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FRISCO, Texas – The question was not even completely asked by the journalist before a knowing smile creased Jason Witten's face on Thursday.
The return of the Cowboys was not enough to be heard, it is the word "Giants", which raises a big smile – like "ice cream" or "power of the morning of Christmas" to a young child.
You see, the days the Cowboys played against the Giants in the 15 seasons that Witten spent in Dallas, there were three co-owners of the Giants: the Mara family, the Tisch family … and Witten.
Witten is simply a giant killer. The numbers tell the story: In 30 career games against the Giants, Witten has 154 receptions for 1,568 yards and 15 touchdowns. Receptions and TDs both represent a record number of career wins against a single team for Witten, and his yards are second only to his production against the Eagles (1,642).
These figures represent a significant part of his career in the Hall of Fame, with 1,152 receptions for 12,448 yards and 68 touchdowns.
That's what makes Witten smile when he sees the Giants on schedule, like at the opening of Sunday's AT & T stadium, and that's what makes the Giants shudder at the idea to face him.
And after the announcement of Witten's retirement after the start of the 2017 season at the "Monday Night Football" television kiosk, the Giants thought they had finally finished taking care of him.
Until they are not. How horrifying that turned out, when the game became so powerful that he pushed Witten out of the stand and returned to the field for the Cowboys – who kissed his return as much as the Giants coaches did. have certainly hated.
"I love playing with the Giants," said Witten after practice Thursday. "I watched [my personal success against them] over the years, and I do not know if there is an exact reason. Sometimes you just have these games. It's a big challenge, division. For us, there is a little history there. When I think about it, I think about [Michael] Strahan, I'm thinking of [Justin] Tuck and some of the big passers over there over the years.
"Sometimes you just have these [great] Games. I have heard this speech over the years and I do not pay much attention to it. I still enjoy these battles in this division, and certainly with the Giants and the opening of the season that goes against them. You kiss them. That's why you play. I hope to participate in another of these games this week. "
This would be bad news for the giants.
Another bad news: even after a year of absence, Witten said that he felt better than ever.
"I feel better with this decision today than when I took it in March," said Witten about retiring. "The reason is that I know I'm ready. That's where the excitement comes from – knowing that I can go and let it rip and find ways to defeat the Giants. That's why I'm here. When I made the decision to come back, I was thinking about those moments.
"Throughout my instinct and my soul, I felt that I still had something to give. It's hard to watch the game when you always feel like you can give something, but also to watch your teammates play and play [without you]. But the opportunity has come and I'm thankful for that, and I feel like I have something to prove. "
Are there more nerves in anticipation of this return that begins Sunday seriously?
"If you do not get nervous or do not have a few butterflies, you do not respect the game or the opportunity that is offered to you," Witten said. "Of course I'll get them. These are the giants and cowboys. That's why you play. And certainly, at age 37, these are the moments you enjoy a little more.
"I have a big challenge. I trust what I can do. You must have this confidence to criticize yourself and say, "OK, am I that same player?"
If it is, it could be a problem for the giants.
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