WR a Postion of Strength for Cowboys

[Nation]

Except for maybe 2-3 other WR groups in the league, if you remove a star WR from any group they are gong to be hurting.

if calvin Johnson goes down Detroit unit is toast. if Julio Jones goes down, Atlanta is toast (well that already happened). that statement is true for 28 out of 32 teams in the league. the facts are that in today's NFL having depth at all of the positions is impossible, even having depth in one position is difficult. usually teams that stay healthy have the best chance during the season and in post season. at this point, dez is not injured. so this is a strength of the team.

I'm certainly not saying that WR is a weakness, but those 2-4 teams that we are talking about here are the teams where it is a true strength. Certainly losing a weapon like Dez would hurt. I think losing him takes the unit from very good to below average.

 

[vlad]

With this "deep" WR draft class certainly some capable veterans (like the Nate Burlesons of the world) will be released before the season. I would expect the Cowboys to be able to pick up a veteran presence there if needed. We don't necessarily need world beaters, we need people that reliably do their jobs well - without Romo having to tell people where to go.

 

[dstovall5]

Of course WR is a position of strength for the Cowboys (in comparison to other positions), when you have a top 5 WR you better believe that position is one of your strong points. Now if he were to go down, then we'd immediately have one of the worst WR groups in the entire NFL, at least in my opinion.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Seems like some unrealistic expectations. If the only way to be strong is to have 2 number 1 receivers and starting quality backups then what team in the league is 'strong?' Atlanta?

I also don't see teams rolling additional coverage on anyone should Dez go down. They do it to dez because they have to.

 

[DFWJC]

With this "deep" WR draft class certainly some capable veterans (like the Nate Burlesons of the world) will be released before the season. I would expect the Cowboys to be able to pick up a veteran presence there if needed. We don't necessarily need world beaters, we need people that reliably do their jobs well - without Romo having to tell people where to go.

I only think this happens if we have an injury. Miles was non existant last year, so adding the rookie may even be an upgrade.

 

[bark]

I hope so. Because I read we also have a top 5 offense.

I hope so. Because I read we also have a bottom 5 defense. Crap they may be right.....

 

[Direwolf63]

I do to. What's more, if Dez were to get hurt and the offense were to fall off the map, Calvin, IMO, would not be saying these same things. I just don't get how anybody can look at our team and come to the conclusion that WR is solid. I don't see it at this point but what do I know?

In the salary cap era, no team can go 5 deep at wide receiver. Every team has two or three guys who are rookies or are still learning how to play. Who does Detroit, Cincinnati or Arizona have after their top guy? Not a whole lot.

I don't think we are an outlier here. We may not be great after Dez, but we aren't worse than most other teams after theri top guy either.

 

[Hoofbite]

In the salary cap era, no team can go 5 deep at wide receiver. Every team has two or three guys who are rookies or are still learning how to play. Who does Detroit, Cincinnati or Arizona have after their top guy? Not a whole lot.

I don't think we are an outlier here. We may not be great after Dez, but we aren't worse than most other teams after theri top guy either.

Arizona doesn't have a whole lot because as soon as guys develop they promptly leave that hell hole. Steve Breaston and Andre Roberts all jumped ship. They have Michael Floyd behind Fitz right now.

Cincy has Marvin Jones who just caught 10 TDs last year. They also have Andrew Hawkins (yes, the one Jesse Holley "beat out") who looked really good in 2012, not so much last year.

Is Dallas in a worse shape than the other teams? I dunno, probably not but I'd be a little less comfortable with Williams as a #1 than I would be many other #2s out there.

 

[Alexander]

Cincy has Marvin Jones who just caught 10 TDs last year. They also have Andrew Hawkins (yes, the one Jesse Holley "beat out") who looked really good in 2012, not so much last year.

Andrew Hawkins now plays in Cleveland.

 

[DFWJC]

As long as Witten is around, Dallas has at least some insurance compared to most teams.

We do need to Williams take that next step. It usually happens is year 3, but sometimes in year 2.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

In the salary cap era, no team can go 5 deep at wide receiver. Every team has two or three guys who are rookies or are still learning how to play. Who does Detroit, Cincinnati or Arizona have after their top guy? Not a whole lot.

I don't think we are an outlier here. We may not be great after Dez, but we aren't worse than most other teams after theri top guy either.

That's your opinion and you are welcome to it but it aint right. I don't agree.

 

[Idgit]

Surprised by the consensus here in this thread. I don't consider WRs a particular position of strength, I guess, but it's a good, deep unit. And we've got multiple options at the x, y, and the z positions, now, if the draft picks deliver anything.

If Dez goes down, we're going to throw to the TEs, anyways.

 

[dstovall5]

Surprised by the consensus here in this thread. I don't consider WRs a particular position of strength, I guess, but it's a good, deep unit. And we've got multiple options at the x, y, and the z positions, now, if the draft picks deliver anything.

If Dez goes down, we're going to throw to the TEs, anyways.

I would say in comparison to other positions, Safety, LB, ect; it's a position of strength for us. We have a good unit, just not a great unit IMO.

