DMN Blog: Cowboys don't need elite No. 2 WR

[BAT]

An elite #2 WR may not be a necessity, for the regular season.


I would argue that it is a necessity going into the postseason, when the Cowboys have to face the best of the best.


Crayton may have better numbers than Harper, again in the regular season. I would take Harper in the post season any day, all day.


Harper was clutch when the stakes were highest.

 

[burmafrd]

Speed to spread the D is actually the critical need. That is why I am hoping Stanback starts to contribute or Glenn comes back doing well.

 

[dooomsday]

Speed to spread the D is actually the critical need. That is why I am hoping Stanback starts to contribute or Glenn comes back doing well.

LOL. Funny how people dont even consider the #3/4 from last year really. Which points to the need or quality impact players from #3-#5. I hate being top heavy and relying on injured players and projects.

 

[Eddie]

I also don't think speed alone is the issue. The offense was not being stopped against the Giants because of a lack of speed. Guys were getting open. Romo was just not given time to hit them or when he did they were dropping passes or Crayton was quitting on his route.

The offense was stopped because the Giants realized we had no threats at WR with an injured TO. We didn't have another WR who could draw double coverage, and thus the Giants loaded up the LOS and brought the lumber on us.

 

[TNCowboy]

Stupid post.

Where are we if TO gets hurt? Who do we have that can take TO's role long-term?

Jones had it right. He needed to find a running mate for TO and he couldn't do it. All we can do now is cross our fingers and hope TO stays healthy.

 

[Eddie]

Stupid post.

Where are we if TO gets hurt? Who do we have that can take TO's role long-term?

Jones had it right. He needed to find a running mate for TO and he couldn't do it. All we can do now is cross our fingers and hope TO stays healthy.

Yep, that sums it up. No young WR to groom to replace TO. No speed threat opposite TO. No injury coverage for TO.

The team went 3-0 before Michael Irvin went down in 98. We went 5-8 the rest of the way without him ... and that's with Rocket at the helm. We don't even have a Rocket at this point.

 

[dooomsday]

The offense was stopped because the Giants realized we had no threats at WR with an injured TO. We didn't have another WR who could draw double coverage, and thus the Giants loaded up the LOS and brought the lumber on us.

Games in which TO was taken off/out his game or inured.

Stl
Buf.
det
Philly (2nd)
Carolina
Wash
Gints-play offs
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/gamelog?playerId=1056

Combined 4-3 record. Det./Buf. games took the last play to win narrowly avoiding a 2-5 record in those games. Far cry from the .750 winning % on the year. We are predictable and vulnerable when TO is human. A dynamic threat would go a long way, imo.

Why risk it? I want to crush teams. Not hope to beat them if all goes well.

 

[burmafrd]

We can do fine against most teams with TO, Witten, Crayton. It gets tough against the top teams. If TO goes down our passing game goes in the calcutta crapper. We need someone to step up and scare the D= something no one else has done on this team outside of TO and Glenn.

 

[Angus]

Acquiring a veteran #2 isn't about need for this year, it's about need for the long haul. That is simply smart management by Jerry and Company given the fact our top 2 WRs ages and injuries in recent years. It's called hedging your bets for the future.

On top of that if we do land one of those guys please tell me who would beat us? I thought the goal was win it all. If you can make the deal to make the job easier you do it.

Growing one is even better.

 

[Hostile]

Growing one is even better.

I agree, who is it?

 

[AbeBeta]

I agree, who is it?

I think that #2 is already growed....

 

[jobberone]

I don't think most of looking for a star at the #2 WR spot. Just something more than Crayton or an over-the-hill dinged up Glenn.

We need more than just depth. Can we get by with JAG. Sure. Who wants to sweat. Let's crush'em.

And where do you get the fact Glenn is over-the-hill? That's not a matter of fact.

One key thing I would point out is that one element that both Harper and Kevin Williams brought that Crayton doesn't is a down-the-field speed.

The yards-per reception numbers clearly illustrate that.

As much as anything else, the Cowboys need an element of speed on the field.

It doesn't have to be someone who catches 50 passes but someone who is more of a threat in order to open up the field or at least keep defenses honest.

Austin is a speed threat and was used that way. But we need more than 'just a speed' threat. We need a good number 2 we can count on. I don't know if we can count on Crayton. And as others have pointed out we need to groom or find a new number one in the next few years. Crayton isn't that. And Crayton has speed. Compared to Hurd and Witten. He's just not a Joey Galloway. Or a TG.

I agree, who is it?

I hope it is Stanback. I'm not holding my breath though.

I think that #2 is already growed....

Who is that?

 

[Deep_Freeze]

We can make all the excuses we want, but TO is an injury risk at his current age and playing position, and we have noone in the same universe to replace him if he goes down. Nice to have 100 CBs and LBs, but not when you are lacking so much at a position so important to this team as WR. Sure, if we were the Ravens when they were good, it wouldn't matter with that D, but we aren't. Predicting our D would make that kinda jump is a bit of a stretch.

I pray that TG can give us alot this year. Sure, some will say, like Wade, 13-3, blah blah blah. Apparently that wasn't good enough to win a playoff game, the key is we need to not only get better, but get significantly better than our competition did this offseason.

