Schefter: We Just Signed Allen Rossum! Released Cletis

[Hoofbite]

Let's give Rossum 5 games with the same special teams and then compare numbers.

That sound fair?

If you want. I fully expect Rossum to produce more than Crayton just not enough more to warrant a roster spot as a return only guy.

 

[Stash]

If you want. I fully expect Rossum to produce more than Crayton just not enough more to warrant a roster spot as a return only guy.

Why not?

Week 1 that guy was Marvin White

Then it was Chauncey Washington.

And last week it was Cletus Gordon (not that anybody noticed).

Why not a guy who might make a difference?

 

[BAT]

I have to laugh at all the people lamenting this pickup. Rossum provides a big play threat everytime he returns a punt or kickoff. It has been a LOOOOOOONG time since the Cowboys have had a playmaker at PR. Rossum displaces Cletis "Who?" Gordon, how is this bad?????

This has Coach D's fingerprints all over it. Trust in Coach D, he's got the biggest nads on the Cowboys' sidelines.

 

[TD-33]

I have to laugh at all the people lamenting this pickup. Rossum provides a big play threat everytime he returns a punt or kickoff. It has been a LOOOOOOONG time since the Cowboys have had a playmaker at PR. Rossum displaces Cletis "Who?" Gordon, how is this bad?????

This has Coach D's fingerprints all over it. Trust in Coach D, he's got the biggest nads on the Cowboys' sidelines.

After reading about the guy and checking a couple of videos, the 10.02 100 meter and other various accomplishments by Rossum, I'm definitely on board this wagon.

 

[JBell]

How anyone is against this move just baffles me.

 

[Hoofbite]

Why not?

Week 1 that guy was Marvin White

Then it was Chauncey Washington.

And last week it was Cletus Gordon (not that anybody noticed).

Why not a guy who might make a difference?

They play a position and are there in case they are needed. They can actually fill in at a position.

I don't think Rossum has really ever played DB. He's just a DB by name who only returns kicks and punts. Activating him means you short yourself at another position. I just don't think Dallas can afford to short another position. They already are doing so with Buehler (who is more than worth it) but with each player you add who can't play another position, the more risk you take by gambling that it won't be a need.

I mean, we could ask the same thing about Ogletree. Look at the list you provided, who wouldn't rather see Ogletree get a few reps over those guys riding the pine all game? Just not how it works.

 

[hardcorebob]

They play a position and are there in case they are needed. They can actually fill in at a position.

I don't think Rossum has really ever played DB. He's just a DB by name who only returns kicks and punts. Activating him means you short yourself at another position. I just don't think Dallas can afford to short another position. They already are doing so with Buehler (who is more than worth it) but with each player you add who can't play another position, the more risk you take by gambling that it won't be a need.

I mean, we could ask the same thing about Ogletree. Look at the list you provided, who wouldn't rather see Ogletree get a few reps over those guys riding the pine all game? Just not how it works.

I'd send Carp outta here for a 4-5 round pick and then you would have the roster space. Good riddance!

 

[Fletch]

Is this dude any good?Didnt he play for the Stillers?

He is a very nice addition to this team. I got to watch him up close being that I live in Steelers Country. He is a very good return guy and will make an immediate impact.

 

[JBell]

They play a position and are there in case they are needed. They can actually fill in at a position.

I don't think Rossum has really ever played DB. He's just a DB by name who only returns kicks and punts. Activating him means you short yourself at another position. I just don't think Dallas can afford to short another position. They already are doing so with Buehler (who is more than worth it) but with each player you add who can't play another position, the more risk you take by gambling that it won't be a need.

I mean, we could ask the same thing about Ogletree. Look at the list you provided, who wouldn't rather see Ogletree get a few reps over those guys riding the pine all game? Just not how it works.

So let me get this straight.

You'd rather have a 5th stringer at CB or WR be activated and sit on the bench the entire game because they actually play a position?

Sorry, I'll take the dynamic returner with no position over the guy with a position who offers virtually nothing on gamedays.

 

[Hoofbite]

So let me get this straight.

You'd rather have a 5th stringer at CB or WR be activated and sit on the bench the entire game because they actually play a position?

Sorry, I'll take the dynamic returner with no position over the guy with a position who offers virtually nothing on gamedays.

I'd take the dynamic returner as well but that isn't what we're talking about here.

We're talking about a guy who's PR average over 3 of the last 4 years is stunningly similar to the guy he is replacing.

This isn't Devin Hester '07 were talking about.

 

[GOLDENCHILD1688]

i was all for it when someone suggested it after he got released

the guy just came off a pro bowl appearance last season. good move by the boys.

they made some smart pickups this off-season and another one now

 

[JBell]

I'd take the dynamic returner as well but that isn't what we're talking about here.

We're talking about a guy who's PR average over 3 of the last 4 years is stunningly similar to the guy he is replacing.

This isn't Devin Hester '07 were talking about.

Here's a quote I just read off BTB:


Rossum had one of his best seasons in 2008, setting career highs of 26.8 yards per kickoff return and 14.9 per punt return.

