What has happened to him? Not getting targeted enough with the emergence of Austin?

I've been starting Celek over him since Week 3.

I'm just disappointed in him. I thought his production would be alot better.

The line play has been done this year forcing him to stay in and block more. When he is getting the looks he's catching the ball so its nothingt to do with his play.

He was dropped in our 10 team league today!

he's currently on pace for 85 recs, 4 more than his rec total last season, but his yards and TDs are down significantly... regardless of what people may think of him, TO or, more accurately, the threat of TO opened up a lot of opportunities for romo and witten in seasons past... hopefully for witten and romo owners, austin is able to keep up his ridiculous level of play...

This is a good response. He's not staying and blocking any more then he has in other season like previously posted. He's simply not been getting down field as much. Not a lot of seam routes have been hit for Witten this year. It's mostly hooks and outs where he's picking up 7-8 yards and getting first downs. As defenses start to key more on Austin and roll safety help over the top on his side, you would think that some more down field throws would be coming Witten's way. The big problem is he's not getting any red zone looks. Not that there has been a lot as Dallas has scored 5 of Romo's 8 TDs from 22 yards or longer in the last 3 games, but it's still hurting his value. Witten's never been a big red zone threat, but I actually think he's a bit of a buy low if you can get on the cheap. I just traded him straight up for Shiancoe in a PPR league and I think Austin's presence, while initially a little bit of a sap on his value, will eventually lend to Witten being more efficient and productive in the coming weeks. Also, the schedule gets much harder and when Romo needs a completion or a big first down, Witten's been his guy in the past....I hope that trend continues.....

He's getting targeted enough. He leads the team in targets ytd, and has been targeted the same amount as Miles the last two weeks (team leaders).

Yea, he's getting targets. He's not getting as many "productive" targets. He is running mostly 7-10 yard short routes. Like others have said, when TO ran deep, the safety help shadowed TO and Witten got more 15-20 yard receptions because he could get behind the linebackers. This year the safeties are shadowing Witten. If Austin keeps it up, they may move toward Austin, but he's still not going to get the same respect that TO got.

Witten has been a huge disappointment for me so far. Fortunately I've never put big expectations on the TE position. He was actually the 4th or 5th TE off the board in my draft. I thought the owner that took Clark over Witten was semi-crazy but that move has paid off and then some. I'm riding it out for now, but the trading deadline is fast approaching so I might just make a move. He's got great name recognition so I should be able to move him for a more productive TE if need be.

Even in a 10 teamer that seems knee-jerk.

agreed with a majority in this thread that proclaim disappointment in Witten...I grew tired of it...got Dustin Keller...and picked up Cooley after someone dropped him...I may have to wait on Cooley, but he does at least average more fantasy points per game than Witten...barring an explosion from Witten in the next few weeks I plan on trading him

I'm hoping for one more subpar week so I can put in an offer for this guy. If I were a betting man, I'd bet against that happening. I think he finds the endzone this week.

the eagles are hideous at defending the tight end this year... this is Wittens big day

if he doesn't go off vs PHL there are serious problems. witten has been killing the eagles since the day that they drafted LJ Smith instead of witten. PHL also gives up a ton of production to opposing TE's (see: Kellen Winslow, Fred Davis, Kevin Boss).

If there is any week to see Witten break out - This is the week.

well I think I've had quite enough of this, dunno bout you dudes, but I'm trading this guy...had him all season and I can only recall 1-2 good games from him...the rest are dookie

Nope. He sucks.

Yep. Considering probably the 1st TE off the board in most drafts and the expectations with no T.O anymore, and these are horrible games he's putting up.

His two best games were in Weeks 1 & 3. (70+ yards)

Plus, his only TD of the season was in week 2, where he had only 33 yards receiving.

He's still getting targeted a ton. It's just not converting to stats.

He doesn't suck, Romo and the rest of the receiving crew sucks. Well, sucks is a strong word - they aren't scaring anybody.

I own him and i'm keeping him because he gets targets out the wazoo and has yet to put up a bad fantasy line - for a TE that is.

Consistency is the name of the game.

since austin's break out game vs KC, DAL passing attack has arguably been the most potent in the league... even in the game tonight where romo struggled in reality, he still put up 307 yds... every defense remaining on DAL's schedule is certainly scared of romo and crew...

btw, witten has been a model of consistency this season... he just hasn't had any big plays...

