Gavin Escobar becoming forgotten man on Cowboys roster

[RS12]

Tight end Gavin Escobar has played one offensive snap the past two weeks. He didn’t get any offensive action against the Bears in Week 3, and saw the field only once offensively against the 49ers last Sunday.

For a former second-round pick in a contract year, Escobar has quickly become a forgotten man on the Cowboys roster. All of this has happened after he garnered his fair share of praise in training camp for how quickly he recovered from a torn Achilles that ended his 2015 season prematurely on Dec. 19.

“I’m happy to be on the team,” Escobar said on Tuesday. “I just go out there and do what I can.”

Escobar said his sharp decline in playing time has nothing to do with a possible setback injury-wise, adding that he is feeling better and better each week.

“Technically I was cleared by training camp, but I wasn’t full go,” Escobar said. “I’m starting to actually feel like myself in practice, so that’s good I guess.”

Geoff Swaim, a seventh-round pick out of Texas last season, has emerged as the No. 2 option behind Jason Witten at tight end.

For his part, Escobar has never complained about his role or playing time since the Cowboys made him a second-round pick in 2013. He hasn’t made an impact that is expected from a second-round pick, and his days with the Cowboys seem numbered.

He has played a total of 11 offensive snaps and an additional 37 on special teams this season.


Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/sports...rner-blog/article106093277.html#storylink=cpy

 

[Idgit]

I have to admit, I'm completely confused about Gavin Escobar. On the one hand, I love how he catches the football. I really thought he was going to step up and be a mismatch player we turned to out of desperation last season when Dunbar went down and Weeden was still in the lineup. He's that big line-of-sight player who's height gives him an advantage over any LB that you'd think Weeden would actually throw it to. His blocking game leaves a bit to be desired, but he's not awful. He's basically a passing TE in a passing league.

I get why he's on the bench in Dallas, given what we want from our TE2, but it still surprises me. He's a guy who just seems to have too much talent to not be at least a regular role player. I think he's a guy who ends up going next year to some TE-needy team and having an impact. The way Scott Chandler did in BUF a while back.

 

[LocimusPrime]

Good attitude and response from Escobar! I hope he gets to a decent team that will use his skill set properly. Marty B ( not saying I really cared for his attitude/antics while in Dallas) is killn it in New England. Think he had back to back 100yd games at TE.

 

[ShiningStar]

Just goes to prove Dallas doesnt use their TE's correctly. If it isnt Witten we dont pay attention.

 

[TheCoolFan]

Swaim is the future

 

[DOUBLE WING]

This organization is too married to Witten to ever let a second TE flourish in this offense. I don't think Escobar is going to break out and be Gronk if given the chance, but he's got a lot of skills in the passing game that just don't seem like they're being put to use here. It's frustrating to see this organization spend so many resources on TE in the draft, with almost nothing to show for it.

 

[MRV52]

I thought he was still down in Colombia shocked to have seen him in 1 play last game.

 

[Leadbelly]

I wonder how much of it is Dak having developed a comfort level with Swaim (and Swaim being a better blocker) with Escobar being limited in camp.

Honestly I'm amazed Escobar made it back from an achilles injury so fast. Basically a little over half a year.

 

[robbieruff]

I have to admit, I'm completely confused about Gavin Escobar. On the one hand, I love how he catches the football. I really thought he was going to step up and be a mismatch player we turned to out of desperation last season when Dunbar went down and Weeden was still in the lineup. He's that big line-of-sight player who's height gives him an advantage over any LB that you'd think Weeden would actually throw it to. His blocking game leaves a bit to be desired, but he's not awful. He's basically a passing TE in a passing league.

I get why he's on the bench in Dallas, given what we want from our TE2, but it still surprises me. He's a guy who just seems to have too much talent to not be at least a regular role player. I think he's a guy who ends up going next year to some TE-needy team and having an impact. The way Scott Chandler did in BUF a while back.

Yeah...at this point he's a rather expensive (based on draft pedigree and his physical tools, which I also believe to be notable) insurance policy...will be interesting to see what happens when Hanna comes back. Would be surprised if we keep 4 TEs but perhaps one of the FBs goes under that scenario?

 

[Idgit]

Yeah...at this point he's a rather expensive (based on draft pedigree and his physical tools, which I also believe to be notable) insurance policy...will be interesting to see what happens when Hanna comes back. Would be surprised if we keep 4 TEs but perhaps one of the FBs goes under that scenario?

I hope not. We don't need four TEs on the roster, really. Not with 3 QBs and 2 FBs. Not including whatever we do at RB when McFadden is healthy.

 

[KJJ]

I forgot about him a long time ago, the only thing I remember about him is the #2 pick we gave up for him.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

I know I've forgotten about him.

 

[KJJ]

I wonder how much of it is Dak having developed a comfort level with Swaim (and Swaim being a better blocker) with Escobar being limited in camp.

Honestly I'm amazed Escobar made it back from an achilles injury so fast. Basically a little over half a year.

It has nothing to do with comfort level, Escobar hasn't produced with any of the QBs we've used.

 

[StylisticS]

That draft pick angered me then and it angers me now.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

I have no issue with Geof Swaim getting the playing time. My issue is with the Cowboys continuing to use a premium draft choice....to fill roster spot that can be filled in the mid to later rounds!!!!!!!!

 

[Satchel89]

This topic never goes away. This falls on the coaching staff. Put him in and throw to him. It's that simple. The defense knows he's not in there to block and that's ok.

 

[MikeT22]

That draft pick angered me then and it angers me now.

Same. I hated using such a high pick on a 2nd TE when Witten was still playing at a high level. And to top it off, Kelce went later in the 2nd round and has been stellar for KC. Also, I know we weren't looking for a RB that year but Le'veon Bell went on pick after Escobar.

 

[ShiningStar]

Same. I hated using such a high pick on a 2nd TE when Witten was still playing at a high level. And to top it off, Kelce went later in the 2nd round and has been stellar for KC. Also, I know we weren't looking for a RB that year but Le'veon Bell went on pick after Escobar.

Thats the thing, Witten isnt at a high level and we dont get a medal for starting him. I think we are more concerned with him making the HoF because we have nothing to show of it in the last 10 years. other than that, does he need to start? no, is he good for certain situations? yes does that mean he needs to always be in the line up? no. You can keep him fresh throughout the season and have a reliable TE there when we need him vs keep using him for the same production when we can also mix it up.