Cowboys interested in WR Breaston?

[TheMarathonContinues]

For a team that has limited cap space I just don't get the point in wasting money in a #3 and possible 5th or 6th option on the team. And I don't understand why Dwayne Harris can't do that at this point? Hasn't he shown he can?

 

[Fredd]

i hope to God that they out their limited resources to bare on positions more of need like OL and DL (for example)...hell, even LB, safety and RB come before extra WR

...I wouldn't mind a guy like this if it doesn't keep us away from someone that can truly make a difference in the trenches...last year, we signed the two guards for the same amount that we could have had an all pro...i don't want to see quantity again at the expense of quality.

 

[9darter]

i hope to God that they out their limited resources to bare on positions more of need like OL and DL (for example)...hell, even LB, safety and RB come before extra WR

...I wouldn't mind a guy like this if it doesn't keep us away from someone that can truly make a difference in the trenches...last year, we signed the two guards for the same amount that we could have had an all pro...i don't want to see quantity again at the expense of quality.

Totally agree.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

I'm calling it -- Cowboys trade Miles Austin for a second, Spencer for a second and a fifth, and sign Breaston. BAM!!!

*restarts Madden*

 

[InmanRoshi]

i hope to God that they out their limited resources to bare on positions more of need like OL and DL (for example)...hell, even LB, safety and RB come before extra WR

...I wouldn't mind a guy like this if it doesn't keep us away from someone that can truly make a difference in the trenches...last year, we signed the two guards for the same amount that we could have had an all pro...i don't want to see quantity again at the expense of quality.

The best thing we could do to help out our perimeter pass protection is upgrade at #2/#3 WR, because it frees up Witten to help out our tackles in protecting the edge. Because of huge and glaring holes at WR last yeark, we had to lean on Witten entirely too much in the passing game. Which is why Witten had career highs in targets (150 !!!) and receptions (110!!). As good as Witten is, wily TEs in their 10th year in the NFL who probably run in the 4.8 range at this point in their career should be a nice safety valve option in intermediate down and distance situations. They shouldn't be leading their teams in targets and receptions. To put the over reliance on Witten in the passing game among TEs in perspective....


1 Jason Witten - 8th in the NFL in targets - 150 targets
2 Jimmy Graham - 16th in the NFL in targets - 135 targets
3 Tony Gonzalez - 25th in the NFL in targets - 124 targets
4 Brandon Meyers - Tied 36th in the NFL in targets - 105 targets
5 Owen Daniels - 44th in the NFL in targets - 103 targets

 

[Idgit]

The best thing we could do to help out our perimeter pass protection is upgrade at #2/#3 WR, because it frees up Witten to help out our tackles in protecting the edge. Because of huge and glaring holes at WR last yeark, we had to lean on Witten entirely too much in the passing game. Which is why Witten had career highs in targets (150 !!!) and receptions (110!!). As good as Witten is, wily TEs in their 10th year in the NFL who probably run in the 4.8 range at this point in their career should be a nice safety valve option in intermediate down and distance situations. They shouldn't be leading their teams in targets and receptions. To put the over reliance on Witten in the passing game among TEs in perspective....


1 Jason Witten - 8th in the NFL in targets - 150 targets
2 Jimmy Graham - 16th in the NFL in targets - 135 targets
3 Tony Gonzalez - 25th in the NFL in targets - 124 targets
4 Brandon Meyers - Tied 36th in the NFL in targets - 105 targets
5 Owen Daniels - 44th in the NFL in targets - 103 targets

Very nice post.

We need to be able to rely on Hanna to block reliably in 2 TE sets, too. Then the 12 personnel becomes a lot more effective for us as a potential passing set.

That's got to be something we want to do a lot more of next year, and it'd help if we had the versatility to keep either TE in to block, to run effectively from that set, or to be able to rely on the base protection long enough that we can get one of the TEs singled up on a LB in passing situations. With Tony's ability to buy time, if we can break off a couple decent runs early, we should be able to keep defenses on their heels all day with that group.

 

[speedkilz88]

I also don't think people understand how much the team could use a speed threat to draw away coverage from the others or take advantage of the attention of the others. Look back at what Robinson did while he was here.

 

[Shinywalrus]

Wouldn't have a big problem with it, but it certainly isn't a ringing endorsement of Danny Coale, who you'd have to think has the skillset to fill a similar utility role in that position group.

 

[speedkilz88]

Wouldn't have a big problem with it, but it certainly isn't a ringing endorsement of Danny Coale, who you'd have to think has the skillset to fill a similar utility role in that position group.

He's recovering from a knee injury. They just aren't going to pencil a guy in as a contributor in that situation.

 

[xwalker]

For a team that has limited cap space I just don't get the point in wasting money in a #3 and possible 5th or 6th option on the team. And I don't understand why Dwayne Harris can't do that at this point? Hasn't he shown he can?

Keep in mind that this is just a rumor.

Also keep in mind that almost every time a player is available, there will be a rumor linking that player to the Cowboys. Linking something to the Cowboys gets web page hits and it helps agents increase the buzz around their players.

 

[Plumfool]

I think this has nothing to do with DW or any of the other receivers not named Miles Austin. Either they're considering his injury problems or they're going to try to trade him.

Think the team saw when Miles and Dez went down that they can move the ball with these second tier guys. The info about the OL sounds like they really are going to take a hard look at making sure its better. And getting a guy like Breaston and getting rid of Miles allows that to happen.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Wouldn't have a big problem with it, but it certainly isn't a ringing endorsement of Danny Coale, who you'd have to think has the skillset to fill a similar utility role in that position group.

