John Phillips

[FLcowboy]

Exactly... those 7 career catches of his show enormous potential.

However, those seven catches were both timely and difficult, if I remember correctly. I for one was excited thinking of the contribution he was going to make, and having been disappointed with the play of Bennett, was sure that Phillips would overtake Bennett at some point in the season.

 

[Stautner]

I didn't think you did. I just saw you ask for some examples.

Seriously though, medical science is much better now than 20-30 years ago for knee injuries. No reason not to hope or even think Phillips makes it back 100% but I'm not counting on it as sure thing.

That's all I'm saying. It isn't a certainty, and even aside from the injury Phillips is still raw and inexperienced, so why would we dump our current No. 2 TE at this point? why wouldn't we at least wait and see how things shake out in TC and preseason and then make a decdision about whether Phillips is ready to take on a bigger role based on actual knowledge instead of deciding on assumption and speculation?

 

[realtick]

That's all I'm saying. It isn't a certainty, and even aside from the injury Phillips is still raw and inexperienced, so why would we dump our current No. 2 TE at this point? why wouldn't we at least wait and see how things shake out in TC and preseason and then make a decdision about whether Phillips is ready to take on a bigger role based on actual knowledge instead of deciding on assumption and speculation?

I agree wholeheartedly.

 

[gimmesix]

Unlike many, I have complete fail that John Phillips will come back just fine. And I think he's a heck of a good TE, and has shown that already.

That said, I want him taking Gronkowski's snaps and not Bennett's. Phillips over Gronkowski is a definite upgrade. Why weaken the team by trading away a contributor you're just going to have to replace from the draft, anyway?

I believe he'll take some of both. He was already cutting into Bennett's playing time in 2009, and Gronkowski essentially stepped in as his replacement in 2010.

 

[EPL0c0]

I'd like to see what Stephen Skelton, TE out of Fordham (Cards QB John Skelton's brother) does if he's at the combine. He's a big guy, 6'5 250lbs; solid pass catcher, decent speed for a TE. He's not as athletic as Bennett and dunno about his blocking ability, but seems to fit that Witten/Phillips mold.

 

[BlueStar3398]

I'm looking forward to seeing him come back also. I saw some video of him at the NFL Experience last week. I hadn't seen him on camera in a long time! He looks great.

 

[Cowboysfan570]

I am excited about this guy this coming year. If you remember he played lights out last preseason before the injury. It would be nice to get rid of the bum Bennett and get a pick for him.

And who performed lights out in the preseason in 08? John Phillips may turn out to be more than I'm thinking he will be, but he looks slow, nor does he strike me as particularly elusive.

He seems like someone who experienced what (very) limited success he did because nobody much was paying attention to the 7th receiving option.

 

[Cowboysfan570]

However, those seven catches were both timely and difficult, if I remember correctly. I for one was excited thinking of the contribution he was going to make, and having been disappointed with the play of Bennett, was sure that Phillips would overtake Bennett at some point in the season.

No.

Against New Orleans he had a reception of 23 yards, which came on one of Romo's houdini plays and with the help of poor tackling.

Outside of that game? Receptions of 0, 8, 7, 7, and 1 yard for a TD in the post-season that he still almost didn't make despite weak coverage.

 

[Cover 2]

I believe he'll take some of both. He was already cutting into Bennett's playing time in 2009, and Gronkowski essentially stepped in as his replacement in 2010.

He didn't play the same position as Bennett in 2009. He played H Back and full back while Bennett played strictly tight end.

 

[SaltwaterServr]

Bennett is a very, very good blocker and can be a good pass-catcher when you need him to, and does so at a low price.

Phillips is a question mark at best, but a possible great tight end option, again, at a low price.

You keep them both until it becomes impossible to keep all three. Witten stays by default. Whomever between Phillips and Bennett distinguishes himself better will stay. But this question shouldn't even be raised this year.

Saved me the time of typing it counselor.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

I'm looking forward to seeing him come back also. I saw some video of him at the NFL Experience last week. I hadn't seen him on camera in a long time! He looks great.

Cool! It's nice to know he's up and runnig. He was a huge loss for us in 2010. It will be good to have him back in 2011. I just hope he came close to 100%. That's hard to do the first year back from an injury like the one he had. But my fingers are crossed because he plays his game "The Cowboy Way"; the game matters to him, he works hard it and he produces on the field when healthy. I'm really pulling for this kid for next season and beyond!

 

[dbair1967]

I believe he'll take some of both. He was already cutting into Bennett's playing time in 2009, and Gronkowski essentially stepped in as his replacement in 2010.

No, he wasnt

 

[DanteEXT]

No.

Against New Orleans he had a reception of 23 yards, which came on one of Romo's houdini plays and with the help of poor tackling.

Outside of that game? Receptions of 0, 8, 7, 7, and 1 yard for a TD in the post-season that he still almost didn't make despite weak coverage.

That, and his career high 3 reception day against NO came with Bennett out due to an injury if I'm not mistaken.

 

[EPL0c0]

As much as I liked what I saw from Phillips, I think it's still difficult to dismiss Bennett. The guy spent so much time pass/run blocking out of necessity. Maybe with a better/more reliable OLine, he'll get more opportunities to be a pass catcher.