Definitely will look to move him before the deadline. Unfortunately I'm probably going to have to package him to move him. Lots of catches but just doesn't have that break away speed. Three to four fantasy points per week isn't going to cut it as far as I'm concerned.

It sure is. But, it's not in the same sentence as Witten.

Enough with the excuses. The guy has sucked all season plain and simple.

He hasn't sniffed the end zone since week 2. (his only TD)

And on top of that, I think it's been since week 2 he last had a target in the red zone...What a steal of a 3rd round pick!! What a joke.

way to draft a TE in the 3rd round...

I think it just comes down to the play-calling. Witten is getting very few looks in the red-zone, something he's thrived on in the past. For whatever the reason, Dallas is using other personnel inside the 20.

He's still a top 5 TE IMO, but he can't do much if he doesn't get the ball. Thanks Garrett.

Still a pretty good option in a PPR format. He's not great in standard scoring. I still think he's a bit of buy low....Agreed, that spending a 3rd round pick on a TE is probably, unwise....

Going forward or right now? Quite frankly whether it's real life or in fantasy he's nowhere near a top 5 TE right now. Ben Watson! that's right Ben Watson! is putting up better numbers than Witten right now.

I took him in the 6th and I feel just as bad as the guy that took him in the third. Unless you took Witten in 15th round you're probably not getting your moneys worth.

I took him in the 3rd too

figured he was good for 100-1200-5

I took him in the 4th. He was rated top two for his position in many publications/articles. He'll do better down the stretch if Garrett wakes up.

I really feel this is the week cement shoes aka Witten breaks out................naaaaaaaaah

Yeah - don't count on it. Skins shut down the TE in general and Witten traditionally gets shut down by the Skins. The good news is he gets to play them again in championship week - oh wait - that's bad news.

So instead of his usual 12 catches for....40 yards. I'll get maybe only 20 yards this time around. I think I might be better off picking up Owen Daniels and starting him this week. I'd hate to have Witten lose a fumble, at least I know Daniels wont cost me any points. I guess I should be grateful that cement shoes has at least held on to the ball.

I traded Reggie Bush and Heath Miller for Witten and McCoy yesterday for the stretch run, I'm pretty happy with that. I still have hope for him. My reasoning was with Roy Williams playing much better that I think things will open up much more for Witten down the stretch run.

Witten looks like the slowest player in the NFL this year. I don't see him breaking out at all this season.

you should be. you got the better of the two position players imo.

I just traded Witten/Holmes for T-Gon. Couldn't take the 6 points a week from the #1 TE off the board.

Just heard that Haywnesworth is doubtful to play with an ankle injury. This should be good for Witten as looks like they will now need less protection packages with Witten and he will have a shot at more targets.

just traded beanie for witten

owner had ronnie brown and cedric benson and was hurtin for an RB

my TE was Carlson

wow, I can't believe someone traded McCoy for Bush...Good trade for you since Witten will have more upside every week than Miller.

Although Carlson hasn't done much either, one of the reasons why is that he has been used as a blocker b/c of all the injuries to Seattle's O-line. A healthier O-line should translate into better production for Carlson. Couple that with the fact that he has more speed than Witten and I'd rather have Carlson than Witten at this point. It does appear to me that Witten has lost a step. Very surprising since he's only 27, but the fact of the matter is that he ain't outrunning anybody nowadays. Could just be a one year thing but in next season's drafts with maybe the exception of PPR look for him to slip. At a minimum I can't see anybody taking him as the first TE off the board.

I am hopeful Witten will turn it around but just picked up James Casey as a hedge.

Seattle's O-Line doesnt seem to be getting much better

Carlson had 1 target last week, thankfully it resulted in a 31 yd TD pass

after that he was dead quiet

I cant rely on that type of production week in and out w/o the targets being there

Having said that, I am well aware Witten may have lost a step

but I like my chances with Romo still looking for Witten as his 1/2 option

The targets are there for Carlson, maybe not last week but they are there. As for production, Witten has been giving me the same kind of production....scratch that, he's been giving me less production than Carlson. Witten will gets his catches but unless he finds the endzone don't expect much. Seeing as how he hasn't found it in like a zillion years temper your expectations.

if you take away Carlson's monster week in Week 1, Witten has been SLIGHTLY more productive than Carlson

besides, Beanie was not going to get a change to play on my team and I like my chances with Witten over Carlon for the rest of the season