DMN Blog: Patrick Crayton confident he can pass test

[WoodysGirl]

Patrick Crayton confident he can pass test


9:28 AM Fri, Jun 05, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
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The coaches wanted Mat McBriar to rest his leg during a training camp practice a couple of years ago, so they had Patrick Crayton fill in as the punter during coverage drills. But Crayton used his arm, not his leg, to fling one 60-plus-yard spiral after another.

So we know Crayton has a cannon. We're just not sure about the accuracy of his right arm.

It's a subject worth discussing because Crayton is the trigger man in the Razorback, the Cowboys' version of the Wildcat formation. Injured (again) ex-college QB Isaiah Stanback is another candidate for the job. Crayton also played some quarterback in college, completing 128 of 221 passes for 1,837 yards and 19 touchdowns with eight interceptions as a senior at Northwestern Oklahoma State.

The Razorback certainly isn't designed to be a passing formation, but it'd be a big bonus if the Cowboys can throw the ball effectively enough to exploit defenses focused on keeping Felix Jones from getting in the open field.

Crayton didn't exactly put on a passing clinic yesterday. His two passes both fell incomplete, one a throwaway and the other an ugly throw that landed behind Martellus Bennett's ankles.

Crayton, whose only NFL pass was intercepted, has only worked on throwing in goof-off "quarterback competitions" with fellow receivers during special teams portions of practice since becoming a Cowboy.

"We'd line the bags up like 30 yards away, and you'd have certain points - the head shot, the body shot and then below the waist," Crayton said. "It's coming along."


Comments (3) Leave comment | E-mail entry

 

[Frozen700]

oh god...idk if i like the idea of the razor back

i like were being creative, but still

 

[Cowboyz88]

I think it's a gimmick offense that will soon be neutralized and therefore gone in short order.

 

[theebs]

Please tell me we are never actually going to lineup Tony Romo out wide and have crayton take the snap.

That is just dumb.

 

[Monster Heel]

Please tell me we are never actually going to lineup Tony Romo out wide and have crayton take the snap.

That is just dumb.

As is basically announcing that you're going to or even entertaining the idea of running the formation.

 

[theebs]

As is basically announcing that you're going to or even entertaining the idea of running the formation.

agreed that is even more strange.

unless they just want to make people think about it or plan for it...but that is probably reaching.

If I see Romo out wide I will just shake my head and throw my hands up.

This offense doesnt need that garbage.

 

[Hoofbite]

Please tell me we are never actually going to lineup Tony Romo out wide and have crayton take the snap.

That is just dumb.

Thats the first thing I thought when I read about it the other day.

This has to be the dumbest plan I could ever think of. Its almost like the team thinks that simply moving people around will cause enough confusion that they could do whatever they wanted.

Crayton isn't a running threat. Tony isn't a receiving threat. Crayton cannot pass the way Tony can. Basically, Dallas is weakening itself across the board in order employ some gimmick BS.

Its gonna be a circus.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I wish Crayton could concentrate on running better routes more than developing his passing skills.

 

[Four]

given equal player talent, as in level playing field, there is no reason why these shouldn't be successful plays.

I don't care either way, but in theory there is no reason anyone would ever figure it out, execution is execution.

 

[Bleu Star]

This razorback would be much better with Stanback running it. Crayton does not impress. The problem is ... Stanback's a walking wine glass.

 

[Four]

I think it's patrick because he knows the route tree and playbook like the back of his hand, so it's not that big a deal for him to pick up something else.

The younger guys, like Stanback, don't have that same familiarity with the playbook, and they may be looking to possible drop stanback from the team.

Lot's of reasons Crayton is the smart choice.

 

[Bleu Star]

I think it's patrick because he knows the route tree and playbook like the back of his hand, so it's not that big a deal for him to pick up something else.

The younger guys, like Stanback, don't have that same familiarity with the playbook, and they may be looking to possible drop stanback from the team.

Lot's of reasons Crayton is the smart choice.

All good points. Hopefully Crayton can get some of his NW OK State mojo back. Early reports are not impressive.

 

[Alexander]

I really hope we aren't as preoccupied with this fad formation as these articles lead on. I like the idea that Felix Jones is excited, but this shouldn't be an excuse to get him on the field. His play last year out of standard formations should have been enough. As for Crayton or Stanback running it, who cares. Hopefully its something we might see only a few times all season.

 

[Doctor32]

Please tell me we are never actually going to lineup Tony Romo out wide and have crayton take the snap.

That is just dumb.

This fad will die sooner than later.

 

[Alexander]

This fad will die sooner than later.

Jerry Jones has been talking about it an awful lot. He can hardly contain himself.

Wait until we sign Matt Jones. It would really be on then.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

agreed that is even more strange.

unless they just want to make people think about it or plan for it...but that is probably reaching.

I do think that's part of it. Wade even smiled when saying that we've put this on film for Tampa to see.

Kind of suspicious they do this on OTA media day, too.

 

[jobberone]

Jerry Jones has been talking about it an awful lot. He can hardly contain himself.

Wait until we sign Matt Jones. It would really be on then.

Jerry is so full of himself among other things. I love the guy but damn.....

Razorback. Setting themselves up for a fall anytime it doesn't work. Why not call it what everyone else calls it?

 

[Bleu Star]

Jerry is so full of himself among other things. I love the guy but damn.....

Razorback. Setting themselves up for a fall anytime it doesn't work. Why not call it what everyone else calls it?

This all reminds me of how much I despise Jerry down on the sidelines in the heat of the moment in games. I understand it's his baby but can't he just stay up in the booth and let the coaches coach?

 

[Hoofbite]

This formation sucks, period.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

I think it's a gimmick offense that will soon be neutralized and therefore gone in short order.

I've seen the Steelers use a similar type of offense effectively.