Your expectations

[Chocolate Lab]

I don't necessarily think we were Super Bowl bound this year either, but in this NFC, how can you tell? These days, if you're good enough to make the playoffs, you can win the conference. So from that standoint, I do hate to lose one of our best players, because in this NFL you never know.

And I really don't see how Terry could be one of the best starters we could lose to injury when there's nothing behind him. If you said Spears, where we had a young Hatcher, or an inside LB where we could play a Burnett or Carpenter, or a Colombo, where McQuistan might be about as good, I could see it. But it just happens that WR is a position where we are extremely inexperienced and thin.

Not to nitpick, because I do get your point. I'm still not sure we don't need a year of learning two new schemes plus the coaches figuring out any personnel changes that need to be made plus two first round draft picks before we really are ready to steamroll.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Jason Witten is many things, but fast is not one of them. He is about as graceful in the open field as Stephen Hawking

He runs a 4.67 40. That is pretty good for a 266lbs tight end. Dallas Clark runs about a 10th faster, but he is also around 15lbs lighter. Witten may not be the best at any single attribute for a TE, but I think he is arguable the most talented *complete* TE currently playing.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

And I really don't see how Terry could be one of the best starters we could lose to injury when there's nothing behind him. If you said Spears, where we had a young Hatcher, or an inside LB where we could play a Burnett or Carpenter, or a Colombo, where McQuistan might be about as good, I could see it. But it just happens that WR is a position where we are extremely inexperienced and thin.

Ditto.

Say what you will, but really we have lost guys in positions where all we have are young guys with no starting experience and not real highly touted prospects.

It would be like if we lost Fergy and people started hyping Ratliff. Sure we can hope for the magical cure, but we have to be realistic too.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

On top of this, we just inherited a very motivated starting WR. Let's not forget that Patrick Crayton is due to be a UDFA at the end of this year and he now gets a real chance to audition for the entire NFL.

That's what I meant by evaluate his future. I should have been more clear.

Dallas really needs to know if Crayton warrants #2 money. Ask the Commanders with Lloyd/Randel El what paying #2 money for #3 receivers can do to a team. They lost the only OL with a future they had thanks to the cash they had tied up there.

It's almost a no-risk proposition for the Cowboys too because I just can't see what he could do to have some sucker pay him #1 money. He plays well enough to warrant #2 money, Dallas pays him accordingly. He doesn't and Dallas signs him at a discount or lets him walk.

 

[Hostile]

That's what I meant by evaluate his future. I should have been more clear.

Dallas really needs to know if Crayton warrants #2 money. Ask the Commanders with Lloyd/Randel El what paying #2 money for #3 receivers can do to a team. They lost the only OL with a future they had thanks to the cash they had tied up there.

It's almost a no-risk proposition for the Cowboys too because I just can't see what he could do to have some sucker pay him #1 money. He plays well enough to warrant #2 money, Dallas pays him accordingly. He doesn't and Dallas signs him at a discount or lets him walk.

Yet another valid point. Good posts amidst the ever encircling gloom.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

That's what I meant by evaluate his future. I should have been more clear.

Dallas really needs to know if Crayton warrants #2 money. Ask the Commanders with Lloyd/Randel El what paying #2 money for #3 receivers can do to a team. They lost the only OL with a future they had thanks to the cash they had tied up there.

It's almost a no-risk proposition for the Cowboys too because I just can't see what he could do to have some sucker pay him #1 money. He plays well enough to warrant #2 money, Dallas pays him accordingly. He doesn't and Dallas signs him at a discount or lets him walk.

I totally understand what you are saying. But you are talking about future contracts, not what we need on the field this year. If Crayton flops as a number #2 right now, we are in trouble right now. Next year and the next contract is next year, right now we need to win football games.

I'm all for trying Crayton, but evaluating the future while trying to get a high seed for the playoffs and a good playoff run can be dangerous.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

I don't necessarily think we were Super Bowl bound this year either, but in this NFC, how can you tell? These days, if you're good enough to make the playoffs, you can win the conference. So from that standoint, I do hate to lose one of our best players, because in this NFL you never know.

And I really don't see how Terry could be one of the best starters we could lose to injury when there's nothing behind him. If you said Spears, where we had a young Hatcher, or an inside LB where we could play a Burnett or Carpenter, or a Colombo, where McQuistan might be about as good, I could see it. But it just happens that WR is a position where we are extremely inexperienced and thin.

Not to nitpick, because I do get your point. I'm still not sure we don't need a year of learning two new schemes plus the coaches figuring out any personnel changes that need to be made plus two first round draft picks before we really are ready to steamroll.

