PFW: Austin pushing Crayton

[YosemiteSam]

When he learned to catch.

I agree. If Austin can catch, he could be far better than Hurd. I'm just not sure Hurd can take it to the next level.

 

[YosemiteSam]

What cb's has he proven he can get past other than GB's 4th corner?

I'm not saying he can't be good but he hasn't proven anything yet.

This is true, but he did beat Pac^H^H^H Adam Jones in a dazzling fashion already.

His biggest issues was bringing the ball in. I will take a wait and see approach with Austin. How many times have we heard *rumors* from the media only to see the guy not even make the team? Remember all the hype about Urban last year?

 

[Yeagermeister]

This is true, but he did beat Pac^H^H^H Adam Jones in a dazzling fashion already.

His biggest issues was bringing the ball in. I will take a wait and see approach with Austin. How many times have we heard *rumors* from the media only to see the guy not even make the team? Remember all the hype about Urban last year?

He has dazzled in camp and practice. Randal Williams used to do the same thing. :laugh2:

 

[YosemiteSam]

He has dazzled in camp and practice. Randal Williams used to do the same thing. :laugh2:

Not against someone like Jones or Newman. To dazzle against fodder doesn't doesn't say a whole lot. Of course, the one big catch is all I've really heard. The rest appears more to be hype that actual doing.

As I said. I will take a wait and see approach.

 

[sacase]

If you are saying that Hurd has proven himself to an extent that he couldn't be beaten out then I think you are mistaken.

Austin isn't an "underdog". Amendola is an underdog. Jerheme Urban was an underdog.

Austin is a player the team has invested time into in the hopes that he could develop.

And as far as physical tools, Austin has em. Size, speed and ability to get behind the defender. And like all the guys competing for playing time, he does have some things he needs to work on. His hands are the main thing but that can be improved. From the reports so far, that has improved.

I fully believe that Austin will make the roster. I don't know who could possibly bump him off of it. I think Miles would have to regress a TON in order to lose his spot. Hes working hard and improving. As long as he continues to do those two things, hes on the team because he has the things that can't be taught and once he starts to put the rest together he could be a solid contributer.

I'm not prognosticator but I think if Austin starts to hang on to the ball, he passes Hurd on the depth chart.

As far as him taking Crayton's spot. I think it has to do more with Caryton's exceptional ability and effectiveness as a slot receiver that gives Austin that possibility. Without Glenn, I think its completely possible that the team try to put Austin across from TO just to get Crayton into the slot. In fact, I think the team might try any of the WRs across from TO if they believe he can command as much respect and attention as Crayton. Personally, I think Austin can do that and maybe a little more as far as stretching the field.

But, like already mentioned by many........Austin needs to get his hands workin.

How many people has this board annoited only to see them leave in a year or two?

I was specifically comparing him to Crayton. The only possible way he is opposite of TO is if it is a 3 WR set and Glenn/Hurd are hurt.

Players like Austin are a dime a dozen in the NFL. How many guys are just as fast as him and just as tall and fail to make teams year after year.

What top defenders has he gone against? A rusty Adam Jones in training camp?

Pre-season games is where I will start changing my opinion of him. Right now I see him as a guy on the edge. He can go up or down based on how well or poorly he does in the pre season games.

 

[JonJon]

How many people has this board annoited only to see them leave in a year or two?

I was specifically comparing him to Crayton. The only possible way he is opposite of TO is if it is a 3 WR set and Glenn/Hurd are hurt.

Players like Austin are a dime a dozen in the NFL. How many guys are just as fast as him and just as tall and fail to make teams year after year.

What top defenders has he gone against? A rusty Adam Jones in training camp?

Pre-season games is where I will start changing my opinion of him. Right now I see him as a guy on the edge. He can go up or down based on how well or poorly he does in the pre season games.

As much as I want Austin to step up and be a true #2 receiver, I have to agree with this statement at this point.

I learned my lesson last season when Stanback beat Champ Bailey for a TD in the Cowboys/Broncos practice sessions, only to not show up as a WR in any games. We heard reports of how the cornerbacks where having a hard time staying with Stanback but he still didn't see the field even when Owens went down and he had the opportunity to play late in the season.

It is great to hear that Austin is dazzling in practice, but you really have to take it with a grain of salt and leave it at that.

I do agree that Austin does have the physical ability. If he can turn his brick hands to bread, then we may have something. He can be to Terrell Owens what Alvin Harper was to Irvin... a fantastic athlete with the ability to stretch the field, get open, catch the long ball, and keep defenses honest.

Austin still has to show up when it counts, and his track record in that department has not been very good.

 

[big dog cowboy]

He has dazzled in camp and practice. Randal Williams used to do the same thing. :laugh2:

Nah man Randal Williams flashed. There is a difference.

 

[CF74]

If only Austin could catch the ball in a game he'd be our new Butch Johnson...:starspin

 

[Hoofbite]

What cb's has he proven he can get past other than GB's 4th corner?

I'm not saying he can't be good but he hasn't proven anything yet.

He far from proven. I'm not saying hes a proven player. I was just saying that I think he has the abilities to play a bigger role and I also think he will surpass Hurd on the depth chart if he puts it all together.

As far as who he has gone up against. No, he hasn't faced top notch talent but he can only go out there and play against the guy they line up across from him.

