Star-Telegram: Austin gets first team reps today

[Silverstar]

Thanks mods.

I guess I should stop by here a little more often.

 

[skinsscalper]

It's absolutely worth a shot. I don't think there's much of a down side to the idea of atleast giving it a try.

I agree with the Crayton assessment, also. A lot of posters like to bag on Crayton (and Crayton does bring a little bit of that down on himself), but he has been an excellent slot WR for us in the past.

The problem with Williams and Crayton opposite eachother in the starting O is the fact that they are too similar of players. Neither is fast. Both are possession types. Without a legit downfield threat opposite either one of them they are a relatively easy tandem to defend IMHO.

The experiment begins this week. Hopefully the results will be positive enough to continue with Austin flanked out wide and Crayton sweeping up underneath. Add Witten and the possession skills of Williams and I like our chances of turning this thing into a pretty formidable group. It's just a matter of execution, at that point.

 

[wileedog]

I think this decision must have been in the works for awhile,I just don't think you can justify demoting Crayton after Austin has "one" good game.I'm of the opinion that Wade/Garrett have been impressed with Austin in practice as well as his production in limited duty.

Craig

Exactly. Jones has been talking about Miles since TO was booted, he's always been on the radar. They've just been waiting to pull the trigger on this one, they know they need Austin to stretch the field.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

http://www.star-telegram.com/332/story/1696919.html
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Miles Austin getting first-team reps
By CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
chill@star-telegram.com


IRVING — The Dallas Cowboys have yet to make an official announcement, but the writing has been on the wall since wide receiver Miles Austin’s record-setting day against the Kansas City Chiefs. Now it’s coming to fruition on the practice field.

Austin has replaced Crayton in the starting lineup opposite Roy Williams.

Austin took the bulk of the snaps with the first-team offense as the Cowboys returned to work Monday following last week’s bye in preparation for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Williams, who practiced for the first time since injuring his ribs against the Denver Broncos and sitting out the Chiefs game, also worked with the first team. Crayton got most of his work as the third receiver.

Cowboys receivers coach Ray Sherman stuck with the official company line when interviewed after practice. "Right now, we are going through practice," Sherman said. "We have to see and make that decision when it comes."

Crayton, however, confirmed the demotion, but declined further comment because he didn’t want to "say the wrong thing."

Again the move is no surprise considering Austin’s big performance against the Chiefs and his explosive potential. Replacing an injured Williams, Austin caught 10 passes for a team-record 250 yards and touchdowns of 59 and 60 yards.

His 250 yards in one game were more than Crayton (243) and Williams (214) have all season.

Coach Wade Phillips said last week that Austin deserved to stay on the field when Williams returned. Now that the Cowboys are following through on their word, the key for Austin is to prove he is not a one-hit wonder and can be a consistent threat.
"It’s good to see that he had a great game," Sherman said. "But now we've got to forget about that and get ready for this one. He has to keep that up."
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Crayton. I can see why he's not talking. He's frustrated and should be.

But you can't ignore the play of Austin against the Chiefs.

Weird situation though because it was just one game.

I don't think the situation is weird. We are desperate for people to make plays at the WR position Austin has. Do I think Austin will ever perform like that again in his career? no. Is he suddenly the answer at WR? no. But when some one puts up numbers like that you can't delegate him to back up. He produce and deserves the start. It's not as if Crayton is a world class WR either he's a JAG>

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I wholeheartedly agree. This move is a win/win in my opinion.

Definitely. Its up to Crayton to prove the doubters wrong at this point.

I agree he's more suited to the slot,where he can use his quickness and savvy to find the soft spot in the defense.

Craig

Yessir. And he's actually the fastest right now he's been his whole career. He may even have more success. He and Romo haven't been on the same page since he's left the slot. This will probably benefit Romo even more as well.

 

[Bach]

I don't understand why people hate Crayton so much either. Yea he talks, but big deal he loves the games and loves the Cowboys.

I wouldn't call it hate. And I do think he's a decent #3 WR.

Crayton's problem is just that he's talked way too much without backing it up and many still haven't forgiven him for seemingly quitting on the route that could've been a winning TD in the Giants playoff game.

 

[kmd24]

Two things to look for here. First, does Austin's confidence carry over from the KC game? Second, does Romo trust Austin more than Willliams? I think the answer to both is yes.

Looking for 10+ targets for Austin against Atlanta.

 

[WV Cowboy]

I think the coaches actually HAD to start Miles against the Falcons.

He has been turning heads for a while, and then when he finally got his chance to start a game, he really came through in a big, big way.

Obviously the two long TD catch and runs were awesome, but for me the 2 plays that merits more playing time were the one where he took the ball away from the DB,(pure attitude) and the one where he came back on his route to give Tony a place to check it down to.

I just don't have many memories of our other WR's making those type of plays in recent years.

