Receiving Group

[xwalker]

I've complained a lot about Dez, but the receiving group as a unit is a problem.

They had Beasley and Witten run some deep routes in the Raiders game which indicates a problem because that's obviously not their strong-suit.

I think any 1 of the group would be better if surrounded by players that make up for their limitations.

Witten - Great possession receiver but lacks speed and is surrounded by WRs that lack any elite speed/elusiveness.

Beasley - Quick but lacks deep speed or run after catch elusiveness.

TWill - Can run all the routes but struggles to catch the ball on short routes because he does not react fast enough. He's not really good at catching deep balls either. He is decent in the intermediate area but is not good on contested/jump-balls.

Dez - Limited route tree and speed but still has some quickness and jumping ability. Lack of speed needs to be offset by more speed at #2/3 WR or TE. He might be much better if they had a legit alpha-dog #1 WR and Dez was the #2 or even if they had a #2 with Tyreek Hill type of speed/elusiveness.

Basically the combo of a slow #1 TE and a slowish #1 WR is difficult to overcome, but even moreso when the #2/3 WRs are limited.

Add to the above that the RBs Morris and Smith are not speed guys and you end up with a slowish offense when Zeke is out. It's too bad Dunbar didn't develop due to injuries because he is the type of backup RB that could add legit speed to the offense either as a RB or slot WR.

Bottom line: They must add some talent at WR and/or TE and an uber speed backup RB with receiving skills could also help.

 

[Shinaoi]

I’m all for injecting some youth into the receiving corps. But to do that over haul, we would have to make some tough choices and move on in a year we expect to do big things.

 

[cej757]

I've always felt like the Cowboys are built like an old Big Ten Football team. They don't have any team speed and lack athletes. When the Big Ten would matchup with the Sec or Pac 10 in the bowl games. You could just see the lack of overall speed on their teams.

 

[Idgit]

Put Jones out there wide.

 

[jazzcat22]

We just need a speedy WR to stretch the field when needed, as well, run by defenses for those long TD's or attempts. It opens up much more possibilities.

Most likely Butler will be gone in FA. So that opens a spot for a big play fast WR.

Hanna needs more playing time. And if Rico improves even more next TC, they may have something there. They can then take a chance on drafting a TE later instead of early in the draft. I think they like what they see in Blake Jarwin as well. Use them draft picks on defense or maybe even OL.

 

[JeffInDC]

I've complained a lot about Dez, but the receiving group as a unit is a problem.

They had Beasley and Witten run some deep routes in the Raiders game which indicates a problem because that's obviously not their strong-suit.

I think any 1 of the group would be better if surrounded by players that make up for their limitations.

Witten - Great possession receiver but lacks speed and is surrounded by WRs that lack any elite speed/elusiveness.

Beasley - Quick but lacks deep speed or run after catch elusiveness.

TWill - Can run all the routes but struggles to catch the ball on short routes because he does not react fast enough. He's not really good at catching deep balls either. He is decent in the intermediate area but is not good on contested/jump-balls.

Dez - Limited route tree and speed but still has some quickness and jumping ability. Lack of speed needs to be offset by more speed at #2/3 WR or TE. He might be much better if they had a legit alpha-dog #1 WR and Dez was the #2 or even if they had a #2 with Tyreek Hill type of speed/elusiveness.

Basically the combo of a slow #1 TE and a slowish #1 WR is difficult to overcome, but even moreso when the #2/3 WRs are limited.

Add to the above that the RBs Morris and Smith are not speed guys and you end up with a slowish offense when Zeke is out. It's too bad Dunbar didn't develop due to injuries because he is the type of backup RB that could add legit speed to the offense either as a RB or slot WR.

Bottom line: They must add some talent at WR and/or TE and an uber speed backup RB with receiving skills could also help.

This is 1998 all over again - remember the playoff game against the Cardinals? That offseason, Rocket came to town. And, everything was roses.............until the Great One's career was ended on that Philly concrete.

 

[IheartRomo]

Good writeup and the same sentiment I've thought myself all year long: it's not that each of the individual receivers/TEs are bad on their own. It's that their skill sets are shockingly overlapping/non-complementary. If you're a D coordinator, you don't even have to consider worrying about one of our guys beating you deep. There is no gravity pulling the back end of the defense and our guys' can't get any separation, making these already compacted looks even more difficult windows to throw into.

 

[jazzcat22]

I've always felt like the Cowboys are built like an old Big Ten Football team. They don't have any team speed and lack athletes. When the Big Ten would matchup with the Sec or Pac 10 in the bowl games. You could just see the lack of overall speed on their teams.

That is changing. Urban Myer is getting that speed at OSU, and other teams will follow.
but yeah, it has been an issue as you posted.

However, ask about speed to Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon and the speed of Zeke when he ran all over all 3 teams.

 

[TRUTH87]

WR corps has been dissapointing this year. seems like when dak actually gets them the ball these guys find ways to drop them.

our coaches are a problem, the scheme more specifically. i mean having beasley attempting catches 35 yards down the field is not efficient. i dont know what these coaches see sometimes?

