Players: Jason Witten (signed through 2012), Martellus Bennett (signed through 2011), John Phillips (signed through 2012)
Jim McIsaac/Getty ImagesPro Bowler Jason Witten caught 94 passes for 1,030 yards.Witten caught 94 passes for 1,030 yards and played a key role in a running game that ranked seventh in the NFL. He had trouble making plays down the field early in the season, but that changed when Miles Austin forced defenses to use more man coverage on Witten.
John Phillips performed above expectations as a rookie, allowing the Cowboys to use some three tight-end packages, occasionally with him lining up as a fullback. He proved to be a solid blocker, and he responded when Martellus Bennett’s concussion opened up a larger role, catching three passes for 40 yards in the win over the New Orleans Saints.
What went wrong: Bennett’s poor production was one of the offense’s biggest disappointments.
The second-year tight end, who has phenomenal physical tools, appeared to be a budding star during training camp. But Bennett’s numbers (15 catches, 159 yards, no touchdowns) represented a significant drop from his rookie season despite a significantly increased role.
Owner/general manager Jerry Jones made it clear at the end of the season that Bennett needs to be more focused. Bennett has star potential, but he won’t be a reliable target until he stops dropping passes and starts running precise routes.
What’s next: With Witten in his prime and two young backups, the Cowboys are set at this position.
The hope is that Bennett will mature enough to blossom and Phillips will continue to improve. If that’s the case, the Cowboys will have the league’s best tight end trio.
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Calvin Watkins
Calvin Watkins joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. He's covered the Cowboys since 2006 and also has covered colleges, boxing and high school sports. A native New Yorker, Watkins lives in the Dallas area with his wife and two children.
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Todd Archer joined ESPNDallas.com in November 2010. He's covered the NFL since 1997 and the Cowboys since 2003. He covered the Bengals and Dolphins before arriving in Dallas. A Massachusetts native, Archer lives in the Dallas area with his wife and two children.
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Tim MacMahon joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. Tim covers the Cowboys and Mavericks. He has covered the local sports scene from high schools to colleges to pros during his six-year tenure at The Dallas Morning News. MacMahon is a graduate of UNT.
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Bryan Broaddus joined ESPNDallas.com in May 2010. He has worked with ESPN 103.3 FM for the last five years, covering the Dallas Cowboys and Motorsports for the station. Before joining ESPN, he was a scout in the National Football League for 13 seasons working with the Packers, Eagles, Jaguars and Cowboys. Broaddus earned a Super Bowl Ring from the Packers in 1996.
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Jean-Jacques Taylor joined ESPNDallas.com in August 2011. A native of Dallas, Taylor spent the past 20 years writing for The Dallas Morning News, where he covered high schools sports, the Texas Rangers and spent 11 seasons covering the Dallas Cowboys before becoming a general columnist in 2006.
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Ben Rogers joined ESPNDallas.com in November 2009. He is one half of "The Ben & Skin Show," heard weekdays from 9a-12p on 103.3 FM ESPN.
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