ESPN MacMahon: When does Dez seize starting job?

[WoodysGirl]

May 5
9:30
AM CT

By Tim MacMahon


It seems fans started asking this question the second the Cowboys drafted Dez Bryant.

When will the first-round pick bump trade bust Roy Williams from the starting lineup?

I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for it to happen this season. That's just not the way things work around Valley Ranch these days.

This doesn't really have that much to do with Jerry Jones saving face. It's more about the way that Wade Phillips treats veterans.

This is the coach who trotted Greg Ellis out as a starter down the stretch in 2008 because he didn't want to hurt his feelings. Of course, Ellis still complained that Anthony Spencer played the majority of the snaps.

Nevertheless, Phillips is reluctant to strip a veteran of his starter status, regardless of the circumstances. That's in part why a less-than-100 percent Marc Colombo reclaimed the starting right tackle job when he declared himself ready, despite Doug Free performing well as the fill-in starter. It's why there was no serious debate about keeping Alan Ball as the starter when Ken Hamlin returned from a high ankle sprain.

So I doubt that Williams will ever officially be the Cowboys' No. 3 receiver. As long as he's on the roster (likely only one more season), he'll be a starter.

That doesn't necessarily mean he'll play more or be targeted more often than Bryant. That will probably depend on production.

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

The "starting" status is really overrated.

 

[CanuckCowboysFan]

isn't the # 3 receiver on the field basically just as much as the # 1 or 2...

 

[SDCowboy]

Dez can still be the #2 without having to officially be labeled as such this season. Miles was never officially named the #1. It just happened.

 

[gmoney112]

I think Crayton should be more worried than Roy.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

I can see us taking Marty and RW off the field some and putting Choice, Felix, Dez, and Ogltetree on the field more

 

[Alexander]

A better question is how much does he have to outplay Roy Williams before the staff decides they can trust him to "start".

I can easily see a quarter of the season go by with the same kind of Williams performance that we got in 2009, all the while they are raving about him still building chemistry with Romo and knocking the ball out of the park in practices.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

A better question is how much does he have to outplay Roy Williams before the staff decides they can trust him to "start".

I can easily see a quarter of the season go by with the same kind of Williams performance that we got in 2009, all the while they are raving about him still building chemistry with Romo and knocking the ball out of the air.

I didnt fix anything, I just changed a word or two to make it funny to me

 

[anava]

It matters who is labeled as 2nd and 3rd because if Roy plays like he has since he has been in Dallas, he should be fighting for the 3rd spot by the end of the year. Just being out there as a decoy because Romo doesnt even trust him to look his way, is kind of a waste of a roster spot and weapon.

 

[TheCount]

isn't the # 3 receiver on the field basically just as much as the # 1 or 2...

If not, he will be now. Haha.

I mean Miles, Roy, Dez and Witten on the field at the same time is going to be a handful for a lot of teams, nevermind Felix coming out of the backfield.

I hope Garrett figures out a way to utilize them all.

 

[Duane]

Hopefully by the end of training camp.

 

[zrinkill]

After the bye week.

 

[Stash]

The "starting" status is really overrated.

Tell that to the guys like Ellis and Roy Williams.

I think that on a good team the better players start, it's that simple.

I think it's a disfunction of this team when guys have their "spot" protected when their level of play doesn't warrant it.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Didn't take long for him to resume the "coaches are weak" theme... Don't take out the Mavs failures on the Cowboys, Timmy.

 

[YosemiteSam]

The "starting" status is really overrated.

Agreed. My question is, when will Dez get more snaps than Roy. I'm betting sooner rather than later.

 

[Alexander]

Didn't take long for him to resume the "coaches are weak" theme... Don't take out the Mavs failures on the Cowboys, Timmy.

What historically leads you to believe that the staff has immediate trust in young players? MacMahon isn't making something up that has not already demonstrated it is there.

 

[Doomsday101]

My guess is Dez will come in on 3 WR sets along with Austin and Williams. As for becoming a starter I think that will depend on how Dez performs. More plays you are making the more playing time you will see.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

What historically leads you to believe that the staff has immediate trust in young players? MacMahon isn't making something up that has not already demonstrated it is there.

Funny thing is, very rarely have I seen examples of when these young players were clearly better than the vet they "should" have been replacing.

And if a young guy hasn't clearly beaten out the vet and proved that he knows what he's doing, I don't blame any coach for going with the vet.

 

[Stash]

Funny thing is, very rarely have I seen examples of when these young players were clearly better than the vet they "should" have been replacing.

And if a young guy hasn't clearly beaten out the vet and proved that he knows what he's doing, I don't blame any coach for going with the vet.

He gave several examples that supported his point.

The Ellis/Spencer situation is particularly accurate - and embarrassing.

 

[Alexander]

Funny thing is, very rarely have I seen examples of when these young players were clearly better than the vet they "should" have been replacing.

Of course you don't because unless there is injury or they are simply removed from the picture, we simply do not play young players or rookies that much because of the concern for youthful mistakes. Even Jerry Jones felt he had to meddle to get Felix Jones and Ogletree more involved. He had to cut Adams and Ellis to get the young players like Spencer and Free in starting roles. Otherwise, we would have seen Ellis right there, front and center, starting last year and Adams would be the same right now. Julius Jones "started" when it was evident Barber was better.

And if a young guy hasn't clearly beaten out the vet and proved that he knows what he's doing, I don't blame any coach for going with the vet.

Free was the best alternative we had for the Vikings game. He did not play because of Colombo's status. He was "back" so Free immediately went back to the bench, even though there was little to no drop off.