My Thoughts On Escobar

[Vintage]

so your saying draft for need?

That is how you end up with the Tyron Smiths of the world instead of the JJ Watts.

 

[Risen Star]

That is how you end up with the Tyron Smiths of the world instead of the JJ Watts.

Except that Smith had a grade at least as good and more times better than Watt entering that draft from every resource I read that year.

He was not a reach for need pick.

 

[Cowboy_Shawn]

People make a big deal about Escobar's lack of strength and short-comings when it comes to blocking, but honestly that's just a sign of the times.

The way TEs are used in today's game blocking just isn't stressed as much as it used to be 15 years ago.

 

[Tawney88]

Sorry, but your argument isn't going to be too compelling if you have to harp on how he "looks."

Ok. I really don't care if you agree with me. It's funny you mentioned my argument not be compelling from my observations of his play, but your arguments are compelling and yet you mentioned his size, a t-shirt and shorts still and an opinion about his hands.

 

[bayeslife]

He doesn't look athletic, fast, can't block or stretch the field. We could have gotten the same production from Hannah or any number of FA and not wasted the pick.

You're so right, Hannah really lit up the score boards out there.

 

[Idgit]

The Escobar pick confused me at the time, too, but knowing what we know about how the offense is going to use its TE's now, it makes perfect sense to me. The set is a major emphasis for us, and we wanted to handicap our top two guys so that we don't have to necessarily change the offense if and when one of them misses any time. You need quality players at those positions if you're going to do that.

I'll also say that I'm pretty sure we're showing none of our TE red zone stuff (except the early 14 set stuff we did to run the ball in from the goalline in OAK). Listen to Romo's take on red zone scoring from after the AZ game, and you get the clear idea we're holding that stuff back.

As for Escobar so far, I think he's a huge target who positions his body well and has very soft hands. He looks slowish, and he obviously needs to add significant strength this season and next. I'm perfectly happy to redshirt him in the meantime and see how that goes. It's one of the simplest physical transitions a player can make, and he's very definitely got the frame to do it. He's also learning a very tough position here as a rookie, so any slowness to get involved in the games I can live with. He did score in the game this week, to, for whatever that's worth here the week after the complaints that he'd showed nothing in the preseason so far.

 

[CowboyStar88]

How about we actually let the guy play in the regular season, you know, when we actually run a full version of our offense before we judge the kid. You guys do realize most teams run vanilla versions of offensive and defensive schemes during the preseason, right?

I really gotta question the whole Vanilla thing. As I watch preseason games it's becoming more noticeable that there are teams who actually game plan for these games and other teams that are just evaluating players

 

[morasp]

After watching the Colts Giants game last night, I thought Escobar looked better than Fleener. This is Fleener's second year and he was a favorite target of Luck's at Stanford. On one play he didn't even turn his head when the ball was thrown to him.

 

[Chuck 54]

It's just a Dallas thing. Green Bay had a philosophy of trying to draft a QB every year; we just changed it to TE.
He'll be fine.

 

[Fredd]

He was a luxury pick, we had no hole at TE to merit this pick, much less a TE that needs developmental time. Its not like he's the second coming of Tonly Gonzalez, or a once in a lifetime TE type. The cowboys should have selected the best available OL/DL with that pick.

The thing is, when you start to have a few good drafts in a row, like the 'boyz, then you HAVE that luxury to pick guys like this earlier. Frederick was a MUST pick (OL) in the first, but if you want this 12 package to work, then you need guys at TE that can catch. Escobar can grow into his body and become a better blocker...people talk about his speed but I don't see Witten winning any 40 yard dash sprints either.

the bottom line is that we don't always have to make a "need" selection in the draft any more...they are building depth in the last few drafts with talented guys that are fighting for positions. Escobar is one example of looking to the future (Witten won't be around forever) as we will have escobar and hanna and also Williams provides depth at WR for the eventual departure of Austin

 

[OhSnap]

Like many here, this is a pick I was confused by, and didn't really back 100%. At least at this point, I'm at peace with the pick, but I don't think this offense is going to be quick to use him. At least through a few preseason games, Hanna has gotten most of the plays with the ones, while Escobar only really gets into the game around the 3rd quarter.

So what I'm thinking, is maybe Escobar was a future pick. Like Witten, we drafted him as a thin, athletic TE and then Witten filled into form with his body and his blocking. That's my hunch on what they're planning on doing with Escobar too. If he does contribute this season, I think it will be only for the second half of the season.

Hanna didn't get but 2 passes thrown to him before the last 4 games of the season last year and only 11 all year. Escobar will have to be patient or really good to avoid that kind of year. Garrett makes these guys earn a spot unless theres just no depth already. Hanna mad some nice catches last year and I think he's flyin under the radar goin into this year and I'd be surprised if the Giants don't get a healthy dose of him in week one.

 

[dcstands4]

He was a luxury pick, we had no hole at TE to merit this pick, much less a TE that needs developmental time. Its not like he's the second coming of Tonly Gonzalez, or a once in a lifetime TE type. The cowboys should have selected the best available OL/DL with that pick.

I want to see more of him

 

[big dog cowboy]

I think he is a wasted pick so far. he does not block well and so far I have not seen him go down field more then ten yards to catch a pass.

Some people just don't understand preseason.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

so your saying draft for need?

isn't that what they did in the first round?

 

[1LoyalCowboyFan]

Its been obvious to me that we've been "hiding" our TEs in preseason. Romo even said as much. Not only Escobar and Hanna but Witten has rarely been targeted.

But escobar has been everything the team expected when they drafted him. They have big plans for him

Im going to go with this

 

[DogFace]

Yeah but Escobar was supposed to be a dynamic receiver and there is no signs of that so far.

He really looks like a dime a dozen Tight End.

Yes he has

 

[Future]

He was a luxury pick, we had no hole at TE to merit this pick, much less a TE that needs developmental time. Its not like he's the second coming of Tonly Gonzalez, or a once in a lifetime TE type. The cowboys should have selected the best available OL/DL with that pick.

Not to really make the comparison...

But Tony Gonzalez is exactly who Escobar reminds me of. Is he going to be a hall of famer...who knows? But in terms of skillset, they are awfully similar, imo.

 

[CATCH17]

Yes he has

Example?

All i've seen is short underneath stuff.

 

[tantrix1969]

The thing is, when you start to have a few good drafts in a row, like the 'boyz, then you HAVE that luxury to pick guys like this earlier. Frederick was a MUST pick (OL) in the first, but if you want this 12 package to work, then you need guys at TE that can catch. Escobar can grow into his body and become a better blocker...people talk about his speed but I don't see Witten winning any 40 yard dash sprints either.

the bottom line is that we don't always have to make a "need" selection in the draft any more...they are building depth in the last few drafts with talented guys that are fighting for positions. Escobar is one example of looking to the future (Witten won't be around forever) as we will have escobar and hanna and also Williams provides depth at WR for the eventual departure of Austin

Bern says hi

 

[Doomsday101]

I think Escobar is going to be a very good player for Dallas. No doubt things like blocking he will need to improve on but the guy is a very good recieving TE. Right now offensively Dallas is not putting in much and are not game planning anything. Guys are getting their work in so to make issue of play calling at this stage is foolish. There are times I wonder if people even pay attention to the fact this is PRE SEASON?