Q-Morg...will he be effective?

[MissionCoach]

I just received this alert from my FootballGuys subscription. According to the information, Q-Morg may be hampered all season by this injury...that does not bode well for the passing game. Hopefully Crayton or Cooper will step it up, but that's a BIG ? right now. With not much depth behind Key and Glenn (both coming back from injuries), the passing game seems to be on shakey ground. Hate to sound like ALL Doom and Gloom, just wondering if their is any way to improve this area (FA, Supplemental Draft) or we just roll the dice with what we have...


Quincy Morgan suffered a shoulder injury while diving for a pass during one of the club's on-field activity practice days and is going through a rigorous rehab process to make sure he's ready for the start of training camp. He will probably need surgery at the end of the season to repair his AC joint, but the Cowboys think he can get through the season without surgery. Morgan, who has had an outstanding offseason, is supposed to play a big role in the passing game this season, especially with his ability to stretch the field and make big plays. If he is hampered by the shoulder injury, it's going to be a big blow to the passing offense because Terrance Copper and Patrick Crayton, the fourth and fifth receivers, are in their second years and have not had key roles in the offense.

 

[SteveOS]

I hope Q. Morgan isn't as fragile as the "Rocket". It seemed like everytime he got hit, he landed on his shoulder and you'd think he'd be done for the season.

 

[ShiningStar]

that does not bode well for the passing game.

I dont think the whole passing game is going to be centered around Quincy Morgan. Just a gander. If it was going to hamper him, possibly Bill and Company might bring in a vet. Lets see what unfolds.

 

[StevenOtero]

I think we'll be fine. Keyshawn , Quincy , Terrance , Crayton , Glenn , & of Course Witten. Yeah we need more depth but that'll get filled. I'm sure there are some people on the practice squad that could light it up also.

 

[dmq]

This was posted a few weeks back. However, I saw something more recently that he may not need surgery and that he should be ok by TC.

 

[Hollywood Henderson]

Lets hope so dmq...
Morgan has the speed to stretch the field...

Even if he isn't the intended receiver he can still help the other guys get open because you have to respect his speed.

 

[ravidubey]

It's bound to get aggravated and re-aggravated every time he's tackled and every time he blocks, so this year will be a serious test of mental toughness for Quincy Morgan. If he competes, contributes, and survives (or God knows-- thrives), he will have earned BP's (and certainly my own) respect. I know if he gets open, Drew will find him, so he'd better prepare himself.

 

[speedkilz88]

JJT is the only one reporting that QM will need surgery after the season. Both the FWST and dallascowboys.com say that he only needs to rehab it before camp. Spagnola didn't even know about it until he was sent e-mails after the JJT article. He asked about around Valley Ranch and said that it is not anything to worry about.

Posted on Fri, Jun. 10, 2005


Morgan hurts shoulder in Cowboys' practice

By Clarence E. Hill Jr.

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

IRVING - Cowboys receiver Quincy Morgan injured his left shoulder during practice last week and is in the midst of a vigorous rehab program in hopes of being ready in time for training camp.

Eric Armstead, director of player development for EO Sports Management, the Houston-based agency owned by Morgan's agent, Brian Overstreet, wouldn't go into details about the injury. But he said surgery was not necessary for what he termed "a strain."

"He is doing fine," Armstead said. "He will be ready."

The situation is acute for the Cowboys because they passed on taking a receiver in April's NFL Draft and hope several returning players improve their performances behind starters Keyshawn Johnson and Terry Glenn.

Morgan, who struggled with consistency last season after coming over from Cleveland in a trade for Antonio Bryant, is chief among the players from whom the Cowboys want improvement. The former Kansas State star seemed to be making strides with an impressive off-season; he caught the attention of coach Bill Parcells during the June minicamp.

"He really did a good job of getting into our off-season program here," Parcells said. "He did a good job of improving his strength and his body type a little bit, and I think it is showing up on the field here."

