A #2 Receiver: Is it really needed?

[NextGenBoys]

Everyone seems so enamored in having another WR opposite who can be a stud and a big name whether its Braylon Edwards, Anquan Bolden or Plax . But lets stop and think about how much talent we have on the offensive side of the ball, and how to best utilize it.

To start, we have Barber, who is a pounder, yet can catch the ball out of the backfield. Lets give him 225 carries, and 30 catches.

Then we have Felix. Mismatch nightmare for defenses. Lets say 100 carries, and 40 catches.

Choice. Solid and can get the job done. 100 carries, 10 catches.

Witten. Best TE in the game. Get him the ball. 80-100 catches.

Bennett. 40-50 catches. Too talented to not be involved alot

Roy Williams 80-90 catches. Is a number one whether many of you believe it or not.

Crayton 40-50 catches. Possession slot guy.

Austin 30-40 catches. Potentially big play "Alvin Harper" type


Each of those players brings something important to the table in a unique way. Barber is the pounder who can catch out of the backfield. Felix can go all the way whenever he touches the ball. Choice is probably the best #3 RB in the league. Witten is the best TE in the game and can block and catch. Bennett is an athletic freak who will create huge mismatches in two TE sets. Linebackers cant cover him, and safeties aren't big enough. Roy is a move the chains guy who we can throw the ball to and he'll go get it. Fades in the red zone should be prevelant now. Crayton always seems to get open in zone coverage. Good safety blanket. Austin will be seeing single coverage, and has the speed to beat it. Will not be looked at as a go to guy often, but has ability to make big plays when needed.

If you use the minimum for my ballpark examples, you have 445 carries for our RB's and 350 completions for Romo. Thats PLENTY of offensive opportunities for our players to capitilize on.

Now, after all that, my point is...Do we really need a stud at WR? We can already create enormous mismatches out of a base offense, whether that be in a two-TE set with Witten and Bennett, and with Felix and Barber in the game. You can do so much with those players on the field.

I've said this before, but Trent Green passed for over 4,000 yards in three consecutive seasons from 2003-2005 and his number one wide receiver was Eddie Kinnison. I believe the Chiefs had a top 5 offense every year, maybe one year it was 6th. You can have a potent explosive offense without multiple threats at WR.

We have a ton of talent on this team, and without TO, the right amount of balls to spread the wealth. The 2009 season should be all about the team.

 

[Doomsday]

I agree we dont need more threats we need to execute and get all the current threats involved in the game.

 

[Sitting Bull]

I think adding at least one WR is among our biggest needs.

I was a fan of the RW trade and hope he can establish himself as a gamebreaking WR1 for years to come. Fact is, we didn't trade for him with the expectation that T.O. would be gone and he did nothing to erase fans' legitimate questions about what he will be for us.

If Hakeem Nicks' weight-damaged stock causes him to fall to us at #51. I'm all over it.

You didn't mention PR. Crayton is a fine punt catcher. I'd like a complete special teams 180 next season, which includes adding a dynamic return man with a future in the slot. If we wait on WR, I like several tough, smallish guys in the middle rounds with exactly that resume.

RW and Austin are on the team. Crayton is also but he's also draft-day trade bait; Hurd is JAG and Stanback is on his last legs. I'll take a WR or two in this draft.

 

[tomson75]

I don't think we need more receivers, but rather a more complimentary WR corps.

...of the three prototypical NFL WR types that I'd like to see on the team, we only have two.

We have possession receivers in Williams and Crayton whom are somewhat capable of making big plays, bur aren't exactly "dynamic" #1s or #2s IMO. We have some unproven guys with natural athleticism and speed in Austin and Stanback....guys that could possibly stretch the field if they can stay healthy...but that's really not happened yet.

....but where is our quick, clutch guy? Our super annoying guy that can get underneath coverage on third down or past it on first down even when the defense knows its going to him? We haven't had one since Terry Glenn...and IMO, it's sorely missed.

 

[BigBoy63]

Absolutely. I feel that we have been used to having at leat two big play WRs for a little while now and we think we gotta get another one since TO is gone. We have the best runningback tandem in the league. And RW understands that we have to establish the run, so as long as we become run based. RW will make big plays. Then of course Witten will stay a monster. And hopefully Martellus will continue to shine. Execution is all that needs to be achieved.

 

[JonJon]

A #2 Receiver: Is it really needed?

No but we could definitely use a #1 receiver...

I kid...

I don't think we need a #2 receiver but I think we should at least draft one with the potential of being a #1 in round 3 or 4.

 

[links18]

We have no idea how RW11 will pan out. Reviews were almost universally negative last season. And what if he gets injured? You want Crayton and Austin as your starting wideouts? What if one of them goes down? You want Austin/Stanback, Crayton/Stanback, Austin/Hurd or Crayton/Hurd as your starting wide-outs?

 

[cobra]

We have a #2 reciever.

Name is Jason Witten.

Because of that, it is not important that we have 2 Stud WRs.

It will be great if we can get a talented youngster who can contribute.

But it is not necessary. A team can win the Super Bowl with the pass-catching arsenal we currently have.

 

[Typhus]

I've been preaching about the advantage of the 2TE set since BP was running the show, but now, it just seems as though this team can no longer "not" unleash it.

Not that JG hasnt been using it, he has, but now without TO demanding looks I would fully expect JG to use it as a base offensive set.

You get more talent on the field at the same time out of the 2TE set, and not only that, it just sets up the entire offense to be more explosive and dominating as the game progresses.