But the last thing I want to say about the coaches HAVE to start him is this: .. for all of the younger players who are not starting, that are working hard and hoping to get their chance, .. what message are you sending them when a guy finally gets his chance, comes through with a historical franchise record setting day, and that is not good enough to start.

They would think, "what chance do I ever have of moving up the depth chart if Miles didn't after the day he had"?

Now they see that they have a chance if they work hard and make enough plays to turn the coaches head.

Just the way I see it. I think we have sent a great message to every player on the team. (also a good message sent with the Rossum pickup)

I hope this is the beginning of big things for Miles here in Dallas.

I know everyone agrees with me on that.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I'd like to see Ogletree get some time in as either the #2 or #3 receiver.

 

[Dalmations202]

Just my opinion,
but if this team is to get to the level of championship caliber. Williams and Miles have to be the starters. Crayton will have to be a good slot receiver.
TChoice needs to start the first and third qtrs. Felix needs to be the big play back in the 2nd and last half of the third. The barbarian needs to be the 3rd down back, the red zone back, and the 4th qtr back.

Free needs to start replacing Flo in the game, and maybe for good IF he can prove he can play. He needs to get burn and show something one way or the other. Maybe Flo starts, but he needs to know that he has got to improve his discipline or someone else will be doing it.

They also need to be searching for a replacement for there safeties. Better decision making is a must.

 

[Frozen700]

i hope mosst of us know, that Jerry had a huge hand in Miles starting

hes always been big on him, especially when we let TO go, was just looking for a reason......great move by jerry

 

[CATCH17]

i hope mosst of us know, that Jerry had a huge hand in Miles starting

hes always been big on him, especially when we let TO go, was just looking for a reason......great move by jerry

Maybe but 250 yards and a game winning TD is a pretty big hand in itself.

 

[Frozen700]

Maybe but 250 yards and a game winning TD is a pretty big hand in itself.

oh no, i agree it is


but our coaching staff is so scared of hurting feelings, that maybe Jerry had to give them the heads up

 

[newlander]

Crayton in slot......less Bennett except on running downs: all no brainers iMO. So........Austin and RW at wR, crayton in slot, Wit at TE: Marty on bench......championship....

 

[gimmesix]

Bill said he always had to be on Crayton all this time as he'd get sloppy. I guess now its time for him shut up and play.

Is there anyone Bill said he didn't have to be on all the time?

 

[Bluefin]

I'd like to see Ogletree get some time in as either the #2 or #3 receiver.

Jerry Jones has mentioned Kevin Ogletree in his past two radios shows and what the rookie might be able to do going forward to help us on the field.

But he was finally active against the Chiefs and he didn't get a single look as a wide receiver. I think KO can help as an underneath option and he looks to have a solid future with the organization, but will he ever be active again this year without an injury forcing the decision?

Ogletree probably possesses the "want to", but he just isn't the special teams player Sam Hurd is at this point.

 

[WV Cowboy]

Free needs to start replacing Flo in the game, and maybe for good IF he can prove he can play. He needs to get burn and show something one way or the other. Maybe Flo starts, but he needs to know that he has got to improve his discipline or someone else will be doing it.

It could be that on the play that we find out that Free is not ready, Romo is lost for the season.

We need to be careful with that one. There is a reason Flo still starts even though he is not perfect, and that is because he keeps Romo standing, while fighting off the other teams best pass rusher, all game long, every week.

 

[Dalmations202]

It could be that on the play that we find out that Free is not ready, Romo is lost for the season.

We need to be careful with that one. There is a reason Flo still starts even though he is not perfect, and that is because he keeps Romo standing, while fighting off the other teams best pass rusher, all game long, every week.

True, but I've seen gamers that were not great in practice, but could game. I've also seen practice warriors who couldn't make a play in a game.

You need to find out, instead of just accepting the mistakes, IMO.

 

[Apollo Creed]

Boosh. Called it. Even said he would be the number one by midseason. Not because Miles is thatt good, but Roy has been that bad.

 

[Doomsay]

I don't understand why people hate Crayton so much either. Yea he talks, but big deal he loves the games and loves the Cowboys. He's better in the slot anyhow. He knows he's still going to play a lot and get his chances on a winning football team. IMO thats about all you can ask for in this league.

I think that he is hated primarily for his trash talking against the Giants in 2007, which was poster motivation for the Giants. I listened to two or three Giants players suggest on their local radio shows here that they wanted to bury the Cowboys after being treated disrespectfully by this nobody. Oh and then he choked in the big game and contributed disproportionately to our lost Superbowl chance.

He is one of the worst punt returners in the game. He ranks 28th for the punts that he actually returns, but if you combine all of the punts that he fair catches or isn't quick enough to field (and that roll 20 yards down-field) and his penalty and fumbles, he is a disaster.

He'd be an OK slot receiver if he'd never open his mouth again, he might actual be a better #2 for us than Williams at the moment, but hopefully Galloway II will eventually learn to play catch with Tony.