TE based on preseason

[Bullflop]

The TEs who are following Wittens lengthy career are inexperienced and will require ongoing development. It's early yet. Let's allow them sufficient time to develop their skills with the live action that they weren't granted previously with Witten available. I'm hoping to see them improve incrementally with each instance of live action they're allowed. Instant gratification isn't a reasonable expectation. I think they'll improve with more experience.

 

[DanA]

The TEs who are following Wittens lengthy career are inexperienced and will require ongoing development. It's early yet. Let's allow them sufficient time to develop their skills with the live action that they weren't granted previously with Witten available. I'm hoping to see them improve incrementally with each instance of live action they're allowed. Instant gratification isn't a reasonable expectation. I think they'll improve with more experience.

That’s true but the talent pool is 2 x 6th round picks, a compo 4th (who looks the worst of the lot) and a UDFA. I’m happy to be patient where patients is warranted but not sure that’s the case here.

 

[Bullflop]

That’s true but the talent pool is 2 x 6th round picks, a compo 4th (who looks the worst of the lot) and a UDFA. I’m happy to be patient where patients is warranted but not sure that’s the case here.

To each his own. Success can often come by way of later picks. I'm not given to assuming anything until success or failure is proven over time. Patience is more often than not an advantage rather than a mistake. Giving up on anything too soon only ensures failure. Every player deserves an equal chance to succeed, regardless of the round in which they were chosen. Lack of sufficient experience (Swaim, Jarwin and Rico) is always a handicap.

 

[G2]

Swaim and Jarwin are going to be the 1 and 2. And, I don't think Gathers makes the cut. But we'll see if he gets opportunities in the next preseason game.

 

[atlantacowboy]

Many are seeing disaster, saying things like the team doesn't have a TE who can catch passes, the team doesn't know how to use and TEs, and the team won't use this group of TEs, but is that really what we've seen this preseason?

To begin with, the team has played without its elite RB and most of the time without its starting QB and elite O-Line. And they have played without game planning.

Yet the TEs have caught 23 passes for 176 yards in 3 games. Not a particularly exciting ypc average, but significant yardage, and a sizable part of the offense. Overall, I would say it's a nice sign for a unit with all the things going against it mentioned in the paragraph above.

Regular season will include the starting QB, the elite RB, the elite O-Line (minus one), game plans, and no need to play everyone just for the sake of getting a look at them. With those benefits it's not at all unreasonable that the TEs could get a similar number of catches, and increase the ypc number 2-3 yards per catch. That would be a significant and sizeable contribution to the offense.

Those evaluations are how the rest of the league sees our team in general. It has nothing to do with preseason performances which everyone knows mean very little.

 

[Falco78]

Many are seeing disaster, saying things like the team doesn't have a TE who can catch passes, the team doesn't know how to use and TEs, and the team won't use this group of TEs, but is that really what we've seen this preseason?

To begin with, the team has played without its elite RB and most of the time without its starting QB and elite O-Line. And they have played without game planning.

Yet the TEs have caught 23 passes for 176 yards in 3 games. Not a particularly exciting ypc average, but significant yardage, and a sizable part of the offense. Overall, I would say it's a nice sign for a unit with all the things going against it mentioned in the paragraph above.

Regular season will include the starting QB, the elite RB, the elite O-Line (minus one), game plans, and no need to play everyone just for the sake of getting a look at them. With those benefits it's not at all unreasonable that the TEs could get a similar number of catches, and increase the ypc number 2-3 yards per catch. That would be a significant and sizeable contribution to the offense.

Game plans? Since when?

 

[blueblood70]

See exhibit A, the Rams game, wasted a lead and lost.

Rams and packers and even that horrid 4 game stretch last year we did have leads or ties I two of them against eagles etc..kept the game close then blew it after halftme..it shows they are ready to play but cant coach in games when major adjusments is needed..like the ATL game Chaz green debacle wasn't handled well at all..i do believe they do pretty well game planning but are at the bottom when things fall apart whether it be injury or suspensions they had zero idea on how to change the scheme to fit the backups..

 

[blueblood70]

You're right... that is really what my biggest issue is with them. Go in at halftime, make no adjustments, just keep doing what isn't working. But game planning is still an issue... they are so vanilla, people figure them out fast.

I realize thats the word on the street but how do you explain the 2014, 2016 13 win seasons ? if we are so predictable why is it we can win so many games? I think reality lies somewhere in between but this team was kicking GB and the Rams azz last year by halftime..those are good teams with great players and coaches right? how is it we had big leads if we were so vanilla? come on man they arent creative ill give you that but obviously they do something right or wed be the browns.. 3-33 or something? people ri[p our drafting and FA signings our GM bad coaching but somehow we always remain competitive and have playoff shot almost to game 16 nearly every year..why is that if we are as bad as a lot of these fans say we are? yes I believe they definitely need to work on game management but they are good enough to take a bad season to 9-7, odd right not 0-16..)

 

[OmerV]

I prefer to use my eyes as a determination and they are all lousy.

We can agree to disagree then. I think it's way premature to say that. We've got one TE that was buried behind Witten as a receiver the last 2 years, another that will be entering his first full season on the active roster, another that is a rookie, and another that is a project that we've seen can at catch the ball and make nice plays. The jury is still well out on all these guys.

 

[OmerV]

Game plans? Since when?

So, you think the QB is just drawing plays in the sand with no direction?

