become very vanilla, very basic. You’re still sound, there are still good plays but they’re base plays, they’re common plays that almost everybody has but you’re still using them to evaluate talent.
To listen to the interview, click here.
• • •
SPORTSDAYDFW NOW ON MOBILE
