DC.com: Going For Three - Cowboys Still Looking For Another Crayton

[CCBoy]

Going For Three
Cowboys Still Looking For Another Crayton
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer


http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=DF33771E-F4FE-BC3D-45D04455E178F64D



IRVING, Texas -It's bad enough when a team is looking for answers at a certain position this close to the start of the season.

It's even worse when a prime example of what they're looking for shows up as well. And to go even further, that player was actually on the roster about a year ago.

But that's the life for the Cowboys, who would like a little more consistency at the No. 3 receiver spot. They had it in a guy named Patrick Crayton.

Now, the Chargers have that guy and that player and they put him on display Thursday at Valley Ranch when Dallas and San Diego met in a joint practice - the first outdoor practice for the Cowboys in 2011.

And if all that's not enough, the Cowboys actually were without a starting receiver as Miles Austin missed Thursday's practice with a tweaked hamstring. That put Kevin Ogletree working with the first-team offense and Jesse Holley as the third receiver...

[big dog cowboy]

the Cowboys actually were without a starting receiver as Miles Austin missed Thursday's practice with a tweaked hamstring. That put Kevin Ogletree working with the first-team offense and Jesse Holley as the third receiver...

If this happened in the regular season, I would predict a CZ meltdown of epic proportions.

[Idgit]

If this happened in the regular season, I would predict a CZ meltdown of epic proportions.

Yeah, but the rue over letting Crayton go would at least be amusing after all the unfair abuse that guy took by our knee-jerkier fans.

[CowboyStar88]

The kid is going to be just fine just watch.

[28 Joker]

I'm not concerned about this position, and I don't think the Cowboys are, either. I think they may look on the waiver wire for another wide receiver, but that guy may be a young player, too. However, if they have to roll with Ogletree and Harris, I think they are ready to do that.

Felix Jones should catch 60-70 passes in this offense this year. I could see Jones busting 70 receptions in this offense.

Kicker and getting settled on defense are much bigger concerns than the 3rd WR, imo.

[CowboyStar88]

I'm not concerned about this position, and I don't think the Cowboys are, either. I think they may look on the waiver wire for another wide receiver, but that guy may be a young player, too. However, if they have to roll with Ogletree and Harris, I think they are ready to do that.

Felix Jones should catch 60-70 passes in this offense this year. I could see Jones busting 70 receptions in this offense.

Kicker and getting settled on defense are much bigger concerns than the 3rd WR, imo.


Yes but I think Garrett is expecting big things from Ogletree and if he becomes more consistent I can see Garrett really opening up this offense with 3 speedy guys on the field. I also believe Garrett is ready to roll with Ogletree and I really think he believes in him.

[morasp]

After watching the pre season game it sure seemed like we had more young talent at WR then I can remember in the past. I wonder if that's the work of the new WR coach? Green Bay had a very good recieving group and I'm really hoping he works that magic here.

[CCBoy]

I think that you pointed towards where both Jerry and Jason Garrett have been going. That is towards a play smart group of coaches that can lead and direct the progress, development, and ultimately an improved play in their players. Leadership...

[starfrombirth]

Yeah, but the rue over letting Crayton go would at least be amusing after all the unfair abuse that guy took by our knee-jerkier fans.

What unfair criticism. Crayton is almost singlehandedly responsible for most of the criticism Romo is getting for not getting to and winning in the playoffs. How many times have we talked about Crayton's mouth, his stopped routes, his great hands failing him on a sure touchdown catch. We may not have a reliable 3rd receiver but PC deserved every zing thrown his way.

[Reality]

Yeah, but the rue over letting Crayton go would at least be amusing after all the unfair abuse that guy took by our knee-jerkier fans.

I agree completely .. I was completely against his release but most people wanted him gone simply because he could never be a #1 or #2 receiver. I just remember how many third down conversions he gave us and the great hands he had. Not every receiver has to be a superstar but every receiver needs to have great hands and run good routes. He excelled in both of those areas.