It's hard to know what any endorsement of Danny Coale would be based on besides blind faith. He broke his foot in the very first practice of OTAs. Missed a good deal of camp. Pulled his quad almost immediately after coming back. Then tore his ACL after he was resigned to the practice squad. Considering the ACL tear took place in November, he'll probably be rehabbing the entire offseason and is questionable for the start of training camp I would imagine.

 

[jrumann59]

I'm calling it -- Cowboys trade Miles Austin for a second, Spencer for a second and a fifth, and sign Breaston. BAM!!!

*restarts Madden*

Would you like to wager money on this?

Spencer is FA so it would be difficult to trade him.

 

[speedkilz88]

Would you like to wager money on this?

Spencer is FA so it would be difficult to trade him.

I think most teams would franchise a guy coming off of double digit sacks and trade them rather than let them walk.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

Would you like to wager money on this?

Spencer is FA so it would be difficult to trade him.

Thank you for telling me obvious info. Want to rattle off the lists of players who were franchised then traded?

 

[joseephuss]

I'm all for improving the #3 WR position. That doesn't mean that Witten isn't still very effective even when he is targeted a lot.

Among the tight ends:
Rank PLAYER TEAM REC TAR %
1 Dustin Keller, TE NYJ 28 36 77.78%
2 Fred Davis, TE WSH 24 31 77.42%
3 Brandon Myers, TE OAK 79 105 75.24%
4 Tony Gonzalez, TE ATL 93 124 75.00%
5 Garrett Graham, TE HOU 28 38 73.68%
6 Jason Witten, TE DAL 110 150 73.33%
7 Zach Miller, TE SEA 38 53 71.70%
8 Joel Dreessen, TE DEN 41 58 70.69%
9 Heath Miller, TE PIT 71 101 70.30%
10 Rob Gronkowski, TE NE 55 79 69.62%

Of the top 50 players that were targeted the most:

Rank PLAYER TEAM REC TAR %
1 Randall Cobb, WR GB 80 104 76.92%
2 Brandon Myers, TE OAK 79 105 75.24%
3 Tony Gonzalez, TE ATL 93 124 75.00%
4 Jason Witten, TE DAL 110 150 73.33%
5 Darren Sproles, RB NO 75 104 72.12%
6 Heath Miller, TE PIT 71 101 70.30%
7 Eric Decker, WR DEN 85 123 69.11%
8 Andre Johnson, WR HOU 112 164 68.29%
9 Wes Welker, WR NE 118 174 67.82%
10 Michael Crabtree, WR SF 85 127 66.93%

Witten is turning targets into receptions. You can and should improve the #3 and #4 WR roles and also the #2 TE position(either by adding someone or Hanna getting better), but targeting Witten is in itself not that big of a problem. Plus it isn't as if it is taking away targets from Dez(14th) or Miles(30th).

 

[InmanRoshi]

I'm all for improving the #3 WR position. That doesn't mean that Witten isn't still very effective even when he is targeted a lot.

Converting targets is definitely nice, but what's ultimately more important is getting a lot of production out of those conversions. Catching 100% of 3 yard passes doesn't really accomplish much. Witten was 46th in Yards Per Reception among TEs who played 25% of their team's offensive snaps. Witten is a phenomenal weapon on 3rd and 4 and you need a high percentage play for 5 yards, but he was relied on way too much in other circumstances. Long story short, Cowboys need to get the ball more into the hands of people who run 4.4-4.5 and less into the hands of people who run 4.8.

 

[joseephuss]

Converting targets is definitely nice, but what's ultimately more important is getting a lot of production out of those conversions. Catching 100% of 3 yard passes doesn't really accomplish much. Witten was 46th in Yards Per Reception among TEs who played 25% of their team's offensive snaps. Witten is a phenomenal weapon on 3rd and 4 and you need a high percentage play for 5 yards, but he was relied on way too much in other circumstances. Long story short, Cowboys need to get the ball more into the hands of people who run 4.4-4.5 and less into the hands of people who run 4.8.

They will still getting it into the hands of Bryant and Austin and were trying to do so. Both those guys also finished in the top 30 in targets and receptions, so they were getting the 4.4 guys involved. They just need another dependable 4.4 guy as an option, which they did not have this season. Even when/if they get one, Witten will still be a big time target for Romo. Although, I don't expect Witten to get targeted 150 times again he will still be targeted over 100 times and should be as a dependable receiver.

 

[InmanRoshi]

They will still getting it into the hands of Bryant and Austin and were trying to do so. Both those guys also finished in the top 30 in targets and receptions, so they were getting the 4.4 guys involved. They just need another dependable 4.4 guy as an option, which they did not have this season. Even when/if they get one, Witten will still be a big time target for Romo. Although, I don't expect Witten to get targeted 150 times again he will still be targeted over 100 times and should be as a dependable receiver.

If Austin is mired in soft tissue injuries and/or Dez suffers another broken bone and Dwayne Harris is playing a lot of #2 WR and who knows playing #3 WR, I think we're going to see yet another year of 5 yard passes to Witten on 3rd and 7.

 

[joseephuss]

If Austin is mired in soft tissue injuries and/or Dez suffers another broken bone and Dwayne Harris is playing a lot of #2 WR and who knows playing #3 WR, I think we're going to see yet another year of 5 yard passes to Witten on 3rd and 7.

Yep, probably. What else are you going to do in that situation? Even if you added Breaston, it wouldn't be too different. Most teams who lose their top two wide receiving threats in a season for a period of time have to come up with alternatives. I like the idea of bringing in Breaston or someone similar. It would be a good thing. That doesn't mean it solves everything if you lose Dez or Miles to injury long term.