Morgan played nine games with the Cowboys in 2004, catching 22 passes for 260 yards and no touchdowns. He underwent surgery in January to remove a bone growth in his left knee.

The Cowboys report for training camp July 28 in Oxnard, Calif.

 

[InmanRoshi]

I think people make way too much out of the #3 WR. The lack of a great #3 WR is negated by a great pass catching TE. San Diego put up 29 points per game and Kansas City put up 30 points per game, #2 and #3 in the NFL respectively, and who was their phenominal #3 WR? Kareem Osgood and Dante Hall? What they both had in common was a very good running game, 1 above average #1 WR, a servicable #2 WR and an All Pro TE.

If this offense struggles next year, it will be because the OL underperformed again, a rash of injuries at skill positions (especially Witten) and/or Drew Bledsoe was even worse than the naysayers claimed. It won't be because of Quincy Morgan or whoever the #3 WR didn't meet expectations.

 

[jksmith269]

I think his effectiveness will have a lot to do with the other receivers. I mean if Key and TG are healthy they will take most of the heat and DB teams, leaving him in One on One and Witten and JJ in man coverage as well against LB's. So IMO if this is the case Q should be able to have a field day along with JJ and JW. Now if Glenn or Key go down then the whole thing will change because he then may get doubled and leave one of the other youngsters to be man covered....

 

[jackrussell]

Injury or no injury, Quincy Morgan will prove time and again that he's a non factor.

 

[InmanRoshi]

To show you how overvalued the #3 WR positions seems to be, look at the #3 WR totals for the top 10 scoring offenses in the NFL last year.


1. Indy - Reggie Wayne - 68 catches, 1077.
2. Kansas City - Dante Hall - 25 catches, 230 yards.
3. San Diego - Hodpepodge WR group due to injuries - Kareem Osgood played #3 most often, 15 catches, 308.
4. New England - David Patten - 44 catches, 800 yards
5. Green Bay - Robert Ferguson - 24 catches, 367 yards
6. Minnesota - Marcus Robinson - 47 catches, 657 yards
7. Buffalo - Josh Reed - 16 catches, 153 yards (part of that supposedly really good WR group that Bledsoe had to work with)
8. Philly - Freddie Mitchell - 22 catches, 377 yards
9. Denver - Darius Watts 31 catches, 385 yards
10. Cincy - Kelley Washington - 31 catches, 378 yards

Quincy Morgan had 31 catches for 404 yards last year.

As you can clearly see, you don't need an extremely productive #3 WR to have a top 10 NFL offense, and if Quincy Morgan is just his normal "non-factor" self, he'll fit right among the middle of this list.


The handwringing about the #3 WR position and the Quincy Morgan gets ridiculous. I'm not sure when the #3 WR became this vital position, likely around the time the "greatest show on turf" won their lone Superbowl about the same time that fantasy football started taking off. However, if you look at the history of Superbowl winners, the #3 WR really has had very little to do with a team's Championship success.

On the other side of the coin, I truly believe the dislike of Morgan is largely based on a dislike of the trade that brought him here rather than the player himself, but its not Quincy Morgan's fault that Antonio Bryant can't behave himself like a grown man and pouted himself off the team. Nor is it his fault that Antonio Bryant was so non-productive for the Cowboys during his time here that he carried so little in trade value. Your anger is misplaced.

 

[Idgit]

I think people make way too much out of the #3 WR. The lack of a great #3 WR is negated by a great pass catching TE. San Diego put up 29 points per game and Kansas City put up 30 points per game, #2 and #3 in the NFL respectively, and who was their phenominal #3 WR? Kareem Osgood and Dante Hall? What they both had in common was a very good running game, 1 above average #1 WR, a servicable #2 WR and an All Pro TE.

I like Morgan. But I think the hand-wringing is not about him at #3. It's about the probability of him having to move up to #2 due to an injury, and the fact or the perception that the people in front of him are prone to missing games.

Good post re: productivity of the SD/KC offenses, btw.

 

[Billy Bullocks]

Yeh nice job with teh productivity thing on the offenses, but Reggie Wayne is the #2 in Indy, Stokely is number 3.