 

[Captain-Crash]

Swaim, Jarwin, Schultz, that's it. Rico has some highlights so he will end up somewhere.

 

[OmerV]

Those evaluations are how the rest of the league sees our team in general. It has nothing to do with preseason performances which everyone knows mean very little.

So, what are they basing it on then? How do they know these guys wont perform well? Every quality player started out with no NFL track record, so how can these guys be condemned for having no track record? Obviously it's easier to project good things higher rated prospect, but history has shown many times over that where a player is rated guarantees neither failure or success.

 

[Whyjerry]

Based on camp and preseason Schultz should be cut. Stanford TE lacking strength? Would not have thought that. I think it is Swain, Jarwin and Rico. I bet Dallas still keeps Schultz which is a shame because he has not earned it plus you can almost guarantee a TE is taken with the first 3 picks next year. None of the TEs will have more than 35 catches. This is going to be a bit of a transition post the Witten era. We were spoiled for many years with him.

 

[atlantacowboy]

So, what are they basing it on then? How do they know these guys wont perform well? Every quality player started out with no NFL track record, so how can these guys be condemned for having no track record? Obviously it's easier to project good things higher rated prospect, but history has shown many times over that where a player is rated guarantees neither failure or success.

They don't "know" anything. Its all opinion and based on previous years performances. On paper, the WRs and TE's look pretty bad.

 

[CowboysExchange]

38 years old.

That would be 2 years older than JWit.

Even at 38 Gates is still a better option than this group. This is a practice squad bunch of tes who will never be much more than a James Hanna. At least Gates has experience and is a decent red zone te

These tes don't pass the eye test at blocking or receiving. Maybe Rico has potential at receiving if he can stay healthy. All the others wouldn't make any other roster so why ours?

 

[Cowboysheelsreds053]

Even at 38 Gates is still a better option than this group. This is a practice squad bunch of tes who will never be much more than a James Hanna. At least Gates has experience and is a decent red zone te

These tes don't pass the eye test at blocking or receiving. Maybe Rico has potential at receiving if he can stay healthy. All the others wouldn't make any other roster so why ours?

Probably because the same reason old jerrah keeps red around. Like the Frank Sinatra song " I did it my way ". Going to be his way or sure die trying.

 

[CowboysExchange]

Probably because the same reason old jerrah keeps red around. Like the Frank Sinatra song " I did it my way ". Going to be his way or sure die trying.

I could understand if we had had some talent at the position but we never had nothing but a blocker so why not just draft some olineman instead. Tyron is a better receiver than these tes. Plus he's heavier and stronger

 

[xwalker]

Many are seeing disaster, saying things like the team doesn't have a TE who can catch passes, the team doesn't know how to use and TEs, and the team won't use this group of TEs, but is that really what we've seen this preseason?

To begin with, the team has played without its elite RB and most of the time without its starting QB and elite O-Line. And they have played without game planning.

Yet the TEs have caught 23 passes for 176 yards in 3 games. Not a particularly exciting ypc average, but significant yardage, and a sizable part of the offense. Overall, I would say it's a nice sign for a unit with all the things going against it mentioned in the paragraph above.

Regular season will include the starting QB, the elite RB, the elite O-Line (minus one), game plans, and no need to play everyone just for the sake of getting a look at them. With those benefits it's not at all unreasonable that the TEs could get a similar number of catches, and increase the ypc number 2-3 yards per catch. That would be a significant and sizeable contribution to the offense.

I think Linehan wants to use a good bit of 4 Wide. Also I think some of the snaps that used 2 TEs in the the past will be 1 TE this season.

On the flip-side they seemed to use more 3 TEs set this preseason than normal.

The TEs have been the most difficult position to assess this year. They just didn't target them enough to know much about them as receivers.

There was some good and some bad as blockers. Often some backup OLineman screwed up which made made it difficult to evaluate the TE blocks.

 

[OmerV]

I think Linehan wants to use a good bit of 4 Wide. Also I think some of the snaps that used 2 TEs in the the past will be 1 TE this season.

On the flip-side they seemed to use more 3 TEs set this preseason than normal.

The TEs have been the most difficult position to assess this year. They just didn't target them enough to know much about them as receivers.

There was some good and some bad as blockers. Often some backup OLineman screwed up which made made it difficult to evaluate the TE blocks.

Agreed on all of this. I think really overall there have been a fair amount of passes to the TEs this preseason, but with it being spread among 4 people it's hard to get a feel. That's why I think we might see something better once the season starts. There will be more consistency in who is used and how they are used, and it will be with the 1st team offense rather than the stumbling and bumbling 2nd, 3rd and no team offenses.

 

[xwalker]

Agreed on all of this. I think really overall there have been a fair amount of passes to the TEs this preseason, but with it being spread among 4 people it's hard to get a feel. That's why I think we might see something better once the season starts. There will be more consistency in who is used and how they are used, and it will be with the 1st team offense rather than the stumbling and bumbling 2nd, 3rd and no team offenses.

I just didn't see much one way or the other on the TEs. It's easier to evaluate OL/DL and several other positions because they are not dependent on the QB or play call.

I actually thought Jarwin blocked better than expected. The Cowboys really just want "good enough" blocking from TEs and don't care about wow type blocking if that makes sense (i.e. block the correct defender in the correct direction just long enough). They loved Hanna but he was not overly big or strong and didn't really drive block anybody unless it was CBs but he knew the offense and didn't make mistakes.