"I think teams have to approach our return game differently when I'm on the field," Rossum said Monday. "These last two weeks before every game, they've been shocked that I'm not up [he was inactive]. I know I'm doing something good when those teams approach me and say, 'Hey, man, we've been preparing for you all week.' I'm not worried about it."


He's not Hester, but he's obviously dangerous enough for teams to gameplan around.

 

[BAT]

I'd take the dynamic returner as well but that isn't what we're talking about here.

We're talking about a guy who's PR average over 3 of the last 4 years is stunningly similar to the guy he is replacing.

This isn't Devin Hester '07 were talking about.

You are crazy. Certifiably. Rossum is top 5 ALL TIME in returns and is FIRST among all the active returners RIGHT NOW. In 2008 (that is LAST SEASON)Rossum is coming off career high kickoff returns (26.8 ypr_3rd best in NFC in 08) and punt returns (14.9 ypr_second best in NFL in 08). Not TEN YEARS AGO, but last year he was recognized as one of the best at his position, which is RETURNING.

Rossum is still fast, and more importantly PLAYS FAST, maybe not as fast as he was when he won the NFL's Fastest Man competition in 2005, but he is still better than any returner currently on the Cowboys' roster.

 

[gmoney112]

I really like this move. Kudos to Wade.

 

[Bonecrusher#31]

You are crazy. Certifiably. Rossum is top 5 ALL TIME in returns and is FIRST among all the active returners RIGHT NOW. In 2008 (that is LAST SEASON)Rossum is coming off career high kickoff returns (26.8 ypr_3rd best in NFC in 08) and punt returns (14.9 ypr_second best in NFL in 08). Not TEN YEARS AGO, but last year he was recognized as one of the best at his position, which is RETURNING.

Rossum is still fast, and more importantly PLAYS FAST, maybe not as fast as he was when he won the NFL's Fastest Man competition in 2005, but he is still better than any returner currently on the Cowboys' roster.

I AGREE

 

[silverbear]

Maybe San Fran's special teams is not all that good. He could thrive with our special teams.

Looking at the stats, you might be right... Rossum had 7 kickoff returns for the Niners, averaging 21.7 yards per return, with a long of 40 (the team's long for the year)... the other kickoff returners had 6 for 119, a 19.8 average...

A 21.7 yards per return average is pretty mediocre, but again, the other returners were right at 2 yards per return worse... this suggests that the Niners' return blocking wasn't too hot...

Rossum also had 12 punt returns for 84 yards, with a long of 14 (again, the team's long for the year)... the other punt returners had 4 for 12 yards...

A 7.0 yards per return average is pretty bad, but not when compared to the 3.0 yards per return average the other returners put up... once again, this indicates the Niners' blocking on punt returns was pretty bad...

Now, let's look back to last year... Rossum averaged 14.9 yards per punt return, 2nd best in the league among playser with at least 15 returns, with a long of 45... he also averaged 26.8 yards per kickoff return, 7th best among players with 35 or more returns, with a 104 yard TD return, and 4 returns of 40 yards or more... so he was clearly one of the ten best returners in the league, and gave his team 5 big plays on returns, including a TD...

Conclusion-- our return game should be a bit more dangerous... perhaps it will mean that Miles Austin will no longer be risked on kickoff returns...

I just hope we don't ever need him to play cornerback...

 

[silverbear]

Olgetree's not going nowhere.

I think he just meant that's a wrap on Ogletree returning kicks this year...

Edit-- I see y'all worked out that misunderstanding... LOL...

 

[silverbear]

Sir Benedict Arnold when addressing me. Thank you!

You should ask Hos to change your board title from "Senior Member" to "Sir Benedict"... he'd do it if you asked him...

 

[Hoofbite]

You are crazy. Certifiably. Rossum is top 5 ALL TIME in returns and is FIRST among all the active returners RIGHT NOW.

Yes, we know he has been playing for a while.

In 2008 (that is LAST SEASON)Rossum is coming off career high kickoff returns (26.8 ypr_3rd best in NFC in 08) and punt returns (14.9 ypr_second best in NFL in 08). Not TEN YEARS AGO, but last year he was recognized as one of the best at his position, which is RETURNING.

All that is great if he can reproduce but I'm more concerned about the 3 previous years where he was nothing special. Looking at it within a narrow window is great and all but when you step back and start to pick up the whole picture, its pretty clear to see that those numbers are not his norm.

Rossum is still fast, and more importantly PLAYS FAST, maybe not as fast as he was when he won the NFL's Fastest Man competition in 2005, but he is still better than any returner currently on the Cowboys' roster.

I'd rather see Newman and Felix returning punts and kicks. Problem is, Dallas is too afraid to put them out there and they are too fragile to prove the coaches wrong.

With that said I really hope Rossum can contribute. I'm not getting my hopes up or anything but if he can provide good field position, it does nothing but help the team.

 

[silverbear]

Unless we're expecting Rossum to be some stud. I don't really think anyone is. Don't see why anyone should.

Uhhh, he was easily one of the top ten returners in the game LAST YEAR, and a Pro Bowl alternate...

Sounds like an upgrade to me... now, I don't entirely disagree with your point about carrying yet another specialist who offers nothing at another position, but Rossum is still a very good kick returner...