Targets Per Game Analysis Dez vs. Top Receivers

[Idgit]

Well Dez is considered to be one of the best receivers in the league so I chose some of the other top guys, he is most compared to

Yeah, I see what you were doing, I was just saying his numbers might be wonky because he's a huge red zone thread but not necessarily the same type of target between the 20s as some of those other guys who put up the big yards but maybe don't catch as many TDs. Ie, how the teams use the players within the game can also affect that stats for how often they're targeted.

 

[Tenkamenin]

Question: does the receiver have to be open to be targeted usually. So does his lack of separation and route running affect the amount of targets he gets. I guess it's a circular argument like chicken vs egg.

What does open mean to you? 3 or 4 yds ahead of the defender? An arms length? Michael Irvin wasn't the fastest but he still snagged passes with defenders around him. I like Dez in just about any 1 on 1 situation with a defender near him.

 

[plymkr]

Another example I will point out tonight in the Steelers game Antonio Brown was moved all over to to purposely get away from Norman and match him up with breeland and brown torched him all night. We typically leave Dez same place. why not go for the mismatch ?

Yeah that's coaching. It seems like we never go for the mismatch. Frustrating. We have one plan to use Dez and regardless of the defense we don't vary from that plan.

 

[plymkr]

I also want to throw out the types of plays that we run take a long time to develop. If we're sending Dez deep on just about every play then is he not being targeted because pass rush is getting there. But he was targeted the most in 2012 2013 when our line wasn''t as good. Doesn't make sense. Why have a weapon and not use him.

 

[plymkr]

BTW thanks for posting those stats, those are the types of things I like looking at. I appreciate it

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

Dez will get hurt if we use him. Like there is another excuse.

 

[DOUBLE WING]

I personally don't feel the Cowboys coaching does enough to help Dez look at the patriots they do rub routes every game for every receiver I never see that for Dez. They need to try to do more to help him get separation

I can't remember the last time I saw the Cowboys actually run a rub route.

 

[Thomas82]

I agree with everything in this post. In my opinion, Dez is the best receiver in the game with the ball in his hands. These coaches are wasting his abilities.

 

[Jinxx13x]

Yeah, I see what you were doing, I was just saying his numbers might be wonky because he's a huge red zone thread but not necessarily the same type of target between the 20s as some of those other guys who put up the big yards but maybe don't catch as many TDs. Ie, how the teams use the players within the game can also affect that stats for how often they're targeted.

I see your point

 

[TwentyOne]

Garretts comments about how many times Dez was targeted kind of annoyed me. i personally feel he is never targeted as much as top receivers from other teams, and that they don't do enough to get him involved. It always seems to be the same type of routes. Then I watch Pittsburgh vs Commanders tonight and I see Antonio Brown going in motion setting up on the left, the right, in the slot. Ben goes out of his way to get the ball to his game breaker and for good reason. Garrett says we tried a couple deep ones to Dez and that was enough! Uh excuse me no it's not ! It doesn't always need to be a deep pass mix things up, change up where he lines up, use rub routes, screens, slants, for crying out loud put him in motion DO SOMETHING....... I decided to do some homework to see if my feelings were warranted here is the data I found You Decide !!!!!!!

Dez Bryant
2010 - 12G - 45 Rec- 72Targets - Avg TPG = 6
2011 - 15G - 63 Rec- 103Targets - Avg TPG=6.8
2012 - 16G - 92 Rec- 138Targets - Avg TPG=8.6
2013 - 16G - 93 Rec- 160Targets - Avg TPG=10
2014 - 16G - 88 Rec- 137Targets - Avg TPG=8.5
2015 - 9G - 31 Rec- 72Targets - Avg TPG=9
2016 - 1G - 1 Rec- 5Targets - Avg TPG=5