#reality

[dmq]

Not even a mention of Harris.

[Idgit]

What unfair criticism. Crayton is almost singlehandedly responsible for most of the criticism Romo is getting for not getting to and winning in the playoffs. How many times have we talked about Crayton's mouth, his stopped routes, his great hands failing him on a sure touchdown catch. We may not have a reliable 3rd receiver but PC deserved every zing thrown his way.

Not sure which part of this post is sillier. Probably where PC being single handedly responsible for Romo's criticism. The stopped route is a basic misunderstanding, too. And I'd forgotten how much crap PC took for his interviews until you mentioned it. Hard to argue against such important arguments.

Still, we'd be a better offensive team with PC on this roster. That should probably count for something, shouldn't it?

[Reality]

Not even a mention of Harris.

That's because he has apparently been making a lot of mistakes that most rookie wide receivers make so it is very premature to say he's a #3 yet despite how fast he runs and how we the fans want him to be. I think "raw" was the term Garrett used not too long ago to describe him. He will improve though and he definitely has a chance to be the #3 receiver at some point.

#reality

[Doomsday101]

Had Crayton not got upset and started asking for a trade when Dez was drafted he may still be here. I would not have minded had he remained in Dallas but I also think his replacement is currently on the team

[Reality]

Had Crayton not got upset and started asking for a trade when Dez was drafted he may still be here. I would not have minded had he remained in Dallas but I also think his replacement is currently on the team

There is truth in that though I still think he would have been traded or cut because of his salary as a #4 receiver that was no longer playing special teams with Bryant also set to take over punt returns last year.

#reality

[Doomsday101]

There is truth in that though I still think he would have been traded or cut because of his salary as a #4 receiver that was no longer playing special teams with Bryant also set to take over punt returns last year.

#reality

I just get to a point that if players do not want to be here then get them out of here if you do want to be here then do what your told by the HC.

The job of a player is to play not to determine who the starters are or how much playing time you get or who we draft or bring in. Guys are paid damn good money do what the coach ask and stop complaining.

One day if he becomes a HC then he can make the call until then play the game do what is asked of you

[BraveHeartFan]

I definately would love to have PC on this team with Miles and Dez. That would be a sweet top 3 WR group.

[realtick]

What unfair criticism. Crayton is almost singlehandedly responsible for most of the criticism Romo is getting for not getting to and winning in the playoffs. How many times have we talked about Crayton's mouth, his stopped routes, his great hands failing him on a sure touchdown catch. We may not have a reliable 3rd receiver but PC deserved every zing thrown his way.

Oh the irony.

Now, "Crayton is almost singlehandedly responsible for most of the criticism Romo is getting..."

Did you ever stop to think Crayton played a large role in Romo's success in winning games and making the plays to even get to the playoffs?

[realtick]

I just get to a point that if players do not want to be here then get them out of here if you do want to be here then do what your told by the HC.

The job of a player is to play not to determine who the starters are or how much playing time you get or who we draft or bring in. Guys are paid damn good money do what the coach ask and stop complaining.

One day if he becomes a HC then he can make the call until then play the game do what is asked of you

Before being traded, in interviews Crayton had alluded to the fact that he wasn't happy having his role reduced, being percieved as chop liver and just an insurance policy behind a rookie (Dez) and an overpaid, underperforming receiver (Roy Williams).

I completely understood where he was coming from. But I also understood the rock and hard place the Cowboys put themselves in with Roy Williams.

Austin was a lock.
Dez is/was obviously the future.
Roy's salary cap impact was an albatross across the neck of the franchise which hindered them from releasing him for a more productive player in Crayton.

The fact that Crayton was disgruntled only helped facilitate the move to let him go.

I wish we found a way to keep him because outside of Witten, Crayton was really Romo's go-to guy in crunchtime.