 

[Tabascocat]

I was thankful in the offseason that Twill and Butler were gone, never liked either. What do the Cowboys do........bring back both of those bozos

Then they go and draft another Cole while not utilizing/integrating both at the same time. We need better receivers, not the same ole repeats.

 

[Ranching]

Put Jones out there wide.

The punter or the safety, cuz the safety can't catch

 

[canters]

Speed kills. We don’t have enough now.

 

[mardwin]

Only receiver on this team that has a little bit of speed can't catch with his hands. Everyone else doubt can run the 40-yard dash under 4.6 secs.

 

[Cebrin]

I've complained a lot about Dez, but the receiving group as a unit is a problem.

They had Beasley and Witten run some deep routes in the Raiders game which indicates a problem because that's obviously not their strong-suit.

I think any 1 of the group would be better if surrounded by players that make up for their limitations.

Witten - Great possession receiver but lacks speed and is surrounded by WRs that lack any elite speed/elusiveness.

Beasley - Quick but lacks deep speed or run after catch elusiveness.

TWill - Can run all the routes but struggles to catch the ball on short routes because he does not react fast enough. He's not really good at catching deep balls either. He is decent in the intermediate area but is not good on contested/jump-balls.

Dez - Limited route tree and speed but still has some quickness and jumping ability. Lack of speed needs to be offset by more speed at #2/3 WR or TE. He might be much better if they had a legit alpha-dog #1 WR and Dez was the #2 or even if they had a #2 with Tyreek Hill type of speed/elusiveness.

Basically the combo of a slow #1 TE and a slowish #1 WR is difficult to overcome, but even moreso when the #2/3 WRs are limited.

Add to the above that the RBs Morris and Smith are not speed guys and you end up with a slowish offense when Zeke is out. It's too bad Dunbar didn't develop due to injuries because he is the type of backup RB that could add legit speed to the offense either as a RB or slot WR.

Bottom line: They must add some talent at WR and/or TE and an uber speed backup RB with receiving skills could also help.

Good to see you criticizing the group, instead of just Dez. I can remember when Witten was a viable middle threat. I love the whole corp, but they don't fit. I didn't like the long term deals for Bease or Williams. Bease is too small, and Williams has no hands. Dez isn't fast. Witten to me is done. They're all part of the same behind.

They double teamed Dez in Oakland. Beasley and Witten aren't going to get up field, and that shows in the statistics of passes over the middle.

 

[tm1119]

Scheme and QB’s get WR’s open in my opinion. WR is 1 of the most overvalued positions on the field. There are plenty of teams around the league scoring and putting up plenty of passing yards with WR groups the same/if not worse than ours.

Dak has limitations, but they can be overcome imo. The real problem is the scheme/coaching. 0 creativity to get guys open quickly and in space. Bubble screens, bunch formations, rub/pick routes, and where the heck is switzer??? Between Dez, T Will, Beasley, and Switzer we should be able to move the ball down the field with a lot of YAC. Get the ball out of Dak’s hands quickly and let the WR’s make plays. And with our running game and the added threat of Dak keeping the ball spacing shouldn’t be a problem at all.

A very frustrating problem for what seems like a very easy fix on paper.

 

[MonsterD]

Looking like that #1 draft pick has to go to a WR or trade up/down and a WR. I would be fine with letting go of Bryant and Butler and getting a speed WR for both spots.

 

[Aven8]

Don't get me started on Dez. He alligator armed that pass in the first and stopped as he thought he was getting hit by Bowman and the pick ensued. Total crap!

 

[goshan]

I've complained a lot about Dez, but the receiving group as a unit is a problem.

They had Beasley and Witten run some deep routes in the Raiders game which indicates a problem because that's obviously not their strong-suit.

I think any 1 of the group would be better if surrounded by players that make up for their limitations.

Witten - Great possession receiver but lacks speed and is surrounded by WRs that lack any elite speed/elusiveness.

Beasley - Quick but lacks deep speed or run after catch elusiveness.

TWill - Can run all the routes but struggles to catch the ball on short routes because he does not react fast enough. He's not really good at catching deep balls either. He is decent in the intermediate area but is not good on contested/jump-balls.

Dez - Limited route tree and speed but still has some quickness and jumping ability. Lack of speed needs to be offset by more speed at #2/3 WR or TE. He might be much better if they had a legit alpha-dog #1 WR and Dez was the #2 or even if they had a #2 with Tyreek Hill type of speed/elusiveness.

Basically the combo of a slow #1 TE and a slowish #1 WR is difficult to overcome, but even moreso when the #2/3 WRs are limited.

Add to the above that the RBs Morris and Smith are not speed guys and you end up with a slowish offense when Zeke is out. It's too bad Dunbar didn't develop due to injuries because he is the type of backup RB that could add legit speed to the offense either as a RB or slot WR.

Bottom line: They must add some talent at WR and/or TE and an uber speed backup RB with receiving skills could also help.

This is dead on.

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

I think it's Dak IMO

 

[CyberB0b]

Beasley's quickness is negated by his predictable routes. Defenders are running the routes before he does. This is a problem.