Can Miles Austin Return To Stardom in 2013?

[NeonDeion21]

In order for the Dallas Cowboys to become a premier offense in the NFL in 2013, they are going to need production from a former star receiver; Miles Austin. But has Miles Austin's career peaked already? Will we never see the Miles Austin again that we saw in 2009 when he took the league by storm? Both of these are fair questions, but I believe the answer is no for a few different reasons.

The team was the third ranked passing offense in 2012. Yet, they have a interesting situation developing with their current group of wide receivers. Dez Bryant is the Cowboys clear cut number one wide receiver, but the offenses' key to success in 2013 may rely on their former number one receiver Miles Austin.

While the Dallas Cowboys spent a third round pick on Terrance Williams in hopes that he will eventually take over the number two spot, he isn't ready yet to fight for the job. Dwayne Harris and Cole Beasley are nice, productive players, but they are best slotted as third and fourth wide receivers. Miles Austin enters the season as the player opposite of Dez Bryant, but needs to return to form to help the Cowboys return to the playoffs.

In 2009, Miles Austin put together a season that rivaled Dez Bryant’s breakout campaign of 2012. That season, Austin caught 81 balls for 1,320 yards and 11 touchdowns. Heading into the 2010 season, Austin was widely considered a top 15 wide receiver at worst.

Read the rest at:http://thelandryhat.com/2013/05/26/dallas-cowboys-wide-receiver-miles-austin-is-the-key-to-the-offense/

 

[hornitosmonster]

I think he can go over 1000 yards but he is clearly the 3rd option right now (Dez and Witten). Escobar might cause him to fall to Romo' 4th option.

 

[Risen Star]

With the emergence of Dez Bryant, Miles Austin becomes a role player. That's just how it is in an offense that really features Jason Witten.

I hope Austin isn't a star this year because that would mean are two best offensive weapons either didn't play very well or couldn't stay on the field.

 

[NeonDeion21]

With the emergence of Dez Bryant, Miles Austin becomes a role player. That's just how it is in an offense that really features Jason Witten.

I hope Austin isn't a star this year because that would mean are two best offensive weapons either didn't play very well or couldn't stay on the field.

Not necessarily. With how many times this team throws the ball, their is enough targets to support 3 premier offensive weapons. Look at some other teams around the league:

GB: Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Greg Jennings (Before he left FA), James Jones

ATL: Roddy White, Julio Jones, Tony Gonzalez

NE: Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Wes Welker (Before FA)

NO: Jimmy Graham, Marques Colston, Darren Sproles (RB I know, still a ton of catches)

Just a few examples.

 

[hornitosmonster]

With the emergence of Dez Bryant, Miles Austin becomes a role player. That's just how it is in an offense that really features Jason Witten.

I hope Austin isn't a star this year because that would mean are two best offensive weapons either didn't play very well or couldn't stay on the field.

A role player who could easily get over 1000 yards next year. It is very possible that Witten, Dez, and Miles all get over 1000 yards next season.

 

[KJJ]

Austin will have his share of catches but with the emergence of Dez he'll never have the type of productive season he had in 2009. The Cowboys had nothing at WR that year TO was gone and RW wasn't producing. Plus Austin can't seem to avoid the hamstring issues that have caused some of his production to go down. He's never had consistent hands and the slightest tweak of his hammy reduces his effectiveness.

 

[CyberB0b]

He probably won't be able to stay on the field long enough to take balls away from Witten and Dez.

 

[Blue Eyed Devil]

Here's what my crystal ball tells me

- Dez will be Dez, he's a playmaker in his prime.
- Fans have irrational expectations of Escobar and I expect him to be a roll player with similar stats of Marty B's first year.
- I think the biggest candidate to take a step back is Jason Witten. This will be his 10th season in the league and his yards-per-catch declined last year, suggesting he's slowing down and not getting the separation he once did.

So if Witten isn't the #2 and Escobar is just a role player I actually project a healthy Miles Austin to re-emerge as a killer threat.

 

[Eskimo]

With the emergence of Dez Bryant, Miles Austin becomes a role player. That's just how it is in an offense that really features Jason Witten.

I hope Austin isn't a star this year because that would mean are two best offensive weapons either didn't play very well or couldn't stay on the field.

I don't know how much the offense features Witten versus that is who Romo had time to find and who he trusts.

I truly revitalized Austin would make the order go more like Dez then Austin then Witten in the passing game. Witten is 31 years old and is slowing down. He used to be an amazing threat down the seam but we've hardly seen any of that the last two seasons. I think that is why we drafted Escobar - to have a player who we could run down the seams with elite size. I don't think Witten is ready to give up the #1 TE role for a couple more seasons but that day is coming fairly soon.