 

[jobberone]

Dez is unreal. After that we have a sophomore and a rookie along with Harris and Beasley. Not exactly going to strike fear in the hearts of DCs IF Dez is injured, out, or taken out by scheme and the others don't step up. Witten still gets down the seams at times but he can be games as well. The other receivers need to step up. I'd use Escobar as a WR as well. They ain't payin' me though.

 

[Idgit]

I would say in comparison to other positions, Safety, LB, ect; it's a position of strength for us. We have a good unit, just not a great unit IMO.

Well, that's definitely true. S and LB are relatively weak position groups for us. I will say that we've at least got the potential to be relatively consistent and have room for improvement at S if Wilcox takes a step forward and either/both of Johnson and Dixon can play.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Well, that's definitely true. S and LB are relatively weak position groups for us. I will say that we've at least got the potential to be relatively consistent and have room for improvement at S if Wilcox takes a step forward and either/both of Johnson and Dixon can play.

I think that if you look at the WR position 3 years out, then the potential is certainly there to be a position of strength, if the young guys develop. However, there is no guarantee that they will and in the short term, I agree with you. We have very little in the way of solid reserves.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

I'm certainly not saying that WR is a weakness, but those 2-4 teams that we are talking about here are the teams where it is a true strength. Certainly losing a weapon like Dez would hurt. I think losing him takes the unit from very good to below average.

again, that happens to most of the teams. Denver, Atlanta are two prime examples.

I also disagree that would make us average. with harris, witten, Williams, we still have a formidable group. to go below average you have to have sucky WRs and I don't think any of these guys are sucky!!!...

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

I think there is a difference between a guy going down and bringing in another player who is not as talented and having a guy go down and bringing in a guy who has never caught a pass in the NFL. Nobody is questioning the drop off factor. It's a matter of having guys who at least understand the offense and can give you snaps.

harris, beasly, Williams should provide that. Dez being one of top 2 or 3 players in the league and being lost will defintley have an impact and big impact. no team can boast they have two top 5 WRs on their team, thus being able to absorb a top 5 player loss.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

harris, beasly, Williams should provide that. Dez being one of top 2 or 3 players in the league and being lost will defintley have an impact and big impact. no team can boast they have two top 5 WRs on their team, thus being able to absorb a top 5 player loss.

Based on what? Harris, to date, has never provided it. Beasly, while liked, is very susceptible to injury himself, especially if forced into a starting role, based on his physical size. Williams should not even be on this list because he is projected as a starter so he is not in the discussion of backups.

This is a very familiar way of looking at this on this board but I can't say I agree. I think it's more of a wishful thinking type approach and not very practical. Also remember, Harris is a return man. You start him and then you need to find a suitable replacement on STs as well.

 

[jday]

WR a Postioni of Strength for Cowboys
WR a position of strength for Cowboys

May, 13, 2014 May 13
3:00
PM ET

By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas

As it stands Tuesday, Dez Bryant and Terrance Williams are the starting wide receivers for the Dallas Cowboys.

Bryant
Team officials don't believe that's a bad thing.

Bryant enters his fifth season coming off his first Pro Bowl appearance and Williams emerged as a solid No. 3 wideout behind Miles Austin and Bryant last season.

But Austin is gone, released in a salary cap move, and while coach Jason Garrett said he's open to the veteran's return, it appears doubtful.

"I think as players get older, sometimes people wait," said team executive Stephen Jones, who expressed surprise that Austin was still a free agent. "Maybe Miles hasn’t signed because he decided, ‘Hey, I’m not ready to sign yet.' Some of these guys as decided as they get older that they want to wait and look at everything, especially if there’s not an offer out there that blows them away."

Harris
The Cowboys had some interest in a veteran wide receiver during the early stages of the free-agency period, but wanted to upgrade their defensive line first.

Nate Burleson, who worked with Scott Linehan in Detroit, was on the market before signing a deal with Cleveland.

In the draft, the Cowboys selected Devin Street from Pittsburgh to compete with Cole Beasley and Dwayne Harris as a No. 3 or No. 4 receiver.

The Cowboys note Street doesn’t have blazing speed, however, he’s a good route runner and has excellent hands. Wide receivers coach Derek Dooley went to Pittsburgh to workout Street and came away impressed.

Beasley
When the 2014 season starts, the Cowboys will have a very young receiving corps, which is a different vibe than we’ve seen in previous seasons.

The Cowboys have had at least one veteran in their 30s from Terrell Owens, Patrick Crayton and Roy Williams. But now, things are on Bryant, who becomes the 25-year-old leader of the group.
http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowbo...medium=twitter
During the voluntary offseason workouts, Bryant has been a called a vocal leader during the weight lifting and running sessions at Valley Ranch. Team officials never want to stifle a player’s voice, and Bryant is one who speaks his mind in a positive way.

This is a critical year for this group, seeing that Bryant is entering the final year of his deal and turning into one of the best receivers in the NFL.

Williams was third on the team in yards (736) and touchdowns (five) last year, and after a few rookie mistakes, proved he could become a trusted player for quarterback Tony Romo. Beasley and Harris are solid backup receivers when used properly. Harris has more value as a returner while Bealsey is a solid receiver from the slot.

And while the Cowboys are looking to get younger at many positions, wide receiver not only does so, but could be a position of strength this upcoming season.

I'm actually pretty interested to see this UDFA L'Damian Washington. Check out a write up on him here.