 

[dargonking999]

As much as I want Austin to step up and be a true #2 receiver, I have to agree with this statement at this point.

I learned my lesson last season when Stanback beat Champ Bailey for a TD in the Cowboys/Broncos practice sessions, only to not show up as a WR in any games. We heard reports of how the cornerbacks where having a hard time staying with Stanback but he still didn't see the field even when Owens went down and he had the opportunity to play late in the season.

It is great to hear that Austin is dazzling in practice, but you really have to take it with a grain of salt and leave it at that.

I do agree that Austin does have the physical ability. If he can turn his brick hands to bread, then we may have something. He can be to Terrell Owens what Alvin Harper was to Irvin... a fantastic athlete with the ability to stretch the field, get open, catch the long ball, and keep defenses honest.

Austin still has to show up when it counts, and his track record in that department has not been very good.

I think stanback is a bad comparsion simply because he was injured alot of the season, and the team really wanted him to sit a year and learn the position.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Sorry if repost

From the ever reliable folks at Pro Football Weekly

Cowboys sources have been impressed with the development of Miles Austin, who made a few impressive plays in minicamp and could push Patrick Crayton at some point. Austin steadily has improved as a wideout and has good enough size to be a factor in the red zone, as opponents key on Terrell Owens and Jason Witten.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Way+We+Hear+It/Whispers/2008/whispers062908.htm

Does this mean Joe Horn is not coming to Dallas?

Wins because he didn't rush out and get another WR and loses because he already gave the overrated Crayton a cache of money in midseason last year.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

I learned my lesson last season when Stanback beat Champ Bailey for a TD in the Cowboys/Broncos practice sessions, only to not show up as a WR in any games. We heard reports of how the cornerbacks where having a hard time staying with Stanback but he still didn't see the field even when Owens went down and he had the opportunity to play late in the season.

I can't compare the two because Miles Austin is a more experienced/polished wide receiver than Stanback and is better at this point.

 

[theogt]

I think stanback is a bad comparsion simply because he was injured alot of the season, and the team really wanted him to sit a year and learn the position.

Even then, they were planning on integrating him into the offense mid-way through the season until he hurt his shoulder.

 

[Chief]

I take this report with a grain of salt.

This is the most cynical, skeptical, negative post CrazyCowboy has ever made.

 

[leeblair]

I have a feeling that Stanback will emerge as a presence at wide reciever that will be a pleasant surprise.

In limited action, his athletic ability is very evident.

It's very possible that the Cowboys could end up with great depth at wide reciever as Hurd, Austin, and Stanback begin to take their place in the lineup more and more.

To me, Hurd's already shown he can be number two.

If you are wonderwhy I left Crayton out, I'm not really sold on him at all.

 

[BlueStar II]

Austin brings the element of speed to the table that neither Hurd or Crayton has. If Austin can run good routes and get open, and most importantly, catch the ball, perhaps he "may" move ahead of Crayton, but he'll need to show it on the field first though.

 

[Sandyf]

I haven't come to terms with the fact that Glenn is going to play. Maybe he will maybe he won't but it appears that Garrett, Wade and Jerry are comfortable with what they have seen in Hurd, Austin and Stanback.

I got to see a bit of the OTAs and have to admit that all three were impressive in spots, far more so than last year's training camp. All have great size and speed although Hurd isn't as fast as the other two, he does have very deceptive speed much like Michael did. You just don't catch him once he has a step on you. Stanback crossing speed is unbelievable.

Glenn would be the #2 still but the other 4 are closing fast.

 

[Clove]

Everyone knows where I stand on Austin. I like him, and hope he emerges from the pack. It's called, growing your own talent, and this would be great for Cowboy fans.

 

[CowboyMike]

As Cowboy fans we should hope that Austin can take the #2 WR job because his size/speed ratio and ability (assuming he has learned to hold onto the ball) better suits the #2 WR spots than Carayton's. Also, Carayton would be the perfect #3 WR on this team and would provide great mismatches for defenses.

K.C. Joyner has an intresting analysis of Crayton that supports this:

Joyner says "I have a new rating this year, where I look at how a receiver did against three different classes of corners. I classify any CB with a YPA below 7 yards as a red corner, a CB with a YPA between 7 and 9 as a yellow corner and any corner with a YPA above 9 as a green corners. Reds are matchups you tend to avoid, yellows you attack with caution and greens are great matchups for a quarterback. Last year, Patrick Crayton had a 5.4 YPA against red corners, which is not very good. But his YPA against yellow CBs and against green CBs was above nine. Now a YPA around ten will usually rate a receiver at the top of the league."

Now that's some pretty compeeling evidence that at the #3 WR spot Crayton could do his most dmaamge. So having Austin emerge as a true #2 WR WOULD IN FACT be a great thing for Dallas!

Not necessarily, considering the fact that most teams put their best corner in the slot in the nickel, just like we put Newman in the slot. In most cases, as the #3 receiver in the slot, Crayton would be going against a team's best corner.

 

[Romo2Bryant4Six]

Since when did Austin surpass hurd?

im with you...austin has some speed but i strongly feel HUrd is the better overall reciever.don't be surprised if its Hurd that breaks out this year for us.not stanback or austin. i said it before and im saying it again