Calvin Johnson
2010 - 16G - 77 Rec- 137Targets - Avg TPG=8.5
2011 - 16G - 96 Rec- 158Targets - Avg TPG=9.8
2012 - 16G - 122 Rec- 204Targets - Avg TPG=12.75
2013 - 14G - 84 Rec- 157Targets - Avg TPG=11.2
2014 - 13G - 71 Rec- 128Targets - Avg TPG= 9.8
2015 - 16G - 88 Rec- 149Targets - Avg TPG= 9.3

Julio Jones
2011 - 13G - 54 Rec- 95Targets - Avg TPG=7.3
2012 - 16G - 79 Rec- 129Targets - Avg TPG=8
2013 - 5G - 41 Rec- 60Targets - Avg TPG=12
2014 - 15G - 104 Rec- 163Targets - Avg TPG=10.8
2015 - 16G - 136 Rec- 203Targets - Avg TPG=12.6
2016 - 1G - 4 Rec- 8Targets - AvgTPG=8

Antonio Brown
2010 - 9G - 16 Rec- 19Targets - Avg TPG=2.1
2011 - 16G - 69 Rec- 124Targets - Avg TPG=7.75
2012 - 13G - 66 Rec- 106Targets - Avg TPG=8.1
2013 - 16G - 110 Rec- 166Targets- Avg TPG=10.3
2014 - 16G - 129 Rec- 181Targets - Avg TPG=11.3
2015 - 16G - 136 Rec- 193Targets - Avg TPG=12
2016 - 1G - 8 Rec- ???Targets - Avg TPG= I will call it 8 since that's how many catches

AJ Green
2011 - 15G - 65 Rec- 115Targets - Avg TPG=7.6
2012 - 16G - 97 Rec- 164Targets - Avg TPG=10.2
2013 - 16G - 98 Rec- 178Targets - Avg TPG=11.1
2014 - 13G - 69 Rec- 116Targets - Avg TPG=8.9
2015 - 16G - 86 Rec- 132Targets - Avg TPG=8.2
2016 - 1G - 12 Rec- 13Targets - Avg TPG=13

Odell Beckham Jr
2014 - 12G - 91 Rec- 132Targets - Avg TPG=11
2015 - 15G - 96 Rec- 156Targets - Avg TPG=10.4
2016 - 1G - 4 Rec- 8Targets - Avg TPG=8

When I look at these stats it tells me Dez is not being targeted enough for being the TD machine that he is. This is on the coaching take 2015 out Dez injuries made him not the same not to mention the revolving door of Qb's, but in his best years he was still being targeted less than the other Wr's. IMO they need to mix up the routes to Dez and get him more involved the numbers prove it ! What are your thoughts ?

Guys seriously. Step back and dont lose your calm.

Dez is a great receiver but he has his limitations. He never was and still is not a good route runner. He also is not the fastest guy. His strengths are that he plays physical and that he is great in the air. He can come down with a catch when he has to fight against the CB.

But to play to his strengths he has to have a QB who can playce the ball where it needs to be placed. Romo is very good at that. Where Dak has his weakness right there. He is not good at it right now.

It is not always one guy that makes a good pass. Its the play, the QB, the WR, and the blocking.

So please calm down and give this guys some time. This was the first game.

Remember: We had a chance to win this game against a defence that could be judged as very good. We limited a good offense to 20 points. This all with a depleted defense, with 2 rookies at core positions and a WR who was overmotivated in the last few secs.

 

[CyberB0b]

I personally don't feel the Cowboys coaching does enough to help Dez look at the patriots they do rub routes every game for every receiver I never see that for Dez. They need to try to do more to help him get separation

They have different skill sets. You can't compare Dez to Brown, because they're completely different body types. I think the best comparison is Fitzgerald, but he's a superior route runner and has more consistent hands.

I would guess it's somewhat rare to see Fitzgerald lined up in the slot.

 

[Jinxx13x]

Guys seriously. Step back and dont lose your calm.

Dez is a great receiver but he has his limitations. He never was and still is not a good route runner. He also is not the fastest guy. His strengths are that he plays physical and that he is great in the air. He can come down with a catch when he has to fight against the CB.

