DC.COM Blog: Austin's Promotion Shouldn't Sidetrack Crayton

[WoodysGirl]

Posted by rphillips at 10/20/2009 8:46 AM CDT on truebluefanclub.com

The Cowboys' decision to give Miles Austin starting-level playing time should mean fewer opportunities for Patrick Crayton, particularly if the offense continues a steady diet of two-tight end sets.

After Austin's record-breaking performance (250 yards) and game-winning touchdown against Kansas City, the team felt the logical decision was to give him first-team reps and see what else he can do going forward.

Crayton hasn't spoken publicly since the Chiefs game, but don't expect Austin's promotion to affect his preparation. He's a professional and a team-oriented guy.

Tony Romo trusts him, too. The two have played together since 2004, and although there have been a couple of recent miscues, there's a comfort factor there. Crayton remains an important part of the offense.

-Rob

 

[ddh33]

I have wondered if Bennett would end up suffering more than Crayton? There is a part of me that thinks this team might be better with more 3 wide sets anyway to spread the field more.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Crayton is a team player and he knows he'll just keep on working hard and doing well for us in the slot. The guy isn't going to sulk about this.

 

[Silverstar]

I'm just glad to see more speed on the field.

First Felix and now Austin...light it up fellas!

 

[EPL0c0]

I have wondered if Bennett would end up suffering more than Crayton? There is a part of me that thinks this team might be better with more 3 wide sets anyway to spread the field more.

IMO, Bennett is a weapon, if they're gonna continue to keep him holstered, might as well, go with 3 WR sets instead.

 

[wileedog]

I have wondered if Bennett would end up suffering more than Crayton? There is a part of me that thinks this team might be better with more 3 wide sets anyway to spread the field more.

Not if we keep running the ball out of the 2 TE set like we are.

 

[kramskoi]

I have wondered if Bennett would end up suffering more than Crayton? There is a part of me that thinks this team might be better with more 3 wide sets anyway to spread the field more.

...Garrett ran too much out of S11 down the stretch last year, according to Sturm:

"“S11″ – And here is the love of Jason Garrett’s offense. Every time the Cowboys are in 3rd down, unless it is 3rd and very short, you can guarantee your friends the Cowboys will be in Shotgun, with 3 WRs and 1 RB. They ran this 385 times in 2008! Of the 385 snaps, 320 were pass plays (83%) so you know the defenses were not worried about the occasional delay or draw play. Romo is pretty effective in this set, but it also gets him hit plenty. Usually in shotgun, the Cowboys send Witten out in a pattern, so it is the 5 OL + Barber/Choice to pass block. And it gets your QB killed. In 2009, they have to depend on this look much, much less than nearly 40%."

...Romo needs to become more accurate than he has been so far this year and see more of the field, which will enable him to find the favorable matchups...

 

[Boyzmamacita]

...Garrett ran too much out of S11 down the stretch last year, according to Sturm:

"“S11″ – And here is the love of Jason Garrett’s offense. Every time the Cowboys are in 3rd down, unless it is 3rd and very short, you can guarantee your friends the Cowboys will be in Shotgun, with 3 WRs and 1 RB. They ran this 385 times in 2008! Of the 385 snaps, 320 were pass plays (83%) so you know the defenses were not worried about the occasional delay or draw play. Romo is pretty effective in this set, but it also gets him hit plenty. Usually in shotgun, the Cowboys send Witten out in a pattern, so it is the 5 OL + Barber/Choice to pass block. And it gets your QB killed. In 2009, they have to depend on this look much, much less than nearly 40%."

...Romo needs to become more accurate than he has been so far this year and see more of the field, which will enable him to find the favorable matchups...

Is everybody's offense as predictable as the Cowboys? Every time I look around someone calls themselves knowing the tendencies of the Dallas offense. Of course, the Cowboys lead the league in yardage, so I guess all that knowledge isn't helping anybody else.

 

[skinsscalper]

Is everybody's offense as predictable as the Cowboys? Every time I look around someone calls themselves knowing the tendencies of the Dallas offense. Of course, the Cowboys lead the league in yardage, so I guess all that knowledge isn't helping anybody else.

With all due respect, mama, yardage is an empty stat. We don't accumulate any points for yardage. Once we stop committing stupid, drive killing penalties and translate that yardage into points it doesn't mean much.

 

[wileedog]

With all due respect, mama, yardage is an empty stat. We don't accumulate any points for yardage. Once we stop committing stupid, drive killing penalties and translate that yardage into points it doesn't mean much.

I don't agree completely. An offense that just keeps rolling down the field just to make mental errors in the red zone is not the same level of bad as say what Cleveland or Washington are rolling out there week after week.

We can fix the red zone issues with better play calling, better execution and a healthier Barber. Ain't nothing fixing those teams.

I would be much harder on Garrett if we weren't moving the football at all. And we should be much harder on him if we are still having these issues later in the season.

 

[Jon88]

It should in no way keep from playing like crap.

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

Crayton hasn't spoken publicly since the Chiefs game

Good. Because when he talks, he usually says things he can't back up.

 

[skinsscalper]

I don't agree completely. An offense that just keeps rolling down the field just to make mental errors in the red zone is not the same level of bad as say what Cleveland or Washington are rolling out there week after week.

We can fix the red zone issues with better play calling, better execution and a healthier Barber. Ain't nothing fixing those teams.

I would be much harder on Garrett if we weren't moving the football at all. And we should be much harder on him if we are still having these issues later in the season.

I agree. It's not that the Cowboys are offensively inept, in any way. It's that they're stupid. In the end that makes them, AT TIMES, just as inept as the Cleveland and Washingtons of the league. A 65 yard drive that ends in a missed field goal because of an untimely penalty is just as effective (on the scoreboard) as a three and out. Sometimes, it's actually worse. Not only did we not score, but we just chewed up a chunk of the clock and, thus, eliminated more time for opportunities to score again.

 

[Jon88]

That's Flozell for you. Every. Single. Game.

 

[Kangaroo]

Crayton is a team player and he knows he'll just keep on working hard and doing well for us in the slot. The guy isn't going to sulk about this.

I prefer Crayton in the Slot it is a better fit for him and of course he is not going to sulk he was mad at himself for that fumble last week if you watched on the sideline he cared and was mad he put the team in a bad position.

Just my view on it