What to do about TE and Escobar

[kiheikiwi]

Have been pondering the TE position, seriously how much longer does Witten have - 2 years ? No one sees a lot of playing time behind Jason, but it's starting to get to that time... Hanna was just signed to a 3 year 8.5 million extension - 6th rounder. He has found himself his niche, and playing well.
Gavin Escobar - the much maligned Gavin Escobar.
Another enigma by our front office. Same size and weight as Hanna, 2nd round as opposed to 6th round. Achilles rupture so not sure what we will get out of him his last year. Has not lived up to his draft pedigree, but I can't help wonder if that is more on the front office than him. Supposedly drafted to play the 12 package, but then the team decided they like the 11 package better. Is that due to over drafting him ? Or lack of talent on his part ? Lack of coaching/knowing what he was before drafting him.
He becomes a UFA after this season, and coming off the injury who knows how much he will play.
Cheap re-sign ? Or just let him go.
We only have Swaim as our 4th option so do we need to take another low round TE ?
Part of Witten's legacy is how he dominated the position here, and the bad choices the FO made on resources behind him.
All I can say is, no more 2nd round TE's .....

 

[RS12]

The TEs they are reportedly scouting so far are late round/ UDFA types.

 

[AbeBeta]

I know the answer. 2nd round pick.

 

[Stash]

I know the answer. 2nd round pick.

Curse you!

 

[Vinnie2u]

Don't worry Swaim is on the roster...

 

[Echo9]

Adios Pablo

 

[Doc50]

Have been pondering the TE position, seriously how much longer does Witten have - 2 years ? No one sees a lot of playing time behind Jason, but it's starting to get to that time... Hanna was just signed to a 3 year 8.5 million extension - 6th rounder. He has found himself his niche, and playing well.
Gavin Escobar - the much maligned Gavin Escobar.
Another enigma by our front office. Same size and weight as Hanna, 2nd round as opposed to 6th round. Achilles rupture so not sure what we will get out of him his last year. Has not lived up to his draft pedigree, but I can't help wonder if that is more on the front office than him. Supposedly drafted to play the 12 package, but then the team decided they like the 11 package better. Is that due to over drafting him ? Or lack of talent on his part ? Lack of coaching/knowing what he was before drafting him.
He becomes a UFA after this season, and coming off the injury who knows how much he will play.
Cheap re-sign ? Or just let him go.
We only have Swaim as our 4th option so do we need to take another low round TE ?
Part of Witten's legacy is how he dominated the position here, and the bad choices the FO made on resources behind him.
All I can say is, no more 2nd round TE's .....

Of the 3 non-starters, Swaim is the most like Witten, and the cheapest/youngest. Hannah is now locked up.

Escobar could find himself being traded, maybe at the end of camp, or possibly during the draft.

 

[Echo9]

Of the 3 non-starters, Swaim is the most like Witten, and the cheapest/youngest. Hannah is now locked up.

Escobar could find himself being traded, maybe at the end of camp, or possibly during the draft.

With him not being able to play most of 2016 (if at all), I kinda doubt we'd get much in trade, but I wouldn't might seeing it.

 

[the_h0wey]

Have been pondering the TE position, seriously how much longer does Witten have - 2 years ? No one sees a lot of playing time behind Jason, but it's starting to get to that time... Hanna was just signed to a 3 year 8.5 million extension - 6th rounder. He has found himself his niche, and playing well.
Gavin Escobar - the much maligned Gavin Escobar.
Another enigma by our front office. Same size and weight as Hanna, 2nd round as opposed to 6th round. Achilles rupture so not sure what we will get out of him his last year. Has not lived up to his draft pedigree, but I can't help wonder if that is more on the front office than him. Supposedly drafted to play the 12 package, but then the team decided they like the 11 package better. Is that due to over drafting him ? Or lack of talent on his part ? Lack of coaching/knowing what he was before drafting him.
He becomes a UFA after this season, and coming off the injury who knows how much he will play.
Cheap re-sign ? Or just let him go.
We only have Swaim as our 4th option so do we need to take another low round TE ?
Part of Witten's legacy is how he dominated the position here, and the bad choices the FO made on resources behind him.
All I can say is, no more 2nd round TE's .....

I figured we'd let him walk so he can then go be a productive tight end for the next 10 years with another team just like Marty B and Fasano

 

[Alexander]

This is a horrific TE draft.

It is probably why we signed Hanna back like that.

I wouldn't even bother.

Especially since we have Swaim.

We need to wean ourselves away from the TE predicated attack out of necessity due to the resources available.

If our offense cannot adapt, that is our problem.

 

[erod]

I don't understand why he's not used more.

In New England or New Orleans, he'd be a monster.

 

[casmith07]

Right now, nothing. We can roll with Hanna and Swaim this year while Escobar likely spends an entire year on IR/PUP.

I would be shocked if Escobar is cleared to play this year off a torn achilles. He tore his in the last week of the season, if I recall correctly. Barry Church tore his in like Week 2 a few years back and made it back for the next year, but that was with nearly 12 months of recovery after surgery.

It's in both the players' interest and the Cowboys' interest for him to be on IR for a year.

 

[Idgit]

I think they moved up to take Swaim specifically because they planned to let Hanna walk and they wanted a year with a guy in the weight room to learn the blocking assignments. That explains an otherwise weird looking trade during the draft last season. Then you'd have Wit, your blocking TE, and Escobar as your three TEs, and a decent group to move forward with. If you extend Escobar as Witten nears the end of his playing days, you have your TE2 up to speed, and you draft another one that next draft and go from there.

With Escobar's achilles, that plan changed. We're fortunate to have Hanna back at a reasonable rate. Now he's here long enough that he legitimately has the shot to be Wit's replacement, too.

 

[Idgit]

I don't understand why he's not used more.

In New England or New Orleans, he'd be a monster.

I have no idea. Once Dunbar went down last season I was sure Escobar was going to take his place as the scheme guy in the lineups. Letting us run in some sets with two TEs, or leaving a LB to cover him in patterns. I don't understand why it never materialized. He's not a great blocker, but he's not outright awful. Plus, who cares? It was only stupid Matt Cassel or stupid Darren McFadden back there.

 

[BigStar]

I have no idea. Once Dunbar went down last season I was sure Escobar was going to take his place as the scheme guy in the lineups. Letting us run in some sets with two TEs, or leaving a LB to cover him in patterns. I don't understand why it never materialized. He's not a great blocker, but he's not outright awful. Plus, who cares? It was only stupid Matt Cassel or stupid Darren McFadden back there.

Someone hack your account?

 

[Risen Star]

Wentz.....Swaim....Touchdown, Dallas

 

[KingintheNorth]

Wentz.....Swaim....Touchdown, Dallas

Which quarter of Preseason Game 4 is that from?

 

[Aven8]

What's the point really? Outside of Witten, who was a disciple of Bill, what has the TE ever accomplished with JG outside of blocking?

They are too afraid to split time with Witt, and horrible at running the 12 personnel.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Have been pondering the TE position, seriously how much longer does Witten have - 2 years ?

Didn't Jerry say 4-5 more years?

 

[texbumthelife]

Of the 3 non-starters, Swaim is the most like Witten, and the cheapest/youngest. Hannah is now locked up.

Escobar could find himself being traded, maybe at the end of camp, or possibly during the draft.

How are you trading a guy who likely won't play the rest of his contract? Good luck with that...