Now whether Miles can regain his previous form is up for debate. He has mostly been helathy outside of hamstrings and there definitely have been players who struggled with them only to come back. I am not ready to count him out myself as I can't think of another player who has been so hampered by the problem. There has to be something fairly major that he is doing wrong in his training and I really hope he has it figured out for this year.

If he doesn't I think we can fairly assume he just isn't ever going to figure it out. Luckily we have more options developing including Harris, Coale and Terance Williams.

 

[big dog cowboy]

In order for the Dallas Cowboys to become a premier offense in the NFL in 2013, they are going to need production from a former star receiver; Miles Austin. But has Miles Austin's career peaked already? Will we never see the Miles Austin again that we saw in 2009 when he took the league by storm?

Depends, can he stay healthy?

 

[Marktui]

He has to stay healthy first and foremost. He has to stay in the lineup every week. With him in and out for the last two season he has developed no continuity at all in the offense.

His touches may go down because of the emergence of Dez. But if teams start to roll coverage to Dez, Miles will have to step up and win on his routes when that happens.

 

[School]

I think the thing you have to ask yourself is this: If healthy, is Miles still a #2/borderline #1 receiver, or has his ability declined?

 

[Teren_Kanan]

I give Austin 6 games before he's out with injury again. Tops. So no, I don't think he can.

IF He can stay healthy (he won't), I think he can hang with some of the top dogs in the league.

 

[Fredd]

health is the key (of course)..but, even with bad health last year, he almost has 1,000 yards...

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I personally believe the one guy who's production will slip is Witten and not Miles. This is IF Miles hamstring doesn't act up.

 

[jazzcat22]

I think we will see about Miles health issues by the time of TC is over. If he makes it through that, I think he will be fine. And by making it through camp, I mean regular participation. None of the precaution crap.

Miles doesn't have to be a star or return to it. Just be productive. He will get his share of catches regardless.

Dez & Witten will get their and the focus will be on them, and will allow Miles to get open. Or focus on Dex & Miles, allowing Witten to do his regular stuff...

Right behind him waiting if he doesn't will be Harris. And can't wait to see Williams on the field, and hope is is what the coaches think of him.

 

[EJ Blue]

I'd rather see Terrence Williams emerge as a boss.

 

[KJJ]

Austin has pretty much been a one season wonder where he came out of nowhere in 09 to have a big season. Prior to his breakout season that year he only had 18 catches for 354 yards and 3 TD's in his first 3 seasons with the Cowboys. Of his 1321 yards in 09 421 of those yards came in back to back games vs KC and Atlanta. His 250 yards vs KC and his 171 yards vs Atlanta the following week have been the 2 most productive games of his career. A good chunk of those yards came after the catch.

He clearly caught teams by surprise and he even caught the Cowboys by surprise. He only got his opportunity to start due to RW's injury. Teams started game planning him after those 2 huge games and his numbers came back down to earth some. To slow Austin down opponents figured out you have to get him on the ground and not allow him to spin away. It's was his yards after the catch that led to his 2 most productive games. In his next 10 games that season he only produced 100 yard games in 3 of them. His numbers declined the next 2 seasons due to injuries and some drops.

With the emergence of Dez as the Cowboys #1 WR I don't ever see Austin having the type of season he had in 09. The team had just released TO after the 08 season and RW wasn't producing. Austin became the Cowboys big play threat and go to guy that season. Dez is now the man at WR his potential is unlimited and he and Romo have finally developed some chemistry. Austin could end up being pushed by Terrance Williams at some point this season if he continues to be limited by his hamstring issues giving Williams opportunities.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

With the emergence of Dez Bryant, Miles Austin becomes a role player. That's just how it is in an offense that really features Jason Witten.

I hope Austin isn't a star this year because that would mean are two best offensive weapons either didn't play very well or couldn't stay on the field.

Somebody tell Roddy White if he excels that means Julio and Tony must be injured or not playing well.

 

[KJJ]

Somebody tell Roddy White if he excels that means Julio and Tony must be injured or not playing well.

Roddy White has been a consistent receiver who's produced 6 straight 1000 yard seasons. Last season he produced 92 catches for 1351 yards and 7 TD's with Jones and Gonzalez on the field. Both Jones and Gonzalez had their most productive seasons last year with the Falcons combining for 172 catches and White still produced the 3rd most yards and catches of his career. The only season Austin produced comparable numbers to White's was in 09 when he was the Cowboys only big play threat and go to WR.