49ers vs. Cowboys: Will Vernon Davis Or Jason Witten Have The Bigger Game?

by David Fucillo on Sep 18, 2011 8:00 AM PDT in Preview

Vernon Davis versus Jason Witten doesn't really qualify as a "matchup" in the traditional sense of offense versus defense, but when you're talking about two of the best tight ends in football, it's at least worth exploring. Vernon Davis didn't have a huge day but he did have some key receptions and finished with 47 receiving yards. Jason Witten was the Cowboys leading receiver on Monday Night Football and finished with 110 yards.

For the 49ers, Vernon Davis is arguably the most athletic person on that offense and has proven pivotal in years past. He has the size and speed to match up with almost anybody in the NFL and the 49ers do what they can to create mismatches. If the 49ers offense is going to open up later today against the Cowboys, Vernon Davis has to be part of that. Whether it means crossing patterns, seam routes or even using him in reverses, the 49ers have to get him extremely active in the offense.

For the Cowboys, Jason Witten is Mr. Reliable. They know what they can get from him and he is a guy they count on each week. Given Tony Romo's fourth quarter collapse last week, I have to wonder if he relies on him even more this week. Throw in the questionable status of Dez Bryant and Witten could be one of the most important players on the field for the Cowboys.

If you look at each team's chances of winning, which tight end is more important to the offensive game plan for the respective team to secure victory?

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Doesn't witten get like 10+ targets a game, by far more than any other TE?

Unlikely that Davis will have a “bigger game”, Davis will also help out with Ware.

by whistlingmountain on Sep 18, 2011 8:10 AM PDT reply actions

I'm going to be honest

I’m not worried about either guy having the bigger game. Both players are fantastic, and can contribute in ways stats don’t always show. I’m looking forward to watching a hard fought football game this afternoon. It’d be great to see VD have the game winning catch, and trump an 8-catch, 100 yard performance by Witten.

Either way, I’m looking forward to the defensive strugggle we might see this afternoon. There’s also a chance we could see a shoot-out, or a laugher (I hope not). I hope VD gets a nice amount of targets, and has just as many meaningful grabs as Witten.

by Andrew Davidson on Sep 18, 2011 8:45 AM PDT reply actions

VD

Getting him involved today is important. The secondary of the Cowboys is so banged up that we have to take advantage.
And using a big physical tight end and big physical WR like Vernon and Braylon Edwards could be one of our keys to success.

by SacTown Niner Fan on Sep 18, 2011 9:22 AM PDT via iPhone app reply actions

I took the lazy way out of the superimposing idea

Follow @supraman1z

by supraman on Sep 18, 2011 9:35 AM PDT reply actions

just not the same

I asked wjackalope about putting something together.

Follow @NinersNation

by David Fucillo on Sep 18, 2011 9:49 AM PDT up reply actions

Too smiley

Trent Baalke is the only guy that looks the part

Follow @supraman1z

by supraman on Sep 18, 2011 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions

Best game?

This is easy. Whomever has the better QB will have a bigger game.
Oops

Call me cautiously optimistic....because I know what the Niners do to people who have real optimism (see the last 8 years).

by crumpedup15 on Sep 18, 2011 9:47 AM PDT reply actions

Then again

VD likely will be matched up against Dallas safeties and LB’s while Witten will have to deal with Whitner and Willis.
HHmmmmmm

Call me cautiously optimistic....because I know what the Niners do to people who have real optimism (see the last 8 years).

by crumpedup15 on Sep 18, 2011 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions

Looks like no Dez today so the Niners Better look to stop Jason.

by Stupifyed on Sep 18, 2011 9:52 AM PDT reply actions

So who are the 9ers In-Actives?

by BigMar on Sep 18, 2011 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions

It ALL depends on which offensive line does their job.

Im hopeing the 9ers O-Line has the game of their lives.

It certainly would prove to everyone that Staley-Iupati-Goodwin-Rachal (Synyder)-Davis (Boone) truely are one of the “best” O-Lines in the NFL.

by BigMar on Sep 18, 2011 9:55 AM PDT reply actions

Witten hands down, this is not even a good comparison. Based off of one game our offense appears to be built to not make mistakes, hence not taking chances. We have no OLB to cover Witten and he works zones extremely well. I see Witten having close to 150 yards receiving.

Blogging is nothing more than graffiti with punctuation...

by rlott#42 on Sep 18, 2011 10:29 AM PDT reply actions