Cowboys in Hawaii: Jason Witten admits to being 'antsy' in re-debut but 'I wouldn't bet against'

HONOLULU – You would think, after all these years and all these games, Jason Witten would be well beyond nervousness and anxiety.

But maybe that's what makes the legendary Dallas Cowboys tight end who he is.

“It felt really good. I was very anxious to get out there and play,” Witten said after contributing a big third-down catch in Saturday's 14-10 preseason win over the Rams here in Honolulu. “It is just the next step in the comeback. I worked really hard to get back in shape. I hold myself to a high standard, so I can say it was not perfect.”

Witten picked up a first down with a 10-yard catch on what came on his familiar "Y-Option Route.'' The play set up Tony Pollard's TD run. Entering his 16th pro season. Witten looks leaner and just as capable as he was a year ago when he departed Dallas for a short stint as an ESPN broadcaster.

“I got a little antsy early,'' Witten said. “That was big. Thirteen plays, it was a good drive for us offensively. I think this is just the next step.”

Witten credited Dak Prescott and Pollard for their work in the game.

“I thought Dak (Prescott) was in total command,'' he said. "I thought Tony Pollard did a good job hitting the hole. Of course, the big explosive play; we converted some third downs and (Michael) Gallup’s big catch down there. That’s what we have been working on is finding those plays. We did it as a group, going 97 yards, and that’s a big step for this team in moving on from last week.”

Witten has been to Hawaii before due to his Pro Bowl visits. But this was no vacation. And for that matter, as the team returns to Texas to begin Tuesday workouts, training camp continues. And so does Witten's self-confidence, jitters or not.

No place I'd rather be,'' Witten told me. "I wouldn't bet against.''

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