"The Mutual Admiration Society for Tight Ends will gather at Cowboys Stadium today for a debate.

Who is better: Jason Witten of the Cowboys or Atlanta's Tony Gonzalez?

Speaking for Witten, Tony Gonzalez.

"Jason is the best tight end in the NFL," said Gonzalez, the NFL career leader in receptions, yards and touchdowns at the position. "I enjoy watching him. Anytime he's on television, I'm watching."

Speaking for Gonzalez, Jason Witten.

"He's the top of the pack," said Witten, a five-time Pro Bowler. "I've always looked at him and admired the way he's played. ... We're all trying to get where he's at."

What makes Gonzalez and Witten the Nos. 1 and 1A of tight ends?

In this decade, the tight end has gone from a blocker first to a receiver first. Credit Gonzalez for that.

In 2000, only one tight end ranked among the NFL's top 20 in receptions: Gonzalez, who had 93 catches with Kansas City. That opened the floodgates.

Six tight ends rank among the league's top 20 in receptions this season.

Gonzalez continues to set the standard. He leads league tight ends in catches since the opening day of 2007 with 291. Witten is second, with 269.

"When you get a tight end that can get away from linebackers or safeties, it's a hard matchup," Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said. "Tony can run deep, and he can run short. He can make a big play.""