Crayton has more starting experience than any other backup on the entire offense save Brad Johnson who I covered in my post. Plus I wouldn't say that Dallas is thin at WR, it's probably the deepest position Dallas has as far as talent. Dallas' 7th WR (at least in the opinion of the staff) was picked up quickly for a 53 man roster when he was cut. You are right that they are a little inexperienced but it's not like there's four rookies on the bench. Hurd's played ok in limited time and Austin does have a TD albeit via return on his resume. That's a far sight more than a lot of teams can claim.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

I totally understand what you are saying. But you are talking about future contracts, not what we need on the field this year. If Crayton flops as a number #2 right now, we are in trouble right now. Next year and the next contract is next year, right now we need to win football games.

I'm all for trying Crayton, but evaluating the future while trying to get a high seed for the playoffs and a good playoff run can be dangerous.

If Crayton flops as a #2, which I doubt he will BTW, then Dallas rotates the #2 taking advantage of the strengths of Hurd, Austin and Stanback at various times (unless one clearly steps up) and allow Crayton to retain the #3 role that we all know he capable of doing well.

I understand your point about the here and now but not keeping an eye on the future is what put Dallas in the doldrums of the late '90s.

 

[WR17]

Losing a 1000 yard reciever who commands double teams is never a good thing. I this is a significant loss to your team up until Crayton proves he can beat single coverages. He has the ability to but he hasn't. Having a low potential inexperienced guy like Samn Hurd doesn't help either.

 

[YosemiteSam]

And I really don't see how Terry could be one of the best starters we could lose to injury when there's nothing behind him. If you said Spears, where we had a young Hatcher, or an inside LB where we could play a Burnett or Carpenter, or a Colombo, where McQuistan might be about as good, I could see it. But it just happens that WR is a position where we are extremely inexperienced and thin.

I disagree whole heartedly. Can Hatcher play in place of Spears? Yes, but! Hatcher doesn't play the run as well. If he did, then he would have replaced Spears as the DE. There would be a major dropoff at defensive end if Spears goes down. (hate on him all you want, he is one of if not the best DE we have) Of course Hatcher usually plays DE in the nickel where we have more defensive linemen in the game. We arn't *very* thin at WR either. I believe Crayton can be a valid #2 guy and Hurd is a valid #3. After that then you start to get thin, but he have replacement players that are starting caliber. We are lucky to have drafted Spencer otherwise our defense would be right back where it was at the end of last year. I disagree about McQuistan instead of Columbo, though Carpenter could place in place of Akin or Brady, just not to the same level of play.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

If Crayton flops as a #2, which I doubt he will BTW, then Dallas rotates the #2 taking advantage of the strengths of Hurd, Austin and Stanback at various times (unless one clearly steps up) and allow Crayton to retain the #3 role that we all know he capable of doing well.

I understand your point about the here and now but not keeping an eye on the future is what put Dallas in the doldrums of the late '90s.

Cool, I know Crayton needs the test, and this is a great opportunity for that to happen. I just want to make sure he doesn't cost us wins, thats all. I still don't think he has the speed to really give us the deep threat that compliments TO the best. TO can really do whatever, but underneath is where he can really cause headaches for the opposition.

I'm not talking doing anything crazy, but I do think we should keep our options open for outside talent if we can get it for a reasonable deal (trade or FA).

 

[tomson75]

Losing a 1000 yard reciever who commands double teams is never a good thing.

Agreed.

I this is a significant loss to your team up until Crayton proves he can beat single coverages. He has the ability to but he hasn't.

Sean Taylor would probably disagree with you.

Having a low potential inexperienced guy like Samn Hurd doesn't help either.

I don't think an undrafted rookie makes his way to the #4 spot on a stacked recieving corps by being "low potential."

 

[StanleySpadowski]

Cool, I know Crayton needs the test, and this is a great opportunity for that to happen. I just want to make sure he doesn't cost us wins, thats all. I still don't think he has the speed to really give us the deep threat that compliments TO the best. TO can really do whatever, but underneath is where he can really cause headaches for the opposition.

I'm not talking doing anything crazy, but I do think we should keep our options open for outside talent if we can get it for a reasonable deal (trade or FA).

I agree that Dallas should keep its options open and wouldn't be adverse to a reasonable trade.

I think what's really bolstered my opinion of Dallas' WR depth is Copper's production in NO. He had something like 400 yards last year. Not world beating, but you have to remember he was cut in favor of Austin and Hurd. I understand there are tons of factors involved in a coach's (especially one like Parcells) decision on who to keep but it wasn't like Copper was a special teams slouch.

Given that, I wouldn't think that it's unreasonable to believe that either Hurd or Austin could produce similar numbers if given the opportunity.

