Grading The Cowboys WRs

[Gryphon]

We already know that we will be running the ball more, which is great news since we have 3 potent running backs, so the reliance on the wide receiving corp will not be too heavy (I feel that's a great thing). In addition we have Witten who is always a force, Bennett will get a fair number of looks, and Romo always likes to throw it to the RB coming out of the backfield, so we are not going to have an awful pass attack this year.

This is how I think that our wide receivers shake out:

Roy Williams - B
Patrick Crayton - C-
Miles Austin - C
Sam Hurd - D
Isaiah Stanback - F
Travis Wilson - ?
Kevin Ogletree - ?
Manuel Johnson - ?
Julian Hawkins - ?

Roy Williams- B He has undeniable talent but hasnt had the game breaker type of season yet. Not sure if he will but I wont criticize anyone for not reaching potential with the Detroit Lions

Patrick Crayton- C- Slow, talks WAY bigger then he plays, and I still cant forgive him for the drop in the playoff game against the Giants. Servicable but will be nothing without T.O. opposite him.

Miles Austin- C Its tough to give him a good grade because we havent seen him in a starting role yet, but in limited time we have seen some production so I have the right to change my grade either way. Contrary to popular belief(or those who are still bent out of shape that we cut Owens) he isnt terrible. People look on NFL.com and see his career stats and assume he is not good but those who watch can see has has talent and potential at the very least.

Sam Hurd- D Much like Austin, he hasnt had a lot of playing time so its hard to give him a fair grade. He lacks any kind of speed or explosiveness but has tremendous hands. At this point it is worth keeping him on the roster due to lack of depth and his experience in this offense.

Isaiah Stanback- F He is athletic but hasnt shown any kind of promise of being a long term solution. Has been hurt a lot and probably wont be on the roster in 2010 barring a complete turnaround.
------------------
I'd give the corp a C+ at the very least, which isnt "awful" if you ask me. There's a lot of potential in the group (especially with TO's ego gone), so let's hope they attain it all.

Comments?

 

[tomson75]

I'd give Williams an "I".

 

[jobberone]

Well, that's certainly one way to look at them. Not particularly awe inspiring that way. I think we'll be fine. I'm more concerned about the OL than the WRs.

 

[silver]

all of them except injury prone Austin are pedestrian.

 

[jterrell]

Gryph, I love your work bro but not sure I get this small piece.

I know its a slow time but presumptive grading? Just seems an odd tact.

 

[Temo]

Stanback migh not get out of training camp in '09, forget '10.

 

[hendog]

Roy Williams- B He has undeniable talent but hasnt had the game breaker type of season yet. Not sure if he will but I wont criticize anyone for not reaching potential with the Detroit Lions



2006: Williams finished the season tied for third in the NFL (first in the NFC) in receiving yards (1,310) and tied for 16th in the NFL (ninth in the NFC) in receptions with 82, both career-highs. His 1,310 receiving yards rank fourth in Lions history for most receiving yards in a single season and are the most since Germane Crowell (1,338) in 1999. By reaching 1,300 yards, Williams became only the fourth player in team history to accomplish the feat ... For his performances, Williams was added to the 2007 NFC Pro Bowl squad, making him the first Lions' wide receiver to play in the league's all-star game since WR Herman Moore played in the 1999 Pro Bowl ... Williams' 16.0 yards per reception was the highest in the NFL among receivers with at least 65 receptions ... Led the NFL with 24 receptions of 20+ yards.


I think this qualifies as one of those seasons you're talking about.

 

[Apollo Creed]

C-.

I'm banking on Miles Austin having a big year because I don't think our other WRs can get much separation.

 

[theWave21]

Roy Williams- B+
Miles Austin- I
Patrick Crayton- B (as a slot receiver) C- (as a #2)
Sam Hurd- I
Isaiah Stanback- I

It's difficult to grade guys who just haven't been given any chance to play a regular role in the offense, hence the I's for most of the receivers. If the offensive staff uses Roy to his strengths, he can be an A, as shown in his big year in Detroit.

Miles Austin is the key to the receiving corps this year because if he's effective as a #2, he will allow Crayton to flourish at what he does best, playing in the slot.

I think Hurd is ok because he's big and has good hands but we already have a posession receiver in Crayton.

I don't see Stanback making it through training camp. Hopefully one of the rookies can step up and open some eyes.

 

[xpistofer]

Roy Williams - I - has shown elite talent, but hasn't done it here. Some question his commitment and work ethic. Time to step up. I expect he will.
Patrick Crayton - B - for what he is (a serviceable 2 and an excellent 3), he has done pretty well over the past couple of years. Two terrible plays in the playoffs cost him an A-.
Miles Austin - I - shows flashes of gamebreaker potential but hasn't done it consistently due to injury.
Sam Hurd - I - has shown great reliability when healthy, but he has yet to prove he can stay healthy.
Isaiah Stanback - I - not looking too good on the health front. Three shoulder injuries I think? Doesn't bode well.
Travis Wilson - ?
Kevin Ogletree - ?
Manuel Johnson - ?
Julian Hawkins - ?

Alot of unrealized potential at this point...could be great, could be marginal. I expect greatness from RW and MA. PC and SH should at least be serviceable...anything beyond that is a bonus.

 

[proline]

Glad to see several people with their heads screwed on right giving Austin an "I". So many are hanging their hats on his having a breakout season, but until it happens the only honest thing to say is that we just haven't seen enough of him yet. I think we are loaded up with "average", and if RW gets injured we are going to be in a load of hurt.