 

[big dog cowboy]

The sky is falling the sky is falling!!!!!!!!!

OK maybe not. Quincy will be much improved this year over last. His off season conditioning in addition to a full off season in this offense will make him a valuable WR. All those non-factor messages are just wrong. He will be as much of a factor as a #3 WR can be in our offense. For some reason there are people who just won't give the guy a break and think last year is all he can produce. He is a much better WR than most know and he will show that. Remember, he was the #2 pick of the 2nd round for crying out loud. That was higher than AB was taken btw.

 

[Tristan]

I am not as concerned with the third WR, as long as Keyshawn and Glenn stay healthy. If a starter goes down we become very unbalanced, since both of our starters are opposites, if Key gets hurt we don't have size or a physical WR, if Glenn goes down we lose the speed to balance with Key's size. The importance of a third receiver in my view is the peace of mind that one injury won't cripple our offence. So in our situation, a third reciever capable of starting if necessary is vital. If either Key or Glenn were big (and) fast, then an injury wouldn't be as devastating, but as stated I think they balance each other perfectly. Their health is probably the most important factor to us being a legitimate contender. If both stay healthy, we are dangerous.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Their health is probably the most important factor to us being a legitimate contender. If both stay healthy, we are dangerous.

I disagree.

Of course, any injury to a starter means a dropoff in production for that position, but I don't think the dropoff from Terry Glenn to Morgan is as steep as the dropoff from Flozell to Jacob Rogers. Or the dropoff from Bledsoe to Henson/Romo, at this point in their careers. Or even the dropoff from Witten to Campbell, especially from an offensive weapon standpoint.

A major injury to Flozell, Bledsoe or Witten would be much more devestating to the Cowboys in terms of being "contenders". (and I don't feel like we're contenders this year anyway ... contenders aren't starting 3 rookies at key roles on defense)

 

[LaTunaNostra]

I the dropoff from Terry Glenn to Morgan is as steep as the dropoff from Flozell to Jacob Rogers.

Yip. And considering the QB, it may be THE crucial dropoff.

My one gripe about this offseason was not getting a BETTER vet swing tackle than is currently on the roster. The line is old enough, true, and I don't want to see Vollers cut for some has-been..but THIS YEAR I would gladly exchange him for a Shelton/Steussie TYPE.

I wish Rogers would take that RT slot by storm this summer, so Tucker can be released. He's peaked at mediocrity, I fear. Like 'Dre.

 

[Tristan]

I agree that other injuries could be more devastating, like J.J., but I was referring to how many people feel that Glenn and Key are injury prone due somewhat to their age, and thus the concern over our WR depth. Every team could be ruined by one injury, Brady, Manning, etc. I wasn't playing the ol "which player can we least afford to lose?" game. I am not concerned about Flozell, or Bledsoe, they are not considered "injury prone". I just feel that If Key and Glenn stay healthy that we are as good as most at WR, and are a legitimate offensive threat with JJ and Whitten etc., but for some reason many doubt these to will make it through the season. And if they are right, I think were screwed!. Roscoe Crosbie would make my offseason, and lessen the concern.

 

[Fletch]

Lets hope so dmq...
Morgan has the speed to stretch the field...

Even if he isn't the intended receiver he can still help the other guys get open because you have to respect his speed.

Forgive me. LOL But I am surprised you didn't bring up Zimmer in this particular thread.

Congrats. There is always a first for everything.

Quincy is not key to our passing game. If anything... Bledsoe really enjoys the outlet to the TE. And now that he has a TE very similar to Coates (Witten)... Bledsoe and the rest of the receiving core could be deadly.

Let us not forget Bledsoe with a running game, much like he had with a young Curtis Martin back in New England, along with Ben Coates. Julius seems to fit that bill very well, as does Jason Witten.

This offense could be very scary if everyone stays healthy. Glenn and Key.... along with Witten and Campbell and our younger guys like Crayton and Copper? Look out folks!