DC.COM Blog: Has The Receiver Depth Grown On You?

[WoodysGirl]

Posted by rphillips at 8/16/2009 3:16 PM CDT on truebluefanclub.com

[FONT=verdana,geneva]Maybe the biggest Cowboys criticism this off-season was their receiver depth, or perceived lack thereof, after Terrell Owens' release.

The questions are well-founded if you base your skepticism on experience, not ability. Miles Austin and Sam Hurd, the projected backups to Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton, have a combined 42 catches and four touchdowns in three seasons.

It's awfully early, and both have to avoid more injuries, but we've seen why the Cowboys were willing to feed more reps to Austin and Hurd.

Hurd, to me, has been the most impressive wideout in camp and the second-most impressive pass-catcher, period, behind tight end Martellus Bennett. Austin's production hasn't been as consistent as the first week or two of practice, but the team's fastest receiver has made his share of plays.

Seemed like Hurd and Austin each got more first-team work with Tony Romo this morning. We'll keep an eye on Hurd in particular, because head coach Wade Phillips says he's earned more reps.

Even if Patrick Crayton holds onto a starting job, the Cowboys have to feel pretty comfortable with their depth at this point in preseason.

-Rob [/FONT]

Comments (20) | Permanent

 

[BIGDen]

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[BIGDen]

Thus far things have worked out about as well as could be expected with the WRs.
I've gotta be honest, I was never too worried about that position. RW is in his prime and made the Pro Bowl a couple of years ago. He was injured and new last year so I didn't put too much stock in last year's performance. Hurd has always been solid when healthy. Crayton has made enough plays for this team that he is a proven 2nd or 3rd wr. Austin looked ready to breakout last year but couldn't stay healthy. He has all the tools and seems to have his head on straight.
Even if they are mediocre (and they should be better than that), we still have the best TE tandem in football and a great backfield (they can all catch too).
OL and OL depth was and is a concern. I wish the pleasant surprises happened there. Can't have it all I guess.

 

[BourbonBalz]

I've been fine with our WRs since the off-season. As long as they all stay healthy, I think we'll be fine. I keep hearing everyone talk negatively about our overall depth. I'll agree that our 2nd and 3rd stringers aren't the best in the league, but there's a reason for that. Generally when you have first stringers as good as we do, most of the salary cap is tied up in the starters. It's hard to have quality depth everywhere when your starters are top notch and earn the kind of money they do. Less to go around for backups. That having been said, I wouldn't trade our RB trio or our TEs for any others in the league. We're also much better off at QB and CB than we've been in a long time. Like most others, I see our primary depth issues on the OL and at NT, but again, you can't have great quality depth everywhere and still pay for the best starters in the league.

 

[Thick 'N Hearty]

I really don't see a problem with our WR depth. yeah, I know if RW or Crayton goes down, someone has to fill in. But, with Witten, Bennett and Jones filling in, I really don't see a problem.

Another reason I don't see a problem is because of the RB depth. Defenses will not know how to play the line of scrimmage if there is a multiple RB set. I know all the talk is about the 2-TE set, but a RB set with Barber and Jones has to make Ds wonder what's about to happen.

 

[casmith07]

Please click one of the Quick Reply icons in the posts above to activate Quick Reply.

....LOL!

 

[BIGDen]

....LOL!

:laugh1:
I sent the post from my Blackberry and that other thing must have sent also as some sort of glitch. Just saw it now from my computer. That was weird because I definitely only hit "Submit" once so I have no idea how that "quick reply" message was sent. Pretty funny though.

 

[CATCH17]

Posted by rphillips at 8/16/2009 3:16 PM CDT on truebluefanclub.com

[FONT=verdana,geneva]Maybe the biggest Cowboys criticism this off-season was their receiver depth, or perceived lack thereof, after Terrell Owens' release.

The questions are well-founded if you base your skepticism on experience, not ability. Miles Austin and Sam Hurd, the projected backups to Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton, have a combined 42 catches and four touchdowns in three seasons.

It's awfully early, and both have to avoid more injuries, but we've seen why the Cowboys were willing to feed more reps to Austin and Hurd.

Hurd, to me, has been the most impressive wideout in camp and the second-most impressive pass-catcher, period, behind tight end Martellus Bennett. Austin's production hasn't been as consistent as the first week or two of practice, but the team's fastest receiver has made his share of plays.

Seemed like Hurd and Austin each got more first-team work with Tony Romo this morning. We'll keep an eye on Hurd in particular, because head coach Wade Phillips says he's earned more reps.

Even if Patrick Crayton holds onto a starting job, the Cowboys have to feel pretty comfortable with their depth at this point in preseason.

-Rob [/FONT]

Comments (20) | Permanent

rphillips,

Most Cowboys fans absolutely hate this receiving group for some reason.

 

[Rampage]

i'm still concerned cause other than Crayton they're all injury-prone.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Reality is... these guys havent shown much and that was with "whatshisname" on the field. Imagine now?

I think Roy can be a REAL ASSET. Things can work out well for us there... but the others dont really instill much confidence in me.

 

[Hostile]

rphillips,

Most Cowboys fans absolutely hate this receiving group for some reason.

Hate is too strong. Most of them don't trust this group because they haven't put up huge numbers and the team has mountains to climb.

 

[lostinomiya]

I think right now most people are concerned with depth not at WR but on the OL.

 

[Big Dakota]

I feel the same way about our WR's as i do about the guys in New England and Indy. If our QB plays at a top 10 level and out OC can get his **** together the system should work for what we have.

 

[Sarge]

I think right now most people are concerned with depth not at WR but on the OL.

BINGO!

 

[CATCH17]

Hate is too strong. Most of them don't trust this group because they haven't put up huge numbers and the team has mountains to climb.

That is what I love most about this current team.

We have a lot of young guys who are starving to be playmakers in this league.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Well I think this year they will have to decide if these young guys (WR AND OL) are going to pan out and if not they pretty much seem to have put themselves into a corner concerning next years FA and Draft and go heavy on WR and OL.

 

[big dog cowboy]

they pretty much seem to have put themselves into a corner concerning next years FA and Draft and go heavy on WR and OL.

Didn't we think they would go heavy on the O-line this year? I sure did.

 

[Doomsday101]

Until we start playing for keeps I will have some uncertainties. I feel good about RW and Crayton but until Austin and Hurd can show they can be big contributors in the reg season there will be some uncertainty. This does not mean I want to get rid of these players matter of fact I look forward to seeing them become bigger parts of this team.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

Reality is... these guys havent shown much and that was with "whatshisname" on the field. Imagine now?

I think Roy can be a REAL ASSET. Things can work out well for us there... but the others dont really instill much confidence in me.

Whatshisname was in the way. I appreciate his contribution, but he was a bigger weight on the team's shoulders than I was willing to admit. Now these guys have a chance to shine without the me-first mentality. Hurd, Austin and Crayton all seem to be pulling for one another. With RW11 making the naysayers eat crow and the young guys taking advantage of every opportunity, we'll be just fine at WR.

 

[CATCH17]

Didn't we think they would go heavy on the O-line this year? I sure did.

Whats screwing us on these offensive linemen are all these colleges are going to a spread offense and you got the tiny OL everywhere.

Its a bunch of fat TE's playing the position.

There is some studs this year in College at the WR position that I would love to have on this team but this is most likely the year we have to take the best Offensive Tackle or Nose Tackle in the first round and just because we get one in the 1st doesn't mean they will be any good.