I'm willing to bet that our improvement in other areas will help balance out our lack of depth at WR somewhat. But without TO, that group and the Cowboys go nowhere. In today's NFL, plays are made in the passing game, and without TO, the rest of them are just hopes and dreams that we hit the lottery.

 

[kojak]

2:13 PM Fri, May 23, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
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ERICH SCHLEGEL / DMN
I wrote on the eve of last season that a star No. 2 receiver was a luxury, not a necessity, for the Cowboys. Tony Romo made me look smart by setting a whole bunch of franchise records, including passing yards (4,211) and TDs (36) in a season.

I understand why Jerry wanted another stud to pair with T.O. But it's not like the Cowboys are in big trouble at receiver, even if Terry Glenn can't come back from knee problems. (Let's not even mention Jerry's wild plans for Pacman Jones.)

The Cowboys put up huge numbers with Patrick Crayton lined up opposite T.O. Pro Bowl TE Jason Witten is the second option in the passing game, which means the Cowboys can get by with a marginal No. 2 WR.

This isn't anything new around these parts. Just look at the Jerry-era Super Bowl champions, which used basically the same passing scheme that Jason Garrett installed before last season. (Matter of fact, follow the jump for a comparison of Crayton's stats to the No. 2 WRs on those squads.)

It would have been nice to upgrade the WR corps this offseason, but the Cowboys should be able to approach 500 points with the current cast. Then Jerry can find a receiver who can eventually take the No. 1 baton from T.O. next offseason.

Alvin Harper (1992) -- 35 catches, 562 yards, 4 TDs

Alvin Harper (1993) -- 36 catches, 777 yards, 7 TDs

Kevin Williams (1995) -- 38 catches, 613 yards, 2 TDs

Patrick Crayton (2007) -- 50 catches, 697 yards, 7 TDs

Maybe not. But Harper showed up during the playoffs and Crayton well... still has the bad taste in his mouth from his own foot.

 

[dooomsday]

We can make all the excuses we want, but TO is an injury risk at his current age and playing position, and we have noone in the same universe to replace him if he goes down. Nice to have 100 CBs and LBs, but not when you are lacking so much at a position so important to this team as WR. Sure, if we were the Ravens when they were good, it wouldn't matter with that D, but we aren't. Predicting our D would make that kinda jump is a bit of a stretch.

I pray that TG can give us alot this year. Sure, some will say, like Wade, 13-3, blah blah blah. Apparently that wasn't good enough to win a playoff game, the key is we need to not only get better, but get significantly better than our competition did this offseason.

I'm willing to bet that our improvement in other areas will help balance out our lack of depth at WR somewhat. But without TO, that group and the Cowboys go nowhere. In today's NFL, plays are made in the passing game, and without TO, the rest of them are just hopes and dreams that we hit the lottery.

Bullseye. At the end of a day in a close game where TO is doubled it will be up to marginal talent or possession WRs. Uh, pass. Lets get some help out there.

With the improved STs we may have more redzone opportunities. But the O is the same. Felix is unproven especially in the passing game. And Bennett? A TE is a running O? 15 catches max. I am not thinking either guy take pressure off TO.

 

[Shady12]

The Cowboys in those days didn't pass nearly as much, if Harper had been in last season's Cowboy offense he would have caught those 50 passes Crayton did but with a lot more yards and TD's.

 

[Tobal]

We need to transition to a more balanced team, last year we were a passing team and when TO was neutralized we were a very very avg offense.

This team has the talent to work down the field, but they don't have the discipline and patience to do it on a consistent basis.

So they need either additional dynamic playmakers or they need to become a team that can be disciplined and patient ala the 90's Cowboys team. I'd prefer they have both.

 

[Rampage]

I hope either terry can play the whole season and be effective or Austin can learn how to catch a football. I think that's what the team is hoping for regarding the #2 wr position.

 

[BourbonBalz]

We need to transition to a more balanced team, last year we were a passing team and when TO was neutralized we were a very very avg offense.

This team has the talent to work down the field, but they don't have the discipline and patience to do it on a consistent basis.

So they need either additional dynamic playmakers or they need to become a team that can be disciplined and patient ala the 90's Cowboys team. I'd prefer they have both.

Bingo!!!!! Give this man a cigar, a beer, or something. We won in the 90's with a very good D and a balanced offensive attack. The Colts didn't win a Super Bowl (or even play in one) until they developed a good running game. We have been a bit too pass happy and we need to produce more on the ground. It wears defenses down and allows ours to rest. I think we became a bit too predictable last year. If Barber, Jones, and company can get a good ground game going, our offense will be even better than last year. I don't think we can afford another top notch receiver such as Chad Johnson, Roy Williams, Bouldin, etc.

 

[Bach]

We need more than just depth. Can we get by with JAG. Sure. Who wants to sweat. Let's crush'em.

And where do you get the fact Glenn is over-the-hill? That's not a matter of fact.

I'm not opposed to a stud #2 WR, but I know we can still upgrade without having another superstar.

As for Glenn, he's definitely past his prime. Throw in his injuries and I'd call him over the hill.