John Stephens Makes The Team

[rambo2]

Rico was a basketball player who took up football like his last year of college. Stephens is just a wide receiver who never stopped growing until he was the size of a tight end. Two very different paths to the same position. You can clearly see that Stephens is a natural football player. I mean his dad was like offensive rookie of the year as a running back or some such. Them's some good genes.

Also, Stephens has produced from day 1 and continued to do so in the 1st practice game

 

[gimmesix]

I don’t think he leapfrogs Hendershot, but it’s not impossible.

Hendershot isn't a great blocker, but he's a better one in Stephens. While watching his receiving ability also pay attention to his blocking Saturday, it was bad.

 

[USArmyVet]

So if Stephens is going to make the team, what does Dallas do?

So does Dallas go with 6 WR's and 4 TE's? If so which 4 TE's? Ferguson, Hendershot, Schoonmaker and then Stephens over McKeon?

 

[tm1119]

Is he even definitely a TE? 6’4 232 doesn’t exactly scream TE, especially from a guy that has very little blocking experience. He might be better suited for a Noah Brown type role that can take advantage of mismatches against smaller defenders in the slot.

However, I do think it is possible to keep 6 WR’s and 4 TE’s on the active 53.
QB=2
RB=4
OL=9
WR=6
TE=4
DL=9
LB=6
CB=5
S=4
K
P
LS
That’s still only 52, plenty of room on the roster to keep both Stephens and McKeon.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Rico was a basketball player who took up football like his last year of college. Stephens is just a wide receiver who never stopped growing until he was the size of a tight end. Two very different paths to the same position. You can clearly see that Stephens is a natural football player. I mean his dad was like offensive rookie of the year as a running back or some such. Them's some good genes.

he is probably ahead of Rico, but he still got some work to do. I doubt if he makes the 53. nothing wrong with spending a year in PS and learning.

 

[starfan1]

So if Stephens is going to make the team, what does Dallas do?

So does Dallas go with 6 WR's and 4 TE's? If so which 4 TE's? Ferguson, Hendershot, Schoonmaker and then Stephens over McKeon?

I’d take stephens over Mckeon . Mckeon value is blocking and to me that’s what everyone keeps telling me schoons value is.

I’d do think they carry 4 TE so I see Mckeon as being the odd one out but predicting cowboy moves isn’t my strong suit

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Yeah I may have been guilty of a bit of hyperbole in declaring that Stephens will overtake Ferguson.. We know how NFL coaches are about pecking order. But if the kid goes out and has one of those 2 TD 120 yard receiving games he's going to be hard to keep on the bench. That's the main difference between he and the other guys.. He's capable of that sort of game. He can take one to the house from distance. Maybe not coast to coast but 30-40 yards is not out of the question. Unless he suffers a regression over the next two weeks I think he's on the team and instantly becomes the #1 red zone target. That role alone gets him a roster spot.

well, before we cover them with the anointing oil, lets wait for him to have one of those games first. at 22ish as he is listed doesn't quite have the size to be a good blocker. probably lacks the experience too. a key, critical part of a TE's role.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

I agree but Hendershot is just as raw. And Stephens offers one thing no one else can. And that’s height and length. Can’t teach it.

hendershot is 6/4"...stephens is 6'5"

not much of a difference. you may think he is got length, because he is much leaner. Stephens is listed at 220ish, hendershot is listed at 254.

 

[USArmyVet]

I’d take stephens over Mckeon . Mckeon value is blocking and to me that’s what everyone keeps telling me schoons value is.

I’d do think they carry 4 TE so I see Mckeon as being the odd one out but predicting cowboy moves isn’t my strong suit

With only 1 year remaining on a deal with no dead money and a $1.01M cap savings, McKeon may very well be gone if Stephens (has a 3-year $2.69M deal) continues to perform well.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

hendershot is 6/4"...stephens is 6'5"

not much of a difference. you may think he is got length, because he is much leaner. Stephens is listed at 220ish, hendershot is listed at 254.

Hmm.....if he's 6'5 I stand corrected but the scouting report I saw says he's 6'6 232 with a 38 inch vertical.

 

[BigBlacKahuna]

He is going to make this team. He is going to get some playing time and he will make plays.

I agree! I surely hope he makes it. Liked what I saw from him.

 

[Jumbo075]

Yeah but we’re talking about TE3. Stephens is another receiving no blocking TE. In fact he was just converted from WR.

If the argument is Stephens vs Hendershot you’re arguing two guys with the same skillset but with one being experienced at it and one being raw.

Usually the raw one goes to the PS, not the one who’s actually made plays in the regular season.

One year of experience doesn't protect Hendershot. If Hendershot was a good blocker, that's one thing. But he's not. If Stephens is better, you keep him. McKeon won't make the team in the first round of cuts. He'll be poached by another team, or end up on the practice squad. Hendershot better step it up, or Stephens is going to pass him by for that 3rd TE spot.

 

[Jumbo075]

In the redzone Stephens and Deuce will create mismatches which will create touchdowns.

Twins

 

[Chuck 54]

He is going to make this team. He is going to get some playing time and he will make plays.

I can assure you of one thing. He will never make it to the practice squad. The TEs who are more wr than traditional TEs are extremely popular in today’s NFL. He still has two more games to prove and improve, but if that happens, I’d drop McKeon. Then again, unless someone thinks he will eventually supplant Ferguson, Schoonmaker, or Hendershock, try to deal him for a 6th or 7th or a player for depth somewhere.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Folks keep sleeping on Fergy. I’m not one to make strident claims but barring injury he’ll lead our TE in receiving this season.

 

[AbeBeta]

Creates mis matches at 6ft. 6 catches the ball and makes plays. He has been outstanding in camp from day 1. Looks like they keep 4 tight ends.

Yeah. With PS's at 16, no one really claims guys anymore. Developmental guys especially are there for the poaching whenever. He's getting cut.

 

[stilltheguru]

Folks keep sleeping on Fergy. I’m not one to make strident claims but barring injury he’ll lead our TE in receiving this season.

We heard you the 50th time sis.

 

[Calvin2Tony2Emmitt2Julius]

I for sure think he will

They might keep McKeon and possibly trade Hendershot.

I think Hendershot Makes the cut, Stephens too, McKeon gonna have to show out. Lot of time left Though

 

[gimmesix]

With only 1 year remaining on a deal with no dead money and a $1.01M cap savings, McKeon may very well be gone if Stephens (has a 3-year $2.69M deal) continues to perform well.

It will probably come down to who we think won't be picked up. We've waived McKeon before and got him to the practice squad, so that could be a factor. I thought McKeon's spot might go to Luepke, but I'd lean toward Stephens over Luepke right now.

I think if it's Stephens vs. Ferguson, Schoonmaker and Hendershot, Stephens is the odd man out.

 

[BleedSilverandBlue]

I’ve heard Hendershot has been struggling a bit this camp. That, coupled with Stephens’ excelling is making me start to believe that ‘Shot might get bumped off the roster.

I pretty much think the situation is trending that way. Reports out of camp are that Hendershot could very well be a surprise cut.