Crayton may hold key to Cowboys' season
By ZACH DUNCAN, Scripps Howard News Service professional football
The Dallas Cowboys certainly felt they addressed their biggest concerns in what was one of the busier 2008 offseasons for an NFL franchise.
Need another running back after letting Julius Jones walk? They drafted two impact ball carriers in Felix Jones and Tashard Choice.
They bolstered the secondary by adding Adam (no longer "Pac Man'') Jones, and kept the offensive line intact by re-signing Flozell Adams.
Dallas even locked up cornerstones running back Marion Barber, cornerback Terence Newman and receiver Terrell Owens with long-term extensions.
If there was a problem, owner Jerry Jones was quick to whip out the checkbook without hesitation.
But despite the transaction hustle and bustle, there's still one point of concern that worries me.
Can Patrick Crayton be the No. 2 receiver the Cowboys desperately need to stretch the field?
Owens and tight end Jason Witten are the focal points in Dallas' passing attack, but neither can render an offense more vertical like the departed Terry Glenn could.
Crayton did make 50 receptions for 697 yards and seven TDs last year, but his most memorable play was the one he didn't catch -- the crucial drop against the Giants in the Divisional Playoff loss at Texas Stadium.
And if Crayton is the second wideout, who lines up in the slot? Sam Hurd, Miles Austin and Isaiah Stanback combined for 24 receptions a year ago.
Letting Glenn go wasn't a bad decision. A receiver who relies on speed rarely can keep his production up once he reaches his mid-30s.
But not targeting another wideout either in the draft or via a trade could eventually haunt the Cowboys if none of the youngsters emerge.
(Zach Duncan writes for the Wichita Falls Times Record News.)
The Dallas Cowboys certainly felt they addressed their biggest concerns in what was one of the busier 2008 offseasons for an NFL franchise.
Need another running back after letting Julius Jones walk? They drafted two impact ball carriers in Felix Jones and Tashard Choice.
They bolstered the secondary by adding Adam (no longer "Pac Man'') Jones, and kept the offensive line intact by re-signing Flozell Adams.
Dallas even locked up cornerstones running back Marion Barber, cornerback Terence Newman and receiver Terrell Owens with long-term extensions.
If there was a problem, owner Jerry Jones was quick to whip out the checkbook without hesitation.
But despite the transaction hustle and bustle, there's still one point of concern that worries me.
Can Patrick Crayton be the No. 2 receiver the Cowboys desperately need to stretch the field?
Owens and tight end Jason Witten are the focal points in Dallas' passing attack, but neither can render an offense more vertical like the departed Terry Glenn could.
Crayton did make 50 receptions for 697 yards and seven TDs last year, but his most memorable play was the one he didn't catch -- the crucial drop against the Giants in the Divisional Playoff loss at Texas Stadium.
And if Crayton is the second wideout, who lines up in the slot? Sam Hurd, Miles Austin and Isaiah Stanback combined for 24 receptions a year ago.
Letting Glenn go wasn't a bad decision. A receiver who relies on speed rarely can keep his production up once he reaches his mid-30s.
But not targeting another wideout either in the draft or via a trade could eventually haunt the Cowboys if none of the youngsters emerge.
(Zach Duncan writes for the Wichita Falls Times Record News.)
posted by The Gryphon at 6:02 PM
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