 

[WR17]

Agreed.



Sean Taylor would probably disagree with you.



I don't think an undrafted rookie makes his way to the #4 spot on a stacked recieving corps by being "low potential."

Who was Hurds challenge at the #4 spot? Probably an undrafted player. Its not like he beat your quality wideouts for a spot on your team so I really don't understand the context of your statement. You have arguably the best reciever in the league and outside of that, a solid #2 and a decent #3. After that, who? but that doesn't matter unless your top wideouts are out, in that case your royally screwed and can only pray for the best (something which doesn't happen most of the time). There is no way you can replace a 1000 yard reciever, despite the depth you have.

btw Taylor has owned Crayton as many times Crayton has given him some, which is only once btw which was the TD he caught in the first game. I'm sure you remmember Crayton getting posterized by Taylor two years ago on Monday Night Football

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Wow, a 5th overall pick is 50/50 with a 7th rounder.

Mad props to Sean.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

I agree that Dallas should keep its options open and wouldn't be adverse to a reasonable trade.

I think what's really bolstered my opinion of Dallas' WR depth is Copper's production in NO. He had something like 400 yards last year. Not world beating, but you have to remember he was cut in favor of Austin and Hurd. I understand there are tons of factors involved in a coach's (especially one like Parcells) decision on who to keep but it wasn't like Copper was a special teams slouch.

Given that, I wouldn't think that it's unreasonable to believe that either Hurd or Austin could produce similar numbers if given the opportunity.

I can see that line of thought, and I hope they can fulfill that. I guess I'm more worried about Crayton at the #2 than I am about Hurd (or Austin) at the #3. Hurd at #3 can be covered up by Fasano a little, but Crayton can't be covered up at the #2.

One WR sets with 2 TEs (TO, Witten, Fasano) just isn't a good formation to me, so really Crayton has to come through. Stepping up from a #3 to a #2 is a pretty big step, not as big as #2 to #1, but still pretty significant.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

I think what's really bolstered my opinion of Dallas' WR depth is Copper's production in NO. He had something like 400 yards last year. Not world beating, but you have to remember he was cut in favor of Austin and Hurd. I understand there are tons of factors involved in a coach's (especially one like Parcells) decision on who to keep but it wasn't like Copper was a special teams slouch.

BTW, what worries me the most is that if you compare it to NO, they have Devern Henderson who averaged a ridiculous 23.3 yards per catch for them last year, by far the most in the league. That balanced the offense out for other guys.

The concern is right now, we don't have anyone that can do that on this team. Maybe we do and hopefully they step up and perform that role, but I think we are kidding ourselves if we think Crayton is that guy.

 

[tomson75]

Who was Hurds challenge at the #4 spot? Probably an undrafted player. Its not like he beat your quality wideouts for a spot on your team so I really don't understand the context of your statement.

While I'm not surprised that you don't understand, my previous post was simply attempting to correct your assumption that he is "low potential." Whatever criteria you've used to deduce him as such is probably as ******** as your team's methods of acquiring depth, so spare me your diatribe.

You have arguably the best reciever in the league and outside of that, a solid #2 and a decent #3.

See above. Terry Glenn, when healthy, is more than solid at #2....far more. Crayton has been one of the most productive #3 WRs in the league for the last two years. Our excellence at WR is one of the reasons guys like Hurd fail to crack our starting lineup, whereas they would be the #3 on most teams and starting on some.

After that, who?

Sam Hurd. Try to keep up.

but that doesn't matter unless your top wideouts are out, in that case your royally screwed and can only pray for the best (something which doesn't happen most of the time).

Nice sentence.

There is no way you can replace a 1000 yard reciever, despite the depth you have.

So you're saying it's impossible? That it has never happened in the history of the NFL? Ok.

I guess we'll have to wait and see.

btw Taylor has owned Crayton as many times Crayton has given him some, which is only once btw which was the TD he caught in the first game. I'm sure you remmember Crayton getting posterized by Taylor two years ago on Monday Night Football

Actually, you're wrong yet again. Crayton has beaten Taylor and co. badly several times. Regardless, I was addressing your incorrect statement..."he has the ability but he hasn't"...when clearly he has. Nice try though.

I hope that one hit on Crayton netted you six points...oh wait.

 

[ZeroClub]

Well, the best thing about the Ellis and Glenn injuries is that the Cowboys were fairly well prepared for them. Ellis hasn't practiced regularly since his injury last year, Glenn has missed many practices too. So their subs have gotten plenty of reps.

I think Terry Glenn is a better WR than a lot of Cowboys fans seem to think. Still I'm excited to see what Crayton can do.

I'm also looking forward to seeing how Jacques Reeves performs.