 

[Biggems]

Williams = A

He got open lots of times, but never got the ball thrown to him. When he did get the ball thrown to him, he made some very nice catches.....

I still remember him standing all alone in the back corner of the end zone for half an hour waiting for Romo to find him and throw him the ball....when Romo finally finds him, Williams is no longer open.

 

[CATCH17]

Its still one of the better receiving groups in the division and its got a lot of potential to grow.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

Miles Austin will be the key to the Cowboys offense this season.

Why?

Because defenses will be gearing up for Dallas' running attach this year. With Roy Williams being the sole WR with a capable history, defenses will surely be doubling him. Even Crayton should be drawing some attention lining up in the slot. So with LBs, Safeties and CBs all occupied, Miles Austin will have an open canvas to paint with as the #2 WR. He'll should be seeing alot of one-on-one matchups and if he can exploit them Dallas' offense will go far.

Edit: Part of me also is reluctant he will do it because the Jets - who showed interest in Austin - ultimatley decide not to even make him an offer. You'd think that if they, or another team, thought he could exploit single-coverage as a #2 WR, that there would be al least an offer, or more interest, thrown his way. #2 WRs who can beat single-coverage are worth a second round pick. That's what Austin was going for and there were no takers. Kind of makes you pause and wonder about what he can REALLY do in that role, in Dallas.

 

[casmith07]

Ogletree = Amendola = A+!!!

 

[Clove]

We already know that we will be running the ball more, which is great news since we have 3 potent running backs, so the reliance on the wide receiving corp will not be too heavy (I feel that's a great thing). In addition we have Witten who is always a force, Bennett will get a fair number of looks, and Romo always likes to throw it to the RB coming out of the backfield, so we are not going to have an awful pass attack this year.

This is how I think that our wide receivers shake out:

Roy Williams - B
Patrick Crayton - C-
Miles Austin - C
Sam Hurd - D
Isaiah Stanback - F
Travis Wilson - ?
Kevin Ogletree - ?
Manuel Johnson - ?
Julian Hawkins - ?

Roy Williams- B He has undeniable talent but hasnt had the game breaker type of season yet. Not sure if he will but I wont criticize anyone for not reaching potential with the Detroit Lions

Patrick Crayton- C- Slow, talks WAY bigger then he plays, and I still cant forgive him for the drop in the playoff game against the Giants. Servicable but will be nothing without T.O. opposite him.

Miles Austin- C Its tough to give him a good grade because we havent seen him in a starting role yet, but in limited time we have seen some production so I have the right to change my grade either way. Contrary to popular belief(or those who are still bent out of shape that we cut Owens) he isnt terrible. People look on NFL.com and see his career stats and assume he is not good but those who watch can see has has talent and potential at the very least.

Sam Hurd- D Much like Austin, he hasnt had a lot of playing time so its hard to give him a fair grade. He lacks any kind of speed or explosiveness but has tremendous hands. At this point it is worth keeping him on the roster due to lack of depth and his experience in this offense.

Isaiah Stanback- F He is athletic but hasnt shown any kind of promise of being a long term solution. Has been hurt a lot and probably wont be on the roster in 2010 barring a complete turnaround.
------------------
I'd give the corp a C+ at the very least, which isnt "awful" if you ask me. There's a lot of potential in the group (especially with TO's ego gone), so let's hope they attain it all.

Comments?

Based on last year, I'd give Roy Williams a D-, he was invisible.

 

[billknows]

Miles Austin will be the key to the Cowboys Recieving offense this season.
________

Billknows...

 

[Apollo Creed]

Miles Austin will be the key to the Cowboys Recieving offense this season.
________

Billknows...

I agree 100%. Romo acted like he knew something we didn't with Austin last year, hinting around at camp that he was going to have a break out season. He was starting to do just that until he got bit by the injury bug again. Miles has been open several times, wide open in fact (Giants playoff game, absolutely burned McQuarters) - but our protection broke down or Romo threw elsewhere.

We don't need him or RW to have great years, we will probably be a more successful team if their numbers are lower.

Witten's impact on the between the hashes, and the best stable of backs in the league - these guys should get some pretty good matchups.

Don't be suprised if Romo looks Austin's way before he throws to RW, they seem to have good rapport and he obviously trusts him. I don't know if he feels the same way about Roy.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

I agree 100%. Romo acted like he knew something we didn't with Austin last year, hinting around at camp that he was going to have a break out season. He was starting to do just that until he got bit by the injury bug again. Miles has been open several times, wide open in fact (Giants playoff game, absolutely burned McQuarters) - but our protection broke down or Romo threw elsewhere.

We don't need him or RW to have great years, we will probably be a more successful team if their numbers are lower.

Witten's impact on the between the hashes, and the best stable of backs in the league - these guys should get some pretty good matchups.

Don't be suprised if Romo looks Austin's way before he throws to RW, they seem to have good rapport and he obviously trusts him. I don't know if he feels the same way about Roy.

That's tough to say because RW and Romo were new to one another last year. This offseason thay are working overtime together. And from what I read, it's not just them two; all WRs are wrking with the QB to get their timing down. It defenitely will be interesting to see who Romo trusts most coming out of thoe workouts, but for now, i think it's too early to tell.

 

[DFWJC]

Except for Crayton, I think all of thse guys get an "I"

We'll know what we have by mid-season except maybe for any rookies,--if any can make the team.