[Doomsday101]

Before being traded, in interviews Crayton had alluded to the fact that he wasn't happy having his role reduced, being percieved as chop liver and just an insurance policy behind a rookie (Dez) and an overpaid, underperforming receiver (Roy Williams).

I completely understood where he was coming from. But I also understood the rock and hard place the Cowboys put themselves in with Roy Williams.

Austin was a lock.
Dez is/was obviously the future.
Roy's salary cap impact was an albatross across the neck of the franchise which hindered them from releasing him for a more productive player in Crayton.

The fact that Crayton was disgruntled only helped facilitate the move to let him go.

I wish we found a way to keep him because outside of Witten, Crayton was really Romo's go-to guy in crunchtime.

Then he got what he wanted. I had no problem with Crayton however I do have an issue with guys whining, you are paid do what the team ask of you if you can't do that then see ya. Player should not be running the team HC does that.

[Stautner]

I'm not concerned about this position, and I don't think the Cowboys are, either. I think they may look on the waiver wire for another wide receiver, but that guy may be a young player, too. However, if they have to roll with Ogletree and Harris, I think they are ready to do that.

Felix Jones should catch 60-70 passes in this offense this year. I could see Jones busting 70 receptions in this offense.

Kicker and getting settled on defense are much bigger concerns than the 3rd WR, imo.

I would be shocked if Felix got 70 catches - that would take staying healthy 16 games at almost 5 catches a game and not sharing the field much at all with the other RB's. If he played enough to do that it would the all-time biggest workload he has had in his life by a long shot.

[Idgit]

I just get to a point that if players do not want to be here then get them out of here if you do want to be here then do what your told by the HC.

The job of a player is to play not to determine who the starters are or how much playing time you get or who we draft or bring in. Guys are paid damn good money do what the coach ask and stop complaining.

One day if he becomes a HC then he can make the call until then play the game do what is asked of you

I get the feeling JG wasn't a huge fan of Crayton's. Which is fine, if that's the way he wanted it.

But PC was right in his assessment, I think, that drafting Dez and keeping Roy meant there was no room at the inn for him anymore. He read the writing on the wall and asked to be let out early. I also think the team accommodated him and might even have specifically looked to move him to a contender in a good city. From the outside looking in, it looked like a professionally-handled separation agreement to me. PC never had a bad thing to say about the organization, and the DCs have always been complimentary of him. With PC's mouth, that's saying something.

[BAT]

Now we are rueing Patrick Crayton. Oy vey!


Just lure Randy Moss out of retirement already. Right a wrong, fix the karma, reverse our luck, whatever you want to call it. Just do it Jerry.


Otherwise, stick with what we have and let's rock and roll. Enough with the lamenting. Either we get MUCH better or develop the young guys. The mediocre fixes should not be an option.

[Asklesko]

Now we are rueing Patrick Crayton. Oy vey!


Just lure Randy Moss out of retirement already. Right a wrong, fix the karma, reverse our luck, whatever you want to call it. Just do it Jerry.


Otherwise, stick with what we have and let's rock and roll. Enough with the lamenting. Either we get MUCH better or develop the young guys. The mediocre fixes should not be an option.

That's the point of the article, holmes. Finding someone as good as, much less MUCH better, than Crayton has not yet happened.

[speedkilz88]

That's the point of the article, holmes. Finding someone as good as, much less MUCH better, than Crayton has not yet happened.
That's incorrect, Dez was the 3rd wr last year. We don't know what Ogletree will do this year as the 3rd wr.

[Bullflop]

That's because he has apparently been making a lot of mistakes that most rookie wide receivers make so it is very premature to say he's a #3 yet despite how fast he runs and how we the fans want him to be. I think "raw" was the term Garrett used not too long ago to describe him. He will improve though and he definitely has a chance to be the #3 receiver at some point.

#reality

If he continues having games anywhere remotely resembling his Dallas/Denver preseason offering, it probably won't be too long before that dream becomes a reality. It's hard to ignore stuff like that.