Ageless Witten’s Hall visit begs question: Will he make it?

OXNARD » Jason Witten isn’t thinking about life after football as he goes through another training camp with the Cowboys, and one of his fellow tight ends hasn’t stopped to ponder a Dallas locker room without the 35-year-old on the verge of becoming the franchise leader in games.

None of this keeps Geoff Swaim from smiling in the middle of an answer when he realizes what he is saying about the first time he had a chance to be around one of just four players to reach 15 seasons with the storied Dallas franchise.

“I had been watching Witt since ... since I was in like junior high,” said the 23-yearold Swaim, pausing with that sheepish grin, as if he knew he might be in trouble for finishing the thought.

Well, at least Witten can consider himself part of the younger crowd Saturday, when he watches his 74-year-old boss — Cowboys owner Jerry Jones — get inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. After all, Witten will have a pretty strong case for that honor five years after he retires.

“I try not to let that creep in,” Witten said. “But I think I’d be lying to say that’s not one of the things that you hope as a player. That’s the highest honor, individually. Obviously we don’t play it for that. But individually, that’s what you hope you can be a part of.”

Witten will open the season needing two games to become the franchise leader with 225, topping pass rusher Ed “Too Tall” Jones.