Witten and MB are big physical players, and with enough attention can start to wear on the safties and LBs through the course of a game, if Romo keeps the game short and controlled and keeps feeding them the ball, and pounding the ball with MB3.

Get the inside of a D a little winded, and then is the perfect time for the speed of this offense, Felix/Choice, Austin, to take full advantage, and exploit a defense that is having to adjust inside to help with coverage issues.

The 2TE set is a thing of beauty if you are fortunate enough to have all the components necessary to make it actually effective.

This team is as close as its ever been to do it, with a little fine tuning on the inside running game, could be down right dominating.

 

[links18]

This team is as close as its ever been to do it, with a little fine tuning on the inside running game, could be down right dominating.

With the way the OL played last year, I would say they need more than a little fine tuning in the running game.

 

[big dog cowboy]

A #2 Receiver: Is it really needed?

Not if the o-line plays like it did in 2007.

 

[Typhus]

Not if the o-line plays like it did in 2007.

off topic here... sorry,
but what left me shaking my head last year, was JG's inability,, for whatever reason,, to not shorten the routes being run when the OL was obviously not giving Romo enough time to even begin checking off.
Just a head shaker.

 

[dbair1967]

off topic here... sorry,
but what left me shaking my head last year, was JG's inability,, for whatever reason,, to not shorten the routes being run when the OL was obviously not giving Romo enough time to even begin checking off.
Just a head shaker.

yeah, all our guys just ran 25 yds down field in a straight line didnt they?

 

[Typhus]

yeah, all our guys just ran 25 yds down field in a straight line didnt they?

I never said that,
but there should have been some adjustments made for some short underneath routes.
I think everyone that was paying attention would agree that Romo was throwing the ball before some receivers had even finished their route.
Witten comes to mind....late

 

[DBOY3141]

Winning starts with coaching and discipline. We showed neither last year. Unless that changes we are a 8-8, 9-7 team. Players need to check their ego at the door and the coaches need to put a boot in their a**'s when they screw up. PERIOD.

 

[BourbonBalz]

I've been preaching about the advantage of the 2TE set since BP was running the show, but now, it just seems as though this team can no longer "not" unleash it.

Not that JG hasnt been using it, he has, but now without TO demanding looks I would fully expect JG to use it as a base offensive set.

You get more talent on the field at the same time out of the 2TE set, and not only that, it just sets up the entire offense to be more explosive and dominating as the game progresses.

Witten and MB are big physical players, and with enough attention can start to wear on the safties and LBs through the course of a game, if Romo keeps the game short and controlled and keeps feeding them the ball, and pounding the ball with MB3.

Get the inside of a D a little winded, and then is the perfect time for the speed of this offense, Felix/Choice, Austin, to take full advantage, and exploit a defense that is having to adjust inside to help with coverage issues.

The 2TE set is a thing of beauty if you are fortunate enough to have all the components necessary to make it actually effective.

This team is as close as its ever been to do it, with a little fine tuning on the inside running game, could be down right dominating.

Exactly!!!!! This is what I've been saying for some time now.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Dallas has enough weapons, the offensive line just has to play well. Look at what Tom Brady did with mediocre wide receivers.

 

[links18]

Dallas has enough weapons, the offensive line just has to play well. Look at what Tom Brady did with mediocre wide receivers.

Who are you trying to convince?

 

[jobberone]

Yes, you should have a solid #2 WR. Witten is not a WR and does not require the same coverage and schemes that a WR does. Granted he's dangerous but you're comparing apples to oranges in terms of defensive responsibilities.

We have a solid #1 IMO. And Austin provides enough threat on the other side to keep defenses honest. We'll see but that's the current thinking. Crayton is a solid #3. Our questions are production from the top three to balance the loss of TO. Can't ask Witten to do more. He'd be better off to be a little less relied on. I think his big play and YPC will be better. I consider Bennett a hybrid TE even though his blocking is fine. He's faster than most TEs and can split out and be more dangerous. Love the role this kid may be able to play.

We're ok if Romo can learn to throw it away more, protect the ball better, make better decisions, have a better running game to take pressure off him, get better OC play calling, and distribute the ball in a balance manner. Don't forget the OL being more dominant and consistent depending on all the above as interdependent.

 

[NextGenBoys]

Yes, you should have a solid #2 WR. Witten is not a WR and does not require the same coverage and schemes that a WR does. Granted he's dangerous but you're comparing apples to oranges in terms of defensive responsibilities.

We have a solid #1 IMO. And Austin provides enough threat on the other side to keep defenses honest. We'll see but that's the current thinking. Crayton is a solid #3. Our questions are production from the top three to balance the loss of TO. Can't ask Witten to do more. He'd be better off to be a little less relied on. I think his big play and YPC will be better. I consider Bennett a hybrid TE even though his blocking is fine. He's faster than most TEs and can split out and be more dangerous. Love the role this kid may be able to play.

We're ok if Romo can learn to throw it away more, protect the ball better, make better decisions, have a better running game to take pressure off him, get better OC play calling, and distribute the ball in a balance manner. Don't forget the OL being more dominant and consistent depending on all the above as interdependent.

We won three Super Bowls with a number two WR who never caught more than 40 passes.

How? By using backs and tight ends and spreading the ball around to keep defenses honest in the passing game. Mix in a strong rushing attack and play action to keep the defense honest, and defenses had a hard time stopping us, just like they will this upcoming season.