But to play to his strengths he has to have a QB who can playce the ball where it needs to be placed. Romo is very good at that. Where Dak has his weakness right there. He is not good at it right now.

It is not always one guy that makes a good pass. Its the play, the QB, the WR, and the blocking.

So please calm down and give this guys some time. This was the first game.

Remember: We had a chance to win this game against a defence that could be judged as very good. We limited a good offense to 20 points. This all with a depleted defense, with 2 rookies at core positions and a WR who was overmotivated in the last few secs.

I am very calm, i was actually very pleased with Dak's performance i am not one of the people on the ledge after this loss i found tons of positives in this game. My point is the coaching staff doesn't do enough to help him by different routes or scheme. This is not a sky is falling thread this is i had a question if our best receiver who is widely considered one of the top in the league is being targeted like other top receivers from other teams. The numbers prove other teams do more to get the ball to there top WR. Thats all im saying

 

[Sydla]

I personally don't feel the Cowboys coaching does enough to help Dez look at the patriots they do rub routes every game for every receiver I never see that for Dez. They need to try to do more to help him get separation

The Patriots are definitely more creative on offense than we are.

 

[Jinxx13x]

They have different skill sets. You can't compare Dez to Brown, because they're completely different body types. I think the best comparison is Fitzgerald, but he's a superior route runner and has more consistent hands.

I would guess it's somewhat rare to see Fitzgerald lined up in the slot.

I am comparing them in the fact they are considered top 10 receivers i am not saying dez has the same skill set as brown i used him as an example. But did you notice what tomlin did he moved brown all over away from Norman i guess we will see if linehan and garret do that for dez this week i will pay attention to that

 

[Sydla]

They have different skill sets. You can't compare Dez to Brown, because they're completely different body types. I think the best comparison is Fitzgerald, but he's a superior route runner and has more consistent hands.

I would guess it's somewhat rare to see Fitzgerald lined up in the slot.

Fitzgerald played a ton of slot last year in 2015 and has been used in the slot throughout his career (granted last year was more than he ever really was used in the slot).

 

[Aven8]

I don't understand how Jerry and Stephen can be happy that there 70 million dollar WR is catching 1 pass for 8 yards on opening week on national TV. Now he did drop the TD that was a great throw, and that was on him.

What made me sick is he didn't catch, or wasn't even in the picture on the final drive. Ridiculous!!

 

[Jinxx13x]

Fitzgerald played a ton of slot last year in 2015 and has been used in the slot throughout his career (granted last year was more than he ever really was used in the slot).

and that move has prolonged his career he is still putting up great numbers. Giant game is perfect example when the doubled the outside move dez inside let him go over the middle, get some easy catches

 

[John813]

Just throwing out some thoughts.
1. Is it due to Romo/backups trying/taught to find the safe play/guy open in a seam? Romo may have a longer leash due to him being a stud.
2. Could his route running be causing this? Sure he can outjump guys, but it's still a risky throw.
(2b)3. If he isn't the first read, is he putting in the effort in case the QB needs to go to his other reads but Dez is at 75%?
4. If it is letting the defense dictate our plays, then we need a new staff to bring in creative plays.

 

[Jinxx13x]

Just throwing out some thoughts.
1. Is it due to Romo/backups trying/taught to find the safe play/guy open in a seam? Romo may have a longer leash due to him being a stud.
2. Could his route running be causing this? Sure he can outjump guys, but it's still a risky throw.
(2b)3. If he isn't the first read, is he putting in the effort in case the QB needs to go to his other reads but Dez is at 75%?
4. If it is letting the defense dictate our plays, then we need a new staff to bring in creative plays.

It may be a combination of all the above although i don't think effort on dez's part is an issue. Limitations on our tv sets do not allow us to see sometimes what happens downfield but you could be right.

 

[perrykemp]

I can't remember the last time I saw the Cowboys actually run a rub route.

Those didn't exist back in the 70's with Dan Coryell invented the offense the Cowboys currently run today.